In this unit we look at the language used to describe charts and graphs. Graphs or charts help people understand data quickly. You can use them to make a comparison or show a trend. At the end of this unit you should know some useful vocabulary for describing charts and graphs. 1. Types of chart.
Pie chart
A pie chart is used to show percentages
Bar chart
A bar chart is used to compare different sets of information
Line graph
A lline graph is most useful for showing trends. 2. What is a trend? A trend is a general tendency or direction. an upward/downward trend 3. Vocabulary for describing graphs Helpful words and phrases for describing graphs
UP – Verbs rise, increase, grow, go up, improve, jump, surge, shoot up , soar, rocket
UP – Nouns a rise, an increase, growth, an upward/rising/increasing trend, an improvement, a jump, a surge
DOWN – Verbs fall, decrease, drop, decline, go down, slump, plummet
DOWN – Nouns a fall, a decrease, a decline, a downward/falling/decreasing trend, a slump
NO CHANGE – Verbs remain stable/constant, stay at the same level, stabilize
FREQUENT CHANGE – Verb fluctuate
FREQUENT CHANGE – Noun – fluctuation
AT THE TOP –Verbs reach a peak, peak., reach its/their highest point
AT THE BOTTOM – Verbs reach/hit a low (point), hit/reach its/their lowest point
Please see the info below to help you with describing graphs. I've also included the URL for the site in case you wanted to check your answers for the quiz (
http://oppematerjal.sisekaitse.ee/eppleibur/describing_graphs/)
In this unit we look at the language used to describe charts and graphs. Graphs or charts help people understand data quickly. You can use them to make a comparison or show a trend.
At the end of this unit you should know some useful vocabulary for describing charts and graphs.
1. Types of chart.
A pie chart is used to show percentages
A bar chart is used to compare different sets of information
A lline graph is most useful for showing trends.
2. What is a trend?
A trend is a general tendency or direction.
an upward/downward trend
3. Vocabulary for describing graphs
Helpful words and phrases for describing graphs
- UP – Verbs rise, increase, grow, go up, improve, jump, surge, shoot up , soar, rocket
- UP – Nouns a rise, an increase, growth, an upward/rising/increasing trend, an improvement, a jump, a surge
- DOWN – Verbs fall, decrease, drop, decline, go down, slump, plummet
- DOWN – Nouns a fall, a decrease, a decline, a downward/falling/decreasing trend, a slump
- NO CHANGE – Verbs remain stable/constant, stay at the same level, stabilize
- FREQUENT CHANGE – Verb fluctuate
- FREQUENT CHANGE – Noun – fluctuation
- AT THE TOP – Verbs reach a peak, peak., reach its/their highest point
- AT THE BOTTOM – Verbs reach/hit a low (point), hit/reach its/their lowest point
CHANGEAdjectives:
- dramatic, considerable, sharp, significant, moderate, slight, sudden, rapid, steady, gradual, slow
Adverbs:- dramatically, considerably, sharply, significantly, moderately, slightly, suddenly, rapidly, steadily, gradually, slowly
Prepositions:- a rise from £725 to £825
- to increase by 2.1 %
- an increase of 2.1 % in the crime rate
4. The following site helps you understand and revise some important vocabulary.http://adw.hct.ac.ae/site_ilc/sites_ielts/graphsite/index.htm
5. The following exercises help you practise the vocabulary for describing graphs.
http://www.bath.ac.uk/elc/eap/graphs/vocabulary.htm
http://www.englishforacademicstudy.com/Task.aspx?taskId=1&unitId=7&partId=1&taskitemId=2
6. Fill in all the gaps, then click "Saada" to check your answers.
The total property crime rate and B&E rate between 2000 and 2007
_IELTS graph descriptions differ slightly, so the following is a link for IELts practice:
http://www.ielts-exam.net/ielts-preparation-tips/describe-a-line-graph.html