Graphs & Tables

Writing task 1: Describing facts & figures Test ability to interpret & present inf.Present inf. In your own words Don’t give opinion, make assumptions or draw conclusions

Inf. In task 1 is presented:

1. A line graph

2. A bar or pie chart

3. A table of information

4. A diagram of stages of a process or procedure

5. A sequence of events

6. A picture of an object showing how it works

How to write

1. Think first 1. Ask questions

2. Purposes?

3. Changes have occurred over time?

4. Significant trends?

5. Most interesting feature?

Image Source: Line Graph Sales

2. Then writeHow to write

Image Source: Line Graph Sales

Introduction

Description

Conclusion

Image Source: Line Graph Sales

2. Then write

Introduction

Paraphrase the description in 1 or 2 sent.

Don’t copy it.

How to write

Image Source: Line Graph Sales

2. Then writeDescription

Focus on trends & interesting points

Describe the most significant data first

How to write

Image Source: Line Graph Sales

Description

Give example to support trends

Use statistics accurately

Image Source: Line Graph Sales

Conclusion

Do not have to be a separate paragraph

A single sentence can be round off your report.

Include comment/opinion/interesting observation

Writing the introductory sentence: use your own

words

Type of chart

Appropriate verb

Description

The illustrationgraphpie chartbar charttable

showsillustratespresents reveals describesgives

the number of …. the proportion…information on …data on …the percentage of …the rate of …

HOW TO START

For single bar graph

Given is a figure concerning (what, who, when, where). As is illustrated by the graph… (describe main trends here).

For multiple bar graphs

A glance at the two figures provided reveals (what, who, when, where). As is shown by the graph … (describe main trends here).

To avoid plagiarism, change the words

Example:

The two pie charts show the proportion of males and females in employment in six categories.

The two pie charts give the proportion of men and women employed in six areas.

To avoid plagiarism, change the structure

Example:

The two pie charts show the proportion of males and females in employment in six categories.

The two pie charts give, in six broad areas, the proportion of men and women employed.

Writing the body:start your descriptions

with:

It is clear from the graph/ table that

It can be seen from the graph/ table

As the graph/ table shows,

As can be seen from the graph/ table,

As is shown by the graph/ table,

As is illustrated by the graph/table,

From the graph/ table it is clear …

Warnings: 1. Avoid using the phrase:

According to the graph, ….

2. Expressions do not contain the dummy subject “It”

As can be seen from the graph/ table,

As is shown by the graph/ table,

As is illustrated by the graph/table,

3. The word “present” requires a summarizing noun to follow.

The graph presents an overview of the population growth of Asia in the last 20 years.

1. Describing trends:

Numeric items: population, production volumes, unemployment

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Business Graph

Image Source: Rise and Fall Graph

Image Source: qpeak

2. Expressing movement:

Nouns

There was a fall in unemployment levels

Verbs

Unemployment levels fell

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Rise and Fall Graph

2. Expressing movement:

Nouns

A rise

An increase

Growth

An upward trend

A boom (a dramatic rise)

Verbs

Rose (to)

Increased (to)

Went up (to)

Climbed (to)

Boomed

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Business Graph

2. Expressing movement:

Nouns

A development

A double

A gain

A jump

Verbs

Develop

Double

Gain

Jump

Escalate

Accelerate

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Business Graph

2. Expressing movement:

Nouns

A fall

A decline

A decrease

A drop

A slump (a dramatic fall)

A reduction

Verbs

Fell (to)

Declined (to)

Decreased (to)

Dipped (to)

Dropped (to)

Went down (to)

Slumped (to)

Reduced (to)

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Rise and Fall Graph

2. Expressing movement:

NounsVerbs

Lower (to)

Diminish (to)

Shrink (to)

Slow down (to)

Lessen (to)

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Rise and Fall Graph

2. Expressing movement:

Nouns

A leveling out

No change

Verbs

Leveled out (at)

Did not change

Remained stable (at)

Remained steady (at)

Stayed constant (at)

Maintained the same level

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: qpeak

2. Expressing movement:

Nouns

A fluctuation

Reached a peak (of)

Reached at plateau (at)

Verbs

Fluctuated (around)

Varied

Peaked (at)

Plateaued (at)

Stood at (focus on a particular point, before mentioning the movement)

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: up and down linegraph

2. Describing the movement:

Adjectives & Adverbs

There has been a slight increase in the value of the dollar.

-> the degree of change

Unemployment fell rapidly last year.

-> the speed of change

LANGUAGE USE

2. Describing degree of changeof the movement:

Adjectives

Dramatic

Sharp

Huge

Enormous

Steep

Substantial

Adverbs

Dramatically

Sharply

Enormously

Steeply

Substantially

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Rise and Fall Graph

2. Describing degree of changeof the movement:

Adjectives

Considerable

Significant

Marked

Adverbs

Considerably

Significantly

Markedly

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Rise and Fall Graph

2. Describing degree of changeof the movement:

Adjectives

Moderate

Adverbs

Moderately

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Business Graph

2. Describing degree of changeof the movement:

Adjectives

Slight

Small

Minimal

Adverbs

Slightly

Minimally

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: qpeak

2. Describing the speed of changeof the movement:

Adjectives

Rapid

Quick

Swift

Sudden

Adverbs

Rapidly

Quickly

Swiftly

Suddenly

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Rise and Fall Graph

2. Describing the speed of changeof the movement:

Adjectives

Steady

Gradual

Adverbs

Steadily

Gradually

LANGUAGE USE

Image Source: Business Graph

Other Verbs

experience

make up consist of

constitute comprise amount to

equal account for represent

include record become

stand at

Other Verbs

The number of unemployed was 10% of

the population.

The percentage of women in the workforce was

higher than in the previous year.

Women made up/ constituted a significant

percentage of the workforce.

Food and garden materials comprise nearly

half of all household waste.

Verbs

Paper and cardboard amounted to 2l%

of the total household waste.

The population of Asia stood at 21 million

at the turn of the century.

Fossil fuel emissions account for the

majority of greenhouse gases.

The consumption of fossil fuels reached the

highest levels in recent years.

half n. halve vb. double n. / vb.

triple adj. treble vb. /ˈtrebl/

threefold adj./ adv.

quarter n. / vb multiply vb. divide vb.

average adj. I vb I n.

total adj. / vb. partial adj.

equal adj. / n. fraction n. quadruple v.

Mathematical Expressions

Fill in the phrases

production rose at a rate ………

20% per year / per annum / p.a.

consumption stood ……… the

same level in the following decade

the annual increase was ………. /

………………. the range of 10% and

20%

production increased / decreased

…… 20%

of

at

in

within

by

Fill in the phrases

The increase was very significant, ……….

50%

X was the largest producer, ……………..

45% of the total production

The number remained steady ………………..

300 for the next year

Exports doubled, to ……………… 80% of

imports in 1990

There were three times as …………. users

as in the previous year

The number of users increased …………

fivefold

at

with

at

reach

many

Just underWell underRoughlyApproximatelyAbout

Just overWell overNearlyAround

LANGUAGE USE

3. Expressing approximation:

From Jan. to Feb.,

During (in) the period

from … to/ between…and

In the first/ last three months of the year

Over the period from … to

Over the next years/ decades

LANGUAGE USE

4. Time period

Examples:Time period there+… adj. n. in ”what”

• From Jan. to Feb.,

• During (in) the period

• from … to/ between…and

• In the first/ last three months of the year

• Over the period from … to

• Over the next years/ decades

there is was a has been will be

slightslowgradualdramatic

increaserisegrowth fall drop decline

in the number of cars sold

Examples:

Time period Subject Verb Adv.

• From Jan. to Feb.,

• During (in) the period

• from … to/ between…and

• In the first/ last three months of the year

• Over the period from … to

• Over the next years/ decades

the number of cars sold

increasedrosefelldroppeddeclined

slightlydramaticallymoderately

Little or no change:

Time period Subject Verb

• From Jan. to Feb.,

• During (in) the period

• from … to/ between…and

• In the first/ last three months of the year

• Over the period from … to

• Over the next years/ decades

the number of cars sold

• stayed/ remained the same

• stayed/ remained unchanged/ stable/ constant

• reached the plateau• stood at• leveled off

The highest and the lowest points

Time period Subject Verb

• From Jan. to Feb.,

• During (in) the period

• from … to/ between…and

• In the first/ last three months of the year

• Over the period from … to

• Over the next years/ decades

• the number of cars sold

• the monthly profit

• the figures

• the situation

• reached a peak• hit a peak• hit the highest point• hit a trough• bottomed out• reached the bottom• fell/ reached to the

lowest point