THE BODY

3. Ví dụ:

At the beginning, the number of elderly people in country D stood at 8 million,

reaching a peak of 9 million in 1980. However, it decreased over the next 25
years to a low of 3 million before rising again to 4 million in the last year. The
figures for country B followed a similar trend, rising to their highest point at
6.5 million in 1980, followed by a decline to 2 million in 2015.

By contrast, the numbers of people aged 65 and over in countries A and C

started much lower, at a similar level of 1.5 million. However, while the latter
experienced an increase for the following 40 years, ending at a high of 8
million; in the first 25 years, the older population in country A fluctuated
around 1.25 million before remaining stable at 1 million for the rest of this
period.
KEY POINTS
 1.Điểm bắt đầu/kết thúc (start and ending points)
a)Điểm bắt đầu (start points)

• In the first year, 5 million people in country B were 65 years old or over.
• At the start/beginning, 8 million of the population in country D were aged 65 or more.
• In 1975, the number of elderly people in country A stood at 1.5 million.
• The figure for country C (hoặc A) started/began at 1.5 million.
 b) Điểm kết thúc (ending points)

• The number of older people in country B fell to 2 million in the final/last year.
• The elderly population in country C rose over the 40-year period to (reach) 8 million
at the end of the period.
• After 1980, the figure for country D decreased steadily to finish/end at 4 million in 2015.
 2.Điểm cao nhất/thấp nhất (highs and lows)
a) Điểm cao nhất (highs)

• The figure finished at a high of 8 million in 2015. (Country C)

• It increased to the highest point of 6.5 million in 1980. (Country B)
• This figure reached a peak of 9 million in 1980. (Country D)
Hoặc: This figure peaked at 9 million in 1980. (Country D)

• Other phrases

their numbers peaked at

shot up to a peak of
reached their highest point of
increased to their highest point of
reached a high of
 b)Điểm thấp nhất (lows)

• The figures declined to the lowest point of 2 million in 2005. (Country B)

• The elderly population began at its lowest point of 1.5 million in 1975.
(Country C)
• After 1980, it decreased steadily to a low of 3 million in 2005. (Country D)

• Other phrases

reached their lowest point

dipped to their lowest point
sunk to a low of
continued to drop until
At the beginning, the number of elderly people in country D stood at 8 million, reaching a peak of 9 million in 1980.
However, it decreased over the next 25 years to a low of 3 million before rising again to 4 million in the last year. The
figures for country B followed a similar trend, rising to their highest point at 6.5 million in 1980, followed by a decline
to only 2 million in 2015.

By contrast, the numbers of people aged 65 and over in countries A and C started much lower, at a similar level of
1.5 million. However, while the latter experienced an increase for the following 40 years, ending at a high of 8 million;
in the first 25 years, the older population in country A fluctuated around 1.25 million before remaining stable at 1
million for the rest of this period.
 3.Điểm dao động

The figures for country A fluctuated between 1

and 1.5 million over the first 25 years.

The figures for country A fluctuated around 1.25

million over the first 25 years.
 4) Điểm không thay đổi

• The number remained constant/unchanged/stable at 1 million from the year 2000 onwards.
(Country A)
(remain = stay)

• level off/out at 1 million

• Other phrases

plateaued at
maintained a steady rate
remained at this level
stabilized for a short while
 5.Các điểm khác
Điểm giới hạn

The figures for country A ranged from 1 to 1.5 million over the first 25 years. (Không
cần dao động)

Điểm luôn thấp/cao hơn

The figures for country A remained under/below 2 million over the whole period.

Nếu cao hơn thì chúng ta dùng các giới từ over/above.

Điểm trùng với điểm đã đi qua

After the year 2000, It dropped slowly to finish at the 1975 figure/the original figure in
2005.
- original (adj) initial: ban đầu

Điểm vượt qua đối tượng khác

It rose over the 40-year period, overtaking that of country D in 2005, with figures
reaching just over 4 million. (Country C)
 stood finish a peak at the start
Exercise overtook a low began

(1)________, Costa Rica exported just over 10 million

kilograms of coffee, which was the highest figure of the three
countries. However, then, coffee exports dropped quickly to (2)
________of just over 5 million kilograms in 2000; although, from
then onwards, they showed a dramatic increase to (3)________
at (4) ________ of around 17 million, just below Brazil.

In 1990, coffee exports from Brazil (5)________ at

approximately 7 million kilograms, rising steadily over the 25-
year period to reach (6)________ of exactly 20 million in 2015.
By contrast, the figures for Colombia (7) ________ much lower
at just around 3 million kilograms. They (8)________ Costa
Rica in 2000, with coffee exports reaching 8 million, but there
was then a sharp decrease to (9)________ of only 1.5 million in
2005, although they climbed rapidly over the following 10 years
to (10) ________ at precisely 10 million in 2015.
 Answers stood finish
overtook
a peak
a low
at the start
began

(1)____At the start____, Costa Rica exported just over 10

million kilograms of coffee, which was the highest figure of the
three countries. However, then, coffee exports dropped quickly
to (2) ____a low____of just over 5 million kilograms in 2000;
although, from then onwards, they showed a dramatic increase
to (3) ____finish____ at (4)____a peak____ of around 17
million, just below Brazil.

In 1990, coffee exports from Brazil (5)____stood____ at

approximately 7 million kilograms, rising steadily over the 25-
year period to reach (6) ____a peak of____ of exactly 20
million in 2015. By contrast, the figures for Colombia
(7)____began____ much lower at just around 3 million
kilograms. They (8)____overtook____ Costa Rica in 2000, with
coffee exports reaching 8 million, but there was then a sharp
decrease to (9) ____a low ____ of only 1.5 million in 2005,
although they climbed rapidly over the following 10 years to
(10)____finish____ at precisely 10 million in 2015.
 EXERCISE The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type of
fast food consumed by Australian teenagers from 1975 to
2000.
The line graph (1) ______ the amount of three kinds of spreads
(margarine, low fat and reduced spreads and butter) which were fluctuated began reached at the start
consumed over 26 years from 1981 to 2007. peaked while illustrates a low

Overall, the consumption of margarine and butter decreased over the

period given, (2) ______ for low fat and reduced spreads, it rose.
(3) ______ , butter was the most popular spread, which was replaced
by margarine from 1991 to 2001, and following that low fat and
reduced spreads became the most widely used spread in the final
years.

With regards to the amount of butter used, it (4) _____ at around 140
grams and then (5) _____ at 160 grams in 1986 before falling
dramatically to about 50 grams in the last year. Likewise,
approximately 90 grams of margarine was eaten in the first year after
which the figure (6) _____ slightly and dropped to (7) ______ of 40
grams in 2007.

On the other hand, the consumption of low fats and reduced spreads
only started in 1996 at about 10 grams. This figure, which (8)_____ a
high of just over 80 grams 5 years later, fell slightly in the final years
to approximately 70 grams in 2007.
 EXERCISE The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type of fast
food consumed by Australian teenagers from 1975 to 2000.

The line graph (1) illustrates the amount of three kinds of spreads
(margarine, low fat and reduced spreads and butter) which were
consumed over 26 years from 1981 to 2007. Units are measured in
grams.

Overall, the consumption of margarine and butter decreased over the

period given, (2) while for low fat and reduced spreads, it rose. (3) At
the start, butter was the most popular spread, which was replaced by
margarine from 1991 to 2001, and following that low fat and reduced
spreads became the most widely used spread in the final years.

With regards to the amount of butter used, it (4) began at around 140
grams and then (5) peaked at 160 grams in 1986 before falling
dramatically to about 50 grams in the last year. Likewise,
approximately 90 grams of margarine was eaten in the first year after
which the figure (6) fluctuated slightly and dropped to (7) a low of 40
grams in 2007.

On the other hand, the consumption of low fats and reduced spreads
only started in 1996 at about 10 grams. This figure, which (8) reached
a high of just over 80 grams 5 years later, fell slightly in the final
years to approximately 70 grams in 2007.
Exercise Graph A
Graph B
Graph C
Graph D

1. Sales of apples fluctuated slightly and then rose

steadily.

2. In the first half of the year sales of apples rose

steeply. However, in the second half of the year sales
went down dramatically.

3. Sales of apples fluctuated wildly until October when

they levelled off.

4. Sales of apples increased steadily through the first

part of the year but from August sales declined
gradually.
Answers
Graph A
Graph B
Graph C
Graph D

1. Sales of apples fluctuated slightly and then rose

steadily. => Graph C

2. In the first half of the year sales of apples rose

steeply. However, in the second half of the year sales
went down dramatically. => Graph A

3. Sales of apples fluctuated wildly until October when

they levelled off. => Graph D

4. Sales of apples increased steadily through the first

part of the year but from August sales declined
gradually. => Graph B
Graph E
Graph F
Graph G
Graph H

1. Sales of apples increased sharply in the first quarter of

the year and reached a peak in March when sales started to
gradually decrease.

2. Sales of apples rocketed to a peak of 7 thousand tons in

July and then gradually decreased until they levelled out at
5 thousand tons.

3. Sales of apples dropped steadily and hit a low of 2

thousand tons. From this point, sales gradually recovered.

4. Sales of apples fell significantly throughout the first half

of the year but started to recover slowly from October.
ANSWERS
Graph E
Graph F
Graph G
Graph H

1. Sales of apples increased sharply in the first quarter of

the year and reached a peak in March when sales started to
gradually decrease. => Graph F

2. Sales of apples rocketed to a peak of 7 thousand tons in

July and then gradually decreased until they levelled out at
5 thousand tons. => Graph H

3. Sales of apples dropped steadily and hit a low of 2

thousand tons. From this point, sales gradually recovered.
=> Graph G

4. Sales of apples fell significantly throughout the first half

of the year but started to recover slowly from October.
=> Graph E
Graph I
Graph J
Graph K
Graph L

1. Sales of apples rose rapidly in the first quarter of

the year and then levelled off before declining
suddenly in the final quarter.
2. Despite fluctuating wildly, sales of apples increased
over the period.
3. Between March and June sales suddenly
plummeted. Following this, sales slowly rose.
4. The general trend in sales over the period was
downward even though sales fluctuated slightly.
ANSWERS
Graph I
Graph J
Graph K
Graph L

1. Sales of apples rose rapidly in the first quarter of

the year and then levelled off before declining
suddenly in the final quarter.
=> Graph K
2. Despite fluctuating wildly, sales of apples increased
over the period.
=> Graph L
3. Between March and June sales suddenly
plummeted. Following this, sales slowly rose.
=> Graph I
4. The general trend in sales over the period was
downward even though sales fluctuated slightly.
=> Graph J
Language of change
1.[Y] + verb + adverb from L1 to L2 from T1 to T2.
The elderly population in country C rose gradually from 1.5 million to 4 million
from 1975 to 2005.

2.[Y] + showed + a + adjective + noun from L1 to L2 from T1 to T2

The elderly population in country C showed a gradual rise from 1.5 million to 4
million from 1975 to 2005.
showed/experienced/underwent/had

3.There + was + a + adjective + noun from L1 to L2 + in + [Y] from T1 to T2.

There was a gradual rise from 1.5 million to 4 million in the elderly population in
country C from 1975 to 2005.

4.T1 to T2 + saw/witnessed + a/an + adjective + noun + in + [Y] from L1 to L2

1975 to 2005 witnessed a gradual rise from 1.5 million to 4 million in the elderly
population in country C.
Note
Look at these descriptive sentences with an adverb and a verb.

Sales of apples increased steadily from March to May.

Sales of apples steadily increased from March to May.

Which sentence is correct?

Look at these descriptive sentences with an adverb and a verb.

Sales of apples increased steadily from March to May.

Sales of apples steadily increased from March to May.

The answer is that both are correct.

Rewrite the sentences
Exercise
1. The amount of money that the government spent on reading lessons declined gradually.
There was ___________ in the amount of money spent on reading lessons.
2. The number of people calling the customer service hotline to complain fluctuated wildly.
There was ___________ in the number of people calling the customer service hotline to complain.
3. The development of new cures fell dramatically.
There was ____________ in the development of new cures.
4. Funding for research into the development of clean fuels increased sharply over the ten-year period.
______________ in the funding for research into the development of clean fuels over the ten-year period.
5. The release of new artists by major record labels decreased slightly last year.
______________ in the release of new artists by major record labels last year.
6. The cost of the product fluctuated slightly over the period.
_______________ in the price of the product over the period.
7. The number of visitors to the palace rose steadily until the ticket price was increased.
_______________ in the number of visitors to the palace until the ticket price was increased.
8. The number of people applying for housing dropped steeply several times over the year.
______________________ in the number of people applying for housing
Rewrite the sentences
ANSWERS
1. The amount of money that the government spent on reading lessons declined gradually.
There was a gradual decline in the amount of money spent on reading lessons.
2. The number of people calling the customer service hotline to complain fluctuated wildly.
There was a wild fluctuation in the number of people calling the customer service hotline to complain.
3. The development of new cures fell dramatically.
There was a dramatic fall in the development of new cures.
4. Funding for research into the development of clean fuels increased sharply over the ten-year period.
There was a sharp increase in the funding for research into the development of clean fuels over the ten-year
period.
5. The release of new artists by major record labels decreased slightly last year.
There was a slight decrease in the release of new artists by major record labels last year.
6. The cost of the product fluctuated slightly over the period.
There was a slight fluctuation in the price of the product over the period.
7. The number of visitors to the palace rose steadily until the ticket price was increased.
There was a steady rise in the number of visitors to the palace until the ticket price was increased.
8. The number of people applying for housing dropped steeply several times over the year.
There were several steep drops over the year in the number of people applying for housing
 Vocabulary

Increase Decrease Fluctuation

Verb Noun Verb Noun Verb Noun
climb climb decline decline fluctuate fluctuation
increase increase drop drop
grow growth decrease decrease
rise rise fall fall
rocket plummet
skyrocket plunge
EXERCISE
Verbs to nouns
to make adjective/noun collocations from verb/adverb collocations, we also need to know the
noun forms of verbs.

For each verb, write the noun form.

verb: to rise | noun: a rise

verb: to rise | noun: a rise

verb: to increase | noun: __________

verb: to climb | noun: ___________
verb: to fall | noun: ____________
verb: to decrease | noun: ___________
verb: to decline | noun: ___________
verb: to drop | noun: ___________
verb: to fluctuate | noun: _____________
 ANSWERS

verb: to rise | noun: a rise

verb: to rise | noun: a rise

verb: to increase | noun: an increase

verb: to climb | noun: a climb
verb: to fall | noun: a fall
verb: to decrease | noun: a decrease
verb: to decline | noun: a decline
verb: to drop | noun: a drop
verb: to fluctuate | noun: a fluctuation
Note: fluctuate slightly/significantly/wildly
 EXERCISE
Adverbs to adjectives
To make adjective/noun collocations from verb/adverb collocations, we need to know the
adjective forms of adverbs.
For each adverb, write the adjective form.

adverb: significantly | adjective: ___________

adverb: dramatically | adjective: ___________
adverb: steeply | adjective: ___________
adverb: sharply | adjective: ___________
adverb: gradually | adjective: ___________
adverb: slightly | adjective: ___________
adverb: slowly | adjective: ___________
adverb: steadily | adjective: ___________
adverb: wildly | adjective: ___________
 ANSWERS
Adverbs to adjectives
To make adjective/noun collocations from verb/adverb collocations, we need to know the
adjective forms of adverbs.
For each adverb, write the adjective form.

adverb: significantly | adjective: significant

adverb: dramatically | adjective: dramatic
adverb: steeply | adjective: steep
adverb: sharply | adjective: sharp
adverb: gradually | adjective: gradual
adverb: slightly | adjective: slight
adverb: slowly | adjective: slow
adverb: steadily | adjective: steady
adverb: wildly | adjective: wild
 EXERCISE
Categorise the adverbs by selecting the word that fits the description. For example, 'steeply' is a 'large and fast
change'.

1. A large and fast change

gradually, steeply, slowly, rapidly, sharply, steadily, wildly, significantly, steadily, dramatically, suddenly

2. A small or slow change

slowly, steadily, sharply, slightly, gradually, wildly

3. Constant change by a similar amount

steadily, rapidly, wildly

4. Large and unpredictable change

rapidly, wildly, gradually
 ANSWERS
Categorise the adverbs by selecting the word that fits the description. For example, 'steeply' is a 'large and fast
change'.

1. A large OR fast change

gradually, steeply, slowly, rapidly, sharply, steadily, wildly, significantly, steadily, dramatically, suddenly

2. A small OR slow change

slowly, steadily, sharply, slightly, gradually, wildly

3. Constant change by a similar amount

steadily, rapidly, wildly

4. Large and unpredictable change

rapidly, wildly, gradually
 EXERCISE
In exercise 2 we used some interesting verbs and verb phrases. Match the definitions to the
verbs and verb phrases.

Drag the meanings next to the words

hit a low (of) plummeted reached a peak of rocketed

1. _____________ means to increase very fast. (past tense verb)

2. _____________ means to decrease very fast. (past tense verb)
3. _____________ is related to the highest number that was achieved. (past tense verb phrase)
4. _____________ is related to the lowest number that was achieved. (past and present tense
verb phrase)
 ANSWERS
In exercise 2 we used some interesting verbs and verb phrases. Match the
definitions to the verbs and verb phrases.

Drag the meanings next to the words

1. rocketed means to increase very fast. (past tense verb)

2. plummeted means to decrease very fast. (past tense verb)
3. reached a peak is related to the highest number that was achieved. (past tense
verb phrase)
4. hit a low (of) is related to the lowest number that was achieved. (past and
present tense verb phrase)
 Exercise
Graph A

Match the graphs Graph B

Graph C
Graph D

1. Sales rose steeply through the first half of the year while
expenses gradually declined. From the mid-point in the
year both remained fairly steady despite some slight fluctuations.

2. Sales increased dramatically over the first two months of the

year before they stabilized and then dropped gradually towards
the end of the year. On the other hand, there was a steady
fall in expenses over the year.

3. The general pattern for sales was a steady fall with minor
fluctuations. Unfortunately, expenses rose sharply to May
before levelling off and remaining steady until the end of the year.

4. After a period of wild fluctuations, sales levelled off

and then steadily rose in the last quarter. Expenses, on the
other hand, started low and remained relatively steady
throughout.
Match the graphs
Graph E
Graph F
Graph G
Graph H

1. Sales were steady in the first two months of the year. Then they
plummeted but quickly recovered and ended the year at the same level
they began. Expenses were high throughout but gradually fell over the
second half of the year.

2. At the beginning of the year sales remained relatively stable before

rocketing up in May. Sales reached a peak in September and then
reduced slowly for the remainder of the period. It is interesting to note
that expenses started at half the rate of sales and didnt change a great
deal throughout the whole period.

3. After a slow start to the year, sales improved dramatically. However,

towards the end of the year, the trend for sales was downward.
Expenses started the year at double the level of sales but fell,
significantly before levelling out.

4. Both sales and expenses fluctuated in the first half of the year. From
June onwards sales increased slowly while there was a gradual
decrease in expenses.
EXERCISE
dramatic moderately steady significant gradually

At the start, sales of video games stood at around $20 million. After
that, they decreased (1) ________ over the following three years to
the lowest point of just over $10 million. However, there was then a
(2)________ increase to a high of exactly $80 million in 2004, after
which the figure experienced a (3) ________ drop to slightly under
$40 million by 2005. After a three-year period of small fluctuations,
sales continued to fall (4)________ to around $30 million in 2009. The
end of this period saw a (5) ________ climb, with the sales of video
games finishing at around $55 million.

* sales (n) the number of items sold

ANSWERS
dramatic moderately steady significant gradually

At the start, sales of video games stood at around $20 million. After
that, they decreased ____gradually____ over the following three
years to the lowest point of just over $10 million. However, there was
then a ____dramatic____ increase to a high of exactly $80 million in
2004, after which the figure experienced a ____significant____ drop
to slightly under $40 million by 2005. After a three-year period of small
fluctuations, sales continued to fall ____moderately____ to around
$30 million in 2009. The end of this period saw a ____steady____
climb, with the sales of video games finishing at around $55 million.

* sales (n) doanh số bán hàng