Bar charts and line graphs
Describe bar charts and line graphs for Academic Task 1: overview of trends, grouping data, and accurate language of change.
In this lesson you will
- Write a clear overview of main trends
- Use accurate language of change and comparison
- Group and select key data rather than listing everything
Learn
Structure (150+ words, about 20 minutes): 1) paraphrase the chart; 2) overview — two or three main trends or features, no numbers needed; 3–4) two body paragraphs grouping related data with key figures.
Line graphs (change over time): rose/increased/grew, fell/declined/dropped, fluctuated, levelled off, peaked at, reached a low of + adverbs sharply, steadily, slightly, dramatically. Noun forms: a sharp rise in…, a steady decline in…
Bar charts (comparison): X was the highest/lowest, twice as many as, considerably more than, by far the largest, compared with, whereas.
Select and group: don’t describe every bar or point. Group similar lines, highlight the biggest changes, highest/lowest values and exceptions. Never give opinions or reasons not shown in the chart.
| Verb | Noun | Adverb/adjective |
|---|---|---|
| rise / increase / grow | a rise / an increase / growth | sharply / sharp |
| fall / decline / drop | a fall / a decline / a drop | steadily / steady |
| fluctuate | a fluctuation | slightly / slight |
| peak / level off | a peak / a plateau | dramatically / dramatic |
Examples
- Overview: Overall, car use rose steadily, while cycling remained low throughout the period.
- The number of visitors peaked at 2.4 million in 2015 before falling sharply.
- Spending on food was roughly twice as high as spending on transport.
Vocabulary
overview
a summary of the main trends
fluctuate
go up and down
level off
stop rising or falling
peak
reach the highest point
plateau
a period of little change
Practice
What must an overview include?
Writing
The line graph shows the percentage of households in a country with internet access, a smartphone and a landline between 2000 and 2020. (Internet: 20% → 95%; Smartphone: 0% in 2005 → 90%; Landline: 90% → 40%.) Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
- ☐ Paraphrased introduction
- ☐ Clear overview with main trends
- ☐ Grouped body paragraphs
- ☐ Accurate data
- ☐ Varied language of change
- ☐ No opinions or reasons
Lesson quiz
How long should you spend on Task 1?
Review
Key points
- Intro + overview + two grouped body paragraphs.
- Language of change: verbs, nouns, adverbs.
- Comparison language for bar charts.
- Select key data; no opinions.
What you learned
- ✓ I can describe line graphs and bar charts.
- ✓ I write a clear overview.
- ✓ I group data effectively.