Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the total number of scores for the distribution shown in the following table?
a. 4 X f
b. 10 4 3
c. 14 3 5
d. 37 2 4
1 2
ANS: C REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
2. A sample of n = 15 scores ranges from a high of X = 11 to a low of X = 3. If these scores are placed in a frequency distribution table, how many X values will be listed in the first column?
a. 8
b. 9
c. 10
d. It depends on whether any scores have a zero frequency.
ANS: B REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
3. For the following data, N = _____. X f
a. 10 4 2
b. 11 3 4
c. 28 2 3
d. Cannot be determined from the table 1 2
ANS: B REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
4. For the data in the following table, what is the value of ΣX?
a. 10 X f
b. 15 4 1
c. 20 3 2
d. Cannot be determined from the table 2 4
1 2
ANS: C REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
5. For the scores in the following table, what is the value of ΣX2?
a. 30 X f
b. 41 4 1
c. 65 3 2
d. 225 2 1
1 3
ANS: B REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
6. For the following frequency distribution of quiz scores, how many individuals took the quiz?
a. 5 X f
b. 15 5 6
c. 21 4 5
d. Cannot be determined 3 5
2 3
1 2
ANS: C REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
7. For the following distribution of quiz scores, if a score of X = 3 or higher is needed for a passing grade, how many individuals failed the quiz?
a. 2 X f
b. 3 5 6
c. 5 4 5
d. 10 3 5
2 3
1 2
ANS: C REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
8. For the following distribution of quiz scores, how many individuals had a score of X = 2?
a. 1 X f
b. 3 5 6
c. 5 4 5
d. Cannot be determined 3 5
2 3
1 2
ANS: B REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
9. For the following distribution, what percentage of the individuals have scores of X = 1?
a. 2% X f
b. 5% 5 2
c. 10% 4 8
d. 20% 3 5
2 3
1 2
ANS: C REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
10. A researcher surveys a sample of n = 200 college students and asks each person to identify his or her favorite movie from the past year. If the data were organized in a frequency distribution table, what would be listed in the first column?
a. A list of movies c. A list of frequencies
b. A list of students d. None of the other options is correct
ANS: A REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
11. A set of scores ranges from a high of X = 72 to a low of X = 28. If these scores were put in a grouped frequency distribution table, what would be the best choice for the interval width?
a. 2 points c. 7 points
b. 5 points d. 10 points
ANS: B REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
12. A set of scores ranges from a high of X = 24 to a low of X = 5. If these scores were put in a frequency distribution table with an interval width of 2 points, which of the following would be the top interval in the table?
a. 4-5 c. 24-25
b. 23-24 d. 22-24
ANS: C REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
13. A set of scores ranges from a high of X = 96 to a low of X = 11. If these scores were placed in a grouped frequency distribution table, what is the best value for the interval width?
a. 5 points c. 9 points
b. 8 points d. 10 points
ANS: D REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
14. A biologist records the number of trout, bass, perch, and other types of fish caught in a local lake during a 2-week period. If the results are organized in a frequency distribution table, what values would be listed in the first column?
a. Frequencies c. The 14 days
b. Different types of fish d. The days of the week
ANS: B REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
15. For the following frequency distribution, what is ΣX?
a. 8 X f
b. 90 30-34 1
c. 110 25-29 1
d. Cannot be determined 20-24 3
15-19 2
10-14 1
ANS: D REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
16. For the following frequency distribution of exam scores, how many students had scores higher than X = 79? X f
a. 7 90-94 3
b. 12 85-89 4
c. 19 80-84 5
d. Cannot be determined 75-79 2
70-74 1
ANS: B REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
17. For the following frequency distribution of exam scores, what is the lowest score on the exam? X f
a. X = 70 90-94 3
b. X = 74 85-89 4
c. X = 90 80-84 5
d. Cannot be determined 75-79 2
70-74 1
ANS: D REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
18. For the following frequency distribution of exam scores, how many students had scores lower than X = 80? X f
a. 2 90-94 3
b. 3 85-89 4
c. 7 80-84 5
d. Cannot be determined 75-79 2
70-74 1
ANS: B REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
19. In a grouped frequency distribution, one interval is listed as 50-59. Assuming that the scores are measuring a continuous variable, what are the real limits for this interval?
a. 50 and 59 c. 49.5 and 59.5
b. 50.5 and 59.5 d. 49.5 and 60.5
ANS: C REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
20. For the following distribution, how many people had scores less than X = 19?
a. 5 X f
b. 10 20-24 2
c. 11 15-19 5
d. Cannot be determined 10-14 4
5-9 1
ANS: D REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
21. For the following distribution, what is the highest score?
a. 5 X f
b. 20 20-24 2
c. 24 15-19 5
d. Cannot be determined 10-14 4
5-9 1
ANS: D REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
22. For the following distribution, how many people have scores greater than X = 14?
a. 2 X f
b. 5 20-24 2
c. 7 15-19 5
d. 11 10-14 4
5-9 1
ANS: C REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
23. For the following distribution, what is the width of each class interval?
a. 4 X f
b. 4.5 20-24 2
c. 5 15-19 5
d. 10 10-14 4
5-9 1
ANS: C REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
24. If the following distribution were shown in a histogram, the width of the bar above the 15-19 interval would reach from _____ to _____.
a. X = 14.5 to X = 19.5 X f
b. X = 15.5 to X = 18.5 20-24 2
c. X = 15.5 to X = 19.5 15-19 5
d. X = 15.0 to X = 19.0 10-14 4
5-9 1
ANS: A REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
25. In a frequency distribution graph, frequencies are presented on the , and the scores (categories) are listed on the .
a. X axis; Y axis c. Y axis; X axis
b. horizontal line; vertical line d. class interval; horizontal line
ANS: C REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Remember
26. Which types of graphs are used for data from an interval scale?
a. Histograms and bar graphs c. Histograms and polygons
b. Polygons and bar graphs d. Histograms, bar graphs, and polygons
ANS: C REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
27. What frequency distribution graph is appropriate for scores measured on a nominal scale?
a. Only a histogram c. Either a histogram or a polygon
b. Only a polygon d. Only a bar graph
ANS: D REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
28. If a distribution of scores is shown in a bar graph, you know that the scores were measured on a(n) _________ scale of measurement.
a. nominal or ordinal c. interval or ratio
b. ordinal or interval d. discrete or continuous
ANS: A REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
29. A researcher surveys a sample of n = 200 college students and asks each person to identify his or her favorite movie from the past year. If the results were presented in a frequency distribution graph, what kind of graph would be appropriate?
a. A histogram c. A histogram or a polygon
b. A polygon d. A bar graph
ANS: D REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
30. A researcher collects a sample of n = 20 Introductory Psychology textbooks and records the number of pages in each book. The results are then placed in a grouped frequency distribution table using intervals of 0-99 pages, 100-199 pages, 200-299 pages, and so on. If the results were converted into a frequency distribution graph, what kind of graph should be used?
a. A bar graph c. A polygon
b. A histogram d. Either a histogram or a polygon
ANS: D REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
31. A biologist records the number of trout, bass, perch, and other types of fish caught in a local lake during a 2-week period. If the results are organized in a frequency distribution graph, what kind of graph should be used?
a. A bar graph c. A polygon
b. A histogram d. Either a histogram or a polygon
ANS: A REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
32. After recording the final grade (A, B, C, D, F) for each individual in a class of N = 26 students, the professor would like to display the grade distribution in a frequency distribution graph. What kind of graph should be used?
a. A bar graph c. A polygon
b. A histogram d. Either a histogram or a polygon
ANS: A REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
33. What kind of frequency distribution graph shows the frequencies as bars, with no space between adjacent bars?
a. A bar graph c. A polygon
b. A histogram d. All of these
ANS: B REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Remember
34. If a set of scores is displayed in a frequency distribution polygon, what scale of measurement was used to measure the scores?
a. Nominal or ordinal c. Ratio
b. Interval d. Interval or ratio
ANS: D REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
35. A frequency distribution graph represents frequencies with vertical bars without space between them. What scale of measurement was used to measure the scores?
a. Nominal c. Nominal or ordinal
b. Ordinal d. Interval or ratio
ANS: D REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
36. If a set of scores is displayed in a frequency distribution bar graph, what scale of measurement was used to measure the scores?
a. Nominal c. Nominal or ordinal
b. Ordinal d. Interval or ratio
ANS: C REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
37. What kind of frequency distribution graph shows the frequencies as bars that are separated by spaces?
a. A bar graph c. A polygon
b. A histogram d. All of these
ANS: A REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Remember
38. How many individual scores are in the following distribution?
4│ ┌───┐
f 3│ │ │
2│ │ ├───┬───┐
1│ │ │ │ ├───┬───┐
└─┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴─── X
1 2 3 4 5 6
a. N = 5 c. N = 10
b. N = 6 d. cannot be determined
ANS: C REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
39. For the following distribution, what is X?
4│ ┌───┐
f 3│ │ │
2│ │ ├───┬───┐
1│ │ │ │ ├───┬───┐
└─┴───┴───┴───┴───┴───┴─── X
1 2 3 4 5 6
a. X = 10 c. X = 21
b. X = 15 d. X = 23
ANS: D REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
40. The normal distribution is an example of
a. a histogram showing data from a sample.
b. a polygon showing data from a sample.
c. a bar graph showing data from a population.
d. a smooth curve showing data from a population.
ANS: D REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
41. If a set of exam scores forms a symmetrical distribution, what can you likely conclude about the students’ scores?
a. Most of the students had relatively high scores.
b. Most of the students had relatively low scores.
c. About an equal number of students had relatively high and relatively low scores.
d. It is not possible to draw any conclusions about students’ scores.
ANS: C REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
42. If a set of exam scores forms a negatively skewed distribution, what can you likely conclude about the students’ scores?
a. Most of the students had relatively high scores.
b. Most of the students had relatively low scores.
c. About an equal number of students had relatively high and relatively low scores.
d. It is not possible to draw any conclusions about students’ scores.
ANS: A REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
43. What term is used to describe the shape of a distribution in which the scores pile up on the left-hand side of the graph and taper off to the right?
a. Symmetrical c. Negatively skewed
b. Positively skewed d. Normal
ANS: B REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
44. A skewed distribution typically has _____ tail(s) and a normal distribution has ____ tail(s).
a. 1; 1 c. 2; 1
b. 1; 2 d. 2; 2
ANS: B REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Remember
45. The students in a psychology class seemed to think that the midterm exam was very easy. If they are correct, what is the most likely shape for the distribution of exam scores?
a. Symmetrical c. Negatively skewed
b. Positively skewed d. Normal
ANS: C REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
46. In a distribution with positive skew, scores with the highest frequencies are _____.
a. on the right side of the distribution c. in the middle of the distribution
b. on the left side of the distribution d. represented at two distinct peaks
ANS: B REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
47. What is the shape of the distribution for the following set of data? Scores: 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4 5, 5, 5, 5, 6
a. Symmetrical c. Negatively skewed
b. Positively skewed d. Normal
ANS: C REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
48. What is the shape of the distribution for the following set of data?
a. Symmetrical X f
b. Positively skewed 5 1
c. Negatively skewed 4 1
d. Normal 3 2
2 4
1 5
ANS: B REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
49. What is the shape of the distribution for the following set of data?
a. Symmetrical X f
b. Positively skewed 5 5
c. Negatively skewed 4 3
d. Normal 3 1
2 3
1 5
ANS: A REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
TRUE/FALSE
1. A researcher surveys a sample of n = 200 college students and asks each person to identify his or her favorite movie from the past year. If the data were organized in a frequency distribution table, the first column would be a list of movies.
ANS: T REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
2. A group of quiz scores ranges from 3 to 10, but no student had a score of X = 5. If the scores are put in a frequency distribution table, X = 5 would not be listed in the X column.
ANS: F REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
3. It is customary to list the score categories in a frequency distribution from the highest down to the lowest.
ANS: T REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Remember
4. For the distribution shown in the following table, N = 5.
X f
5 2
4 8
3 5
2 3
1 2
ANS: F REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
5. For the following distribution of scores, 20% of the individuals have scores of X = 1.
X f
5 2
4 8
3 5
2 3
1 2
ANS: F REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
6. For the following distribution of scores, X = 18.
X f
4 1
3 2
2 3
1 2
ANS: T REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
7. For the following distribution of scores, X2 = 92.
X f
4 1
3 2
2 3
1 2
ANS: F REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
8. A grouped frequency distribution table lists one interval as 20-29. The width of this interval is 9 points.
ANS: F REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
9. If a distribution with more than 15 or 20 possible scores is being organized in a frequency distribution table, a grouped table should be used.
ANS: T REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
10. In a grouped frequency distribution table, one interval is identified as 30-34. This interval has a width of 5 points.
ANS: T REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
11. If a set of scores covers a range of 80 points, then the grouped frequency table for the scores should use an interval width of 8 points.
ANS: F REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
12. A set of scores ranges from X = 18 to X = 91. If the scores were put in a grouped frequency distribution table with an interval width of 10 points, the top interval would be 91-100.
ANS: F REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
13. In a grouped frequency distribution table, the top value in each class interval should be a multiple of the interval width.
ANS: F REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
14. A set of scores ranges from a low of X = 18 to a high of X = 98. If the scores are put in a grouped frequency distribution table with an interval width of 10 points, the bottom interval should be 10-19.
ANS: T REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
15. A grouped frequency distribution table does not provide enough information to obtain a complete listing of the original set of scores.
ANS: T REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
16. For the following distribution, 11 people have scores greater than X = 14.
X f
20-24 2
15-19 5
10-14 4
5-9 1
ANS: F REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
17. In the following distribution, the scores are grouped into class intervals that are each 5 points wide. X f
20-24 2
15-19 5
10-14 4
5-9 1
ANS: T REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
18. A professor records the number of students who are absent each day for the semester. Because this is a discrete variable, a bar graph should be used to show the frequency distribution.
ANS: F REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
19. If a frequency distribution is presented in a polygon, then the scores were measured on an interval or a ratio scale.
ANS: T REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
20. A sports historian recorded the number of times that the New York Yankees finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on, in their division for the past 20 years. If the results are presented in a frequency distribution graph, then a histogram must be used.
ANS: F REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
21. A space is left between adjacent bars in a bar graph.
ANS: T REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Remember
22. A set of scores ranging from a high of 47 to a low of 6 is organized in a grouped frequency distribution table using an interval width of 5 points. If the distribution is shown in a graph, then a histogram or polygon should be used.
ANS: T REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
23. The classrooms in the Psychology department are numbered from 100 to 108. A professor records the number of classes held in each room during the fall semester. If the results were presented in a frequency distribution graph, the professor should use a bar graph.
ANS: T REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
24. If it is appropriate to present a distribution of scores in a polygon, then it would also be appropriate to present the scores in a bar graph.
ANS: F REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
25. A histogram is constructed so that adjacent bars touch.
ANS: T REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Remember
26. The normal distribution is an example of a symmetrical distribution.
ANS: T REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
27. In February in New York, the daily high temperatures are typically low with only a few relatively warm days. A frequency distribution showing the daily high temperatures would probably form a negatively skewed distribution.
ANS: F REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
28. The scores for a very easy exam would probably form a positively skewed distribution.
ANS: F REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
29. If a set of exam scores forms a negatively skewed distribution, it suggests that the majority of the students did not score well on the exam.
ANS: F REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
30. In a positively skewed distribution, the scores pile up on the left side of the distribution and taper off to the right.
ANS: T REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
SHORT ANSWER
1. Find each value requested for the set of scores in the following frequency distribution table.
a. N X f
b. ΣX 5 2
c. ΣX2 4 2
3 3
2 5
1 2
ANS:
a. N = 14
b. ΣX = 39
c. ΣX2 = 131
REF: 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Understand
2. Briefly explain what information is available in a regular frequency distribution table that is not available in a grouped table.
ANS: A regular table identifies each individual score. However, in a grouped table, you only know that an individual score is located in a particular interval, but you do not know its exact value.
REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
3. For the following scores
a. construct a frequency distribution table.
b. sketch a histogram of the frequency distribution.
6, 4, 3, 5, 4, 2, 4
5, 4, 6, 1, 4, 5, 2
ANS:
a. X f
6 2
5 3
4 5
3 1
2 2
1 1
b.
REF: 2.3 Frequency Distribution Graphs KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
4. For the following scores, construct a grouped frequency distribution table using an interval width of 10 points. Based on the table, what is the shape of the distribution?
30, 23, 58, 28, 35, 67, 74, 59, 27, 42, 46, 35
51, 33, 18, 33, 25, 38, 48, 36, 31, 39, 63, 40
ANS:
X f positively skewed
70-79 1
60-69 2
50-59 3
40-49 4
30-39 9
20-29 4
10-19 1
REF: 2.2 Grouped Frequency Distribution Tables KEY: Bloom’s: Apply
