1. Interpretation of Data

2. Caution Impersonal verb phrases: it appears that, it seems that, it tends to be, it is said that, some writers say that, it has been suggested that, it is now generally recognised that Impersonal verb phrases: it appears that, it seems that, it tends to be, it is said that, some writers say that, it has been suggested that, it is now generally recognised that Useful nouns: assumption, claim, estimate, possibility, presumption, chance, likelihood Useful nouns: assumption, claim, estimate, possibility, presumption, chance, likelihood

3. Interpretation of data Although the information contained in charts and diagrams is normally clear, it usually requires some written comment Although the information contained in charts and diagrams is normally clear, it usually requires some written comment It is usual to introduce the information with a general comment and then describe or comment on the most significant or important information It is usual to introduce the information with a general comment and then describe or comment on the most significant or important information

4. Vocabulary aid As can be seen/according to/as it is shown in/it can be seen from (the chart, diagram, table, graph) As can be seen/according to/as it is shown in/it can be seen from (the chart, diagram, table, graph) From the table/figures/data/results/information it can be concluded/seen/estimated/calculated From the table/figures/data/results/information it can be concluded/seen/estimated/calculated

5. Describing change There was a minimal/slight/small/slow/gradual/steady/ marked/large/dramatic/sharp/rapid/ There was a minimal/slight/small/slow/gradual/steady/ marked/large/dramatic/sharp/rapid/ sudden (rise, fluctuation, decrease, decline, reduction, fall, drop) sudden (rise, fluctuation, decrease, decline, reduction, fall, drop)

6. Exercise Look at the Chart 1 (Distribution of the world’s population by continent) and comment on the percentage of the world’s population living in Europe in 1900 using the information from the chart Look at the Chart 1 (Distribution of the world’s population by continent) and comment on the percentage of the world’s population living in Europe in 1900 using the information from the chart

7. Suggested answer As can be seen from the chart, Europe had the second-largest population in 1900. It accounted for 25% of the world’s population in that year, while Asia accounted for more than 50%. It had a considerably larger population than Africa, Latin America, North America and Oceania. As can be seen from the chart, Europe had the second-largest population in 1900. It accounted for 25% of the world’s population in that year, while Asia accounted for more than 50%. It had a considerably larger population than Africa, Latin America, North America and Oceania.

8. Exercise Comment the information in the graph 1: Population of the UK (p. 71) Comment the information in the graph 1: Population of the UK (p. 71) Estimate the UK population for the year 2021. Base your prediction on the trend shown in the graph Estimate the UK population for the year 2021. Base your prediction on the trend shown in the graph

9. Suggested answer As can be seen from the graph 1, during the period 1811 to 1991 there was a steady increase in the population growth in the UK. At the beginning of the period the population was around 13 million and by the end it had grown to 56 million. The fastest growth was from 1811 to 1911; thereafter, the growth was more gradual. As can be seen from the graph 1, during the period 1811 to 1991 there was a steady increase in the population growth in the UK. At the beginning of the period the population was around 13 million and by the end it had grown to 56 million. The fastest growth was from 1811 to 1911; thereafter, the growth was more gradual.

10. Comparison Compare the population of your country and its trend with that of the UK. Compare the population of your country and its trend with that of the UK.

11. Generalised comments Look at Diagram 2: Average weekly expenditure per family in Britain (1996) and write generalised comments Look at Diagram 2: Average weekly expenditure per family in Britain (1996) and write generalised comments

12. Thank you for your attention!