Critique Data in the Media (Grade 5)
Free printable Year 5 statistics worksheet (ACARA AC9M5ST02). Students critique statistical claims in ads, headlines and graphs, spotting biased samples, misleading scales and correlation-vs-causation.
📘 How to teach critiquing data in the media — teaching guide with a worked explanation and diagram.
Grade 5 · Math worksheet
Name
Date
Math
Critique Data in the Media
Read each claim you might see in an ad, a headline or online. For each one, explain what is misleading or what question you should ask before believing it.
- 1.An ad says: "9 out of 10 dogs prefer Chompo dog food." What should you ask before you believe it?
- 2.A headline says: "More ice creams are sold on days when more people get sunburnt, so ice cream causes sunburn." Is that a fair conclusion?
- 3.A survey asked 6 children if they like the new playground and all said yes. Can the school say every child likes it?
- 4.A drink label says: "Now 30% more fruit!" What important information is missing?
- 5.A bar graph's numbers start at 90 instead of 0, so a bar of 95 looks much taller than a bar of 92. Is the difference really that big?
- 6.A TV show let viewers phone in, and 70% were against the plan. Why might this not match what the whole country thinks?
- 7.Which group would best represent all the Year 5 students in a city? (a) 500 randomly chosen Year 5s (b) 8 children from one class (c) the teacher's own children
- a) (a) 500 randomly chosen Year 5s
- b) (b) 8 children from one class
- c) (c) the teacher's own children
Made with SproutSheets · sproutsheets.com