Chemistry Instructor's Sample of a Graphic Interpretation Answer
Interpreting a graphic, Fundamentals of Chemistry I may ask you
a question as homework or in a test that involves interpreting a
data table, graph or figure in the text book. An example may be,
“In Table 1.1 Changes in Air Quality on page 11, describe how
the yearly ranges of 1982-2001 (%) compares to the 1992- 2001
(%) for pollution trends of air pollutants” Answer to the
Interpretation: In Table 1.1 Changes in Air Quality, the range
of years 1982-2001 shows percent change of air pollutants such
as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and lead to have decreased by
at least half. This range of years is much broader than the
range of years 1992- 2001 shows percentages to have increased in
carbon monoxide by 24 %, in sulfur dioxide by 17%, and in lead
by 69%. While the air pollutants are still reduced in this later
range of years, the percentage of change is getting much
smaller, which indicates that pollutants will be at the same
amount or greater in