School Improvement in Maryland

Sample Item
Selected Response Item for Grade 8

Standard 4.0 Knowledge of Statistics

Topic B. Data Analysis

Indicator 1. Analyze data

Objective b. Interpret box-and-whisker plots

Assessment limit: Use minimum, first (lower) quartile, median (middle quartile), third (upper) quartile, or maximum and whole numbers (0 – 100)

Look at the box-and-whisker plots below.

Populations of Countries in South America and Africa
(in millions of people)

plot comparing population of africa with that of south america

(source: www.aneki.com)

Which statement is accurate based on the box-and-whisker plots?

  1. The median population of the countries in Africa is less than the median population of the countries in South America.
  2. The country with the greatest population in Africa has a greater population than the country with the greatest population in South America.
  3. There are more people in Africa than in South America.
  4. The lower quartile population of countries in Africa is greater than the median population of countries in South America. (correct answer)

Correct Answer
D. The lower quartile population of countries in Africa is greater than the median population of countries in South America. (correct answer)
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