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A. Introduction: (2 sentences) describe the purpose of the report and say what overall trends you see

Sentences 1: Use one of the following four prompts to help you write the first sentence

Form of the graphic

information

Verb + NP

The line/bar graph

The pie chartThe table

shows/ illustrates/ describes

gives/ provides/ reveals/ presentscompares/ summarizes

information

about, data about,differences

between,

similarities,

trends in, resultsof, numbers,

percentages of,

figures ...

what, who, when,

where

Replace words in the general statement with synonyms or paraphrases where you can: e.g. sales/ purchases ofdifferent cars, sales/ purchases of private vehicles, the number of various types of cars sold/purchased, the

number of various types of cars sold/purchased, car sales/purchases

e.g. The graph illustrates the trends in purchases of private vehicles

Sentences 2: Describe the general trends: Generally/ Overall/ It is clear that/ From the graph it is

clearly seen that/ As can be shown by the graph . is/was upwards/downwards/flat or (sales)rose/fell/remained flat/fluctuated

Or describe the relationship between the two graphs or introduce the number of information groups

Use the appropriate verb tense:- simple present for the introduction

- simple past for data in the past

- simple future for data in the future or:It is predicted that/ it is estimated that/ it is projected that/ it isanticipated that willnumbers are forecast/ estimated / projected/ anticipated/ predicted/ expected to + infinitive

e.g. The bar chart below shows the results of a survey conducted by a personnel department at a major company. The

survey was carried out on two groups of workers: those aged from 18-30 and those aged 45-60, and showsfactors

affecting their work performance.

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The bar chart indicates a survey on two different age groups on thefactors contributing to maketheir environment

pleasant for working. These factors are divided into external and internal factors. The internal factors are team spirit,

competent boss, respect from colleagues and job satisfaction. The external factors are chance for personal development,

job security, promotional prospects and money.

e.g. The line graph below shows the number of annual visits to Australia by overseas residents

The given line graph illustrates information on the number of overseas visitors traveling to Australia in millions ofpeople. Overall, one notable trend seems to be that Australia has steadily become more popular as a destination

spot.

B. Body: describe the most important trends, while all information is summarized to avoid unnecessarydetails

1. Divide the information into broad/general groups/ categories or trends (topic sentence): notice howmany distinctive features diagram has and divide information into paragraphs, one paragraph for one

feature= one group.

namely, in terms of, as regards/with regard to/regarding/ in the case of/ as for/ turning to.Where . is concerned, it

When it comes to , it

2. Describe the main or most striking/significant/noticeable/outstanding/remarkable feature/

characteristics/ differences/trends/changes.

You need to write about all the periods of time and all the subjects of graph (years: 1992, 1994, men andwomen). The secret here is to select what is important, organize it, compare and contrast.

3. It is important to always back up key information with supporting evidence in the form of data/statistics/examples.

Between 1990 and 2000, there was a significant increase in the number of internet users in Australia, from 2 to3 million a rise of 50%.

Supporting evidence

statement significant increase in the number of internet users

supporting data between 1990 and 2000; from 2 to 3 million

understanding a rise of 50%.

Describing trends: use a variety of structures, vocabulary, and participle clauses ( fell before rising,

fell after rising, followed by)

Subject Adjective Noun Period of time

There was a slight

slowsteady

gradual

increase

riseclimb

decrease

in the number of car thefts

from 2002 till 2007between 2002 and 2007

from 1920 onwards

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significant

considerable

dramaticsharp

noticeable

marked

decline

fall

dropgrowth

since 2004

in 2006

over the month/ week /decade/year

doubling

tripling + in + NPleveling off

Subject Verb Adverb Period of time

The figure

The number of

Car thefts

increased (by/ to)

rose

climbeddecreased

declined

fell

droppedimproved

recovered

went downwent up

grew

plummeted= plunged= fall quickly

fluctuated (wildly)= to be erratic=

experience fluctuations

slightly

slowly

steadilygradually

significantly

considerably

dramaticallysharply

noticeably

twofold

threefold

fourfold

from 2002 till 2007

between 2002 and 2007

since 2004in 2006

over the

month/week/decade/year

doubled

trebledlevelled of

remained the same at= remained constant at= stay at= remained stable at= hover around

reached a peak/plateau at= peaked at= hit a peak= come top= maintain its leadreached a bottom

Describing the Speed of a Change

Adjectives Adverbs

Rapid rapidly

Quick quicklySwift swiftly

Sudden suddenly

Steady steadily

Gradual gradually

Slow slowly

Pie charts: account for, represent, make up

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Comparing data: it is essential to compare and contrast data in the graph by using some of thefollowing:

- Equality/comparative/superlative: (not/twice) asas, (slightly/significantly)more/less than, the (mos- Rather than

- As against/as opposed to/ compared with/ in comparison with

- In (sharp) contrast to/ Increased by 155, to 155, fourfold

To quote from the results of the survey, you can use:

- percent quoted/cited/mentioned/considered as important - was quoted/cited/mentioned/considered as the most/least important factor by

- came top/bottom/second/next, followed closely by at and , respectively.

Contrasting data:

While The number of European migrants tripled, while that of people from Asiancountries remained steady

Whereas During the next decade, immigration from Europe rose rapidly from20000 to 50000, whereas the number of Asian migrants did not change

Although Although the percentage of unemployed males is not that high, the female

rate is well over 15%However, on the other hand The percentage of unemployed males is not that high. However, the

female rate is well over 15%

In contrast/ conversely/despite

this

Immigration from Asian countries rose steadily from approximately 5000

to 50000. In contrast, there was only a slight increase in Europeanmigration. Despite this, the number of Europeans was greater than that of

migrants from Asian countries.

c.Conclusion: sum up the global trends shown on the figure (no personal appearance)

Connecting sentences:

A. for movements in the same direction, use then, and, then continued its upward/downward trendmore

Disconnected sentences:

After that it rose gradually to 5000 by 1952. And then it went up to 15000 by 1954.

Connected sentences:

After that it rose gradually to 5000 by 1952, then more steeply to 15000 by 1954.After that it rose gradually to 5000 by 1952 then continued its upward trend more steeply to 15000 by 1954.

B. for contrasting movements, use but

Disconnected sentences:

It rose to 35000 by 1960. after that it fell to 12000 by 1962.

Connected sentences:It rose to 35000 by 1960 but later fell to 12000 by 1962.

C. use connectives with NP: which was followed by, which led to, which preceded

Disconnected sentences:

There was a fall to 60000 by 1968. then an increase to 80000 by 1980.

Connected sentences:

There was a fall to 60000 by 1968 which was followed by an increase to 80000 by 1980.which led to an increase to 80000 by 1980.

which preceded an increase to 80000 by 1980

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PROCESS

HOW TO START:

The diagram/picture/chart shows/illustrate/describe/depicts the process of/ how, procedure of

HOW TO DESCRIBE A PROCESS:

Describe every stage of the process one by one, connect the stages by using linking words.

VOCABULARY: Useful connecting words you can use are:

- Adverbs: first/firstly/first of all/ to begin with, secondly, thirdly, then, next, after that, following that,

following on from this, subsequently, subsequent to that, at the same time, finally.- Prepositions: at the beginning of , at the end of

- Conjunctions to make complex sentences:

When/once/as soon as/ immediatelyBefore/ after + clause/gerund

Where/ from where/ after which

The first/next/final step/phase/ stage is/ involves After this step

Once this step is completedFollowing this,

TENSE AND VOICE:- use the present simple to describe the processes

- use the passive voice if the process is describing something being made, e.g. the book is printed and

then collated, after which it is bound.- Use the active voice when you describe something which is happening (natural process), e.g. the

moisture evaporates and condenses on the

CONCLUSION: the cycle then repeats itself/ is then repeated.

MAP

VOCABULARY:

In the centre of/ next to/ adjacent to

Built/erected/replaced/constructed

Situated/locatedChanged into/added/gave way to/ became/ made way for/ converted

Saw/ witnessed considerable changes/developments

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Graph52:

51:

50:

43:

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Useful

expressions of time:

(in) the period from to/ (in) the period between and/ in the first/last three months of the year/ over the period to/ over the next years/ decades/ quarter of a century etc./ over a ten year period/ throughout the 19th century/

from that time on/ after that/ in the 1980s

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