Worked examples
Two examples
Example 1
Made-up numbers, for practice.
Brand C’s bar looks more than ten times as tall as Brand A’s. Did Brand C really sprout ten times as many seeds?- Before comparing bar heights, look at the bottom of the y-axis. Here it starts at 60, not 0.
- So each bar shows only the part above 60. Brand A’s bar shows 2 (from 60 to 62); Brand C’s shows 25 (from 60 to 85).
- Now compare the real numbers: 85 percent against 62 percent. 85 is not even one and a half times 62.
- A y-axis that starts high makes small differences look large. Always compare the numbers, not just the heights.
Answer: No. 85 percent against 62 percent.
Example 2
Made-up numbers, for practice.
What was the snow depth on day 3, the circled point?- Only every other line up the side has a number: 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100.
- The numbers go up by 20, and there are two steps from one number to the next. So each line stands for 20 ÷ 2 = 10.
- The circled point sits on the unlabeled line between 60 and 80.
- That line stands for 70.
Answer: 70 mm
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.