What is a recommended way to interpret a chart or graph paired with a passage?

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When a chart or graph is paired with a passage, the most effective interpretation starts with reading the caption and the axis labels. The caption explains what the graphic is illustrating in relation to the text, and the axis labels tell you what variables are being measured and in what units. This context helps you understand exactly what the data are showing and how they relate to the claims or information in the passage. The numbers on the axes reveal the scale and the rate of change, so you can gauge magnitude and trends rather than guessing from colors or shapes alone. Looking only at the text misses the concrete evidence the graph provides, and ignoring axis scales loses important information about how big or fast the changes are. Colors or decorative features may help distinguish parts of the graph, but they don’t tell you the actual data or its meaning within the passage.