DESCRIBING GRAPHS AND CHARTS

The function of a line graph is to describe a TREND pictorially. You

therefore should try and describe the trend in it. If there are many
lines in the graph(s), then just generally describe the trend. If there
is only one or two, then use more detail. So, describe the movement
of the line(s) of the graph giving numerical detail at the important
points of the line.
To describe the movement, there is some language which will
always be useful. Below is a list of language you can use. Check with
your dictionary words that you don't understand and practice using
the words/phrases so you use them in the right way. As you will see,
there are a number of words which are similar in meaning. This
means that you will be able to use a variety of vocabulary which
gives a good impression to the examiner who will read and mark
your writing. The words below are particularly useful for line graphs
but they can also be used where appropriate to describe the other
types of graph.

Expressing the Movement of a Line

VERBS

NOUNS

Rise (to)
Increase (to)
Go up to
Grow (to)
Climb (to)
Boom
Peak (at)

a rise
an increase

Fall (to)
Decline (to)
Decrease (to)
Dip (to)
Drop (to)
Go down (to)
Reduce (to)

a
a
a
a
a

Level out
No change

a leveling out
no change

growth
a climb
a boom
(reach) a peak
(at)
fall (of)
decline (of)
decrease (of)
dip (of)
drop (of)

a reduction (of)
A slump

Remain stable
(at)
Remain steady
(at)
Stay (at)
Stay constant
(at)
Maintain the
same level
ADJECTIVES

ADVERBS

Dramatic
Sharp
Huge
Enormous
Steep
Substantial
Considerable
Significant
Marked
Moderate
Slight
Small
Minimal

dramatically
sharply
hugely
enormously
steeply
substantially
considerably
significantly
markedly
moderately
slightly
minimally

Describing the Speed of a Change

Adjectives

Adverbs

Rapid
Quick
Swift
Sudden
Steady
Gradual
Slow

rapidly
quickly
swiftly
suddenly
steadily
gradually
slowly

Source: http://www.ieltshelpnow.com/academic_writing_test_1.html

QUESTION S
1. What is the line graph about?
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2. What is the busiest time of day at the store?
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3. At what time does business start to slow down?
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4. How many people are in the store when it opens?
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5. About how many people are in the store at 2:30 pm?
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6. What was the greatest number of people in the store?
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7. What was the least number of people in the store?
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DESCRIBE THE MOVEMENT OF THE LINE IN THE GRAPH USING THE

LANGUAGE ABOVE
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Write seven questions about the graph

1.____________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________________________
DESCRIBE THE MOVEMENT OF THE LINE IN THE GRAPH USING THE
LANGUAGE ABOVE

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
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Source: http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/graphs/line.html