To determine which class scored higher overall, we need to consider the shape and the highest frequencies of each histogram.
- Mr. Hanley's class has a y-axis that goes up to 8, indicating a higher count of students scoring in certain ranges compared to Ms. Blach's class, where the maximum is 5.
- If Mr. Hanley's histogram shows a symmetric shape, it suggests a balanced distribution of scores, potentially around a higher mean.
- Ms. Blach's histogram is labeled as having an "almost symmetrical shape," which might suggest that while the scores are distributed relatively evenly, they might not be as high as those in Mr. Hanley's class.
Based on this reasoning, the best answer is:
"Mr. Hanley’s class scored higher overall, as shown by the symmetric shape of the graph."
This focuses on the overall distribution of scores, with Mr. Hanley’s class likely achieving a higher overall score due to the higher maximum on the y-axis and a more symmetric distribution.