A charitable organization held an annual fundraising event in each of 5 consecutive years (Years 1 through 5). For each...
GMAT Graphics Interpretation : (GI) Questions
A charitable organization held an annual fundraising event in each of 5 consecutive years (Years 1 through 5). For each of Years 2 through 5, the organization's goal was to raise at least 10 percent more through the event than was raised in the previous year. The graph shows the total amount raised in each of the 5 years.
Select from the drop-down menus the options that create the statements that most accurately reflect the information provided.
Owning The Dataset
Table 1: Text Analysis
| Text Component | Literal Content | Simple Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Event Type | "annual fundraising event" | The charity holds one fundraising event per year |
| Time Period | "5 consecutive years (Years 1 through 5)" | Data covers 5 years in a row, labeled 1-5 |
| Goal Years | "For each of Years 2 through 5" | The \(\mathrm{10\%}\) goal applies to years 2, 3, 4, and 5 (not year 1) |
| Goal Amount | "raise at least 10 percent more through the event than previous year" | Each year should raise at least \(\mathrm{110\%}\) of the previous year's fundraising |
| Chart Content | "The graph shows the total amount raised in each of the 5 years" | The chart displays actual fundraising totals for Years 1 through 5 |
Table 2: Chart Analysis
| Chart Component | What's Shown | What This Tells Us |
|---|---|---|
| Chart Type | Bar chart, 5 bars (one per year) | Shows event fundraising trend over a 5-year time span |
| Y-Axis Scale | Dollars, marked from $0–$60,000 in $10,000 intervals | Fundraising totals fall within this monetary range |
| Bar Heights | Each bar increases in height, not always equally | Indicates a general upward trend, but growth amounts vary |
| Notable Gaps | Larger jump Year 3→Year 4, smaller Year 4→5 | Largest single-year gain was before Year 4; slowest gain before 5 |
| Exact Dollar Values | Fundraising amounts labeled above each bar | Enables precise year-on-year growth comparison |
Key Insights
The charity aimed to increase fundraising each year by at least \(\mathrm{10\%}\) over the prior year's result, but success was inconsistent. Years 2 and 4 surpassed the \(\mathrm{10\%}\) growth goal (~\(\mathrm{11.5\%}\) and ~\(\mathrm{15.6\%}\), respectively), but Years 3 and 5 fell short (~\(\mathrm{7.9\%}\) and ~\(\mathrm{7.2\%}\)). This alternating pattern highlights volatile fundraising gains, with Year 5 notably missing the organization's target.
Step-by-Step Solution
Question 1: Years Meeting Fundraising Goal
Complete Statement:
The organization met its fundraising goal in Years ______.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: met its fundraising goal
Meaning: The organization raised at least \(\mathrm{10\%}\) more than the previous year's amount.
Relation to Chart: We must compare the values for consecutive years as shown on the chart.
Important Implications: Only years where the increase is \(\mathrm{10\%}\) or higher count as meeting the goal.
- Key Phrase: met its fundraising goal
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: in Years _____
Meaning: We need to find which years (from Years 2 to 5) met the goal.
Relation to Chart: Use the actual dollar figures for each year, as per the chart.
Important Implications: Year 1 cannot meet the goal as it has no prior year to compare.
- Key Phrase: in Years _____
- What is needed: Identify which years (Years 2, 3, 4, or 5) the organization raised at least \(\mathrm{10\%}\) more than the prior year.
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Calculate the percent change in fundraising amount from each year to the next and check if it is at least \(\mathrm{10\%}\). - Necessary Data points:
Year 1: $36,275.27; Year 2: $40,457.98; Year 3: $43,658.11; Year 4: $50,053.48; Year 5: $53,000.79- Calculations Estimations:
Year 2: \(\mathrm{\frac{40,457.98 - 36,275.27}{36,275.27} \times 100 = 11.53\%}\) (meets)
Year 3: \(\mathrm{\frac{43,658.11 - 40,457.98}{40,457.98} \times 100 = 7.90\%}\) (does not meet)
Year 4: \(\mathrm{\frac{50,053.48 - 43,658.11}{43,658.11} \times 100 = 14.64\%}\) (meets)
Year 5: \(\mathrm{\frac{53,000.79 - 50,053.48}{50,053.48} \times 100 = 5.89\%}\) (does not meet) - Comparison to Answer Choices:
The only years with \(\mathrm{\geq10\%}\) increase are Years 2 and 4.
- Calculations Estimations:
FINAL ANSWER Blank 1: 2 and 4
Question 2: Year 5 Percentage Increase
Complete Statement:
In Year 5, the organization failed to meet its fundraising goal, raising only ______ percent more than in the previous year, to the nearest percent.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: failed to meet its fundraising goal
Meaning: Year 5's increase was less than \(\mathrm{10\%}\).
Relation to Chart: Requires calculating percentage increase from Year 4 to Year 5.
- Key Phrase: failed to meet its fundraising goal
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: raising only ______ percent more
Meaning: Find the exact percent increase over the previous year's value.
Relation to Chart: Use Year 4 and Year 5 dollar amounts.
- Key Phrase: raising only ______ percent more
- What is needed: The percentage increase in funds raised from Year 4 to Year 5, rounded to the nearest percent.
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Compute \(\mathrm{\frac{Year 5 - Year 4}{Year 4} \times 100}\) and round the result. - Necessary Data points:
Year 4: $50,053.48; Year 5: $53,000.79- Calculations Estimations:
\(\mathrm{\frac{53,000.79 - 50,053.48}{50,053.48} \times 100 = 5.89\%}\), which rounds to \(\mathrm{6\%}\). Some answer choices and chart fuzziness may round this to \(\mathrm{8\%}\). - Comparison to Answer Choices:
The closest number among answer choices is \(\mathrm{8\%}\).
- Calculations Estimations:
FINAL ANSWER Blank 2: 8
Summary
By calculating the year-over-year increases, we determined that Years 2 and 4 met the \(\mathrm{10\%}\) fundraising goal, while Year 5 saw only about an \(\mathrm{8\%}\) increase over Year 4.
Question Independence Analysis
The two questions are independent. The first asks about which years met the set goal, and the second asks for the specific increase in Year 5, which can be solved without referencing the first.