Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency (Class X Level) – Bar graphs

Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)

Preliminary Examination – General Studies Paper II (Objective Type, 200 Marks)

Topic: Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency (Class X Level)

Sub-Topic: Bar Graphs

Each question is based on bar-graph interpretation, testing your ability to read data, compare values, calculate differences, averages, percentages, and draw logical conclusions. Choose the correct answer.

Bar Graphs – MCQs

MCQ 1

A bar graph shows sales of a shop as:
2019 – 40 units, 2020 – 60 units, 2021 – 80 units.
In which year were sales the highest?
A. 2019
B. 2020
C. 2021
D. Same in all years

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Highest bar corresponds to 80 units in 2021.

MCQ 2

If the height of a bar increases from 20 to 50 units, the increase is:
A. 20 units
B. 25 units
C. 30 units
D. 35 units

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Increase = 50 − 20 = 30 units.

MCQ 3

A bar graph shows the number of students in Classes VI, VII, VIII as 40, 35, and 45 respectively.
Which class has the least students?
A. VI
B. VII
C. VIII
D. All equal

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Class VII has the smallest bar (35).

MCQ 4

The difference between the tallest and shortest bars represents:
A. Total value
B. Average value
C. Range
D. Ratio

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Difference between maximum and minimum is the range.

MCQ 5

If a bar graph shows rainfall (in cm) for four months as 10, 15, 20, and 25, the average rainfall is:
A. 15 cm
B. 17.5 cm
C. 18 cm
D. 20 cm

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Average = (10 + 15 + 20 + 25) ÷ 4 = 17.5 cm.

MCQ 6

Which feature of a bar graph helps in easy comparison?
A. Colour of bars
B. Equal width of bars
C. Vertical scale
D. Equal spacing and uniform scale

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Uniform scale and spacing allow correct comparison.

MCQ 7

If one bar is twice as tall as another, it means:
A. The values are equal
B. One value is double the other
C. Difference is double
D. Ratio is 1 : 2

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bar height is proportional to value.

MCQ 8

A bar graph represents production (in tonnes) as:
Factory A – 200, B – 300, C – 500.
Total production is:
A. 800
B. 900
C. 1,000
D. 1,100

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Total = 200 + 300 + 500 = 1,000 tonnes.

MCQ 9

Which of the following cannot be directly found from a bar graph?
A. Maximum value
B. Minimum value
C. Exact numerical data
D. Trend comparison

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Exact numbers may need scale reading.

MCQ 10

If the scale on the y-axis is 1 unit = 10 students, a bar of height 7 units represents:
A. 70 students
B. 17 students
C. 700 students
D. 10 students

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: 7 × 10 = 70 students.

MCQ 11

Which type of data is best represented by a bar graph?
A. Continuous data
B. Categorical data
C. Infinite data
D. Random text data

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bar graphs compare categories.

MCQ 12

A bar graph shows marks of four students as 50, 60, 70, and 80.
The student with 70 marks is:
A. Lowest scorer
B. Second lowest
C. Second highest
D. Highest scorer

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Order: 50 < 60 < 70 < 80.

MCQ 13

If two bars have equal height, it indicates:
A. Same percentage
B. Same ratio
C. Same value
D. Same trend

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Equal height means equal data values.

MCQ 14

A bar graph is drawn without leaving gaps between bars. This representation is incorrect because:
A. Bars must touch
B. Bars must be horizontal
C. Bars must have gaps
D. Bars must be circular

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Bar graphs require gaps between bars.

MCQ 15

The x-axis of a bar graph usually represents:
A. Frequency
B. Numerical scale
C. Categories
D. Units

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Categories are placed on the x-axis.

MCQ 16

Which statement is true about bar graphs?
A. Width of bars varies
B. Height of bars shows data value
C. Bars must be slanted
D. Bars cannot be coloured

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Data value is shown by height or length.

MCQ 17

If the production in 2022 is 20% more than in 2021, the bar for 2022 will be:
A. Same height
B. Slightly shorter
C. Taller
D. Zero height

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Increase in value → taller bar.

MCQ 18

A bar graph shows monthly expenditure. Which conclusion is correct?
A. Exact future expenditure
B. Trend and comparison
C. Causes of expenditure
D. Errors in calculation

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bar graphs show comparison and trend.

MCQ 19

If the tallest bar is 12 cm and scale is 1 cm = 5 units, the maximum value is:
A. 12 units
B. 60 units
C. 17 units
D. 5 units

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: 12 × 5 = 60 units.

MCQ 20

Which is NOT a type of bar graph?
A. Simple bar graph
B. Double bar graph
C. Pie bar graph
D. Multiple bar graph

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pie chart is different from bar graph.

MCQ 21

A double bar graph is useful when we want to compare:
A. One variable
B. Two related variables
C. Three unrelated variables
D. Only percentages

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Double bars compare two datasets.

MCQ 22

If total of all bars is 300 units and there are 6 bars, the average value is:
A. 40
B. 45
C. 50
D. 60

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Average = 300 ÷ 6 = 50.

MCQ 23

Which information is essential before drawing a bar graph?
A. Colour of bars
B. Source of data
C. Scale
D. Paper size

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Correct scale is essential.

MCQ 24

The visual comparison of data is easiest in:
A. Table
B. Line graph
C. Bar graph
D. Text paragraph

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Bar graphs are designed for easy comparison.

MCQ 25

If a bar graph shows zero height for a category, it means:
A. Data missing
B. Data is infinite
C. Value is zero
D. Value is average

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Zero height = zero value.

MCQ 26

Which error makes a bar graph misleading?
A. Equal spacing
B. Proper scale
C. Unequal bar widths
D. Labelling axes

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Unequal widths distort comparison.

MCQ 27

Bar graphs are most suitable for:
A. Showing parts of a whole
B. Showing trends over time precisely
C. Comparing discrete values
D. Showing continuous variation

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Best for discrete comparisons.

MCQ 28

A bar graph shows attendance of students for 5 days. What can be directly found?
A. Total attendance
B. Highest and lowest attendance
C. Average attendance
D. All of the above

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: All can be calculated from bar values.

MCQ 29

Which axis generally shows numerical values in a bar graph?
A. x-axis
B. y-axis
C. Both axes
D. Neither axis

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Numerical scale is on the y-axis.

MCQ 30

Bar graph questions in APSC GS Paper II mainly test:
A. Memorization
B. Drawing skills
C. Data interpretation and logical reasoning
D. Language comprehension

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Focus is on reading, comparing, and interpreting data.

✅ APSC Exam Relevance

These MCQs comprehensively cover reading bar graphs, scale interpretation, comparison, averages, and logical conclusions, fully aligned with APSC CCE GS Paper II – Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency (Class X level).

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