Drawing line graphs from data, choosing scales, plotting points accurately, and joining with straight lines.
Where your child meets this in real life: Tracking and presenting changes over time in science experiments or personal data
SEAGReady breaks draw line graphs into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Plot data points accurately on pre-prepared axes with given scales
Connect plotted points with straight lines in the correct sequence (time order)
Create a complete line graph including choosing scale, plotting, joining, and labelling
Three free sample questions from our draw line graphs course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Aoife recorded the temperature in her garden every hour. The readings were: 10am = 6 degrees C, 11am = 10 degrees C, 12pm = 14 degrees C. The scale on the y-axis is 1 square = 2 degrees C. How many squares up should she plot the 10am reading?
Answer: A. 3 squares
The temperature at 10am is 6 degrees C. Scale: 1 square = 2 degrees C. To find the number of squares: 6 divided by 2 = 3 squares. Plot the point 3 squares up from the x-axis.
Stuck? Start here: What does the scale tell you? Each square represents how many degrees?
Caitlin measured her sunflower's height each week. The data is: Week 1 = 4cm, Week 3 = 10cm, Week 2 = 7cm, Week 4 = 12cm. In what order should she join the plotted points?
Answer: A. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4
Line graphs show change over time. The data must be joined in time order, not the order it was listed. Correct order: Week 1 to Week 2 to Week 3 to Week 4. This shows how the sunflower grew week by week.
Stuck? Start here: Line graphs show how values change over time. What should you follow?
Roisin is drawing a line graph showing how much she saved each month. Her highest value is 20 pounds. She has space for 4 squares on the y-axis. What scale should she use?
Answer: A. 1 square = 5 pounds
Highest value: 20 pounds. Available space: 4 squares. 20 divided by 4 = 5. Scale: 1 square = 5 pounds. This fits all data perfectly within the grid space.
Stuck? Start here: The highest value (20 pounds) must fit in 4 squares.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ciara recorded the temperature outside her house every hour. The readings were: 9am = 8°C, 10am = 11°C, 11am = 14°C, 12pm = 16°C.
Plot these points on the axes provided. The scale is 1 square = 2°C.
9am=8, 10am=11, 11am=14, 12pm=16
Step 1 of 5
Ciara recorded the temperature outside her house every hour. The readings were: 9am = 8°C, 10am = 11°C, 11am = 14°C, 12pm = 16°C.
Plot these points on the axes provided. The scale is 1 square = 2°C.
The four temperature readings are plotted as points on the grid.
The key insight: Find the x-position first (time), then count up to the y-position (temperature)!
Watch out: Plotting 8°C at 8 squares high. You must use the scale. Each square is 2°C, so 8°C is only 4 squares up.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in draw line graphs, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with draw line graphs? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.