Chapter 12 · Class 8 CBSE · MCQ Test
Introduction to Graphs MCQ Test — Class 8 CBSE
Practice 10 multiple-choice questions with instant answer reveal and explanations.
Introduction to Graphs — MCQ Questions
1Which of the following statements best describes the primary use of graphs in mathematics and real-world applications?
Show Answer+
Answer: To visually represent data and show relationships or trends, making interpretation easier.
Hint: Think about how graphs help us understand information at a glance, compared to looking at raw numbers in a table.
Solution:
Graphs are powerful tools because they provide a visual summary of data.
This visual representation makes it significantly easier to identify patterns, compare different values, and understand relationships or trends that might be difficult to spot when data is presented only in tables or text.
2In a Cartesian coordinate system, the horizontal number line is called the _____, and the vertical number line is called the _____. Their intersection point is known as the _____.
Show Answer+
Answer: x-axis, y-axis, origin
Hint: Recall the standard labels for the two perpendicular lines that form the basis of a coordinate plane and their meeting point.
Solution:
By convention, the horizontal number line in a Cartesian coordinate system is designated as the x-axis.
The vertical number line is designated as the y-axis.
The point where the x-axis and y-axis intersect is called the origin, with coordinates (0,0).
3A point P is located 3 units to the right of the y-axis and 5 units above the x-axis. What are the coordinates of point P?
Show Answer+
Answer: (3, 5)
Hint: Remember that the first coordinate (x-value) indicates horizontal position relative to the y-axis, and the second coordinate (y-value) indicates vertical position relative to the x-axis.
Solution:
The phrase '3 units to the right of the y-axis' corresponds to a positive x-coordinate, so x = 3.
The phrase '5 units above the x-axis' corresponds to a positive y-coordinate, so y = 5.
Therefore, the coordinates of point P are (x, y) = (3, 5).
4Which of the following is a key difference between a bar graph and a histogram?
Show Answer+
Answer: In a bar graph, the bars do not touch each other, while in a histogram, the bars always touch.
Hint: Consider the type of data each graph represents and how that affects the visual presentation of the bars.
Solution:
Bar graphs represent discrete categories, meaning there are distinct gaps between categories, so their bars do not touch.
Histograms represent continuous data grouped into class intervals. Since these intervals are continuous, the bars in a histogram touch each other to show the continuous nature of the data.
Both bar graphs and histograms can use vertical bars (most common) and should always have titles.
5A bar graph illustrates the number of students who selected different extracurricular activities: Art (30 students), Music (25 students), Dance (40 students), and Drama (15 students). Which activity was chosen by the second-highest number of students?
Show Answer+
Answer: Art
Hint: First, identify the activity with the highest number of students, then find the next highest.
Solution:
List the number of students for each activity: Art (30), Music (25), Dance (40), Drama (15).
Order them from highest to lowest: Dance (40), Art (30), Music (25), Drama (15).
The second-highest number of students chose Art.
6A line graph depicts the amount of rainfall (in mm) recorded in a town over five days: Monday (10 mm), Tuesday (15 mm), Wednesday (12 mm), Thursday (20 mm), and Friday (18 mm). On which day was the rainfall exactly 12 mm?
Show Answer+
Answer: Wednesday
Hint: Locate the value '12 mm' on the vertical axis (rainfall amount) and then find the corresponding day on the horizontal axis.
Solution:
The question asks for the day when the rainfall was exactly 12 mm.
Reviewing the given data: Monday (10 mm), Tuesday (15 mm), Wednesday (12 mm), Thursday (20 mm), Friday (18 mm).
The rainfall was 12 mm on Wednesday.
7A scientist wants to visually represent the growth of a plant measured weekly over a period of two months. Which type of graph would be most appropriate for this data?
Show Answer+
Answer: Line Graph
Hint: Think about which graph type is best suited to display trends or changes in data over a continuous period, such as time.
Solution:
The data involves tracking 'growth' measured 'weekly over a period of two months', indicating a continuous trend over time.
Line graphs are specifically designed to show how data changes continuously over a period, making them ideal for illustrating growth, temperature changes, or other trends over time.
Bar graphs compare discrete categories, histograms show frequency distributions of continuous data in intervals, and pie charts show parts of a whole.
8A pie chart is used to show the distribution of different types of fruits sold in a market in a day. What does the entire circle of the pie chart represent?
Show Answer+
Answer: The total quantity of all fruits sold in that day.
Hint: Remember that a pie chart always represents a 'whole' which is divided into 'parts'.
Solution:
A pie chart is a circular statistical graphic, divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportion.
The entire circle represents the sum of all categories, or the 'whole' dataset.
In this context, the entire circle represents the total quantity of *all* fruits sold in that day.
9Rohan was asked to plot the point B(-3, 5) on a graph. He marked a point 3 units to the right of the y-axis and 5 units below the x-axis. What mistake did Rohan make?
Show Answer+
Answer: He made mistakes in interpreting both x and y coordinates' signs and directions.
Hint: Carefully consider the meaning of a positive/negative x-coordinate (right/left of y-axis) and a positive/negative y-coordinate (above/below x-axis).
Solution:
The point B(-3, 5) means x = -3 and y = +5.
An x-coordinate of -3 means 3 units to the *left* of the y-axis. Rohan went '3 units to the *right* of the y-axis', so he misinterpreted the sign and direction of the x-coordinate.
A y-coordinate of +5 means 5 units *above* the x-axis. Rohan went '5 units *below* the x-axis', so he misinterpreted the sign and direction of the y-coordinate.
Therefore, Rohan made mistakes in interpreting both x and y coordinates' signs and directions.
10In a graph illustrating the relationship between the amount of electricity consumed and the corresponding bill amount, which variable is typically plotted on the x-axis (horizontal axis) and which on the y-axis (vertical axis)?
Show Answer+
Answer: Electricity Consumed on x-axis, Bill Amount on y-axis (Electricity is independent, Bill is dependent)
Hint: Think about which variable causes a change in the other. The variable that changes independently is usually on the x-axis.
Solution:
The amount of electricity consumed is typically the independent variable, as it is the factor that changes, leading to a consequence.
The bill amount *depends* on how much electricity is consumed, making it the dependent variable.
By convention, the independent variable is plotted on the x-axis (horizontal) and the dependent variable is plotted on the y-axis (vertical).
Want more questions?
Practice 60+ questions with AI-powered doubt clearing and step-by-step solutions.
Tips for Introduction to Graphs MCQs
- 1Read each question carefully and identify what is being asked before looking at the options.
- 2Try to solve the problem mentally or on paper first, then match your answer with the options.
- 3Use elimination — rule out clearly wrong options to improve your chances even when unsure.
- 4Check units, signs, and edge cases — these are common traps in Introduction to Graphs MCQs.
- 5Review your mistakes after completing the test to build lasting understanding.
Master Introduction to Graphs on SparkEd
Go beyond MCQs. Practice at three difficulty levels with instant feedback, solutions, and an AI coach to clear every doubt.
Start PractisingSparkEd Maths offers free MCQ tests for Class 1-10 across 7 education boards. All questions are aligned to the 2025-26 syllabus with step-by-step solutions and AI-powered doubt clearing.