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Quiz: Visual Problem-Solving Frameworks

Test your understanding of Dan Roam's frameworks, the Six W's, and the SQVID drawing style selector.

1. What are the three interconnected frameworks covered in this chapter?

  1. RGB color model, CMYK color model, and HSL color model
  2. The Six W's Framework, Dan Roam's Six Visual Frameworks, and the SQVID Framework
  3. HTML structure, CSS styling, and JavaScript behavior
  4. Bloom's Taxonomy, Maslow's Hierarchy, and the ADDIE model
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The three frameworks form a complete decision system: the Six W's tell you what to draw by mapping question types to visual types, Dan Roam's Six Visual Frameworks show you how to draw it with six fundamental picture types, and the SQVID refines the style of your drawing along five dimensions.

Concept Tested: Visual Problem Solving

2. According to the Six W's Framework, which type of visual answers the question "How much?"

  1. Portrait
  2. Map
  3. Chart
  4. Flowchart
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The Six W's Framework maps the question "How much?" to the chart drawing. Charts represent quantities visually using length, area, position, or color to encode numerical values, making comparisons visible. Bar charts, line charts, pie charts, and scatter plots all belong to this category.

Concept Tested: Six W's Framework, Chart Drawing

3. A biology teacher wants to show students what a mitochondrion looks like with labeled parts. Which of Dan Roam's visual frameworks is most appropriate?

  1. Portrait drawing — it shows what something looks like, its form and components
  2. Timeline drawing — it shows when the organelle was discovered
  3. Flowchart drawing — it shows how the organelle functions step by step
  4. Multi-variable plot — it shows how multiple organelle measurements interact
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. A portrait drawing answers the question "Who or what is this?" and shows what something looks like — its form, components, and visual identity. A labeled diagram of a mitochondrion with interactive overlays revealing each part's function is a classic portrait drawing in an educational infographic context.

Concept Tested: Portrait Drawing

4. Which visual framework answers the question "How?" and shows processes with decision points and branching?

  1. Map drawing
  2. Chart drawing
  3. Timeline drawing
  4. Flowchart drawing
Show Answer

The correct answer is D. A flowchart drawing answers the question "How?" by showing a process — a sequence of steps with decision points, branches, and loops. Where a timeline shows when things happen, a flowchart shows how they happen, including the logic that determines which path to take.

Concept Tested: Flowchart Drawing

5. What does the acronym SQVID stand for in the SQVID Framework?

  1. Size, Quality, Value, Impact, Design
  2. Simple vs Elaborate, Qualitative vs Quantitative, Vision vs Execution, Individual vs Comparison, Delta vs Status Quo
  3. Structure, Query, Visualization, Integration, Deployment
  4. Sketch, Question, Validate, Implement, Deliver
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. SQVID stands for five dimensions of visual style, each presented as a spectrum between two poles: Simple vs Elaborate (how much detail), Qualitative vs Quantitative (concepts or numbers), Vision vs Execution (dream or plan), Individual vs Comparison (one thing or several), and Delta vs Status Quo (change or current state).

Concept Tested: SQVID Framework

6. When should you choose a "simple" style over an "elaborate" style on the SQVID spectrum?

  1. When the data contains more than 100 data points
  2. When the visual must stand alone without narration
  3. When you need instant comprehension and the audience is unfamiliar with the subject
  4. When precision matters more than speed of understanding
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. A simple visual is appropriate when you need instant comprehension, when the audience is unfamiliar with the subject, or when the visual supports a verbal explanation. An elaborate visual is better when the audience needs detail for decisions, when the visual must stand alone, or when precision matters more than speed.

Concept Tested: Simple vs Elaborate

7. A researcher wants to show how funding, class size, teacher experience, and student outcomes interact to explain why certain schools outperform others. Which visual framework is most appropriate?

  1. Portrait drawing
  2. Timeline drawing
  3. Multi-variable plot
  4. Map drawing
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. A multi-variable plot answers the most complex question: "Why?" It shows how multiple variables interact, revealing correlations, clusters, and causal relationships. When explaining why certain schools outperform others requires showing the interaction between four variables, a multi-variable plot is the appropriate framework.

Concept Tested: Multi-Variable Plot

8. On the SQVID Framework, what does the "Delta vs Status Quo" dimension determine?

  1. Whether the visual uses color or grayscale
  2. Whether the visual shows one subject or compares multiple subjects
  3. Whether the visual emphasizes change over time or captures a snapshot of the current state
  4. Whether the visual is hand-drawn or computer-generated
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The Delta vs Status Quo dimension determines whether your visual emphasizes change (delta) or the current state (status quo). A status quo visual captures a snapshot — how things are right now. A delta visual shows transformation — how things have changed, are changing, or should change.

Concept Tested: Delta vs Status Quo

9. A project manager needs to show where servers are located relative to each other in a data center. According to the Six W's Framework, which question type and visual match this need?

  1. "When?" → Timeline drawing
  2. "How?" → Flowchart drawing
  3. "Where?" → Map drawing
  4. "How much?" → Chart drawing
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The Six W's Framework maps the question "Where?" to map drawings. A map drawing shows spatial relationships — how things are positioned relative to each other. The key insight is that "map" includes any visual showing relative position, not just geographic maps. A data center layout showing server locations is a map drawing.

Concept Tested: Map Drawing, Six W's Framework

10. How do the SQVID dimensions differ from the Six W's Framework in visual problem solving?

  1. The SQVID replaces the Six W's for advanced users
  2. The Six W's determine what type of visual to create, while the SQVID refines the style and presentation approach
  3. The SQVID is for static infographics and the Six W's are for interactive ones
  4. The Six W's are qualitative and the SQVID is quantitative
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Six W's Framework and SQVID serve complementary roles. The Six W's tell you what to draw by matching question types to visual types. The SQVID then refines how to draw it by helping you choose positions along five style dimensions. Together they form a complete decision system for visual problem solving.

Concept Tested: SQVID Framework, Six W's Framework