Comparison Graphs

Comparison graphs compare different things:

 Oil production in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Russia
 The percentage of starch, sugar, fat and protein in the UAE diet
 Japanese, German, American, British, French and Korean cars sold in the UK
 The number of female and male managers in a company
 How much money you spend on shoes, clothes, books, travel or music
 The top five holiday destinations

- any things that can be compared!

The vocabulary you will use in comparison graphs is "bigger than, more than, less than, the
highest, equal to, almost the same as, less than, approximately the same as, twice as much as,
half, quarter, three times," etc.

You are usually asked to compare 2 pie charts but sometimes you only have 1 chart
to describe.

A. Single Pie Chart

Paragraph 1

Describe what sort of chart it is and what it is about.

Paragraph 2

Describe the sections of the graph starting with the biggest and working your way down.

Paragraph 3

A short conclusion giving an overall view of what the chart is about.

See the model answer of ‘How Americans Spend their Money'

The Consumer Dollar: Version 1

This pie chart tells us about how Americans spend their money. The total expenditure is $1.2
trillion, divided into eleven categories.

The highest percentage is spent on food, drink and tobacco: 23 cents in every dollar. Housing
and household operations accounted for 15 cents each, followed by transportation with 13 cents.
Medical care, clothing and jewellery, and recreation ranged from 9 to 7 cents. 5% of the total
was spent on personal business while only 2% was spent on private education and research. At
the bottom end were personal care, foreign travel and religious and welfare activities. All three
took just 1% each of the total spent.

This chart shows us that over half of the money spent by Americans was in consumer durables
such as food and drink, and homes and house maintenance. If we include transport then 63
cents in every dollar was spent in these areas.

Another version

The pie-chart shows how typical Americans spend their money. Overall, the biggest areas of
expenditure are on food, housing and household expenses, and transport.

The biggest single area is food drink and tobacco. This accounts for almost a quarter of
spending. Housing and household maintenance make up 15% each, and another 13% goes on
transport. Medical care comprises almost one-tenth of spending. This is slightly more than is
spent on clothes and jewelry, at 8%, and recreation, at 7%.

The remaining segments account for just 10% in total. Americans spend just 5% on personal
business, and less than half of that on education. Personal care, foreign trave and spending on
religion account for just one percent each.

In summary, half of the money spent goes on food and housing, while transport, medical care
and clothes make up a further quarter.
2. Describe the chart

Suggested answer:

The piechart shows how electricity was

generated in the US in 1970. It clearly
shows that gas and coal provided the bulk
of electricity produced in that year.

One source, coal, accounted for almost

half of US electricity production, at 46%.
This was almost twice as much the next
competitor, natural gas, which provided
just over 24% of power. Renewable
sources of electricity, such as
hydroelectric power, supplied less than
17% of electric power. A small proportion
came from oil, with about one-eighth of
American energy came from oil-fired
power stations. By far the smallest sector,
however, was nuclear power. It accounted
for less than 2% of US electricity supplies.

In conclusion, two sources, coal and gas, dominated production of electricity, while hydroelectric
power stations, nuclear facilities and oil-burning turbines produced just over a quarter of US
power needs.
B. Two Pie Charts
If you have 2 pie charts they will be giving similar information so you can compare the two. This
type of writing is similar to a compare and contrast essay.

Paragraph 1

Explain that they are pie charts and say what they are describing. This is the same as line
graphs except there are 2.

Paragraph 2

Compare the data between the two charts. Start with the biggest sectors and work your way
down.

Paragraph 3

Conclusion. Mention the important similarities and differences.

Look at the example for ‘Electrical Energy Production’

US Electricity
The two piecharts illustrate the production of electricity in the US by source in 1970 and 1984. In
general, coal was the most important source of electrical power in both years, although nuclear
power grew in importance.

In 1970, coal-powered stations were the main source of electricity, producing 46% of electricity,
and this figure increased to 55% in 1984. The second most important source of power in 1970
was from natural gas, with almost 25%. However, by 1984, this had declined to just 12.3%.
Hydroelectric power also declined over the same period, from 16% to less than 14%. In
contrast, nuclear energy gained in importance. It rose from just 1.4% of production in 1970 to
almost 14% in 1984, a ten-fold increase.

In summary, more electricity was produced from coal and nuclear energy, while natural gas,
hydroelectric power, and oil declined in importance.

More Examples

Single Pie chart:

Writing: Graphs: Family Spending in the UK

UK Family Expenditure, 1990

The graph shows the average amounts spent by typical UK households on areas such as food,
leisure and savings. Overall, food, rent and education made up almost three-quarters of the
budget.

Food is clearly the biggest single expense. It made up 35% of the average family’s expenditure.
The second-biggest heading was rent. It totaled just over a quarter of spending. Education was
the next biggest cost, at 12% of the budget. The British spent the same amount on transport, at
10%, as they did on leisure, entertainment and activities. Finally, savings were comparatively
low. They accounted for only 6% of spending.

In summary, food and rent were the two biggest areas with Britons spending about two or three
times as much on these areas as on transport, education or leisure.
Two pie charts

Writing: Graphs: Family Spending in the UK

UK Family Expenditure, 1990 and 2000

The graphs show changes in the amount of money spent by families in the UK between 1993 and
2003. Overall, families are spending more on rent and leisure.

Rent went up sharply. In 1993, it accounted for 27% of family expenditure. In 2003, this figure
went up to 34%. Spending on leisure also increased. It shot up from 11% in 1993 to 21% in
2003, more than doubling over the ten years.

The budget for other areas dropped considerably. Food

made up 35% of household spending in 1993. This
dropped to only 25% in 2003, a fall of almost one-third.
Education expenses also fell. In 1993, schooling
comprised 12% of spending but only 8% in 2003. The
amount of money saved also dropped dramatically,
from 6% in 2003 to just 2% ten years later.

In conclusion, there have been big changes in the way

families spend money over the ten years. Although rent
has increased, families spend less money on utilities
and saving and more on leisure.
Compare and Contrast Structures

Compare

Both Both Abu Dhabi and Ajman are on the coast.

Each Each emirate has its own healthcare system.
Neither Neither emirate has a river.

Neither …nor… Neither Abu Dhabi nor Ajman has high mountains.

Contrast

….but…. Oranges are sweet but lemons are bitter.

..whereas.. Europeans eat potatoes whereas Asians eat rice.
Most Italians are Catholics, in contrast to Thais who are
In contrast to
Buddhist.
British motorists drive on the left as opposed to Emiratis
As opposed to
who drive on the right.

Comparative

Adj + er than Abu Dhabi is bigger than Ajman.

Much adj + er than New York is much bigger than Bani Yas.
Much more adj than A Landcruiser is much more powerful than a Smartcar.
not as …….as Al Ain is not as humid as Abu Dhabi.
Exercise 1
Sources of Electricity Power, USA, 1970

1. Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps with words/phrases given in the box below.

accounted for came comprised less than made up one-eighth

proportion supplied three-quarters was was produced

1. In 1970, coal production ______________ 46% of US electricity production.

2. Almost a quarter of US electricity in 1970 _______________ using natural gas.
3. Hydro-electric power stations _______________ just over 16% of US power in 1970.
4. Nuclear power _______________ less than 2% of US electricity supplies in 1970.
5. The main fuel used to generate electricity in 1970 in the US _______________ coal.
6. Almost half of US electricity in 1970 _______________ from coal.
7. About _______________ of US electricity came from oil-fired power stations.
8. Gas and coal provided _______________ of US electricity in 1970.
9. Nuclear power contributed a tiny _______________ of US electricity in 1970.
10. Renewable sources of electricity, such as hydroelectric power, made up _______________
17% of US electricity in 1970.
11. Gas and oil _______________ just over a third of US electric power.