Understanding Graphs – 1

To explain graph properly, it is very important to understand the different types of graphs that come in IELTS. I know you must have heard of pie chart, line graph, tables, but let us have a look at the graphs from a new perspective.

  1. Static Graphs
  2. Dynamic Graphs

Static Graphs – These are the graphs that show data over a certain period of time.

Dynamic Graphs- These are the graphs that show data over a period of time.

Let us have a look at each type of the graph.

Dynamic Graphs –

The graph below shows the percentage of Ontario adults, exceeding cancer prevention recommendations for alcohol consumption, from 2003 to 2012.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relative.

Write at least 150 words.

Percentage Of Adults

Percentage Of Adults

As you can see, the graph is dynamic because it shows data over a period of time. We should therefore look at the general trend over the time period.

First we need to look at what happened to both the lines from the start to the end. We can see that the green line decreased a bit, while the orange line increased little. Now, let us have a look at both the lines separately. The green line increases till 2005 and then decreases till 2009, finally lowering at 2012.The orange line increases till 2007, decreases till 2009 and then increases till 2012.

These are the most striking or most obvious things we can see when first looking at the graph and these are perfect for our overview.

Let’s put this information into a sentence:

Over the entire period of time, number of males and females, exceeding cancer prevention, showed opposite trends. Females saw a steady increase till 2007 before declining till 2009 and then marking an overall increase. While, percentage of males rocketed, reaching highest point in 2005, before ending up at a decrease in 2012.

When we are looking at dynamic graphs we should be looking out for:

  • What does the data do from the start to the finish?
  • Do they generally go up or down or do they fluctuate?
  • Any significant difference from the general trend?
  • Overall increase/decrease?
  • Peaks/lows?

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How To Write An Overview

Overview is the most important part of the writing task 1 of IELTS. The examiner tends to read the overview of the answer first, before reading your other part of the answer. It is therefore very important for you to answer it properly. You need to write it in a way that the examiner gets a clear view of the main trends of the graph,and the other important information that can be grasped from the graph.

What Are You Expected To Write?

Now, if you want a

Band 5 – Relate details mechanically with no clear overview; there  may be no data to support the description

Band 6- Present the overview with information appropriately selected

Band 7- Present the overview clearly telling the main trends, differences and similarities.

What Is An Overview?

Overview is the paragraph that contains  a short summary of the main features. This is done by picking out the 3-4 most significant trends that you notice and then writing them plainly. You need not to either support or go against it. All you are required to do is tell them plainly in the paragraph.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

This is the sentence you will see after the main question in almost every writing task 1 of the IELTS and this is exactly what you need to do in the overview paragraph.

Let us take an example.

cumulative_emissions of GHG

cumulative_emissions of GHG

Overall there are 10 regions. United States, China, European Union, Russian Federation, Brazil, Indonesia, India, Japan, Canad, Mexico and the rest of the world.Out of these, United States, Japan and European Union and the rest of the world make up the majority, with the rest of the world being the largest. Mexico and Canada  make up a very small proportion.

We can then include these things in an overview paragraph:

The pie chart is comprised of ten regions in total with United States, Japan and European Union contributing maximum to the green house emission. United States has the single biggest share and Mexico, Canada cause the least green house gas emission.

Now, here have I talked about any numbers, who is greater than the other by how much. In this paragraph i.e. the over view paragraph all that I have done is reported what I saw visually and that is exactly what you need to do in the overview paragraph.

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India Turns To Israel # Practice Reading

India turns to Israel for armed drones as Pakistan, China build fleets

India has accelerated(increase in rate, amount, or extent) plans to buy drones(A drone, in a technological context, is an unmanned aircraft) from Israel that can be armed, defence  (the action of defending from or resisting attack) sources said, allowing the military (relating to or characteristic of soldiers or armed forces) to carry out strikes (a refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest, typically in an attempt to gain a concession or concessions from their employer) overseas (in or to a foreign country, especially one across the sea) with less risk to personnel (people employed in an organization or engaged in an organized undertaking such as military service).

The news comes weeks after long-time rival Pakistan first reported using a home-made drone in combat (fighting between armed forces) when it attacked (take aggressive military action against (a place or enemy forces) with weapons or armed force) militants (vigorously active, combative and aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in ‘militant reformers) on its soil, raising (lift or move to a higher position or level) the prospect (the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring) of a new front in the nuclear-armed neighbours’ (a person living next door to or very near to the speaker or person referred to) standoff (a deadlock between two equally matched opponents in a dispute or conflict) over Kashmir that has twice spilled into war.

The plan to acquire (buy or obtain (an asset or object) for oneself) Israeli Herons was first conceived ( to be of the opinion that; think) three years ago, but in January the wrote to the government ( the group of people with the authority to govern a country or state; a particular ministry in office) asking for speedy delivery (the act of transferring to another), the sources said, as Pakistan and China develop their own drone warfare (engagement in or the activities involved in war or conflict) capabilities (the power or ability to do something).

India has already deployed (move (troops) into position for military action) Israeli unmanned (not having or needing a crew or staff) aerial vehicles (UAVs) along the rugged ((of ground or terrain) having a broken, rocky, and uneven surface) mountains of J&K for surveillance (close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.), as well as on the disputed (argue) border with China where the two armies have faced off against each other.

Source- Google News

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Get A 6+ Band

When preparing for IELTS, all of us want at least a band more than 6. But then some get it and some don’t. But then what stops you to get a 6+ band!! Well, there could be many, but let’s talk about the five most common mistakes students make in their writing task that stops them at 5 or a 5.5.

  1. Missing clear overview- The overview is a short paragraph that tells the reader 2 or 3 of the most significant things about the chart, graph, table etc. It should contain no data and instead describe the main features in general terms. Students instead of writing an overview, straight away start writing the answer. If you notice the marking scheme of IELTS clearly, you will find out that to get a band 7 or more, a clear overview is very important.
  2. Mention Everything- In the questions of writing task, you are asked to summarize the information. Most students start writing about every thing that is mentioned in the graph, which lands them no where. This normally leads to a very disorganized essay and often means that you run out of time, or even worse, run over time and fail to complete Task 2. So, prioritize your answer and make sure it is organized.
  3. Complicate The Questions- When answering the question, students think that since it is an IELTS exam, it needs to be tough. However, the IELTS test makers know that you have seen the graph for the first time, and you have only 20 minutes to explain the graph. So, they only expect you to tell clearly about the major trends and answer properly.
  4. Unorganized Ideas – The most logical way to organize a Task 1 essay is:Paragraph 1- IntroductionParagraph 2- Overview of main features

    Paragraph 3- Details of main features 1

    Paragraph 4- Details of main features 2 .Often students, forget this and rather write quite haphazardly. If you write properly and according to a set pattern, you are more likely to get high marks.

  5. Incorrect Data Description – Often while explaining the data, students understand it wrongly. For instance if the prices increased from 12000 to 15000, they have increased by 3000, but students rather, write that the increase was of 5000 or something else. This causes you to lose marks.

So, go on, avoid mistakes and score high.

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