DESCRIBING GRAPHS

Be familiar with vocabulary that is commonly associated with interpreting non-linear texts.
The following table gives you useful vocabulary to describe the graphic aids.

Chart movements

boomed maintained
climbed plateau
escalated remained steady
increased remained unchanged
rose stayed constant
surged
went up

declined fluctuated
decreased peaked at
peak
dipped rose and fell
dropped
fell
plunged
reduced
slumped
went down

Degree and speed of change

Use adjectives or adverbs to describe the changes.

Describing the degree of change Describing the speed of change

Adjectives Adverbs

1. abrupt 1. abruptly
considerable 2. considerably
3. dramatic 3. dramatically
4. enormous 4. enormously
5. gradual 5. gradually
6. immediate 6. immediately
7. instant 7. instantly
8. minimal 8. minimally
9. moderate 9. moderately
10. quick 10. quickly
 Adjectives Adverbs

11. rapid 11. rapidly

12. sharp 12. sharply
13. significant 13. significantly
14. slight 14. slightly
15. slow 15. slowly
16. steady 16. steadily
17. steep 17. steeply
18. substantial 18. substantially
19. sudden 19. suddenly
20. swift 20. swiftly

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You may also be asked to describe the rank, rate or position of certain data.

Example
the most important ...
the least important ...
the second/third/fourth important ...
rank/rate higher/lower than ...

Describing part of the chart/graph

the highest
the lowest percentage/
the most significant proportion/
the smallest number
the largest

QUESTION 1 GUIDELINE
TITLE
Give title of the essay

INTRODUCTION
A good intro will show what is shown.
Cover both visuals, correctly stated.
Use the title of the visuals as a guide.
Note the time frame in the visuals presented.

OVERALL TREND
Shows connection between the two visuals or the general
trend. (the pattern – increasing or decreasing)

BODY / CONTENT:
Analyse and synthesise the data
5 elements to consider when analysing and synthesising data:
Object (item) / point of reference / key features
 Duration / time frame
Data – must accurate
Comparison
Trend / movement
There is no need to analyse every single data
Synthesise – link figure 1 with figure 2. Look for relationships between them.

CONCLUSION:
A rewording of the overall trend
A summary of the analysis
You may begin your conclusion by writing:
In conclusion ....................
It can be seen that ...........