Free Year 5 Read a column graph Practice | Skillo

Year 5 students preparing for NAPLAN need to be confident with read a column graph. Create and compare different graphical representations of data sets; interpret the data in terms of the context. Skillo has targeted practice questions for this exact skill, mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0, free and ready to go.

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What is tested: Read a column graph

  • ✓Create and compare different graphical representations of data sets; interpret the data in terms of the context.
  • ✓Questions may include word problems set in real Australian contexts
  • ✓Both calculator and non-calculator question types are covered

Sample questions

Question 1 — Easy

The pictograph below shows how many meat pies were sold at four AFL games in Canberra. Each symbol (🥧) represents 5 pies. Game 1: 🥧🥧🥧🥧 Game 2: 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧 Game 3: 🥧🥧🥧 Game 4: 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧 How many more pies were sold at Game 2 than at Game 3?

A) 3
B) 10
C) 15
D) 45

Answer: Game 2 had 6 symbols × 5 = 30 pies. Game 3 had 3 symbols × 5 = 15 pies. The difference is 30 − 15 = 15 pies. Option A is wrong because the student subtracted the number of symbols (6 − 3 = 3) without multiplying by 5. Option B is wrong because the student multiplied the symbol difference (3) by 5 but only partially applied the scale. Option D is wrong because the student added the totals instead of finding the difference.

Question 2 — Medium

A pictograph shows how many meat pies were sold at four AFL footy matches. Each symbol (🥧) represents 5 pies. Match 1: 🥧🥧🥧🥧 Match 2: 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧 Match 3: 🥧🥧🥧 Match 4: 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧 How many more pies were sold at Match 2 than at Match 3?

A) 3
B) 10
C) 15
D) 45

Answer: Match 2 has 6 symbols × 5 = 30 pies. Match 3 has 3 symbols × 5 = 15 pies. The difference is 30 − 15 = 15, so the correct answer is C. Option A is wrong because the student subtracted the number of symbols (6 − 3 = 3) without multiplying by 5. Option B is wrong because the student found the difference in symbols (3) and then multiplied by 5, but forgot to subtract totals correctly (possibly calculating 3 × 5 − 5). Option D is wrong because the student added the two totals (30 + 15 = 45) instead of finding the difference.

Question 3 — Hard

A pictograph at the Bankstown Community Pool shows how many children attended swim classes each day last week. Each symbol (🏊) represents 5 children. Monday: 🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊 Tuesday: 🏊🏊🏊 Wednesday: 🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊 Thursday: 🏊🏊🏊🏊 The pool needs at least 100 children across the four days to keep the swim classes running next week. What is the total number of children across all four days, and will the classes run next week?

A) Total is 90 children — classes will not run next week
B) Total is 85 children — classes will not run next week
C) Total is 100 children — classes will run next week
D) Total is 95 children — classes will not run next week

Answer: Option A is correct — Monday = 5 × 5 = 25, Tuesday = 3 × 5 = 15, Wednesday = 6 × 5 = 30, Thursday = 4 × 5 = 20. Total = 25 + 15 + 30 + 20 = 90 children.

How to use Skillo for Year 5 Numeracy

  1. Select Year 5 and Numeracy on the home screen
  2. Use Quick Practice — questions on read a column graph will appear as part of the session
  3. Check the Skill Breakdown on your profile to track your accuracy on read a column graph specifically
  4. Review explanations after each question to understand the reasoning behind correct answers

Skillo is free, requires no email or account details, and is built specifically for Australian students. Every question is mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0 and filtered by skill so your child practises exactly what they need.

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