GCSE · Data representation

Misleading graphs and chartsExam-style questions

How a chart with correct numbers can still tell a false story, and how to say exactly what is wrong with it: a vertical axis that does not start at zero, uneven scales, pictures and 3D bars that grow two ways, missing labels and keys, overlapping classes, the wrong chart for the data, and totals compared across groups of different sizes. How to work out how much a chart exaggerates, and what a fair version looks like.

Start practising Read the lesson

16 questions · GCSE (Higher) level · mark scheme and worked solution on each · no sign-up to try

DifficultyAllLevel 2Level 3Level 4
  1. 1
    A bus company shows this graph of the number of passengers who used its Number 7 bus in some months of 2025.JanFebMarJunSepDec4.04.55.05.56.0MonthPassengers (thousands)Give two different reasons why this graph is misleading.

    (2 marks)
    Level 3 · 2 marksTry it
  2. 2
    Sam asks the students in Year 9 which language they study. 1818 study French, 99 study German and 2424 study Spanish.

    Sam draws this bar chart.FrenchGermanSpanish05102040LanguageMake two criticisms of Sam's bar chart.

    Criticism 1

    Criticism 2

    (2 marks)
    Level 3 · 2 marksTry it
  3. 3
    The monthly fee at a swimming club was £4040 in 2023 and £4444 in 2025.
    (a) Work out the percentage increase in the monthly fee from 2023 to 2025.

    (2 marks)

    A rival club shows the fees in this bar chart.202320242025394041424344YearMonthly fee (£)(b) On the chart, how many times as tall as the 2023 bar is the 2025 bar?

    (1 mark)
    (c) Explain why the bar chart is misleading.

    (1 mark)
    Level 3 · 4 marksTry it
  4. 4
    The bar chart shows the number of students in Year 10 and in Year 11 at a school who walk to school.Year 10Year 11020406080100Number who walk to schoolThere are 180180 students in Year 10 and 250250 students in Year 11.

    Hassan says, "The chart shows that a greater proportion of Year 11 students walk to school."

    Is Hassan correct?

    You must show how you get your answer.

    (3 marks)
    Level 3 · 3 marksTry it
  5. 5
    A charity's bar chart shows the money it raised in 2024 and in 2025.202420258.08.59.09.510.0YearMoney raised (£ thousands)(a) On the chart, how many times as tall as the 2024 bar is the 2025 bar?

    (1 mark)

    The charity redraws the chart fairly, with the vertical axis starting at £00. On the new chart the 2024 bar is 66 cm tall.
    (b) Work out the height of the 2025 bar on the new chart.

    (2 marks)
    Level 3 · 3 marksTry it

5 more questions on misleading graphs and charts

Free with an account — just an email, no card. The whole bank, every mark scheme and worked solution.

Start free