Bar charts and time graphs · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Bar graphs

Mathematics · Data & Statistics · ages 8-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. From the same graph, how many degrees separate the highest and lowest readings?

    Answer: ______________

  2. A time graph shows 9am 12 degrees, 12pm 18 degrees, 3pm 21 degrees, 6pm 15 degrees. What was it at 6pm?

    • 18 degrees
    • 15 degrees
    • 21 degrees
    • 12 degrees

  3. Look at this chart. What type of chart is this?

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    • Bar chart
    • Time graph
    • Tally chart

  4. A bar chart is the best way to show something changing continuously over time.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. The plant grew from 5cm in week 2 to 9cm in week 3. How many centimetres did it grow that week?

    Answer: ______________

  6. A plant was 3 cm in week 1 and 8 cm in week 2. How many centimetres did it grow?

    Answer: ______________

  7. A plant is 2cm, 5cm, 9cm and 12cm tall in weeks 1 to 4. Which picture fits?

    • A time graph with points rising each week
    • A bar chart of favourite colours
    • A pictogram of pets
    • A time graph with points falling each week

  8. Lena plots plant heights each week and joins the points. She says a time graph shows change over time. Is Lena right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  9. Sam wants to show how many books each of his 4 friends read this month. He draws a time graph with a connecting line. What is wrong?

    • Each friend is a separate group, not a change over time, so he should use a bar chart
    • He should have used a tally chart instead
    • There is nothing wrong with his choice

  10. Which statement is true?

    • A bar chart shows change over time
    • A time graph shows continuous change
    • A time graph shows separate groups
    • Bar charts and time graphs are the same
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Bar graphs W1-mt_ChjMU2GDJa-s1

  1. 9 · 21 - 12 = 9 degrees.
  2. 15 degrees · The 6pm point reads 15 degrees.
  3. Bar chart · It uses separate bars to compare groups, so it is a bar chart.
  4. False · A time graph is better for that. A bar chart compares separate groups instead.
  5. 4 · 9 - 5 = 4cm.
  6. 5 · 8 minus 3 is 5, so the time graph's line would rise by 5 cm between those weeks.
  7. A time graph with points rising each week · Growth over weeks is change over time, shown rising.
  8. True · Lena is right: joined points track change.
  9. Each friend is a separate group, not a change over time, so he should use a bar chart · The friends are separate groups being compared, not one thing changing over time, so bars fit better than a line.
  10. A time graph shows continuous change · Time graphs track continuous change; bar charts show separate groups.
Worksheet · LightMySky