8th grade · Social Studies · Unit 3 of 7
Maps, Graphs & Data
Choropleth maps, scatter graphs and pyramids
What your child practices
Reading map scales and legends, choropleth maps, scatter graphs and correlation (and why correlation does not prove cause), and what population pyramids say about a country's age and growth. The data in the questions are made up for practice.
Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 8.3.13.1 · using maps, graphs and data to answer geographic questions
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Use the map scale: multiply the map distance by what 1 cm stands for.
- A choropleth map shades areas to show a rate or density, such as people per square kilometer.
- On a scatter graph, look for a trend: as one value rises, does the other rise or fall?
Example: On a map, 1 cm represents 25 km. Two cities are 3 cm apart. How far apart are they? Each centimeter is 25 km. 3 × 25 = 75. Answer: 75 km
Maps, Graphs & Data in Minnesota
In the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, this is unit 3 of 7 in 8th grade Social Studies, after World Beliefs and before Forms of Government.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
On a scatter graph, which axis usually shows the variable that might influence the other?
- the title
- the legend
- neither axis
- the horizontal (x) axis
the horizontal (x) axis
Hint: The independent variable usually goes on the x-axis.
Question 2
Which statement about correlation is correct?
- A correlation only works with maps.
- A correlation always proves a cause.
- A correlation shows a link between two measures but does not prove that one causes the other.
- A correlation means the data is wrong.
A correlation shows a link between two measures but does not prove that one causes the other.
Hint: Another factor may influence both.
Question 3
The graph shows made-up data. Which description fits this population?
Share of population by age (%) - all children
- an older population with a low birth rate
- no older people
- a very young population with a high birth rate
an older population with a low birth rate
Hint: A large share aged 65 and older and a smaller share of children shows an aging population.
Question 4
The table shows made-up data. What does it suggest about literacy rate and life expectancy?
Made-up data for five countries Country Literacy rate (%) Life expectancy (years) A 99 82 B 92 76 C 75 68 D 55 60 E 38 54 - There is no pattern.
- Both stay the same.
- As literacy rate rises, life expectancy tends to fall.
- As literacy rate rises, life expectancy tends to rise.
As literacy rate rises, life expectancy tends to rise.
Hint: Compare the columns: higher literacy goes with longer life expectancy.
Question 5
Which kind of data suits a choropleth map best?
- the number of people at one house
- the color of cars
- the names of streets
- a rate or density, such as people per square kilometer
a rate or density, such as people per square kilometer
Hint: Densities and rates compare regions fairly.
Question 6
A choropleth map uses…
- only black lines
- shades or colors to show data for different areas
- pictures of buildings
- only roads
shades or colors to show data for different areas
Hint: Darker shades usually show higher values.