Introduction to Drawings and Diagrams

A drawing or diagram is often used to provide a pictorial overview. Drawings and diagrams also can provide specific details on a subject. For example, a doctor may discuss the outcome of a medical procedure with a patient and then show the patient a drawing or diagram of the steps that will be used.

The GED Social Studies and Science tests use diagrams to

• Expand on explanations provided in the text, in questions based on both a passage and a graphic
• Depict the parts of something (the solar system, the three branches of government)
• Describe how something works (an electrical circuit, the stock market)
• Provide a step-by-step process (how to use a microscope, how a bill becomes a law)

When reading drawings or diagrams, review the following features:

• Title and/or Captions: The title identifies the topic or main idea of the drawing. Some drawings or diagrams also have captions that explain more detail.
• Labels: Words or phrases may be included that point to specific parts of a diagram. This will help you understand the parts of the diagram or the steps in the drawing.

Once you are familiar with the topic and purpose of a diagram, study the details in order to understand the whole idea or process it depicts.