Lesson 1 Interpreting a graph/chart

Objectives:
At the end of the topic, students are able to:
1. Compose the introductory paragraph, overview and details;
2. Identify the key features of the graph/chart;
3. Use key vocabularies and time expressions;
4. Write a 150-word report presenting a graph.

Introduction Paragraph
Here are two examples, which one do you think is better?
1. Here we can see that the graph represented information regarding the number of
students enrolled in SPAMAST in two semesters.

2. The chart illustrates the number of enrolled students in SPAMAST during the first and
second semester for SY 2019-2020.

Look for the key features of the graph

The key features for the most charts or graphs are the highest and the lowest categories as well
as the most significant differences between categories.

Vocabularies
Get a list of useful vocabulary

Upward trend Downward trend Some Vocabulary

rise decrease fluctuate
increase drop dip
climb fall remain steady
grow decline remain stable
remain unchanged
peak at
hit a high of
hit a low of

Sample Exercise

Chart
Fill in the gaps with the correct vocabulary. Use no more than two words for each gap.

The number of reported cases of influenza began at 40 in 1985 after which the figures (1)

rose/increased/climbed/soared/went up/grew steadily to reach about 55 in 1987. In 1988, there

was a (2) a fall/a decline/a drop / a dip/ a decrease in the number to below 50 before (3)

climbing / increasing/ soaring / rising / growing up /growing to reach a (4) peak / highest point

(5) of approximately 75 in 1991. After that date, the figure dropped to about 55 in the final year.

Useful Adverbs and Adjectives

Adverbs Adjectives
steadily steady
gradually gradual
sharply sharp
rapidly rapid
steeply steep
slightly slight
dramatically dramatic
significantly significant
considerably considerate

Time Expressions
over the next three years
three years later
over the period
from… to / between … and
the last year
the final year
at the beginning
the period
at the end of the period