Nagasaki HS Social Studies Entrance Exam cheat sheet
Nagasaki HS Social Studies Entrance Exam · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Integrated and Data-Based Inquiry Skills
Read a graph in this order: title → axes (units, scale, break points) → legend → trend → comparison → conclusion; never ignore axis units.
Distinguish correlation from causation: a third variable may drive both; propose a control or comparison group before concluding cause.
Population pyramid shapes: bell shape = stable population; pyramid shape = high birth rate; urn shape = aging and shrinking population.
Trade data: trade balance = exports − imports; current account = trade balance + services + income + transfers; Japan shifted to a trade deficit after the 2011 earthquake and nuclear shutdown.
Map projections distort area, shape, distance, or direction; Mercator preserves direction but exaggerates high-latitude area.
Bar charts compare categories; line graphs show change over time; scatter plots show relationships; pie charts show composition and should sum to 100%.
When comparing countries, use per-capita or percentage values rather than raw totals to avoid population-size bias.
Statistical reliability: check source, year, definition, and sample size; a single year's data cannot establish a long-term trend.