How can you interpret data from a chart or graph in a reading passage?

How can you interpret data from a chart or graph in a reading passage?

• A. Ignore axes and just look at colors.
• B. Read the labels, axes, and legend to identify trends and support or contradict claims in the text.
• C. Only read the title and assume the rest.
• D. Focus on the font and layout.

Answer: (B)

When interpreting data from a chart or graph in a reading passage, start with the labels, axes, and legend to identify what the data show and how they relate to the text. The axis tells you what’s being measured and the scale helps you understand the size of the numbers and how they change. The labels explain what each part of the chart represents—such as categories, time periods, or variables—while the legend shows which color, line style, or bar corresponds to each data series. With that information, you can see trends—whether values rise, fall, or stay the same—and you can compare different categories or time points. Then check whether those patterns support or contradict the claims or conclusions in the passage. If a chart clearly rises over time, for example, that should align with any statement about increasing numbers. Against this, merely looking at the title or focusing on colors or layout won’t give you the actual data or trends.