Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Describing
Tables, Charts and Graphs
How to approach
BEC Writing Test Part One
• This part tests your ability to write a short report
expressing information which you are given in graphic
form, such as bar charts, pie charts and graphs.
• Read the instructions carefully so that you know what
you are required to do: this is usually to describe or
compare the information in the graphic input. Underline
the keywords in the instructions.
• Make an outline plan of the report.
• Start with a brief description of what the report is about.
• You can use suitable headings if you wish.
• Try to use a wide range of appropriate vocabulary and
grammatical structures.
• You should not invent any information for this part.
How to approach
BEC Writing Test Part One
• Check that you have written your answer in 120-140
words (multiply the number of lines by the average
number of words per line: don't waste time counting
every word).
• After writing, read what you have written, correct
mistakes and make improvements. If you want to add
anything, use a sign. Put a line through anything you
want to omit. You should not rewrite your answer.
• Make sure the examiner will be able to read your answer.
Use a pen and your normal handwriting (do not write in
capital letters).
• You should spend about 20-25 minutes on this part.
Four graphic forms
• Table
• Pie chart
• Bar chart
• (Line) graph
A table is a set of facts and figures
arranged in columns and rows. A table is
a very useful way of organising numerical
information.
What is a chart?
3.1 Structure
• Three-phase structure: introduction – body
– conclusion
• Choosing information: comprehensive but
selective
• Logical and usually chronological: using
connective words; describe the trends
period by period
Three-phase structure:
• However,
• In contrast,
• In comparison,
• After, before, until
• In sum,
• To sum up,
• In concluding,
• In conclusion,
• From the graph it can be safely concluded that…
• We are safe in concluding that …
3.2 Vocabulary
• Use a variety of sentence structures and words
• Be diverse in word classes: verbs, nouns,
adjectives and adverbs
• Avoid repetition