When a table shows two variables and you are asked to compare them, what should you identify first?

• A. The row headers.
• B. The color shading.
• C. The column headings and the units, then the specific values you are asked to compare.
• D. The totals.

Answer: (C)

When you’re comparing two variables in a table, start by identifying what each variable is and how it’s measured. The column headings tell you what each column represents, and the units show the measurement scale (like dollars, degrees, or percentages). This context lets you read the numbers correctly and confirms you’re comparing like with like. Once you know the variables and their units, you can look at the specific cells that pair those two variables and compare the exact values you’re asked about. Color shading and row headers provide context, but they don’t tell you the actual measurements, and totals aren’t needed for a direct two-variable comparison.