Point 12 — Infographics
A graph or table with either a claim to verify or illustrate, or a conclusion to select.
Two question types: claim-based (verification of a claim, or an illustration to prove it) and conclusion-based (pick the suitable conclusion).
How to study the graph:
- Note the variables involved — usually one of them decides the answer.
- Understand the context of the study from the graph or table.
- Check for patterns: do values increase, decrease, or stay the same?
Decision framework, claim-based: identify the question type → locate and highlight the claim sentence (look for “researchers hypothesize that,” “it was concluded that”) → identify the decision rule, i.e. the key variables needed → categorise the options by trap and eliminate three.
Decision framework, conclusion-based: identify the question type → highlight the keywords in the question → categorise the options by trap and eliminate three.
Traps to avoid:
- Claim contradiction — the option goes in the opposite direction to what the claim requires. Check the DIRECTION first, before reading any data.
- Half right–half wrong — part of the option uses correct data, another part misrepresents it. Read every sub-clause independently.
- External info / speculation — introduces a causal factor, inference, or data point that is not in the passage or graph. Ask: can I read this off the graph?
- Faulty comparison — compares the wrong variables, groups, or time periods. Identify exactly which two things the claim asks you to compare.
- Irrelevant to claim — factually accurate but does not address the specific claim. Ask: does this address what I am asked to support or complete?
- Over/undergeneralisation — a broader or narrower conclusion than the data justifies. Watch for only, always, never, all.
Question 1 of 3
| Species | Continent | Distance (km) | Measurement Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic Tern | Global (Pole-to-Pole) | 70,900 | GPS |
| Bar-tailed Godwit | Asia-Pacific | 11,680 | RTD |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | North America | 3,200 | RTD |
| Swainson’s Hawk | North America | 17,600 | GPS |
Some studies of migratory birds measure how far they travel in a year by fitting individuals with GPS tracking devices. Other studies track annual round-trip distance (RTD), which is equal to double the distance separating the two habitats a population moves between each year. A researcher argues that since GPS records all of a bird’s actual flight paths, using the GPS method would result in significantly higher recorded travel distances than using the RTD method would. For example, it’s very likely that the distance reported for the ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the example?