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Graphs That Tell Real Stories
Graphs That Tell Real Stories
Every time you track a journey on a satnav, check a bus timetable, or work out whether a deal is cheaper, you are reading a real-life graph. These graphs do not just show abstract numbers — they show distance travelled, money spent, temperature rising, or water filling a tank. Once you can read what a graph is saying, you can answer almost any contextual question the examiners throw at you.
Distance-Time Graphs
A distance-time graph plots distance from a starting point (y-axis) against time (x-axis).
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Exam Tips
- Always read the axes carefully before calculating gradient — note the scale and units
- Horizontal sections: if asked what this means, say "the [variable] is not changing" (e.g. "the object is stationary", "the temperature is constant")
- Steeper does not always mean larger number — check scales! A gentle-looking line might represent a very high speed if the x-axis scale is compressed
- Container filling: match the shape of the container cross-section to the shape of the graph — wider cross-section = shallower gradient at that height
- Comparing two graphs: the steeper line represents a faster rate; if they cross, they are equal at that point
- Write units: gradient without units loses marks in context questions
- Negative gradient on a distance-time graph means returning, not going backwards in time
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 14
On a distance-time graph, what does a horizontal (flat) section represent?
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This topic in real past papers
Every real exam question we've found on real-life graphs, with a full worked answer.