UPSC Prelims 2018 · CSAT

Question 65: Data Interpretation

Average hourly earnings per year (E) of the workers in a firm are represented in figures A and B as follows :

From the figures, it is observed that the

two line graphs of hourly earnings E against years 2013 to 2017: Fig. A has the vertical axis from 20 to 40 and Fig. B has the vertical axis from 10 to 40 with vertical drop lines at each year; both lines rise steadily from 20 in 2013 to 40 in 2017

avalues of E are different

branges (i.e., the difference between the maximum and the minimum) of E are different

cslopes of the graphs are same

drates of increase of E are different

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

Both figures plot the same data: E rises from 20 in 2013 to 40 in 2017, by 5 each year. They only look different because Fig. A starts its vertical axis at 20 and Fig. B at 0. Since the numbers are identical, the values, the range (20 to 40) and the rate of increase (5 per year) are all the same, and so is the slope of each line. The visual difference comes from the scale of the axis, not from the data.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Values are the same: 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 in both.
(b) The range is 20 to 40 in both.
(c) Correct: the same data gives the same slope; only the axis scale differs.
(d) Earnings rise by 5 per year in both.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.