Data Interpretation — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The key tell us each picture means 5 cars.
Corrected: The key tells us each picture means 5 cars.
Key is singular, so the present tense verb must be tells with an s ending.
2. Fix the sentence:
The line graph show rainfall over time.
Corrected: The line graph shows rainfall over time.
Line graph is a singular noun, so the verb shows must include the s ending.
3. Fix the sentence:
Each symbol stand for two students.
Corrected: Each symbol stands for two students.
Each makes the subject singular, so the verb must end in s, giving us stands.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. On a picture graph, the key tells you what each picture stands for.
The key, or legend, explains the value of each symbol so you can count totals correctly.
2. If each picture means 4 apples and there are 5 pictures, the total is 20.
Each symbol is worth four apples, and five symbols times four equals twenty apples in total.
3. On a line graph, the points are connected by straight lines.
Line graphs use connected lines between points to show how values change between recorded times.
4. When the line on a line graph goes up, the value is increasing.
An upward line shows the value is increasing, while a downward line shows decreasing values.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. How do you read the value of a point on a line graph?
Sample answer: Find the point, then trace down to the x-axis for the time and across to the y-axis for the value.
Each point shows two pieces of data, so reading both axes gives the time and the value together.
2. Why is it important to check the key on a picture graph?
Sample answer: The key tells the value of each symbol, so without it you cannot find the correct totals from the pictures.
Picture graphs use scaled symbols, and the key shows how many items each symbol represents.