Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

Which graph is turned on its side to display the frequencies of quantitative variables?

1. Histogram

2. Stem and leaf plot

3. Line graph

4. Circle graph

The correct answer is: Stem and leaf plot

The correct answer is that a stem-and-leaf plot can be visualized as being turned on its side to emphasize the frequencies of quantitative variables. A stem-and-leaf plot organizes data points in a way that showcases the distribution while retaining the original values, making it easier to see the frequencies of specific intervals. When viewed sideways, the "stems" (leading digits) can be seen alongside the "leaves" (trailing digits), providing a clear picture of how many data points fall within certain ranges. In contrast, histograms, line graphs, and circle graphs serve different purposes for presenting numerical data. A histogram displays frequency distributions using bars, with height corresponding to frequency; it is typically vertical. A line graph shows trends over time or continuous data points, while a circle graph (or pie chart) represents parts of a whole. Each of these graph types is oriented to best convey its respective data story, whereas the stem-and-leaf plot’s unique structure allows it to effectively represent frequency when imagined sideways.