Worked examples
Two examples
Example 1
Four planets
From standard science references, rounded.
According to the table, how many days does Mars take to go once around the sun?| Planet | Average distance from the sun (millions of km) | Days to go once around the sun |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | 58 | 88 |
| Venus | 108 | 225 |
| Earth | 150 | 365 |
| Mars | 228 | 687 |
- Read the title and every column heading first. This table has two columns of numbers: distance from the sun, and days to go around it.
- Find the row for Mars: it is the last row.
- Now find the right column: “Days to go once around the sun.” That is the third column.
- Read across the Mars row to that column: 687.
- A common mistake: 228 is also in the Mars row, but it is in the distance column. That number is in the right row but the wrong column.
Answer: 687 days
Example 2
Seconds for one teaspoon to dissolve
Made-up numbers, for practice.
According to the table, how many seconds did the sugar take to dissolve in the hot water?| Water | Salt (seconds) | Sugar (seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| Cold, 5 °C | 190 | 95 |
| Room temperature, 22 °C | 85 | 40 |
| Hot, 60 °C | 34 | 12 |
- Find the row: hot water, the last row.
- Find the column: “Sugar (seconds).” The salt column comes first; do not read that one by mistake.
- Where the row and the column meet: 12.
- Check the unit in the heading: seconds.
Answer: 12 seconds
Where this is taught: Science Practices, part 4: Tables and graphs · Look Again Quiz 3: Tables and Graphs
In your Kaplan book: Unit 4, Chapter 1, Lesson 1: Comprehend Scientific Presentations · Map of the Terrain, topic 3: Tables and graphs
The drill
Ten questions
How many:
Read what is in the box first, if there is one. Then tap your answer; a few questions ask you to choose words from a drop-down instead, the way the GED test does. Press Check my answers at the bottom.Read what is in the box first, if there is one. Circle your answer; where there are brackets, circle the choice that fits. The answer key, with the reasoning, is on the last page.