Charts
Line Chart (sometimes called a line graph)
Bar Chart
Pie Chart
Proportional Bar Chart
Embedded Files
1) Main Features Identification:
You should choose 2 or 3 significant features and just write about these, including:
High/low values.
Erratic values.
Biggest increase/decrease.
Volatile data.
Unchanging data.
Biggest majority/ minority (pie charts).
Biggest difference/similarities.
Major trends.
Notable exceptions.
2) Structure:
Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
This paragraph should be one sentence long
Demonstrates your ability to paraphrase by using synonyms.
Paragraph 2 (Overview)
An overview is a general statement, highlighting the most important information in the table. It should not include any numbers.
The examiner is testing your ability to identify the most important information (general trends, increase/decreases, differences, comparisons etc...) and then summarise it.
Paragraph 3/4 (Details of significant feature 1/2)
Take the first general statement from paragraph 2 and support it with details from the graph.
The examiner is looking for your ability to choose the correct data and ability to describe data, trends, comparisons etc..
You should not write a conclusion paragraph.
3) Tips:
Read the question twice very carefully.
Look at the data.
What data is represented on the axis?
What groups are represented?
What time periods are shown?
What are units of measurement?
What are the main features?
Can I make any comparisons? Are there any exceptions?
Make a quick plan using the above structure.
Write an introduction by paraphrasing the question.
Write a second paragraph, which is a summary or overview of the main features.
Support the ideas in the second paragraph with more detail in the third and fourth paragraphs.
Make sure I’ve not repeated any words and used a range of vocabulary.
Check for grammar mistakes and ensure I have at least 150 words.
4) Sample Answer:
The diagram shows the levels of charitable donations of people living in Britain, separated by age, between 1990 and 2010.
Overall, there was a general decrease in the percentage of people who donated money over the two time periods. However, the pattern differs between the three age groups before 50 and the two age groups after the age of 50.
The highest decrease was in the 18-25 category, which saw a decrease of 10%, from 17% in 1990 to 7% in 2010. 42% of people in the 36-50 age group gave to charity in 1990, the highest on the chart, and this fell to 35% in 2010. There was also a significant decline in donations among 26-35 year olds, from 31% to 24%.
The exception to this general trend downwards was among the 51-65 year olds and over 65s. In 2010, the 51-65 year olds gave the highest percentage with nearly 40 percent and this rose from 35% in 1990. Finally, those over 65 displayed a slight percentage increase of 3 percent.
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