A clock takes 16 seconds to strike 5 times. How many seconds will it take to strike 7 times at the same rate?

Correct answer: Option D — 24 seconds. 5 strikes contain 4 intervals, so one interval lasts 16/(4) = 4 seconds. 7 strikes contain 6 intervals, taking 24 seconds. Option A (25 seconds) is rejected because it does not equal the computed result; it represents a counting, direction, leap-year, interval, or hand-motion error. Option B (23 seconds) is rejected because it does not equal the computed result; it represents a counting, direction, leap-year, interval, or hand-motion error. Option C (26 seconds) is rejected because it does not equal the computed result; it represents a counting, direction, leap-year, interval, or hand-motion error.