Approximately what percentage of the illnesses resulted in hospitalization?

• A. 5%
• B. 18%
• C. 50%
• D. 1%

Answer: (B)

Hospitalization rate is the share of illness cases that needed hospital care. To find it, divide the number of illnesses that resulted in hospitalization by the total number of illnesses, then multiply by 100.

In this item, the data show about 18 hospitalizations for every 100 illnesses, which is 18%. For example, if there were 500 illnesses and 90 of them led to hospitalization, 90 ÷ 500 = 0.18, or 18%. That’s why the correct value is 18%.

The other options would imply different shares than the data indicate: 5% would be a much smaller portion, 50% would mean half the cases required hospitalization, and 1% would be even smaller.