MULTIPLE CHARTS

STRUCTURE AND GUIDELINES

THE QUESTION

 A question of this type could include any combination of the following:

 Bar Chart
 Line Graph
 Pie Chart
 Table Chart
STRUCTURE

 Paragraph 1 – Introduction

 Paragraph 2 – Overview

 Paragraph 3 – Details of 1st graph or chart

 Paragraph 4 – Details of 2nd graph or chart

 STEP 1 - ANALYZE & IDENTIFY

 At this stage you need to analyze the question and understand what is given to you in the task and what you’re
going to write about. Remember, although the task might seem scary at first, the graphics in IELTS multiple graph
questions should not be difficult to interpret. Each question has been created to test your language skills, not your
mathematics ability.

 Once, you understand what is given to you, you need to identify the main features. It’s something easy to spot,
some similarities or differences, the biggest/smallest number etc. You don’t need to write about everything in detail
so select just a couple of main features.

 In this type of task it’s usually better to analyze each graph given separately. However, you should also spot the
connection between them if there is any.
LET’S TRY!

 What information do the 2 graphs give?

 What are the units of measurements?

 What are the time periods?

 What can you learn from the title and any labels?

 What is the most obvious trend?

 STEP 2 - PARAGRAPH 1. INTRODUCTION

 In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a different way.
You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure
 You can also add any information you see in the picture but don’t have in the question itself.

 The Question:
 The line graph shows visits to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999. The bar chart shows the most popular
countries visited by UK residents in 1999.

 Vocabulary:
illustrate, indicate, present / give the information about
 Show –
travel, go
 Visit –
 STEP 2 - PARAGRAPH 1. INTRODUCTION

 The Question:
 The line graph shows visits to and from the UK from 1979 to
1999. The bar chart shows the most popular countries visited by
UK residents in 1999.

 Model Introduction:
 The line graph illustrates the number of UK residents going abroad
from the UK and overseas residents visiting the UK between 1979
and 1999, while the bar chart gives information about how many
UK residents travelled to five of the most popular countries in
1999. Units are measured in millions of people.
STEP 3 – PARAGRAPH 2. OVERVIEW

 In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you
have identified, giving only general information. The detail comes
later in the essay. It should be 1-3 sentences.
 Let’s take a look at the main features of this task.

 Line graph:
both visit to and from UK increased
 Bar chart:
France was the most popular destination

 Model Overview:
 Overall, there was an increase in the number of visits to and from
the UK and there were more visits abroad by UK residents than
visits to the UK by overseas residents over the period given.
Furthermore, the most popular country to visit by UK residents was
France in 1999.
STEP 4&5 – PARAGRAPHS 3&4. MAIN BODY

 Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS multiple graph essay are where you include more detailed information about
the data in the graphics. So support your features with the figures from the picture here!
 Describe each type of diagram in a separate paragraph.

Main body 1 - both visit to and from UK increased Main body 2 - France was the most popular destination
STEP 4&5 – PARAGRAPHS 3&4. MAIN BODY
 Model Main body 1
 The number of UK residents visiting overseas began
at just under 15 million in 1979 and rose
significantly to reach over 50 million in 1999.
Around 10 million overseas residents visited the UK
in the first year before climbing steadily to just under
30 million by the final year.
 Model Main body 2
 In 1999, France was visited by over 10 million UK
residents, followed by Spain at approximately 9 million.
The USA and Greece had about 4 million and 3 million
visitors respectively. The least popular country visited was
Turkey which had only about 2 million UK residents going
there.
 STEP 6 – CHECK YOURSELF!

 Full essay Model answer

 The line graph illustrates the number of UK residents going abroad from the UK and overseas residents visiting the
UK between 1979 and 1999, while the bar chart gives information about how many UK residents travelled to five of
the most popular countries in 1999. Units are measured in millions of people.
 Overall, there was an increase in the number of visits to and from the UK and there were more visits abroad by UK
residents than visits to the UK by overseas residents over the period given. Furthermore, the most popular country to
visit by UK residents was France in 1999.
 The number of UK residents visiting overseas began at just under 15 million in 1979 and rose significantly to reach
over 50 million in 1999. Around 10 million overseas residents visited the UK in the first year before climbing steadily
to just under 30 million by the final year.
 In 1999, France was visited by over 10 million UK residents, followed by Spain at approximately 9 million. The USA
and Greece had about 4 million and 3 million visitors respectively. The least popular country visited was Turkey
which had only about 2 million UK residents going there.
OTHER EXAMPLES
The pie chart shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive. The table shows how these causes
affected three regions of the world during the 1990s.
OTHER EXAMPLES
OTHER EXAMPLES
WAY TO GO!