Today’s ACT question of the day comes from the science passage about the stick. We are asked to draw a conclusion based on Shadow A of experiment 1 (data below). Shadow A was measured one hour after sunrise.
| Table 1 | ||||||
| Shadow | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | |||
| Length (m) |
Shadow direction |
Length (m) |
Shadow direction |
Length (m) |
Shadow direction |
|
| A | 5.0 | SW | 8.6 | NW | 6.8 | W |
| B | 1.2 | W | 2.9 | NNW | 1.7 | NW |
| C | 0.3 | N | 2.3 | N | 0.9 | N |
| D | 1.2 | E | 3.0 | NNE | 1.8 | NE |
| E | 5.0 | SE | 8.6 | NE | 6.9 | E |
The possible conclusions are:
F. The direction of sunrise along the horizon varies throughout the year.
G. Shadows never point due south in the Northern Hemisphere.
H. Shadows never point due north in the Northern Hemisphere.
J. The Sun’s brightness varies throughout the year.
G and H have nothing to do with the data we are given or the measurements that were taken. Plus, “never” and “always” are strong words and need to be approached with caution.
J is … well, how exactly would that work? Clouds? The measurement of the stick’s shadow doesn’t intend to tell us anything about the sun’s brightness.
Luckily, F is both true and in line with what is being measured in Shadow A. By combining the data from the table with the description of Experiment 1, you should be able to select F without a doubt!