UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, C and D correctly describe bar graphs and histograms. A states the proportional representation of values by bar lengths. B is true because bar graphs are suited to comparing discrete categories such as years or regions. C accurately distinguishes histograms as bar-like representations of continuous class intervals with no gaps. D is correct since in practice examinees sometimes estimate values when scale divisions are not fine. E is false because both vertical and horizontal bar graphs are acceptable ways to present data. Therefore, A, B, C and D only are correct.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it brings together the essential properties and uses of bar graphs and histograms and leaves out E, which wrongly forbids horizontal bars. It reflects the standard data interpretation conventions in NET examinations.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits D, failing to mention the realistic need for approximation when reading from coarse scales, which is a practical aspect of graph use. This omission makes the option less comprehensive.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it includes only B, C and D and omits A, so it never states the basic proportionality between bar length and value. Without A, the central representational feature of bar graphs is missing.

Option D:
Option D is wrong because it contains E, which incorrectly bans horizontal bar charts, and drops B, so it both introduces an error and loses a key comparative property of bar graphs.

A histogram is a graph that displays the frequency distribution of continuous data using adjoining rectangular bars whose widths correspond to class intervals and whose heights represent frequencies. Because the bars touch, the histogram conveys the idea of continuity in the data. It is widely used to visualise the shape of distributions, such as skewness or modality. Since the stem describes continuous data grouped in class intervals shown as adjacent bars without gaps, histogram is the correct answer.

Option A:
A bar diagram typically represents categorical data with separate bars that have spaces between them, emphasising distinct categories rather than continuity. The presence of gaps distinguishes it from a histogram. Therefore, bar diagram does not match the description provided in the question.

Option B:
An ogive is a cumulative frequency curve that shows how many observations fall below each boundary, helping identify medians and percentiles. It is drawn as a line graph rather than adjoining bars. Hence, ogive is not the appropriate completion for the stem.

Option C:
A frequency polygon depicts frequencies by plotting midpoints of class intervals and joining them with straight lines, forming a polygonal shape. While it also represents grouped data, it does not use adjacent bars and so differs from the graph described in the stem. Consequently, frequency polygon is not the right answer.

Option D:
Histograms allow researchers to quickly see whether data approximate a normal distribution, exhibit skewness or contain outliers. Their defining feature is the touching bars for continuous intervals, exactly as stated in the stem, confirming histogram as the correct term.