Trends are general directions in which something is developing or changing, say for example trends in car sales, monthly expenses, or university enrolment. These trends can be visually presented using a line graph or a bar chart.
LINE GRAPH
Below is an example of a line graph with its different parts.
STEPS in Describing LINE GRAPH
- General statement of what the bar graph is about (title, Y-axis label, x-axis label, legend, and source) – paraphrase whenever possible
- Statement on the overall trend (Do not write any of the figures. However, the year/ date can be mentioned.)
- Go into details ( grouping data into highest to lowest, largest to smallest, most to least, etc.)
- Write a short summary (Do not write any of the figures in the conclusion again. However, the year can be mentioned.)
Exercise 1: Analyze the photos below and describe the trend.
Exercise 2: Analyze the line graph below and decide if the statement is TRUE or FALSE.
- Downloads and physical sales of music gradually fell after 2014.
- There was a dramatic increase in people streaming music after 2013.
- In 2011, the majority of music sales were downloads.
- Physical sales overtook streaming in 2016.
- Streaming grew steadily between 2011 and 2013.
- Downloads reached an all-time low in 2014.
- Physical sales reduced to 25% by 2018.
- Streaming represented just over 40% of sales in 2018.
Exercise 3: Complete the sentences below with the words in the box.
| PEAKED | SHRANK | DOUBLED | DRAMATICALLY | OVERTOOK | SHARP | STEADILY | CONTRAST |
- Sales of PCs ___________ increased from 1984 to 2010. (in a gradual and regular way)
- Smartphone sales ______________PC sales in 2010. (went past)
- There was a ____________ rise in smartphone sales between 2009 and 2015. (sudden and dramatic)
- PC sales _____________ in 2010. (reached their highest point)
- Smartphone sales continued to grow _________ from 2010 to 2013. (suddenly and obviously)
- In ______________, PC sales started a slow decline around the same time. (on the other hand)
- PC sales ____________ as the popularity of the smartphone grew. (got smaller)
- Smartphone sales ____________ in five years, then continued to increase dramatically. (became twice as many)
BAR CHART
STEPS in Describing BAR CHART
- General statement of what the bar graph is about (title, Y-axis label, x-axis label, legend, and source) – paraphrase whenever possible
- Statement on the overall trend (Do not write any of the figures. However, the year/ date can be mentioned.)
- Go into details ( grouping data into highest to lowest, largest to smallest, most to least, etc.)
- Write a short summary (Do not write any of the figures in the conclusion again. However, the year can be mentioned.)
Exercise 1: Label the parts of a bar chart
Exercise 2: Create a bar chart based on the data given, and answer the questions after.
Exercise 3: Analyze the bar chart below and answer the questions after.
- What does the bar chart show? __________________
- How many students participated in the survey? __________________
- Where were the students from? __________________
- Which of the two groups was more positive about language learning? __________________
- Which reason comes top among non-native speakers of English? __________________
- What is the percentage? __________________
- What percentage of native speakers found language learning useful for work? _______________
- What percentage of second language speakers found language acquisition useful for work? _______________
- Which reason comes top among native speakers? __________________
MORE HERE
- Unit 1 How’s your vacation?
- Describing trends: Line Graph and Bar Chart
- Paraphrasing Techniques
- Reading: Facts or Opinions
- Listening: The Farmers’ Market
- Listening: Food Deserts
- English for Life 53-56
- Listening Audio: English for Life Intermediate 40-80
- Listening: United Team of Germany
- Unit 2 Check-in and Check-out
- Writing Building Blocks
- Punctuation Games
- Hotel Vocabulary Online Games
- Writing Practice Games Online: Capitalization
- Writing Skills in English
