“A picture is worth a thousand words,” so goes an old saying. It’s so much easier to point to a destination on a map than to speak or write out driving instructions. Similarly, most charts and graphs are infinitely easier to understand and remember than even the most careful description. Since we live in a world of statistics, we should know how to use these visual aids.
Graphs typically use lines or bars to express data. A line graph, for example, may be a continuous or dotted lineon a two-dimensionalbackground showing changes over time, such as the value of a currency, population growth, weekly temperature forecasts, etc.
The bar chart uses either vertical or horizontal6 bars to show comparisons among things. The information being analyzed is represented on an X axisand a Y axis. One axis represents categories, while the other represents the value or number of each category.
Charts are also used to show important information. A common one is the pie chart. As its name implies, a circle represents a whole category. Slices of the “pie” represent the size of each portionof the whole. For example, 50% of a category would be represented by one half of the circle, with smaller amounts shown as thinner slices.
The radar chart is another visual representation. More complicated, radar charts compare different members of a set based on different variables. For instance, one can compare a dozen different refrigerators according to variables such as size, price, electrical consumption, etc. Trained researchers can quickly identify areas of similarity and difference among the variables.
Most charts and graphs are easy to use and understand, just as a photograph gives a clearer understanding of its subject than a written description of it.
1. What is the main idea of this passage?
(A) Visual representations are usually easier to understand than descriptions.
(B) Pictures can provide more meaningful data than graphs or charts.
(C) Understanding statistics requires high levels of mathematic ability.
(D) Only trained specialists can understand graphs.
2. How is the information organized in Paragraphs 2 to 5?
(A) In order of importance.
(B) By classification.
(C) By problem and solution.
(D) In the sequence of events.
3. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
(A) Graphs are easier to understand than charts.
(B) Charts are easier to understand than graphs.
(C) Line graphs are more commonly used than pie charts.
(D) The radar chart is more complex than the other described visuals.
4. Below are Nathan’s monthly expenses for June. If he would like to see the proportion of each category, what chart should he use?
