Geographical Skills – Identifying trend and pattern

(line graphs and bar graphs)

Use the following steps to identify a trend or pattern.
1. Identify the overall trend and provide evidence from the data given. (Overall ↑ or ↓ + data)
2. Pick out specific or unique characteristics such as a sudden dip or increase.
3. Use appropriate verbs and adjectives to describe the trend.

TREND VERB

To show a positive change rise

increase

To show a negative change drop

fall

decrease

decline

To show a negative change quickly or suddenly plummet

plunge

Little change in data remain constant

To vary continuously between one level and another fluctuate

To reach the highest point peak

ADJECTIVE HOW MUCH CHANGE?

slight very small

sharp sudden, large change

dramatic Sudden, very large change

steady an even change

gradual a slow change over a long

period of time

DO DO NOT

 Show significant trends or patterns or relationships in  List out every single detail
the data that would be meaningful to the reader. shown in the graph.
 Organise your description so that it is easy for  State details by year
readers to understand your key points.  Give very general statements
 Use the data given! that are vague because it
 Make sense of the data by using proportion (e.g., % does not have any numbers
or difference) or using adjectives (large, decline, or specific reference to the
increase, small) data given.
 Relate the trends or patterns or information in the  Write without planning how to
graph to your own contextual knowledge by thinking organise and present data in
about the concepts or content that can be applied to a meaningful way
the data
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Thinking Routine for Data Analysis (Inference) Questions

What is the issue?

What are the key elements of the graph?

Title: What is the graph about? Axes: What does the x and y axis
represent? Scale: What are the units of measurement used? What
does each class interval represent?

What is the general trend?

What adjectives can be used to descrie the relationship between

the variables shown?

How can you support the description with data? What data is
relevant to support your description?

Are there outliers in the data such as the highest and lowest points
on the graph? Are there any anomalies?

What do these exceptions imply?

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Example:
Study Fig.1 which shows the world production of corn, wheat and rice from 1960 to 2010.

Fig.1 World production of corn, wheat and rice from1960 to 2010.

Adapted from: Food and Agriculture Organization (2012).

Describe the trends in the world production of rice and corn since 1960. [3]
Suggested Answer:
 Fig. 1 shows that the world production of rice and corn has increased from 1960 to 2010.
[Overall trend] → (taken from start to end point). Remember, you need to indicate the time
frame.
 World production of rice has risen steadily from 150 million tonnes in 1960 to 464 million
tonnes in 2010. World production of corn has increased four-fold from about 200 million
tonnes in 1960 to about 800 million tonnes 2010. [Evidence from data] → (Provide evidence
for general trend + time frame)
 Anomalies are in 1985 and 1990 when world production of corn decreased sharply from
about 430 million tonnes in 1984 to 330 million tonnes in 1985 and from 480 million tonnes in
1987 to 390 million tonnes in 1990 respectively. [Specific/Unique
Characteristics/Anomaly, e.g., sudden dip or a gradual increase] → (Provide evidence
for fluctuations)
exception to the general trend

Note: When providing evidence for fluctuation, you will need to provide 4 data sets to show that it is
going up, down, up and then down or vice versa.
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Practice Questions
1 Study Fig. 1 which shows production of food grains in India between 2004 to 2012.

Fig. 1: Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/

Describe the trends in the production of food grains in India as shown in Fig. 1. [5]

 Fig. 1 shows that the production of food grains in India has increased in
general from 2004 to 2011 despite some decline in 09-10. (Overall)
 The production of food grains increased steadily/gradually from 198.36
million tonnes in 2004-05 to 230.78 million tonnes in 07-08. (Data)
 However, the rate of increase slowed down from 07-08 to 08-09, only
increasing slightly by about 3.69 million tonnes. (Significant)
 From 08-09 to 09-10, the production of food grains dropped drastically/
significantly from 234.47 million tonnes to 218.11 million tonnes (or by 16
million tonnes). (Odd/Anomaly)
 But it increased rapidly again the following years 10-11 by 26.67million
tonnes.

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2 Fig. 2 shows the international tourist arrivals around the world from
1995 to 2010.

Fig. 2: Reproduced by permission of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Describe the trends shown in Fig. 2. [4]

 O– Obvious, Overall trend:

o Fig. 2 shows a significant 77% increase in international tourist arrivals between
1995 and 2010 from 528 million to 935 million.

 S – Significant changes:
o There was a gradual increase of 167 million international tourists in a period of
7 years between 1995 and 2002.
o However, there was a greater rate of increase in international tourists between
2003 and 2008. The number of international tourist arrivals increased by 229
million tourists in just these 5 years.

 O – Odd, anomalies:
o There was a dip in international tourist arrivals of 11 million from 2002 to 2003
and 36 million from 2008 to 2009.

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3 Study Fig. 3 which shows tourist arrivals (in millions) in Thailand from 2001 to 2015.

Fig. 3: Source: Thai Tourism Authority

With reference to Fig. 3, describe the overall trend in tourist arrivals in Thailand
from 2001 to 2015. [2]

 Fig. 3 shows that generally, tourist arrivals in Thailand have increased from
10.13 millions in 2001 to 29.88 millions in 2015.
 However, there were significant declines in 2003 and 2014 by 0.79 millions
and 1.74 millions respectively.

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 Writing Frame for Essays

INTRODUCTION
Definition, Scope, Stand

BODY (Supporting factor)

Consider both aspects: successes and limitations/ benefits and threats/ positive and
negative impacts etc.
Point, Elaboration, Example, Link

BODY (Supporting factor)

Consider both aspects: successes and limitations/ benefits and threats/ positive and
negative impacts etc.
Point, Elaboration, Example, Link

BODY (Balancing factor – counter-argument)

What is the other point of view?
If you agree to the question: How is technology not a solution to food shortage?
If you disagree to the question: How is it a solution to food shortage?
Point, Elaboration, Example, Link

CONCLUSION
Not a rehash of info from previous paragraphs. Need to provide clear reasons to
support your stand.
Substantiate your stand by:
(Need not cover all pts below. List not exhaustive.)
Using a set of criteria to weigh points, for e.g.:
Time (LT vs ST),
Scale of impact (how far-reaching/ extent of problem)
Cost effectiveness (LDCs vs DCs)
Giving justification, for e.g., mitigation measures to lessen impact/ overcome limitations

Level 3 (7-8m)
Quantity Elaboration or explanation given on successes and limitations.
 Specific examples found in most places in the answer
Quality  Makes decisions, recommendations, or judgements.
 Clear indication of differing successes
 Clear and logical reasons to support stand

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