Task I - Trend Graphs & Charts

We will now focus on trend graphs & charts.

- - • BradIy Outdoor Wear- - Ski and Snow Wear— Hiking Kit

In this type of question, you have to write

about a graph or chart that shows changes
over a given period of time. The time period
will be stated in the graph summary
given in the question.

Here is an example question:

The graph shows data (or annual sales rev-
enue or turnover {or three outdoor clothing
companies (rom 2004 to 20 14. Summarise
the information by selecting and reporting
the main features, and make compatizons where
re/evant.

In this book, we recommend that you structure your trend-graph/chart writing task as follows:

YEAR

Now, let’s look at an answer for the example question:

The graph shows information relating to how much money three outdoor clothing companies generated from safes over a
ten-year time period from 2004 to 2014.
The most striking trend is that of the sales rowth of Hiking lGt. In 2004, the company had the lowest turnover, while in
30l4 it led the way in this area. Similarly significant was the rate of decline in turnover of Bradly Outdoor Wear. At the
outset, it had the second highest level of turnover, but ended in last place, having suffered a significant drop in sales
revenue. Ski and Snow Wear, on the other hand, enjoyed fairly steady sales revenue, though it did drop from first
position in 2004 to second position at the end of 2014.
Taking a closer look at the performance of the individual companies and starting with Hiking Kit, in 2004 it had a
turnover of approximately $1.5 million. From then on, sales revenue rose steadily until 2006. It then remained quite flat
until 2008, when turnover began steadily increasing year by year again until, in 2014, approximately $3.4 million was
generated.
Next, with regard to Bradly Outdoo Wear, this company’s figures were the most disappointing. In 2004, it generated around
$2 million in turnover. For the next two ars, the company registered a slight increase before turnover flattened out in
2007. From then on, turnover fell, with the sharp fall in 2010. By the end of 2014, turnover had decreased to around
$I million.
In contrast, Ski and Snow Wear has perform ' Iy consistently. In 2fXH, it generated around $3 million in turnover.
Thereafter, turnover rose steadily for two years befo dually falling back to just under $3 million in 2014.

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 IELTS Academic Writing

The Introduction: Paraphrase

(A) Paraphrase the following graph descriptions to form suitable introductory paragraphs. Use the prompt
words and phrases in square brackets [ ] to help you.
(1) The graph shows data about the annual profits of three gyms in London from 2003 to
2008. [prompts: shows data = gives information; annual = yearly; in
London = London-based]

(2) The chart shows information about the annual sales of three US bakeries from 2003 to
2008. [prompts: shows information about (a trend) = tracks; sales =
revenue; US = American]

(3) The table shows data about the average annual earnings for three different job types from 2003 to
2008. [prompts: shows = presents; about = concerning; average = mean;job
types = professions{

(B) Another way to paraphrase the question is to change the description from the active to the passive voice
e.g. !•f• mat/on about the mean temperature {or three major cities (or the yerirs 200J-2008 is presented in this graph.
Tr}' to put (1)-(3) from question |A) above in the passive voice.

(1)

(2)

(3)

Paragraph 2: Talking about Key Points and Overall Trends

(C) Write the missing letters to complete the linking devices for introducing general trend statements.

(1) I g e aI,

(2) O _rII,

(3) F r t__ m_st p__t,

(D) Un|umble the words in ITALICS to uncover ways of highlighting key trends.

(1) First trend:

a.stands out is what that Belwood increased its revenue significantly over the period.
b. striking that is what is Belwood’s revenue rose considerably over the period.

(2) Second or further trends:

a. of note is also that Menton’s revenue dropped dramatically.
b. can that also it seen be Menton’s revenue dropped significantly.
2
c. of note particular also that is Menton’s revenue fell substanflally.

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 Task 1 - Trend Graphs and Charts Unit
The Language of Describing Trends: Verbs

(E) Put the verbs in the box in the correct column in the table.

Go up Go up a lot Go down Go down a lot.

crash declinedecreasedip
drop jumpfall grow increase
reduce
plummet plungerise
shoot upsoar
rocket

The following verbs are also useful to know:

CTUATE
RECOVER
LEYEL OFF/
FLATTEN OUT

The Language of Describing Trends: Adverbs

We can also use suitable adverbs to intensify verbs. For example:
Pro(ts increased —— Pratts went up
Pro ts increased dramatically —— Profits sent up a lot

Adverb synonyms of a lot include:

dramatically, considerably, signi[icontIy, substantially, remarkably

(F) The following are also useful adverbs to learn. Write the adverbs in the box under the correct graph.

consistently gradually negligibly steadily steeply sharply slowly slightly

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The Language of Describing Trends: Nouns and Adjectives
(G) Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first sentence, using the noun form of the
verb.
(1) Profits fluctuated considerably during the period.
There was considerable in profits during the period.

(2) Turnover Brew considerably in year 2.

There was considerable in turnover in year 2.

(3) Sales declined considerably from the third year on.

A considerable in sales was experienced from the third year on.

(4) Sales dipped considerably in 2011 but then recovered the following year.
There was a considerable in sales in Z011, but was experienced the
a following year.
As you can see from the above exercise, we can rewrite adverb + verb (e.g. fluctuate considerab/y) forms using
related adjective + noun (a considerable #uctuat/on) forms.

(H) Change the verbs into their noun form and the adverbs into their adjective form.

Yerb Noun Adverb Adjective

dropped considerably
fell slightly
decreased sharply
dipped steadily
fluctuated dramatically
grew remarkably
rose significantly
increased negligibly
jumped - gradually
recovered slowly “
plunged suddenly
levelled off consistently
improved briefly

Quoting Figures from a Graph or Chart

Remember that when we are describing a chart or graph, we rarely know the exact figures. It is important,
therefore, not to be too specific. Use words and phrases like around, approximately, just under, just over,
slightly less tion, or slightly more tion. For example: Turnover (or 2012 was slightly less than $2 million.
Sales (or 201 4 were jtJst over $8 million.

(I) Write the missing prepositions to complete the sentences.

(1) There was considerable decline profits during the period.
(2) Revenue levelled off $S million in 2014.
(3) In 2015, the figure rose 529 million.
(4) The cost of raw materials fluctuated $Z and $5 million.
(5) Profit started $25,000 in 2003 and ended $125,000 in 2013.

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Describing Future Trends
Sometimes, the figures we are presented with in a graph or chart may relate to a future time period. In such
cases, we must change our tenses accordingly.
For practice, let’s look at the example question again. Now the time period has been changed to relate to the future.

The graph shows data about predicted annual sales reYenue or turnover (or three outdoor clothing companies (rom 2018 to
2028. Summarise the in(ormation by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
re/exont.

- - • BradIy Outdoor Wear— - Ski and Snow Wear—Hiking Kit

When answering questions like this, either use

(a)the future tense with wfill or
(b)is predicted to and is expected to.
De not use a mixture of both (a) and (b)
tense forms.
Let’s look at the year 2018, for example.
With option (a), we could say: Bradly Outdoor
Wear’s revenue will be about $2 million.
With option (b), we could say: Bradly
Outdoor Wear’s revenue is predicted/expected
to be a6ot/t
$2 million.

(J) All the figures in this question are the same as in the first graph we looked at in this section. The difference
YEAR
is that the time period has changed. Rewrite the model answer given below using the future tense with will
where appropriate.

The most striking trend is that of the sales growth of Hiking Kit. In 2018, the company (1) will have the lowest
turnover, while in 2028 it (2) (lead) the way in this area. Similarly significant (3) (be)
the rate of decline in turnover of Bradly Outdoor Wear. It (4)
(begin) the period with the second highest level of turnover, but (5)
(end) in last place, having suffered a significant drop in sales revenue. Ski and Snow
Wear, on the other hand, (6) (eni oy) fairly steady sales revenue, though it (7)
(drop) from first position in 2018 to second position at the end of 2028.

Taking a closer look at the performance of the individual companies and starting with Hiking Kit, in 2018 it
(8)
(have) a turnover of approximately S1. 5 million. From then on, sales revenue
(9)
(rise) steadily until 2020. It (10) (remain) quite flat
until 2022, when turnover (11) (begin) steadily increasing year by year again until, in 2028, approximately $3.4
million (12) (generate).

Next, turning to Bradly Outdoor Wear, this company’s figures (13) (be) the most
disappointing. In 20ig, it (14) (generate) around $2 million in turnover. For the next two years, the
company
(15) (register) a slight increase before turnover (16) (flatten out) in
2021. From then on, turnover (17) (fall), with the
sharpest fall in 2024. By the end of 202g, turnover
(18) (decrease) to around $1 million.

In contrast, Ski and Snow Wear (19) (perform) fairly consistently. In 2018, it (20)

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(generate) around $3 million in turnover. Thereafter, turnover f21) (rise) steadi!v for two
years before gradually falling back to just under $3 million in 2028.

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IELTS ‘Academic Writing
Practice Questions
The graph shows the number of members at three New York gyms from 2008 to 20 12. Summarise the
information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

bership Numbers, 2008-201

1000

400

Year
Prentice Gymnasium Centre Grp

The graph shows the predicted number of members at three New York gyms from 2020 to 2024.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

I
Gym I”dembership Numbers, 2020-2024
1

B
O
D
Z
2020 2021 Z022 2023 2024

Year
Spike's Gym Prentice Gymnasium Centre Gym

The table shows the number of visitors to three European villages, from 2009 to 20 13. Summarise the
infor- mation by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The table shows the predicted number of visitors to three European villages, from 2019 to 2023.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.