How to Effectively Describe a Graph

EFL SMARTblog

Warm up Videos:

Video 1: Comment on one striking piece of statistics from this video

Tutorial (describing charts and graphs)

Discuss the Following Questions:Discuss the Following Questions:• Why are visuals used in scientific papers?• What visuals do researchers in your major commonly use

to show data? Why?

Match the beginnings and endings of the following Match the beginnings and endings of the following sentences about setting data in tables and charts:sentences about setting data in tables and charts:

1. Tables, graphs, charts, etc are necessary

a. Be consistent with them

2. Visual summaries allow b. Reduced in size in a paper

3. Deciding how to present data visually makes you

c. Show trends; tables to show exact numbers.

4. Visuals need to be clear even when d. The reader to check the data for themselves.

5. Graphs should be used to e. Think carefully about what your results mean

6. Too much information in a visual f. To avoid filling up the text with lists of numbers

7. Use standard symbols and g. Will confuse the reader

Answer Keys

VERB + ADVERB ADJECTIVE + NOUN

EFL SMARTblog

What language to use in describing a graph?

alterdeclinedecreasedoubledropexceedfallfluctuatehalvehoverincreaselevel outpeakplummetreduceriserocketstabilizetriple

declinedecreasedropfallincreasepeakperiodrisetrend

approximately

dramatically

gradually

rapidly

slightly

steadily

downward gradual hugesharpslightstablesubsequentupward

What language to use in describing a graph?

VERB + ADVERB ADJECTIVE + NOUN

A

An

Look at the graphs on the following pages and use the vocabulary to describe them.

EFL SMARTblog

alterdeclinedecreasedoubledropexceedfallfluctuatehalvehoverincreaselevel outpeakplummetreduceriserocketstabilizetriple

declinedecreasedropfallincreasepeakperiodrisetrend

approximately

dramatically

gradually

rapidly

slightly

steadily

downward gradual hugesharpslightstablesubsequentupward

VERB + ADVERB ADJECTIVE + NOUN

A

An

EFL SMARTblog

What language to use in describing a graph?

alterdeclinedecreasedoubledropexceedfallfluctuatehalvehoverincreaselevel outpeakplummetreduceriserocketstabilizetriple

declinedecreasedropfallincreasepeakperiodrisetrend

approximately

dramatically

gradually

rapidly

slightly

steadily

downward gradual hugesharpslightstablesubsequentupward

VERB + ADVERB ADJECTIVE + NOUN

A

An

EFL SMARTblog

What language to use in describing a graph?

Describe what you see on the graph below:

EFL SMARTblog

Describe what you see on the graph below:

EFL SMARTblog

IELTS Task 1 Language - Graphs

Describe what you see on the graph

EFL SMARTblog

Describe what you see on the graph

EFL SMARTblog

Attempt to answer the following questions based on the graphs shown:

1.What percentage of boys prefer to study reading online?

a. Eighty per centb. Approximately 80%

2.What percentage of boys prefer to study writing online?

a. Ten per centb. Slightly more than 10%

3.What percentage of girls prefer to study listening online?

a. Approximately 75%b. Between 60% and 70%

4. What percentage of girls prefer to study speaking online?

a. slightly less than 60%b. about 40%

5. What percentage of boys prefer to study vocabulary online?

a. Almost 90%b. Slightly more than 80%

1.How many computers and software items were sold to teenagers during the month?

a. 306b.1030c. 903

2. What was the total number of items sold to teenagers during the month?

a.1030b. 903c. 369

3. What was the total number of digital cameras sold?

a.172b. 628c.1030

4. How many digital cameras were sold to adults aged 50 and over?

a.652b.628c.188

5. How many items were sold to adults aged 18–49?

13859033067

1.How many tusks were found in 1996?

a.40b.43c.30

2.How many skulls were found in 1996?

a.20b.21c.23

3.In what year was the smallest number of skulls found?

a.1996b.1998c.2000

4.In which two years did the number of mandibles found remain the same?

a.1996 and 1998b.1998 and 2000c.2000 and 2002

5.In which year was the largest number of scapulae found?

a.1996b.1998c.2000

The pie chart below shows the leading causes of insomnia, in percentages, as reported by a group of people between the ages of 20 and 40. They were interviewed in April 2004.

Use the information in the pie chart to answer the questions. Select the best answer.

1:What does the information on this chart represent?

a. People and insomnia (sleeplessness)b. Factors influencing insomnia

2:What is the most common cause of insomnia for this group?a. Stressb. Drinks with caffeine

3:What is the least common cause of insomnia for this group?a. Ill healthb. Medication

4:Which two factors were reported as leading causes of insomnia by an identical percentage of people?a. ill health and medicationb. depression and environmental factors

5:Which two factors were reported by almost the same percentage of people?a. ill health and medicationb. environmental factors and ill health