LINE GRAPH

First things first!

What you need:
Introduce the graph in paragraph 1 using
simple present
Report the numbers/percentages in paragraph
2 using the simple past
Sum up in paragraph 3 using the present
perfect.
Lets look at a sample!

Graph and Prompt

The graph below shows the consumption of fish

and different kinds of meat in a European country
between 1979 and 2004.

Summarize the information by selecting and

reporting the main features and make comparisons
where relevant.

First Paragraph

First paragraph: We introduce the graph using

simple present:

E.g.
The line graph records/shows (fish and meat
consumption amounts in grams per person per
week) over a 25-year period.

The Second Paragraph

Second paragraph:

Report the numbers on the graph while comparing patterns of

increase and decrease (if any) in the graph items using the simple
past

Example: Next Slide

Second Paragraph Sample

The graph showed that chicken marked the highest
meat consumption per person/per week with xxx
(grams). We noticed that the consumption of chicken
meat increased from about 150 grams to
about/around 250 grams in the year 2004. In
1984, the consumption of beef peaked at 240
grams. Generally, there was a downward trend in
the consumption of lamb from 150 grams in 1979 to
approximately 60 grams in 2004. Another
drop/dipping down pattern was noted in the
consumption of fish. Starting out at about 60 grams
in 1979, the numbers fell down to around 40 grams
in 2004. Thus, fish showed/represented the least
amounts of meat consumption.

The Final Paragraph

Final paragraph: We sum up using the present perfect

E.g.

To sum up, in the 25 years period, there has been an/a

(sharp/slight) increase in the consumption of (?) and (?). On the
other hand, the consumption of lamb and fish has/have not
witnessed any significant changes. Finally, fish and lamb has/have
reflected minimal consumption/amounts/percentages as compared
to beef and chicken.

WHAT IS THE GRAPH ABOUT?

WHAT IS THE OVERALL FEATURE?

The most basic trend vocabulary

up (2009 to 2010),
down (2008 to 2009),
up and down (between 2006 and 2009)
no change (2006 and 2007)
the top (2010)

Up variations

Down variations

Up and down

No change

Top

Adjectives and adverbs for degree of change

Very extensive change:
dramatic - dramatically
huge
enormous -enormously
tremendous - tremendously
substantial- substantially
considerable - considerably
significant -significantly
remarkable - remarkably

Average change :
noticeable

noticeably

marked

markedly

moderate

moderately

Preposition problem
1 by and to
The rate of unemployment
rose to 12% in 2010.
The rate of unemployment
rose by 5% in 2010.

2- in and of

There was a rise in the rate of unemployment

There was a rise of 5% in the rate of unemployment.

sentence structures
There was a substantial increase in
the value of stocks on March 15th.
House prices rose dramatically in
July.
The number of tourists visiting
New York fell sharply in October.
The percentage of students
walking to school continued to rise
gradually over the ten year period
from 2000-2010.
There was a sharp increase in
employee turnover after the strike.
Interest in environmental issues
has risen steadily over the last 10
years.