Which practice is recommended when using units in Task 1 data descriptions?

Which practice is recommended when using units in Task 1 data descriptions?

• A. Include units with figures, keep the same unit throughout; avoid mixing units unless clearly a comparison.
• B. Omit units entirely to keep text concise.
• C. Use different units for different data points to show variety.
• D. Place all units in a separate legend.

Answer: (A)

Consistency and clarity in using units when describing Task 1 data is what this item focuses on. Attaching the unit to every figure makes the meaning immediate and prevents misreading—for example, a number without a unit could be interpreted as meters, feet, or another measure, leading to confusion. Keeping the same unit throughout for a given parameter lets readers compare values directly and reduces the risk of arithmetic or scale errors. If there is a deliberate need to use different units to highlight a comparison, it must be clearly explained so readers understand why the change exists and how to compare the figures. Placing units in a separate legend or omitting them altogether removes the link between each number and what it measures, making the data harder to interpret and undermining accuracy.

Consistency and clarity in using units when describing Task 1 data is what this item focuses on. Attaching the unit to every figure makes the meaning immediate and prevents misreading—for example, a number without a unit could be interpreted as meters, feet, or another measure, leading to confusion. Keeping the same unit throughout for a given parameter lets readers compare values directly and reduces the risk of arithmetic or scale errors. If there is a deliberate need to use different units to highlight a comparison, it must be clearly explained so readers understand why the change exists and how to compare the figures. Placing units in a separate legend or omitting them altogether removes the link between each number and what it measures, making the data harder to interpret and undermining accuracy.