4. Reading Graphs & Tables

Half of GED® Science is reasoning with data, not just recalling facts. The skill is reading a graph or table carefully before you answer.

A reliable routine:

• Read the title, axis labels, units, and legend first.
• Identify the trend — is the line rising, falling, or steady?
• Notice sudden changes, which may mark a stimulus, treatment, or event.

Worked example. A graph shows blood glucose rising after a meal and then returning near the starting level. That pattern is evidence of homeostasis: the body responded to bring glucose back toward normal. A strong answer points to the specific pattern, not just general memory.

And always watch the units: a change from 37.0 to 37.5 °C is small, but a change from 37 to 75 °C would be biologically extreme.

⚠️ Common misconception: don't ignore the units or the scale. The same number can mean very different things depending on the units.

💡 Tip: a good data answer points to a specific row, bar, point, or trend in the figure.