Level 3 Writing

Bar Charts / Line Graphs

Part 1

Timed Writing Exam Task 1 Preparation

Your Timed Writing Exam is in Week 7. Get ready!

For the exam, you will have to write an essay and a report. These notes are only about the report.

For the report, you will have to write about a bar chart or line graph in just 20 minutes.

You will have to write at least 150 words.

Name: __________________________________ ID: __________________

Section: ____________________ Teacher: ___________________________

BAR CHART/ LINE GRAPHThe line graph and bar chart below both show the same data; for costs of three utilities over a 20 year period. Look at them carefully and then look at the report on the next page.

0891 5891 0991 5991 00020

02

04

06

08

001

021

041

niA lA ni sei itli tU fo tsoC ylhtnoM egarevA

yitcirtcelEretaW

noisiveleT elbaC

shD

EAU

1

1980 1985 1990 1995 20000

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Average Monthly Cost of Uitliites in Al Ain

ElectricityWaterCable TV

UAE

Dhs

Analysing a report1) Gapfill:Look at the line graph or bar chart on the previous page. Use information from the page to complete the gaps in this report.

2) Paragraph organisation

The bar chart shows the average cost per month of _____________,

_____________ and cable television in Al Ain from 1980 to 2000 in UAE Dhs. As an

overall trend, the cost of both _____________ and _____________ _____________

rose, while the cost of _____________ fell over the 20 year period.

1.______________________

2.______________________

3._________/____________

4.______________________

Looking at the average monthly cost of _____________, it is clear to see that it

increased over the 20 years. In _______, it stood at about 70 Dhs. Then, from 1980

to _______ it increased slightly to 80 Dhs. From 1985 to __________ the cost of

electricity fell moderately to approximately _____________ Dhs, which was the

lowest figure in the 20 years. After that, it rose dramatically to just under

_____________ Dhs in 2000.

1.______________________

______________________

2.______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

Similarly, the cost of ___________ _________ went up during the same 20 years.

It stood at just over _________ Dhs in 1980. Following this, it increased steadily to

approximately _________ Dhs in 1990. Between 1990 and __________ the average

monthly cost of cable television remained constant. Finally, there was a moderate

rise in costs to slightly over __________ Dhs in 2000, which was the highest in the

20 years.

1.______________________

______________________

2.______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

Unlike the cost of ___________ and ___________ ___________, there was an

overall decrease in the cost of ___________. It started at 20 Dhs in ________, after

which it rose steadily to just over __________ Dhs in 1985. From __________ to

1995 the monthly cost of water fluctuated up to a peak of slightly under _________

Dhs. Finally, in __________, there was a moderate decrease in the cost of water to

just under 20 Dhs, which was the lowest figure in the 20 years.

1.______________________

______________________

______________________

2.______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

2

Trends are changes or movements over time. These changes are normally expressed in numeric items, for example, percentage, weight, or number. There are three basic trends:

For each trend there are a number of verbs and nouns to express the movement. We can use a verb of change, for example:

or we can use a related noun, for example:

Match the graphic with the vocabulary below. Draw it into the box next to the vocab:

Direction Verbs of Change Related NounsPast Tense Future Tense (IELTS)

rose to increased to went up to climbed to

will rise to will increase to will go up to will climb to

a rise an increase an upward trend a climb

3

Population levels fell.

There was a fall in population.

Rising Falling Remaining the same

VOCABULARY TO DESCRIBE TRENDS

fell to declined to decreased to dropped went down to

will fall to will decline to will decrease to will drop to will go down to

a fall a decline a decrease a drop a reduction

leveled out at did not change remained steady at stayed constant at

will level out at will not change will remain steady at will stay constant at

a leveling out no change

fluctuated will fluctuate a fluctuation

peaked at will peak at a peak

plateaued at will plateau at a plateau

stood at (began at…)

will stand at

1. Complete the sentences below by filling in the correct adverb or adjective - look at the arrows to guide you.

4

We use ADVERBS (following the verb) to describe to what extent (how much) the verb of change happened.

USING ADVERBS TO EXPLAIN VERBS OF CHANGE

rapidlydramatically

sharply

steadilygradually

moderately

slightly

Al Ain’s population rose _______________ to 400,000 people by 2008.

The number of people living in rural areas of China decreased __________.

By 2008, the population of Dubai climbed ___________ to 1.4 million people.

2. We use ADJECTIVES (before the noun) to describe to what extent (how much) the related nouns happened.

a rapida dramatic

a sharp

a steadya gradual

a moderate

a slight

There was a __________ rise in Al Ain’s population to 400,000 people by 2008.

There was a __________ decrease in the number of people living in rural areas of China.

By 2008, there was a __________ climb in the population of Dubai to 1.4 million people.

You have the choice of two basic sentence structures to write about information in a chart or graph.

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TYPES OF SENTENCES

1. Sentences using verbs of change

Sales increased slightly, to eight thousand dirhams in September.subject + verb + adverb + other important details

2. Sentences using nouns of change (noun verbs)

There was a slight increase in sales, to 8,000 dirhams in September. be + art.+ adj. +noun + subject + other important details verb

Verbs of change/ adverbs

Adjectives/ Related nouns

rose dramatically to

increased steadily to

climbed gradually to

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

there was a sharp fall to

there was a dramatic decline

there was a slight decrease

there was a sudden drop

there was a steady reduction

fluctuated (upwards)

fluctuated (downwards)

__________________________

__________________________

_______________________

_______________________

there was a leveling out at

there was no change

_______________________ there was a peak

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Practice changing these verbs of change and adverbs into adjectives and related nouns.

Listen and draw the line for each chart:

Graph A – Number of cars

1970 1980 1990 2000

Graph B – Number of cars

1970 1980 1990 2000

Graph C – Number of cars

1970 1980 1990 2000

Graph D – Number of cars

1970 1980 1990 2000

Graph E – Number of cars

1970 1980 1990 2000

Graph F – Number of cars

1970 1980 1990 2000

Graph G – Number of cars Graph H – Number of cars

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605040

30

2010

605040

30

2010

605040

30

2010

605040

30

2010

605040

30

2010

605040

30

2010

605040

30

2010

605040

30

2010

1970 1980 1990 2000 1970 1980 1990 2000

Listen to the sentences again and fill in the missing words:

Graph A

In 1970, the number of cars __________ __________ 5. After that, the number __________ __________

__________ 50 in 1990. Finally, it __________ __________ 40 in 2000.

Graph B

In 1970, the number of cars __________ __________ 20. Then, from 1970 to 1980, it __________

__________ 40. In 1990, the number of cars __________ __________ 30. After that, in 2000, the number

__________ back to 40.

Graph C

In 1970, the number of cars __________ __________ 60. From 1970 to 2000, there was a __________

__________ __________ 10.

Graph D

The number of cars __________ __________ 20 in 1970. Then, there was an __________ __________

__________ 50 in 1990. From 1990 to 2000, the number of cars __________ __________ 50 to 40.

Graph E

The number of cars __________ __________ 10 in 1970. From 1970 to 1980, it __________ and

__________ __________ 60 in 1990. In 2000, the number of cars __________ __________ 30.

Graph F

In 1970, the number of cars __________ __________ 40. The number __________ __________ 60

between 1980 and 1990. Finally, the number in 2000 __________ 20.

Graph G

The number of cars __________ __________ 60 in 1970. Then, there was a __________ in the number of

cars to 40 in 1980. This figure __________ __________ __________ 40 for the next 20 years.

Graph H

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The number of cars __________ __________ 10 in 1970. Then, from 1980, it __________ __________ for

the next 10 years at 30. It then __________ __________ __________ 60 in 2000.

SENTENCE STRUCTURE PRACTICE

Change the following sentences as shown in the examples below:

a) Exports from Africa fluctuated dramatically throughout the period.

b) The development of new products fell gradually during the two year period.

c) The price of petrol dropped significantly in Sydney between 2007 and 2008.

d) The price of goods in the UAE increased slowly over the last ten months.

e) The average temperature in Abu Dhabi rose steeply between June and August.

f) There was a rapid rise in the price of food in third world countries.

g) There was a steady increase in the number of tourists visiting Dubai.

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The production of wheat fell steadily (verb + adverb)

There was a steady fall in the production of wheat.(there was a + adjective + noun)

There was a dramatic rise in the production of Indian films.(there was + adjective + noun)

The production of Indian films rose dramatically. (verb + adverb)

Change the following from (verb + adverb) to (there was a + adjective + noun)

Change the following from (there was a + adjective + noun) to (verb + adverb)

h) There was a gradual decline in the export of fruit from Jordan over the period.

i) There was a sudden drop in Syria’s water supplies in 2007.

Average monthly cost of utilities in Al Ain: Model answer

The bar chart shows the average cost per month of electricity, water and cable television in

Al Ain from 1980 to 2000 in UAE Dhs. As an overall trend, the cost of both electricity and cable

television rose, while the cost of water fell over the 20 year period.

Looking at the average monthly cost of electricity, it is clear to see that it increased over the

20 years. In 1980, it stood at about 70 Dhs. Then, from 1980 to 1985 it increased slightly to 80

Dhs. From 1985 to 1990 the cost of electricity fell moderately to approximately 50 Dhs, which was

the lowest figure in the 20 years. After that, it rose dramatically to just under 140 Dhs in 2000.

Similarly, the cost of cable television went up during the same 20 years. It stood at just over

40 Dhs in 1980. Following this, it increased steadily to approximately 75 Dhs in 1990. Between

1990 and 1995 the average monthly cost of cable television remained constant. Finally, there was

a moderate rise in costs to slightly over 100 Dhs in 2000, which was the highest in the 20 years.

Unlike the cost of electricity and cable television, there was an overall decrease in the cost

of water. It started at 20 Dhs in 1980, after which it rose steadily to just over 40 Dhs in 1985. From

1985 to 1995 the monthly cost of water fluctuated up to a peak of slightly under 60 Dhs. Finally, in

2000, there was a moderate decrease in the cost of water to just under 20 Dhs, which was the

lowest figure in the 20 years.

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Analysing a report ANSWERS1) Gapfill:Look at the line graph or bar chart on the previous page. Use information from the page to complete the gaps in this report.

2) Paragraph organisation

The bar chart shows the average cost per month of electricity, water and cable

television in Al Ain from 1980 to 2000 in UAE Dhs. As an overall trend, the cost of

both electricity and cable television rose, while the cost of water fell over the 20 year

period.

1 graph/chart

2 what

3 when/where

4 overview of trends

Looking at the average monthly cost of electricity, it is clear to see that it

increased over the 20 years. In 1980 it stood at about 70 Dhs. Then, from 1980 to

1985 it increased slightly to 80 Dhs. From 1985 to 1990 the cost of electricity fell

moderately to approximately 50 Dhs, which was the lowest figure in the 20 years.

After that, it rose dramatically to just under 140 Dhs in 2000.

1Introduce topic

overview info again

2 Description

start

changes

end

Similarly, the cost of cable television went up during the same 20 years. It stood at

just over 40 Dhs in 1980. Following this, it increased steadily to approximately 75

Dhs in 1990. Between 1990 and 1995 the average monthly cost of cable television

remained constant. Finally, there was a moderate rise in costs to slightly over 100

Dhs in 2000, which was the highest in the 20 years.

1Compare topic with Para 1

overview info again

2 Description

start

changes

end

Unlike the cost of electricity and cable television, there was an overall decrease

in the cost of water. It started at 20 Dhs in 1980, after which it rose steadily to just

over 40 Dhs in 1985. From 1985 to 1995 the monthly cost of water fluctuated up to a

peak of slightly under 60 Dhs. Finally, in 2000, there was a moderate decrease in

the cost of water to just under 20 Dhs, which was the lowest figure in the 20 years.

1Compare topic with Para 1

and Para 2

overview info again

2 Description

start

changes

end

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Verb + Adverb to describe change: Answers

Al Ain’s population rose rapidly to 400,000 people by 2008.

The number of people living in rural areas of China decreased steadily.

By 2008, the population of Dubai climbed slightly to 1.4 million people.

Adjective + Noun to describe change: Answers

There was a rapid rise in Al Ain’s population to 400,000 people by 2008.

There was a steady decrease in the number of people living in rural areas of China.

By 2008, there was a slight climb in the population of Dubai to 1.4 million people.

Verbs of change/ adverbs

Adjectives/ Related nouns

rose dramatically to

increased steadily to

climbed gradually to

There was a dramatic rise to

There was a steady increase to

There was a gradual climb to

fell sharply to

declined dramatically to

decreased slightly to

dropped suddenly to

reduced steadily to

there was a sharp fall to

there was a dramatic decline

there was a slight decrease

there was a sudden drop

there was a steady reduction

fluctuated (upwards)

fluctuated (downwards)

There was an upwards fluctuation

There was a downwards fluctuation

leveled out at

did not change

there was a leveling out at

there was no change

peaked at there was a peak

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Graph A Answers

In 1970, the number of cars stood at 5. After that, the number went up to 50 in 1990. Finally, it dropped to 40 in 2000.

Graph B

In 1970, the number of cars stood at 20. Then, from 1970 to 1980, it increased to 40. In 1990, the number of cars dropped to 30. After that, in 2000, the number rose back to 40.

Graph C

In 1970, the number of cars started at 60. From 1970 to 2000, there was a downwards fluctuation to 10.

Graph D

The number of cars stood at 20 in 1970. Then, there was an upward trend to 50 in 1990. From 1990 to 2000, the number of cars dropped from 50 to 40.

Graph E

The number of cars began at 10 in 1970. From 1970 to 1980, it increased and peaked at 60 in 1990. In 2000, the number of cars reduced to 30.

Graph F

In 1970, the number of cars began at 40. The number plateaued at 60 between 1980 and 1990. Finally, the number in 2000 was 20.

Graph G

The number of cars began at 60 in 1970. Then, there was a decline in the number of cars to 40 in 1980. This figure leveled out at 40 for the next 20 years.

Graph H

The number of cars started at 10 in 1970. Then, from 1980, it remained constant for the next 10 years at 30. It then fluctuated upwards to 60 in 2000.

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Sentence structure Practice: Answers

a) Exports from Africa fluctuated dramatically throughout the period. There was a dramatic fluctuation in exports from Africa throughout the period.

b) The development of new products fell gradually during the two year period. There was a gradual fall in the development of new products during the two year period.

c) The price of petrol dropped significantly in Sydney between 2007 and 2008. There was a significant drop in the price of petrol in Sydney between 2007 and 2008.

d) The price of goods in the UAE increased slowly over the last ten months. There was a slow increase in the price of goods in the UAE over the last ten months.

e) The average temperature in Abu Dhabi rose steeply between June and August. There was a steep rise in the average temperature in Abu Dhabi between June and August.

f) There was a rapid rise in the price of food in third world countries. The price of food in third world countries rose rapidly.

g) There was a steady increase in the number of tourists visiting Dubai. The number of tourists visiting Dubai increased steadily.

h) There was a gradual decline in the export of fruit from Jordan over the period. The export of fruit from Jordan declined gradually over the period.

i) There was a sudden drop in Syria’s water supplies in 2007. Syria’s water supplies dropped suddenly in 2007.

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