Interpreting Graphs and Data for the SAT Writing Test

The video tutorial guides students on interpreting graphs, a common exam task. It explains how to analyze different types of graphs, such as bar graphs and scatter plots, and emphasizes understanding the story a graph tells before evaluating answer choices. The tutorial uses a specific graph about employment percent change in rural west areas from 1970 to 2010 to demonstrate how to interpret data and select the correct answer. It highlights the importance of reading graphs carefully to avoid common mistakes and provides strategies for confidently answering graph-related questions.

What should you do before looking at the answer choices when interpreting a graph?

• Check the title of the graph.

• Analyze the data points.

• Read the question carefully.

• Look at the graph and determine its story.

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CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

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CCSS.RL.9-10.7

What is the title of the graph discussed in the video?

• Employment Percent Change in Suburban Areas 1970 to 2010

• Employment Percent Change in Urban Areas 1970 to 2010

• Employment Percent Change in Rural West 1970 to 2010

• Employment Percent Change in Rural East 1970 to 2010

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CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

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What does the x-axis represent in the graph?

• Percent employment change

• Years from 1970 to 2010

• Number of jobs created

• Percent of county land base federally protected

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CCSS.8.SP.A.1

What does the y-axis represent in the graph?

• Years from 1970 to 2010

• Percent employment change

• Number of jobs created

• Percent of county land base federally protected

What is the employment growth percentage for counties with more than 30% federally protected land?

• 83%

• 108%

• 345%

• 300%

Tags

CCSS.8.SP.A.1

According to the graph, what is the employment growth percentage for counties with 0% federally protected land?

• 345%

• 83%

• 108%

• 300%

Tags

CCSS.8.SP.A.1

Which choice correctly interprets the graph's data?

• Counties with more than 30% federally protected land saw job growth decline.

• Counties with more than 30% federally protected land saw job growth of more than 300%.

• Counties with more than 30% federally protected land saw slightly less job growth than those with less than 10%.

• Counties in the eastern United States had higher job growth rates.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Why is choice B incorrect?

• It states that job growth was exactly 300%.

• It states that job growth was higher in the eastern United States.

• It states that job growth declined in counties with more than 30% protected land.

• It states that job growth was higher in counties with less than 10% protected land.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Why is choice C incorrect?

• It states that job growth was exactly 300%.

• It states that job growth declined in counties with more than 30% protected land.

• It states that job growth was higher in counties with less than 10% protected land.

• It refers to job growth in the eastern United States.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Why is choice D incorrect?

• It states that job growth was exactly 300%.

• It states that job growth declined in counties with more than 30% protected land.

• It states that job growth was higher in counties with less than 10% protected land.

• It refers to job growth in the eastern United States.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7