(C) To explain that there are different kinds of variables

　　(D) To present the background of statistics in a humorous and understandable way

　　25. The word "squarely" in line 8 could best be replaced by

　　(A) solidly

　　(B) geometrically

　　(C) rectangularly

　　(D) haphazrardly

　　26. Which of the following is NOT given an example of a qualitative variable?

　　(A) Gender

　　(B) Height

　　(C) College major

　　(D) Type of personality

　　27. The word "they" in line 13 refers to

　　(A) variables

　　(B) masses

　　(C) descriptive statistics

　　(D) properties

　　28. Which of the following statements about descriptive statistics is best supported by the

　　passage?

　　(A) It reduces large amounts of data to a more comprehensible form.

　　(B) It is based on probability.

　　(C) It can be used by people with little knowledge of mathematics.

　　(D) It measures only qualitative differences.

　　29. The word "unwieldy" in line 15 is closest in meaning to

　　(A) unmanageable

　　(B) unpredictable

　　(C) understandable

　　(D) unreliable

　　30. According to the passage, what is the purpose of examining a sample of a population?

　　(A) To compare different groups

　　(B) To predict characteristics of the entire population

　　(C) To detect differences not observable in the whole population

　　(D) To compile more accurate data