Spring Math & Reading — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The average spring temperature was found by adding 62, 68, and 71, then dividing by 2.
Corrected: The average spring temperature was found by adding 62, 68, and 71, then dividing by 3.
The corrected sentence is: "The average spring temperature was found by adding 62, 68, and 71, then dividing by 3." The error was division error — three values means divide by 3, not 2: the original sentence "The average spring temperature was found by adding 62, 68, and 71, then dividing by 2." needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
A bar graph uses connected points and lines to show how temperature changes over time.
Corrected: A line graph uses connected points and lines to show how temperature changes over time.
The corrected sentence is: "A line graph uses connected points and lines to show how temperature changes over time." The error was graph type error — line graphs show change over time, not bar graphs: the original sentence "A bar graph uses connected points and lines to show how temperature changes over time." needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
If it rained 3.2 inches in March and 4.8 inches in April, the total rainfall was 7.0 inches.
Corrected: If it rained 3.2 inches in March and 4.8 inches in April, the total rainfall was 8.0 inches.
The corrected sentence is: "If it rained 3.2 inches in March and 4.8 inches in April, the total rainfall was 8.0 inches." The error was decimal addition error — 3.2 plus 4.8 equals 8.0, not 7.0: the original sentence "If it rained 3.2 inches in March and 4.8 inches in April, the total rainfall was 7.0 inches." needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. To find the average of a set of numbers, add them together and then divide by the count.
The average (mean) is found by adding all values and then dividing by how many values there are.
2. A bar graph is best for comparing amounts across different categories such as monthly rainfall.
Bar graphs use different-length bars to compare amounts across categories, making them ideal for showing which month had the most or least rainfall.
3. The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures in a data set is called the range.
The range measures how spread out data is by subtracting the lowest value from the highest value in the set.
4. On a coordinate grid, the horizontal axis is called the x axis.
The horizontal axis on a coordinate grid is labeled x, and it tells you how far left or right a point is from the origin.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. The high temperatures for five spring days were 58, 64, 70, 66, and 72 degrees. What is the mean temperature? Show your work.
Sample answer: Add all five temperatures: 58 plus 64 plus 70 plus 66 plus 72 equals 330. Divide 330 by 5 to get a mean temperature of 66 degrees.
A good answer includes: Add all five temperatures: 58 plus 64 plus 70 plus 66 plus 72 equals 330. Divide 330 by 5 to get a mean temperature of 66 degrees.
2. Why would a scientist use a line graph instead of a bar graph to display daily temperatures during April? Explain your reasoning.
Sample answer: A line graph is better because it shows how temperature changes over time. The connected points make it easy to see trends like rising or falling temperatures across the days of April.
A good answer includes: A line graph is better because it shows how temperature changes over time. The connected points make it easy to see trends like rising or falling temperatures across the days of April.