Interpret Distance-Time Graph Segment: John's Walk to School

Question

John left his home and walked 3 blocks to his school, as shown in the accompanying graph. What is one possible interpretation of the section of the graph from point B to point C?
A. John arrived at school and stayed throughout the day.
B. John waited before crossing a busy street.
C. John returned home to get his mathematics homework.
D. John reached the top of a hill and began walking on level ground.

Accepted Answer

B

Answer

Step 1: Analyze the meaning of the graph axes. The vertical axis represents distance from John's home, and the horizontal axis represents time. Step 2: Interpret the segment from B to C. During this segment, time increases (moves right along the horizontal axis) but distance from home stays constant (does not move up or down on the vertical axis). This means John was not moving away from or toward home during this time. Step 3: Evaluate each option:
- Option A: The final point D shows John reaches 3 blocks from home, so B to C cannot be him staying at school all day. Eliminate A.
- Option B: Waiting before crossing a street means John is not moving, so his distance from home stays the same while time passes. This matches the B to C segment.
- Option C: Returning home would decrease his distance from home, which would show a downward slope on the graph, not a flat line. Eliminate C.
- Option D: Walking on level ground would mean he continues moving away from home, so distance would increase with time, not stay constant. Eliminate D. Step 4: Confirm that Option B is the only choice that matches the flat line (constant distance, increasing time) of the B to C segment.