Filmmaker David Chen argues that movies with diverse casts perform better at the box office globally. He suggests that audiences worldwide see themselves represented on screen and are more likely to buy tickets.
Which data would most effectively support Chen's claim?
Some of the highest-grossing films of all time have had diverse casts
Audiences prefer to see familiar faces in films
Films with casts representing multiple ethnicities earned 20% more in international markets than films with homogeneous casts of similar budgets and genres
Hollywood has increased diversity hiring in recent years
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. Controlled comparison shows diverse casts earn more, controlling for budget and genre.
- Context clues: Chen claims diversity leads to "better box office."
- Evidence evaluation: 20% higher earnings with controls proves the claim.
- Verify: Matching budget and genre isolates diversity as the variable.
💡 Strategy: Box office claims need controlled comparisons eliminating confounding variables.
Choice A is incorrect because individual examples don't prove a trend. Choice B is incorrect because familiarity preference doesn't address diversity specifically. Choice D is incorrect because hiring trends don't prove financial success.