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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Bar graphs

bar graphs

Writing task one: bar graphs

You will be given one or more bar graphs. Your task is to describe the information given in the graph by writing a 150 word report. You are not asked to give your opinion. You should spend around 20 minutes on the task.
What is being tested is your ability to:

• objectively describe some graphic information
• compare and contrast
• report on an impersonal topic without the use of opinion
• use the language of graph description

Guidelines for a good answer
________________________________________
Does the report have a suitable structure?
• Does it have an introduction, body and conclusion?
• Does it include connective words to make the writing cohesive within sentences and paragraphs?
Does the report use suitable grammar and vocabulary?
• Does it include a variety of sentence structures?
• Does it include a range of appropriate vocabulary?
Does the report meet the requirements of the task?
• Does it meet the word limit requirements?
• Does it describe the whole graph adequately?
• Does it focus on the important trends presented in the graphic information?

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IELTS Sample Answer # Graph wheat exports

The graph below shows the wheat exports in three countries during the year 1985-1990 in millions of tonnes.

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

wheat exports in 1985-1990

wheat exports in 1985-1990

Sample Answer

The graph shows the variation in the amount of wheat exported in three countries over a period of five years i.e. 1985-1990.

Initially, in the year 1985, there wasn’t a major difference in the exports among the three countries, with Australia having 15 million tonnes wheat exported, while Canada and European Community exported approximately 18 and 20 million tonnes respectively.

For the next four years i.e 1986 to 1989, Canada experienced its highest wheat export in the year 1988 at 25 million tonnes and lowest peak of overseas sales when it dropped down to 15 million tonnes in 1989. During this period, Australia witnessed a gradual decrease from 15 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes. However, in contrast, European Community after hitting its lowest point in 1986 saw an increase in the amount of wheat brought to Europe in 1987 which remained constant until 1988.

Finally, in the year 1990, Canada and European Community exported 12 million tonnes of grain marking a gradual increase in their wheat trade. On the other hand, figures remained constant for Australia.

Overall, Australia observed a decline in its wheat export while the European Community witnessed an opposite trend. In contrast, there were major fluctuations in the wheat export in Canada.

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Solving The Graph

The graph below shows the amount of fast food consumed by Australian teenagers in between 1975 and 2000.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

ielts-task-1-fast-food

How to do it?
Divide what all you have to write in four paragraphs.

INTRODUCTION
This is the simplest thing to do while writing the paragraph because it already has been provided to you in the question. The first line of the question is itself the introduction. Now while writing it don’t just copy whatever is written. Make sure you paraphrase it. That is make changes to it, use synonyms of the words already used.
BODY 1 and BODY 2
The two paragraphs that contain body must explain the graph. Make comparisons where necessary, but don’t just try to copy down the entire graph. You do need to cover the entire graph, but only the important points. Remember you need to write 150 words, at maximum 170, not more than that.
CONCLUSION
This paragraph should bring out the two extremes of the entire graph. May be something was used or done more and the other thing very less, something that is the gist of the entire graph.

Graphs are really easy, once you understand what the graph is all about. Make sure you understand the graph correctly before you start writing the answer.

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