Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

To effectively communicate numerical data, which description should be used?

1. Qualitative

2. Quantitative

3. Comparative

4. Visual

The correct answer is: Quantitative

To effectively communicate numerical data, the description that best applies is quantitative. This term is specifically associated with information that can be measured and expressed numerically. Quantitative data enables the audience to understand the magnitude of the information being conveyed, providing clear measurements, statistics, and figures that allow for objective analysis and interpretation. In contrast, qualitative refers to descriptive data that characterizes qualities or attributes but does not involve numerical measurements; it is more subjective in nature. Comparative involves analyzing differences and similarities between two or more items, which might use quantitative data but does not specifically pertain to communicating numerical data alone. Visual communication refers to presenting data using images, graphs, or charts, which can enhance understanding but does not inherently describe the nature of the data itself. Thus, when aiming to communicate numerical information, quantitative is the most appropriate choice.