Description of graphs
TASK 1 Discussion
Look at the graph below and try to answer the following questions
1. What type of graph is it? Do you know any other types of graphs?
2. What does the graph show?
3. What do the numbers on the horizontal axis mean?
4. What do the numbers on the vertical axis refer to?
5. Which country did better in the first decade?
6. Which country did better in the second decade?
7. What caused the rises and falls in the unemployment rate?
Source: https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/compare-countries/
TASK 2 GRAPHS & CHARTS
Data can be represented in many ways. The main types of graphs are a bar graph or bar chart, line graph, and pie
chart.
A bar chart is a visual tool that uses
bars to compare data among
categories. A bar graph may run
Line graphs represent how data has
changed over time. They are useful
to demonstrate trends or numbers
A pie chart shows data as a
percentage of a whole. This kind of
visualisation uses a circle to
horizontally or vertically. The
important thing to know is that the
longer the bar, the greater its value.
Bar graphs display data in a way that
is similar to line graphs, but they are
better for comparing larger changes
or differences in data among groups.
Bar graphs are an extremely
effective visual to use in
presentations and reports. They are
popular because they allow the
reader to recognize patterns or
trends far more easily than looking
at a table of numerical data.
that are connected, e.g., how sales
varied over a year. Line graphs can
also be used to compare changes
over the same period of time for
more than one group. They are
better to describe smaller changes.
Line graphs are used across many
different fields. In finance, for
example, line graphs are used to
create visual representations of
values over time, including changes
in the prices of securities.
represent the whole, and slices of
that circle, or “pie”, to represent the
specific categories that compose the
whole. Pie charts do not show
changes over time.
Pie charts are often used in business,
e.g., showing percentages of types of
customers, percentage of revenue
from different products, and profits
from different countries.
Pie charts are best for displaying
simple data sets, where the number
of categories is small (usually no
more than six) and the differences
between them are clear and
significant.
Axes
Graphs have two axes, the lines that run across the bottom and up the side. The line along the bottom is called the
horizontal or x-axis, and the line up the side is called the vertical or y-axis.
The x-axis may contain categories or numbers and is read from the bottom left of the graph.
The y-axis usually contains numbers, again starting from the bottom left of the graph.
The numbers on the y-axis generally, but not always, start at 0 in the bottom left of the graph, and move upwards.
Usually, the axes of a graph are labelled to indicate the type of data they show.
How to describe diagrams and other visuals
To describe graphs as clearly as possible, each visual element should be named. For example:
The vertical axis shows…
The horizontal axis represents…
This curve illustrates…
The solid line shows…
The area describes…
This coloured segment refers to…
How to describe a bar graph
Bar graphs divide the data into separate bars and track progress over time. To describe the graph, follow the trend
from left to right and describe if it goes down, up, or stays the same.
How to describe a line graph
A line graph visualizes data in a single line over time to represent trends, changes, or relationships between objects,
numbers, dates, etc. These lines show movement over time affected by the increase or decrease in the key factors.
To express the movement of the line, appropriate verbs, adjectives, and adverbs should be used depending on the
kind of action that needs to be shown. The following vocabulary may be used:
Verbs: boom, climb, collapse, crash, decline, decrease, dip, drop, fall, go down, go up, grow, increase, level off,
maintain the same level, peak, plummet, plunge, reduce, remain stable, remain steady, rise, stay constant, soar,
stagnate…
Adjectives: abrupt, considerable, dramatic, gentle, gradual, huge, massive, minimal, moderate, rapid, sharp,
significant, slight, slow, small, steady, sudden, substantial…
Adverbs to describe the degree or speed of a change: abruptly, considerably, dramatically, gently, gradually, massively,
minimally, moderately, rapidly, sharply, significantly, slightly, slowly, steadily, suddenly, substantially…
The following prepositions are used when describing a graph. For detailed information, watch this video.
The number of employees decreased from 50 to 45.
The number of employees fell by 5.
That was a decrease in the number of employees.
Sales of furniture stood at 10,000 units in January.
Sales increased by 5,000 units between February and April.
Sales rose from 10,000 units in February to 15,000 units in April.
There was an increase of 5,000 units.
Sales peaked at 20,000 units in October.
Energy prices have been rising since December 2021.
Oil prices have been increasing for 7 months in a row.
To express cause and effect: result in, lead to, cause; thanks to, because of, due to. For example:
The campaign resulted in a significant rise in sales.
The carbon tax will lead to an increase in energy bills.
The turnover is higher this year thanks to growing exports.
This increase is due to the strong economy.
How to describe a pie chart
A pie chart presents data in separate sections to show which individual parts make up the whole. To describe the chart,
compare each “slice” of the chart to the others to determine what share of the total each category has while using the
following phrases:
The pie chart shows …/ provides information about…
The pie chart is divided into 5 categories / segments/…
Each category / segment represents…
Middle-aged women account for 68% of all our customers, followed by …
If we compare…./ compared to…
The majority of….. / only a small minority of…
More than / greater than / less than….
VOCABULARY TASK 1
Put the following verbs into the appropriate categories. Then watch the video for 2 minutes and check your answers.
Also, see the degree and speed adverbs while watching the video.
go down fall stay constant drop grow remain unchanged climb decrease plummet
go up jump stay stable soar plunge remain steady rise increase decline
UPWARD MOVEMENT DOWNWARD MOVEMENT NO CHANGE
VOCABULARY TASK 2
In order to be able to describe graphs more precisely, we may switch between using a verb + adverb and adjective +
noun. See examples:
a) Energy prices fell significantly = verb (fell) + adverb (significantly)
b) The was a significant fall in energy prices = adjective (significant) + noun (fall)
For each verb in the table, write a noun made from the verb. Then, watch extract 1 and extract 2 from the video and
check your answers.
VERB NOUN VERB NOUN
to drop grow
fall improve
rise fluctuate
decline vary
increase reduce
decrease lose
VOCABULARY TASK 3
Each chart below shows a different trend. First, think of how to describe each chart by using a) verb + adverb and b)
adjective + noun (e.g. a) drop slightly; b) a slight drop). You may write your answers down.
After you have written down your answers, watch the video. Note that it only has suggested answers, you may use
different vocabulary, which is also correct.
VOCABULARY TASK 4
Match each sentence below with one of the following graphs.
1. The investment level rose suddenly.
2. The sales of our products fell slightly in the final quarter.
3. The Research and Development budget has stabilized over the past few years.
4. At the end of the first year, sales stood at 50 per cent of the present level.
5. The price reached a peak before falling a little and then maintaining the same level.
6. There has been a steady increase in costs over several years.
7. The sudden collapse in share prices has surprised everyone.
8. The value of the shares has shown a steady decline.
VOCABULARY TASK 5 – SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS
Rewrite the sentences using the word provided in the brackets while trying to keep the same meaning of the sentence.
You may not change the form of the word in the brackets.
1. Oil prices rose slightly. (RISE)
There was __________________ oil prices.
2. Sales peaked at 50,000 euros. (OF)
Sales ________________________ 50,000 euros.
3. The number of car owners increased by 5 million. (TO)
There was ________________ the number of car owners __________ 3 million to ______________.
4. Gas prices soared and then they decreased gradually. (FOLLOWED)
There_________________ a sharp increase ____ gas prices, __________________ decrease.
5. There was a steady growth in the number of employees in three successive quarters. (GREW)
The number of employees _____________in three successive quarters.
VOCABULARY TASK 6 – GRAPH DESCRIPTION
Complete the description of the Dubai gold sales graph using the following words.
a low point declined doubled drop from increased slightly recovered remained
rising sharply sudden to were of
In January, gold sales (1) ____________ about 200 million dirhams per month. In February they (2) ____________ to
220 million dirhams, (3)_____________ to a peak (4) ______ 350 million dirhams in March. Over the next four months,
sales (5)___________ steadily, reaching (6)____________ of 120 million dirhams in July.
In August, there was a (7)__________ increase. Sales almost (8)___________, rising (9)_________ 120 million dirhams
in July to 210 million dirhams in August. This was followed by a (10) ________ in September to 20 million dirhams.
From September to October, sales (11)___________ from 120 million to 180 million dirhams. In October and
November, sales (12)____________steady, and there was a small increase in December (13)_____ 190 million
dirhams.
VOCABULARY TASK 7 - CLOZE TEST
Read the text below and write a word that best fits each gap. Use only ONE word in each gap.
The graph shows the development of the number of employees of DART, a car manufacturer, (1) __________ 1982
and 2015. From the company’s foundation in 1982, the number of DART’s employees increased gradually
(2)__________ 2007, when a fire destroyed one of the biggest subsidiaries and the figure slipped to 18,000. Like other
companies, DART was (3) __________ by the 2008 financial crisis and (4) __________ a low point of 11,000
employees.
The post-crisis development improved (5) __________ to technical innovations as well as opening of five new
subsidiaries. The period was characterized by (6) __________ increase in demand for cars, especially the DATARTee
3 model, which (7) __________ popular all over Europe and contributed (8) __________ the prosperity of the
company. This led to the (9) ________to hire new staff.
However, the increase (10)__________ down a little in 2012 when a new competitor entered the market. From 2013
to 2015 there was an increase (11) __________ 1,000 employees, (12) __________ is the lowest over the period.
(13) __________ 2015, nevertheless, the number has been rising constantly.
Video activity - TED Ed lesson - How to spot a misleading graph
TASK 1 Lead-in
Answer the following questions:
1. How can graphs manipulate viewers/readers?
2. Have you ever noticed a graph which distorts, i.e. manipulates the reality?
TASK 2 Listening
Listen to part of the TED Ed video on how to spot a misleading graph (until 2:47) and match the halves of sentences in
the table below
1. A graph isn’t an opinion, a) is how graphs usually misinterpret data.
2. The bar chart published by Chevy b) in line graphs.
3. Manipulating the scale c) was made by leaving a major event out of the
time range used.
4. Small differences between things being
compared
d) made Toyota trucks look much less reliable than
Chevy trucks.
5. The x-axis tends to be distorted e) involved inconsistent representation of time
periods.
6. The first manipulation of the line graph f) their percentage share was the same due to
population growth.
7. The second type of manipulating the line graph g) it represents numbers, which are difficult to
argue with.
8. Although the number of viewers in the Super
Bowl chart increased,
h) look much more significant when the y-axis does
not start from zero.
Revision time:
Graphs – verbs + nouns – Learning apps.
Graphs – cloze test – Learning apps.
Sources:
1. https://www.skillsyouneed.com/num/graphs-charts.html
2. https://preply.com/en/blog/charts-graphs-and-diagrams-in-the-presentation/
3. https://www.woodwardenglish.com/lesson/prepositions-ielts-writing-task-1-graphs/
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtrBQSLDOrU&ab_channel=BestMyTest
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAU_qh-WBuQ&ab_channel=E4BFreeEnglishCourse
6. https://www.woodwardenglish.com/lesson/ielts-writing-task-1-describing-trends-vocabulary-word-order/
7. https://www.tutor2u.net/economics/reference/economic-cycles-supply-side-shocks
DEFINITIONS
DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHS
account for to be a particular amount or part of something
axis (pl. axes) a fixed line against which the positions of points are measured, especially
points on a graph
bar a long narrow rectangle
bar chart a diagram that uses lines or narrow rectangles (= bars) of different heights
(but equal widths) to show different amounts, so that they can be compared
compose to combine together to form a whole
curve a line or surface that bends gradually
data facts or information
data series a row or column of numbers that are entered in a worksheet and plotted in
your chart, such as a list of quarterly business profits
decade a period of ten years, especially a continuous period
degree the amount or level of something
dependency the state of relying on somebody/something for something
display to show information
graph a diagram consisting of a line or lines, showing how two or more sets of
numbers are related to each other
horizontal axis the x-axis on a graph
label to write information on something
line graph a diagram that shows the relationship between the measurements of two
things as points that are joined together by lines
majority the largest part of a group of people or things
minority the smaller part of a group; less than half of the people or things in a large
group
pattern the regular way in which something happens or is done
pie chart a diagram consisting of a circle that is divided into sections to show the size
of particular amounts in relation to the whole
plot to make a diagram or chart from some information
presentation the series of computer slides that are shown with the talk at a meeting
report written description of something containing information that somebody
needs to have
revenue the money that an organization receives from its business
sales the number of items sold
securities financial instruments that represent some type of financial value, usually in
the form of a stock, bond, or option
segment a part of something that is separate from the other parts or can be
considered separately
solid line a line in a graph which is not interrupted
table a list of facts or numbers arranged in rows and columns
track to follow the progress or development of something
trend a general direction in which a situation is changing or developing
vertical axis the y-axis on a graph; the line of figures or data arranged from top to
bottom at the side of the graph
visualise to make something able to be seen by the eye
visualisation the act of making something able to be seen by the eye
x-axis a horizontal number line of a graph
y-axis a vertical number line of a graph