Information Transfer 1 Introduction to Line graphs

Parts of a line graph

What is the function of a line graph? Line graphs can be used to show how something (1) ___________ over time. They have an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis ((3) __________________). Usually the x-axis has numbers for the (4) ________________ period and the y-axis has numbers for what is being measured. Line graphs can be used when you are plotting peaks (ups) and (5) _______________ (downs). In other words, they can show (6) _______________. Complete the summary by choosing words from this box: vertical trends axes data changes troughs time percentage line columns compare changes years

Answers Line graphs can be used to show how something (1) changes over time. They have an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (3) ( vertical) Usually the x-axis has numbers for the (4) time period and the y- axis has numbers for what is being measured. Line graphs can be used when you are plotting peaks (ups) and (5) troughs (downs). In other words, they can show (6) trends.

Bar graphs are similar to line graphs The line graph and the bar chart below show the same information laid out in a different graphic format.

Examine the axes carefully What does this mean? In 1000’s

What is the function of a bar graph? Bar graphs are similar to (7) _______ graphs in that they have two (8) ____________ and are useful when you want to show how something has changed over the (9) _________ (or days or weeks), especially where there are very big changes. They are also very useful if you want to (10) __________ things by showing their differences or similarities. Complete the summary by choosing words from this box: vertical trends axes data changes troughs time percentage line columns compare changes years

Bar graphs are similar to (7) line graphs in that they have two (8) axes and are useful when you want to show how something has changed over the (9) years (or days or weeks), especially where there are very big changes. They are also very useful if you want to (10) compare things by showing their differences or similarities. (the exercises above are from Action Plan for IELTS) Answers

Trends Trends are changes or movements over time. These changes are normally expressed in numeric items, for example, percentage, weight, or number. There are three basic trends:

3 Basic Trends Rising Falling Staying the same

Trends: Focus on Form DirectionVerbNoun Rose (to) Increased (to) Soared (to) A rise An increase A soar There was an increase in fuel consumption in Fuel consumption increased in 1989

Trends: Focus on Form DirectionVerbsNouns Fell (to) Decreased (to) Dropped (to) Declined (to) A fall (in) A decrease (in) A drop (in) A decline (in) There was a decrease in fuel consumption in Fuel consumption decreased in 2006.

Trends: Focus on Form DirectionVerbNoun Remained stable (at) No change Throughout the 1970s the population of Al Ain remained stable at 300,000. There was no change in population of Al Ain in the 1970s.

More words to describe key features in graphs plateau peak fluctuation

The sale of rice plateaued at Dh 200 a kilo. The sale of rice reached a peak in 2014 when the price stood at Dh 80 a kilo. The production of cars fluctuated between 2007 and 2009 Examples

Most graphs are described in the past tense What is the past tense of the following words? »rise rose »increaseincreased »soarsoared »climbclimbed e.g. Sales increased in the 1990s

What is the past tense of the following words? »decreasedecreased »dropdropped »declinedeclined »fallfell » Sales decreased in the 1990’s Most graphs are described in the past tense

It helps to divide up a graph into sections

What verbs would you use to describe these trends? Write words to describe what trends you see on the graph.

Did you use these words? decreased stayed steady fell increased declined dropped decreased stayed steady fell decreased stayed steady increased fell decreased stayed steady declined increased fell decreased stayed steady dropped declined increased fell decreased stayed steady dropped declined increased fell decreased stayed steady

Describing the degree of change AdjectivesAdverbs sharpsharply slightslightly significantsignificantly There was a sharp increase of sales in the past 5 months. Sales increased sharply in the past 5 months.

What adverbs would you use to describe these increases? VerbPast Tense Adverb rise rapidly dramatically sharply significantly increase climb

What adverbs would you use to describe these increases? VerbPast Tense Adverb rise steadily slightly gradually moderately increase climb

Describing the degree of change decreased stayed steady fell increased significantly declined sharply dropped slightly

Describing the speed of change AdjectivesAdverbs rapidrapidly quickquickly slowslowly There was a rapid increase of sales in the past 5 months. Sales increased rapidly in the past 5 months.

Describing the speed of change (adjective + verb) A quick increase A rapid decline A slow drop

Describing the speed of change ( verb + adverb) increased quickly declined rapidly dropped slowly

In the IELTS exam:

Use a variety of sentence structures Simple past tense: Subject + Verb (in the past) + Object Milk consumption increased in the 1980’s. Milk consumption increased slightly in the 1980’s. A slight increase in milk consumption was found in the 1980’s.

Remember to use a varied vocabulary: Going Up rose increased went up grew Going Down - decreased - fell - dropped - declined

Remember to use: No Change stayed the same remained constant levelled off stabilised Up and Down fluctuated zig-zagged Low Points bottomed out reached a low

Remember to use: Small Changes - Adjectives / Adverbs gently gradually slightly steadily Big Changes - Adverbs / Adjectives suddenly sharply dramatically steeply a lot