Exercising the Abilities of Reasoning, Calculating and Interpreting: 60 Pisa Questions Explained and Resolved in Detail

By Mazur Doi, Christiane, Ph.D.

Book Id: WPLBN0100750899
Format Type: PDF (eBook)
File Size: 3.87 MB.
Reproduction Date: 11/5/2025

Title:	Exercising the Abilities of Reasoning, Calculating and Interpreting: 60 Pisa Questions Explained and Resolved in Detail
Author:	Mazur Doi, Christiane, Ph.D.
Volume:	Volume 1
Language:	English
Subject:	Non Fiction, General Works (Periodicals, Series, idexes, Almanacs, etc.), 60 Pisa Questions Explained and Resolved in Detail
Collections:	Authors Community, Education
Historic Publication Date:	2025
Publisher:	Exercising the Abilities of Reasoning, Calculating and Interpreting

Member Page:	CHRISTIANE MAZUR DOI
Citation APA MLA Chicago Mazur Doi, P. C. (2025). Exercising the Abilities of Reasoning, Calculating and Interpreting: 60 Pisa Questions Explained and Resolved in Detail. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.us/

Description
In this book, aiming to exercise the abilities of reasoning, calculating and interpreting, we analyze, in a didactic and detailed way, PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) questions. This exame is developed by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) for students aged 15 years old, when basic schooling ends in most countries. PISA, which takes place every three years, aims to evaluate the literacy of students in three areas: Reading, Mathematics and Science. The term literacy is used because this exam is not only based on curricular contents, but also on skills and competences related to the analysis and interpretation of contextualized utterances, to the use of logical reasoning for problem solving and to the efficient communication of ideas. With the intention of improving such skills, 60 questions were selected in this text, classified according to the demands of the following blocks: • performing basic calculation (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division); • reading and interpreting tables and graphs; • proposition, interpretation and application of mathematical formulas; • characterization and establishment of mathematical relationships in geometric pictures; • application of rules to solve problems; • use of probability topics and central tendency measures. • presentation of critical analysis of information. Thus, in this publication, written in simple and direct language, Mathematics, Science and Reading topics are explained with examples focused on daily situations and on subjects that are part of our lives. As a result, international examination questions, such as those of PISA, are no longer difficult, complicated or abstract. Each of the blocks presents a theoretical introduction approached through situations extracted from the everyday or by means of practical applications of definitions: the concepts are developed based on cases close to our reality. The issues are resolved in detail, as if there was an informal conversation between us. In addition, at the beginning of each exercise, we define the topic to be addressed, and at the end of each exercise, we emphasize what is needed to resolve it.

Summary
In this book, aiming to exercise the abilities of reasoning, calculating and interpreting, we analyze, in a didactic and detailed way, PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) questions. This exame is developed by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) for students aged 15 years old, when basic schooling ends in most countries. PISA, which takes place every three years, aims to evaluate the literacy of students in three areas: Reading, Mathematics and Science. The term literacy is used because this exam is not only based on curricular contents, but also on skills and competences related to the analysis and interpretation of contextualized utterances, to the use of logical reasoning for problem solving and to the efficient communication of ideas. With the intention of improving such skills, 60 questions were selected in this text, classified according to the demands of the following blocks: • performing basic calculation (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division); • reading and interpreting tables and graphs; • proposition, interpretation and application of mathematical formulas; • characterization and establishment of mathematical relationships in geometric pictures; • application of rules to solve problems; • use of probability topics and central tendency measures. • presentation of critical analysis of information. Thus, in this publication, written in simple and direct language, Mathematics, Science and Reading topics are explained with examples focused on daily situations and on subjects that are part of our lives. As a result, international examination questions, such as those of PISA, are no longer difficult, complicated or abstract. Each of the blocks presents a theoretical introduction approached through situations extracted from the everyday or by means of practical applications of definitions: the concepts are developed based on cases close to our reality. The issues are resolved in detail, as if there was an informal conversation between us. In addition, at the beginning of each exercise, we define the topic to be addressed, and at the end of each exercise, we emphasize what is needed to resolve it.

Excerpt
60 PISA QUESTIONS EXPLAINED AND RESOLVED IN DETAIL

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. Basic calculation: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. QUESTION 1.1. Height of 14 steps of a staircase. QUESTION 1.2. Saving weekly receipts for holiday travel. QUESTION 1.3. Recipe for salad dressing. QUESTION 1.4. Manufacture of shelf assemblies. QUESTION 1.5. Choice of pizza toppings. QUESTION 1.6. Currency conversion rate between currencies of Singapore and South Africa. QUESTION 1.7. Options for parts for skateboarding. QUESTION 1.8. Consequences of having loan for a long period of time. QUESTION 1.9. Insertion of kite sail to NewWave to reduce diesel consumption. CHAPTER 2. Reading and interpreting tables and graphs. QUESTION 2.1. Variation in prices of one Rich Rock share. QUESTION 2.2. Monthly sales of CDs from 4U2Rock, The Kicking Kangaroos, One's Darling and The Metalfolkies. QUESTION 2.3. Average heights of women and young men in the Netherlands in 1998. QUESTION 2.4. Reporter's statement and correct chart analysis of robberies in 1998 and 1999. QUESTION 2.5. Tree diagram on the structure of the workforce in a country in 1995. QUESTION 2.6. Increased carbon dioxide emissions and increased temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. QUESTION 2.7. Exports from Zedland, a country that uses zeds as a currency, from 1996 to 2000. QUESTION 2.8. Comparison between outward and return carriage routes in which an accident involving a cat occurs. QUESTION 2.9. Scores of two groups of students in science test. QUESTION 2.10. Variations in levels of Lake Chad and rock art in the Sahara. QUESTION 2.11. Times of decomposition of some types of garbage. CHAPTER 3. Proposition, interpretation and application of mathematical formulas. QUESTION 3.1. Drug administration by intravenous drip. QUESTION 3.2. Relation between the number of steps per minute and the length of the step of a man walking. QUESTION 3.3. Punctuation system for car classification. QUESTION 3.4. Cultivation of apples in a field surrounded by conifers. CHAPTER 4. Identification of characteristics and mathematical relationships in geometric pictures. QUESTION 4.1. Identification of a geometric picture from its description. QUESTION 4.2. Farmhouse with pyramidal shaped roof. QUESTION 4.3. Wooden fence to a garden bed. QUESTION 4.4. Approximate calculation of Antarctic area. QUESTION 4.5. Proposal to attach kite sails to the ship and use the force of the wind to help reduce diesel consumption. QUESTION 4.6. Revolving door with three wings which rotate within a circular space. QUESTION 4.7. Estimate of apartment area by its floor plant. QUESTION 4.8. Comparison of prices of small pizza and large pizza. CHAPTER 5. Application of rules to solve problems. QUESTION 5.1. Numbers in faces of six dice. QUESTION 5.2. Construction of die following the rule of "sum 7 on opposite faces". QUESTION 5.3. Instructions for making an 8-page booklet. QUESTION 5.4. Numbers of faces of a tower can be seen from certain positions. QUESTION 5.5. Construction of stages patterns with squares. QUESTION 5.6. Computer graphics building tool. CHAPTER 6. Use of probability and measures of central tendency. QUESTION 6.1. Picking one candy from a bag with 30 candies. QUESTION 6.2. Probability of occurrence of an earthquake. QUESTION 6.3. Rainfall forecast. QUESTION 6.4. Mei Ling averages on five science tests. QUESTION 6.5. Average height of 25 girls in a classroom. QUESTION 6.6. Surveys to support the president for the next election. CHAPTER 7. Critical analysis of information. QUESTION 7.1. Recognition of priority tasks according to budget. QUESTION 7.2. Identification of bank deposit related to payment of monthly salary. QUESTION 7.3. Assessment of factors that influence the price of motorcycle insurance. QUESTION 7.4. Immunization against influenza in the ACOL company. QUESTION 7.5. Use of mobile phones and possible damage to health. QUESTION 7.6. Advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting. QUESTION 7.7. Semmelweis and death of women when giving birth by puerperal fever. QUESTION 7.8. Depletion of the ozone layer. QUESTION 7.9. Cultures of genetically modified (GM) corn. QUESTION 7.10. Grand Canyon National Park, USA. QUESTION 7.11. Action of acid rain on marble. QUESTION 7.12. Benefits of regular and moderate exercise. QUESTION 7.13. Level of sun protection of a photo protective product. QUESTION 7.14. History and indication of vaccination. QUESTION 7.15. Intelligent clothes for children with speech disabilities. QUESTION 7.16. Footwear specially designed for sportsmen. CHAPTER 8. Bibliographic indications and consulted links.