- A
Add an annotation explaining the supply chain disruption
Correct. Annotations provide context for key events.
- B
Remove the March data point to avoid confusion
Why wrong: Removing data distorts the story.
- C
Use a different chart type to hide the drop
Why wrong: Hiding data is misleading and unethical.
- D
Use a moving average to smooth the drop
Why wrong: Smoothing can obscure important events.
Question 148 of 1,000
DA0-001 Visualising Data Practice Question
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of visualising data. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A data analyst is presenting a time-series chart of monthly sales to executives. The sales dropped sharply in March due to a one-time supply chain disruption. Which storytelling technique would best help the audience understand this anomaly?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add an annotation explaining the supply chain disruption
Adding an annotation directly on the chart provides immediate context for the March sales drop, allowing executives to understand the anomaly without leaving the visualization. This technique follows the principle of 'contextual annotation' in data storytelling, where key events are marked to prevent misinterpretation of trends. It preserves data integrity while clarifying the cause, which is essential for accurate decision-making.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Add an annotation explaining the supply chain disruption
Why this is correct
Correct. Annotations provide context for key events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Remove the March data point to avoid confusion
Why it's wrong here
Removing data distorts the story.
- ✗
Use a different chart type to hide the drop
Why it's wrong here
Hiding data is misleading and unethical.
- ✗
Use a moving average to smooth the drop
Why it's wrong here
Smoothing can obscure important events.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may choose to smooth or remove the anomaly (options B or D) to make the chart look cleaner, failing to recognize that ethical data storytelling requires explaining, not hiding, significant events.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Annotations in time-series charts are typically implemented as text labels or callouts tied to specific data points, often using tools like Tableau or Python's Matplotlib with `annotate()`. In a real-world scenario, a supply chain disruption might be flagged with a vertical reference line and a note, ensuring the audience sees both the anomaly and its cause without altering the underlying data. This approach aligns with the 'data-ink ratio' principle, maximizing information conveyed per unit of ink.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the DA0-001 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DA0-001 question test?
Visualising Data — This question tests Visualising Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add an annotation explaining the supply chain disruption — Adding an annotation directly on the chart provides immediate context for the March sales drop, allowing executives to understand the anomaly without leaving the visualization. This technique follows the principle of 'contextual annotation' in data storytelling, where key events are marked to prevent misinterpretation of trends. It preserves data integrity while clarifying the cause, which is essential for accurate decision-making.
What should I do if I get this DA0-001 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This DA0-001 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DA0-001 exam.
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