Numbers don’t lie

– graphs do

1
Let’s learn some
vocabulary
Put the words and phrases below in the correct column.
climb decline decrease drop fall fluctuate grow
increase level off plummet plunge reach a peak recover rise
rocket stabilize

GO UP GO DOWN

3
Let’s check your answers.
climb decline decrease drop fall fluctuate grow
increase level off plummet plunge reach a peak recover rise
rocket stabilize

GO UP GO DOWN

climb decline
grow decrease
increase drop
reach a peak fall
recover plummet
rise plunge
rocket

4
Study the table and rewrite the sentences below.

NOUNS VERBS

There was an increase in sales. Sales increased by 20%.

There was a decrease of 20%.

There was a sharp increase. Sales increased sharply.

A. Last year, the sales of mobile phones went up dramatically.

Last year, there was …….
B. As you can see, there was a fall in the price of oil last quarter.
As you can see, the price of oil …….
C. In 2002, we observed a rise in our production of 15%.
In 2002, our production …….
D. There was a slight drop in profits.
Our profits …….
5
Let’s check the answers.

NOUNS VERBS

There was an increase in sales. Sales increased by 20%.

There was a decrease of 20%.

There was a sharp increase. Sales increased sharply.

A. Last year, the sales of mobile phones went up dramatically.

Last year, there was a dramatic increase in mobile phones sales.
B. As you can see, there was a fall in the price of oil last quarter.
As you can see, the price of oil fell last quarter.
C. In 2002, we observed a rise in our production of 15%.
In 2002, our production rose by 15%.
D. There was a slight drop in profits.
Our profits dropped slightly.
6
Look at the graph showing the sales (in million $) of ABC Ltd
company. Then, write a description of what it shows.

7
Work in pairs, copy this graph onto a piece of paper. One person describes a
graph and the other should draw it.
(See the links on the next slide to find the graphs that you’ll describe.)

8
The graphs to describe:

Student A:

Graph 1

Student B:

Graph 2

9
In a moment, you’ll watch a presentation by Lea Gaslowitz titled:

How to spot a misleading

graph
Why do you think a graph could be misleading?
Watch the video and check your answer.

11
Watch the video again and complete the sentences with one
word each.
A. Yet, as it turns out, there are plenty of ways
graphs can ………………………….. and outright manipulate.
B. This is one of the most common ways graphs
misrepresent data, by ………………………….. the scale.
C. First of all, the scale is ………………………….. , compressing
the 15-month span after March 2009 to look
shorter than the preceding six months.
D. And picking specific data points can …………………………..
important changes in between.
E. The first graph plots the average annual ocean
temperature from 1880 to 2016 making the
change look ………………………….. .
F. When they're used well, graphs can help us
intuitively grasp ………………………….. data. 12
Let’s check your answers.

A. mislead and
Yet, as it turns out, there are plenty of ways graphs can …………………………..
outright manipulate.
B. This is one of the most common ways graphs misrepresent data, by
…………………………..
distorting the scale.
C. inconsistent , compressing the 15-month span
First of all, the scale is ………………………………………..
after March 2009 to look shorter than the preceding six months.
D. And picking specific data points can …………………… hide important changes in
between.
E. The first graph plots the average annual ocean temperature from 1880 to
2016 making the change look ……………………………………..
insignificant .
F. When they're used well, graphs can help us intuitively grasp …………………………..
complex
data.

13
Match the words to create pairs of synonyms.

A. complicated 1. complex

B. unimportant 2. distorting

C. cover 3. hide

D. illogical 4. inconsistent

E. changing 5. insignificant

F. cheat 6. mislead

14
Let’s check the answers.

A. complicated 1. complex

B. unimportant 2. distorting

C. cover 3. hide

D. illogical 4. inconsistent

E. changing 5. insignificant

F. cheat 6. mislead

15
Let’s discuss!
 Discuss the questions.

➔ Do you agree with the statement that “numbers don’t lie”?

➔ What is cherry picking according to the video?
➔ In which situations can we receive misleading data? Why would
some people like to hide some of it? (think about the video +
your own examples)
➔ How often do you see distorted or inconsistent graphs?
➔ Do you think people should be punished for misrepresenting
data given to the public?

17
Extra speaking task
Analyse the misleading graphs below and say what is wrong
with them. [part 1/3]

Graph 1:

19
Analyse the misleading graphs below and say what is wrong
with them. [part 2/3]
Graph 2:

20
Analyse the misleading graphs below and say what is wrong
with them. [part 1/3]

Graph 3:

21
Thanks!