QR-I Assessments

Graph A

The published graph

Study Graph A. Answer using only the information available on this page.

Percentage change in the U.S. Dollar Index during the first half of each year since 1986, with 2025 highlighted. — Source: The New York Times, June 30, 2025; FactSet data; visualization by Christine Zhang.

The article discusses tariffs, federal debt, Federal Reserve policy, and presidential statements as possible explanations. How strongly does Graph A itself support those explanations? Briefly explain your rating. What does Graph A support, and what important context is missing?

Graph B

Extending the timeframe

The purple line highlights 2017 and the green line highlights 2025. Every year begins at 0% using the previous year’s final trading close.

Monthly U.S. Dollar Index percentage-change paths through December, with 2017 and 2025 highlighted.

What does Graph B make easier to see than Graph A, and what remains difficult to determine? If any of your ratings changed after Graph B, explain why. If none changed, explain why not.

Graph C

Changing the baseline

Graph C shows the actual index level rather than resetting every year to 0%. June 2025 is marked in purple and December 2025 in green.

U.S. Dollar Index levels from 1985 through 2025, with June and December 2025 marked.

For the claim “the dollar was historically weak in 2025,” which graph is most informative: A, B, or C? Explain. If any of your ratings changed after Graph C, explain why. If none changed, explain why not.

Final section

Evaluating the visualizations and explanations

Use Graphs A, B, and C below as you answer the remaining questions.

Graph A: percentage change in the U.S. Dollar Index during the first half of each year since 1986, with 2025 highlighted.

Graph B: monthly U.S. Dollar Index percentage-change paths through December, with 2017 and 2025 highlighted.

Graph C: U.S. Dollar Index levels from 1985 through 2025, with June and December 2025 marked.

Assessment

The published graph

Extending the timeframe

Changing the baseline

Evaluating the visualizations and explanations

Graph A The published graph

Graph B Extending the timeframe

Graph C Changing the baseline

Assessment submitted

Begin the assessment

The published graph

Extending the timeframe

Changing the baseline

Evaluating the visualizations and explanations

Graph A The published graph

Graph B Extending the timeframe

Graph C Changing the baseline

Assessment submitted