Unit 6: DESCRIBING GRAPHS

A GRAPH
A graph is a drawing that shows how two sets of information or variables (= amounts that can
change) are related, usually by lines or curves. In other words, a graph is a graphical
representation of data. Data is represented by bars in a bar chart, lines in a line chart, or slices in a
pie chart. A data chart is a type of diagram or graph, that organizes and represents a set of
numerical or qualitative data.

There are several types of charts or graphs:

BAR CHART:

No.of tourists in millions

Number of incoming tourist to Maldives

from 1992 to 2012
15
10
5
0
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012
Year

The bars can be plotted vertically () or horizontally ().

LINE CHART OR LINE GRAPH:

No.of tourists in millions

Number of incoming tourist to Maldives

from 1992 to 2012
15
10
5
0
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012
Year

PIE CHART:

Total arrivals to Hawaii in 2006

1%

1%
16%

24%

Big Island
Oahi
Kauai
Maui

12%
46%

Lanai
Molokai

Charts are used to ease the understanding of large quantities of data and the relationships between
parts of the data. Charts can usually be read more quickly than the raw data that they are
produced from. They are used in a wide variety of fields and are usually created using a charting
application.
Certain types of charts are more useful for presenting a given data set than others. For example,
data that presents percentages in different groups (such as " Total arrivals to Hawaii in 2006") are
often displayed in a pie chart. On the other hand, data that represents numbers that change over a
period of time (such as " Number of incoming tourist to Maldives from 1992 to 2012") might be
best shown as a bar chart or a line chart.

PRESENTING A GRAPH
When presenting information given in a line or bar graph, follow a simple structure. Your report
should contain an introduction, body and conclusion.

Describe what sort of graph or chart it is and what it is about.

Introduction
Describe the sections of the graph starting with the biggest (in case of a pie
chart) or the first (in case of a line or bar grpah)and working your way down.
This does not mean that you should note every detail. You will need to
summarise the graph in meaningful segments. This part may contain more than
one paragraph.

Body

A short conclusion giving an overall view of what the chart is about.

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
The first sentence when describing a line graph or a bar graph consists of three elements:

Introduction

Subject matter

Period/Sector/Area

This graph shows

the results of our

products

over 7 years.

The diagram
outlines

rates of economic
growth

between 2005 and

2012.

This table lists

the top tour

operators

specialising in
luxurious holidays.

This pie chart

represents

the hotel's turnover

for this year.

This line chart

depicts

the changes in sales

over the past year.

This chart breaks

down

the sales of each

sales representative

during the past six

months.

Then follow the description of the graph which is different for different types of graphs/charts and
depends on the type of information presented.

LINE GRAPH
A line graph depicts changes over a period of time, showing data and trends. Trends are the
changes or movements in facts or figures over a period of time.
The three basic trends are:
upward movement :
downward movement :
no movement :

For each trend there are a number of verbs and nouns to express the movement. Verbs can be
transitive and intransitive.
We must put an object after
a transitive verb:

The government plans to raise the basic level of income tax.

We cannot put an object

after an intransitive verb:

The basic level of income tax will rise later this year.

Many of the verbs of change also have a noun form which is used to describe change.

Verb of change

Noun of change

I think domestic demand will fall.

I think there will be a fall in the

domestic demand.

There was a growth in profits.

Profits grew.

The number of inbound tourist to

Croatia has increased.

There has been an increase in the

number of inbound tourists to Croatia.

Unemployment levels fell.

There was a fall in unemployment

levels.

Indicating upward movement

Verbs (intransitive)

Verbs (transitive)
(to) increase
(to) raise
(to) extend,
(to) expand

(to) increase
(to) rise
(to) grow
(to) extend
(to) expand
(to) progress
(to) boom,
(to) soar,
(to) climb
(to) jump,
(to) skyrocket
(to) reach a peak,
(to) peak
(to) reach an alltime high

Nouns
(an) increase
(a) rise
(a) growth
(an) extension
(an) expansion
(a) progression
(a) boom
(a) jump
(a) peak

Indicating no movement:
Verb (transitive)

(to) keep ... stable

(to) hold ... constant
(to) level off
(to) stand at

Noun
(a) levelling-off

Verb (intransitive)

(to) remain stable

(to) stay constant
(to) level off/out,
(to) flatten out
(to) remain steady

Indicating downward movement:

Verbs (transitive)
(to) decrease
(to) cut,
(to) reduce

Verbs
(intransitive)
(to) decrease
(to) fall (off)
(to) plunge,
(to) plummet
(to) drop (off)
(to) go down
(to) decline
(to) slump,
(to) go bust

Nouns
(a) decrease
(a) cut, (a)
reduction
(a) fall
(a) plunge
(a) drop
decline
slump

OTHER EXPRESSIONS
to fluctuate
We use this expression to describe when there has been a serious of changes both up and
down.
Prices have fluctuated wildly since the beginning of the year.
to stand at
We use this expression to focus on a particular point, often before we talk about the trends
of movement.
At the beginning of the year, sales in India stood at 200,000.
to reach a peak
We use this expression to talk about the highest point of a trend.
Late last year, sales of our new product reached a peak of 12,000 units.
to bottom out
We use this expression to talk about the lowest point of a trend.
The share price of OPP bank bottomed out at 1.50.
to level off
We use this expression to talk about the point when a changing trend becomes stable.
After a long period of decline, the share price finally levelled off at 5.25.
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRENDS

ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS
Sometimes we need to give more information about a trend. We can do that by modifying
the noun or the verb we used to describe the change. For example, we can indicate the
degree of change or the speed at which the change took place.
Adjectives and adverbs are used for this purpose. Remember that we modify a noun with
an adjective and a verb with an adverb.

ADJECTIVE + NOUN

VERB + ADVERB

There has been a slight

increase in the number of
flights to Split airport this year.

The number of flights to split

airport has increased slightly
this year.

DEGREE OF CHANGE

Adjectives
dramatic
sharp
enormous
steep
substantial
considerable
significant
marked
moderate
slight

Adverbs
dramatically
sharply
enormously
steeply
substantially
considerably
significantly
markedly
moderately
slightly

SPEED OF CHANGE
Adjectives
rapid
quick
swift
sudden
steady
gradual
slow

Adverbs
rapidly
quickly
swiftly
suddenly
steadily
gradually
slowly

PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions are also important when describing graphs as they are used to show:
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOW AND BEFORE - increase by (with the verb) and an
increase of (with the noun)
This year unemployment has increased by 20,000 cases (the difference between this year and
last year is 20,000 cases).
This year there has been an increase in unemployment of 5%.

THE END RESULT - rise to (with the verb) and a rise to (with the noun)
This year unemployment has risen to 10%.
This year there has been a rise in unemployment to 10%.

LINE GRAPH: AN EXAMPLE

The number of tourists nights (000) in Croatia

51500
51000
Foreign tourists

50500
50000
49500
49000
48500
48000
47500
47000
46500
2006

2006

2007

2007

2008

2008

2009

2009

2010

2010

2011

Year

This graph shows the trend in the number of tourist overnights in the period from 2006 to 2010 in
Croatia. The numbers have shown slight fluctuation but mostly it has been an upward trend.
The initial figure in 2006 stood at 47 022 000 and it increased dramatically over the year. In the
following year the number of tourist overnights experienced a slight growth and reached a total of
50 600 000 overnights in 2008. The numbers decreased slightly in the following year but recovered
again in 2010 when they reached an all time high of 51 000 000 overnights.
Overall, the graph indicates that Croatia has been recording an increasing number of overnights
apart from a brief minor crisis in 2009.

PIE CHARTS
A pie chart is a circle divided into segments. It displays the size of each part as a percentage of a
whole.

Report structure for a pie chart

When you report on the information contained in a pie chart you should follow a simple structure
which is the same as in bar and line chart, i.e. your report should contain an introduction, body
and conclusion.

Describe what sort of chart it is and what it is about.

Introduction

Body

Describe the sections of the graph starting with the biggest and working your
way down. This does not mean that you should note every detail. You will need
to summarise the graph in meaningful segments. This part may contain more
than one paragraph.

A short conclusion giving an overall view of what the chart is about.

Conclusion

Descriptions of pie charts may require a lot of comparing and contrasting. Make sure you
remember how to do it. For example:
cheap
large
bright
good
bad
pretty
happy
common
clever
attractive
profitable

cheaper
larger
brighter
better
worse
prettier
happier
more common
more clever/cleverer
more attractive
more profitable

the cheapest
the largest
the brightest
the best
the worst
the prettiest
the happiest
the most common
the most clever/cleverest
the most attractive
the most profitable

There are many different ways in which you can start your sentences. For example, when
describing one part of the chart:
Starting with the adjective:
The highest

percentage of

tourists

The greatest
The lowest

proportion of
number of

packages
holiday makers that
visit us in April
attractive sight

The most

are interested in
seeing
are sold by
come from
is

Starting with the subject:

Golden horn is

the most

popular

Turkey is

attractive

Train is

the second/third
most
the least

efficient

Czech tourists are

the most loyal

visitors

beach on the
island.
Destination of the
Mediterranean.
mode of transport
in Croatia.
of the Croatian
coastal resorts.

When describing two parts of the chart:

Starting with the adjective:
There are
visitors
as many
twice as many
three times as many
not as many
More
guests
Far more
Much more
Many more
Substantially/considerably/
significantly more
Slightly more

coming from Asian

countries

as

choose to stay in
B&Bs

than

Starting with the subject:

Scandinavian countries
are
Mediterranean
destinations are

as
quite as
just as
nearly as
almost as
not as

popular

as

attractive
affordable

10

Rural accommodation is

more
much more
far more
substantially/consi
derably
more
slightly more
less
much less
far less
considerably less

than

PIE CHART: AN EXAMPLE

Main reasons for migration to the UK in 2007

6%
11%

26%

Formal study
Definite job

12%

Accompany / Join
Looking for work
Other
No reason stated

15%
30%

Source: ONS
The pie charts illustrate the primary reasons that people came to the UK in 2007.
At first glance it is clear that the main factor influencing this decision was employment.
Having a definite job accounted for 30 per cent of immigration to the UK. There are twice
as many people who came to the UK for that reason as compared to those moving to join a
family member. Another major factor influencing a move to the UK was for formal study,
with over a quarter of people immigrating for this reason.
Although a significant number of people (32%) gave other reasons or did not give a
reason why they emigrated, this accounted for only 17%.
Overall, the pie chart shows that the main reasons people come to the UK is employment and
study.

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GUIDELINES FOR A GOOD GRAPH/CHART DESCRIPTION

Read the following questions as their answers will guide you to a good description of a
graph/chart.
Does the report have a suitable structure?
Does it have an introduction, body and conclusion?
Does it include connective words to make the writing cohesive within sentences and
paragraphs?
Does the report use suitable grammar and vocabulary?
Does it include a variety of sentence structures?
Does it include a range of appropriate vocabulary?
Your result will be much better if you use a range of structures and vocabulary correctly rather
than a limited number.
This is a bad example that clearly shows a lack of structures:
The number of tourist started at 500 in 1998 and then went up to 860 in 2004 and then went up to
930 in 2009 and then went down to 900 in 2011.
Does the report meet the requirements of the task?

Does it meet the word limit requirements?

Does it describe the whole graph adequately?
Does it focus on the important trends presented in the graphic information?

What information did you select?

It is important that you describe the whole graph fully. However, this does not mean that you
should note every detail. In most cases there will be too much information for you to mention each
figure. You will therefore need to summarise the graph by dividing it into its main parts. This is
what we mean by describing the trends. The structure of the report must show the main trends
clearly.
What is the structure of your report?
Your report should be structured simply with an introduction, body and conclusion. Tenses
should be used appropriately.
Introduction
Use two standard opening sentences to introduce your report. These opening sentences should
make up the first paragraph. Sentence one should define what the graph is about; that is, the date,
location, what is being described in the graph etc. Sentence two (and possibly three) might sum up
the overall trend.
The body
The body of the report will describe the graph in detail. You will need to decide on the most clear
and logical order to present the material.
Line graphs generally present information in chronological order and so the most logical order for
you to write up the information would, most probably be from earliest to latest. Pie charts are
organised in different ways and so you need to decide on the organisation of each one.
Concluding sentences
Your report may end with one or two sentences which summarise your report to draw a relevant
conclusion.

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EXERCISES
Task 1. Read paragraphs below which describe changes in company figures over six months

from January to June. A quarter means three months.

a
b

Underline parts of the text that indicate the change.

Draw a graph for each of the descriptions.
1,2
1

UK SALES:
When demand decreased at the start of the year,
UK sales fell sharply. They remained steady until
April, then rose again dramatically in the second
quarter when the market improved.

0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0

1,2
1
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0

OUTPUT:
The decrease in overseas sales caused a
dramatic drop in output at the Birmingham
plant in the first quarter. There was a steady
increase in the second when domestic sales
improved.

1,2

STOCK LEVELS:
There was a steady decrease in stock levels at the
Glasgow plant in the first quarter due to the
introduction of a new inventory control system.
The slight increase in the second quarter was due
to the rise in output.

1
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0

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1,2
1

PROFITS:
The profits of the plastics division have
fallen steadily over the last five months due
to the fall in demand and increases in
production costs. The slight rise in profits
last month was due to the recent price
increases.

0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0

1,2

PROFIT MARGIN:
A sudden jump in the production costs of our
ACME washing machine caused a drop in the
profit margin in the first quarter. The margin
remained the same in the second, due to a sharp
fall in the costs of components.

1
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0

Task 2. Use the following words to complete the graph description:

slight, rise, drop quickly, fluctuation, sharp increase, significantly
London Underground
The graph shows the ______________ (1) in the number of people at a London underground
station over the course of a day.
The busiest time of the day is in the morning. There is a _____________ (2) between 06:00 and
08:00, with 400 people using the station at 8 o'clock. After this the numbers _______________ (3) to
less than 200 at 10 o'clock. Between 11 am and 3 pm the number rises, with a plateau of just under
300 people using the station.
In the afternoon, numbers decline, with less than 100 using the station at 4 pm. There is then a
rapid __________ (4) to a peak of 380 at 6pm. After 7 pm, numbers fall _______________ (5), with
only a ___________ (6) increase again at 8pm, tailing off after 9 pm.
Overall, the graph shows that the station is most crowded in the early morning and early evening
periods.

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 Task 3. Complete the following description of a line graph.

New Zealand Wool Price

a peak of

fluctuated levelled off

sharp increase

rising

rose by

In 1980, the price of New Zealand's wool was $1.98 per kilo. It then ___________ 20
cents in 1981 before falling back to $1.37 in 1986. There was a _________ over the next
two years, with the price of wool reaching __________ $5.13 in 1988. From 1989 to
1993 the price _________ between a high of $3.20 and a low of $2.75, before ________
to $4.60 in 1995. After falling again to $3.60 in 1998, the price ____________ at $3.55 in
2000.

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 Task 4.

Match graph line from the left with the correct description on the right.

Production grew more and more rapidly over

the first three quarters but then reached a
peak. Since then, it has quickly dropped.

Production has fluctuated all year.

Production has dropped slowly but steadily

over the year.

Production started off steady, but fell sharply

in the last quarter.

Production showed a marginal rise in the first

three quarters, but then suffered a sharp drop.

After a considerable drop in the first two

quarters, production bottomed out at 20. Since
then it has started to rise.

Production started climbing steadily but

flattened off at a level of around 70. Since
then, it has fallen steadily.

There has been a slight increase in production

over the year.

There was a rapid drop in production in the

first quarter, but it bottomed out at about 20.

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 Task 5. Complete the following pairs of sentences which describe the same trend but using

different part of speech. Then draw the line to illustrate the change.
1.

Customer numbers fluctuated considerably.

There were __________________ _________________ in
customer numbers.

2.

There was a steep rise in customer numbers.

Customer numbers __________________ _________________.

3.

Customer numbers __________________ _________________.

There was a gradual rise in customer numbers.

4.

There was a peak in customer numbers in August.

Customer numbers __________________ in August.

5.

The number of customers dropped dramatically.

There was a __________________ _________________ in
customer numbers.

Task 6.

6.1. This pie chart expresses the number of visitors in numbers. In pie charts this is
commonly done in percentages. Calculate the total number of visitors in the above chart
and then the percentage of each group of visitors shown in the chart.
How many people go to Antarctica as tourists and where do they come from?
United States __________%
United Kingdom _______%
Germany __________%
United
Australia __________%
Kingdom; Germany;
Australia;
Canada __________%
5,0902
7,372
3,338
Japan __________%
Netherlands __________%
Canada;
Switzerland __________%
2,809

United
States; 16,531

Others __________%

Japan; 1,7201

Others;
6,6966

Netherlands;
1,213
Switzerland;
1,296

17

6.2. Then complete the following description.

This pie chart tells us how many people visit Antarctica annually and where they come
from. The total number of visitors is ________________ (1) divided into ________ (2) categories, i.e.
countries of origin.
The highest percentage of tourists comes from the United States. US visitors account for
________ (3) % of all visits, more than one third of all the visits to Antarctica. The UK tourists are
the second largest group of visitors to Antarctica but still more than twice smaller than that of US
visitors.
Antarctica seems to be a slightly less attractive destination for German tourists than it is for
the UK ones but they still make up as much as ______ (4) % of all visits to Antarctica. There is only
a slight difference in the number of Australian and Canadian visitors. They account for _______ (5)
and _______ (6) percent of visits respectively.
At the bottom end of the major segments of visitors there are Japanese, Swiss and Dutch
tourists whose visits to Antarctica range from __________ (7) to _________ (8) percent.
Finally, all other nations are represented with a significantly lower number of visitors. All
together these countries account for ______ (9) % in the total number of visitors.
In conclusion, the chart indicates that the US tourists are by far the most frequent visitors to
Antarctica, followed by a comparatively large number of UK tourists considering the difference in
the size and population of the two countries. The small difference between the number of
Australian and Canadian guests also shows that distance may not be a decisive factor in choosing
this destination.

18

 Task 7. Remember that some verbs in English are irregular. Revise them using this
wordle.

INFINITIVE

PAST TENSE

PAST PARTICIPLE

fell
grown
hold
risen

Task 8. Visit the following useful site for learning and practicing vocabulary used in
describing graphs: http://adw.hct.ac.ae/site_ilc/sites_ielts/graphsite/index.htm

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