describing graphs

Describing graphs

flow chart

bar chart

pie chart

Basic chart types

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line graph

table

Basic chart types

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Describing line graphs

It goes downAnother way of saying that something goes in a downward direction is using the words decline, decrease, or drop. So, how can we describe the general trend of this graph? We could say: • The graph shows a decline in the number of grammar books sold. But this information is a little incomplete. We need to add the time period. What is the starting point? 2008 What is the end point? 2016 So, we can say: • The graph shows a decline in the number of books sold between 2008 and 2016. • The graph shows a decline in the number of grammar books sold over an eight-year period.

1. What is the general trend you can see in the graph ?

Describing line graphs

With our description we don’t know so we need to add additional information. Look at these two words to describe the trend: Considerable and Considerably Where does each word go? • The number of books sold has dropped considerably. The word considerably is placed at the end after the verb. Why? To describe a verb, or how something happens, we use an adverb. The word order is normally verb + adverb. • The graph shows a considerable drop in the number of books sold. To give more information we added considerable before drop. Why? Considerable is an adjective. Adjectives describe things and they go BEFORE a noun. The word order is Adjective + Noun.

2. How much of a drop was it? Was it by a large amount or a small amount?

Describing line graphs

3. Wordorder :*verb + adverb *adjective + noun

• soar (soar = to increase rapidly above the normal level) (=monter en flèche) • plummet Plummet and plunge both mean to suddenly decrease in a very rapid and almost straight down way.(=chuter, s’effondrer) Some common adverbs include: • Slightly, slowly … this mean it happens at a small rate or amount. • Then we have steadily (=régulièrement), gradually, and moderately which mean that the change is at more than a small amount though not a large amount. • When the change is by a large amount, we can use considerably, significantly, and substantially. • When the change is by a VERY large amount, we can use rapidly =sharply =quickly , steeply (=fortement, abruptement) or dramatically (=de façon spectaculaire)

Describing line graphs

4. Vocabulary (1)

• A dip (=une baisse , une diminution momentanée) is a momentary drop in the level of something before it returns to its normal level. The verb is to dip… we double the final P in the past tense. • A fluctuation (this is an irregular rising and falling in number or amount; it is like a variation, something that is NOT stable) The verb is…. to fluctuate. For example: Prices fluctuated over that time period. • We also have a peak (which is the highest point). Peak is a noun. To use it with a verb we say: reach a peak which means it goes up to arrive at its highest point. The opposite of peak is the lowest point or lowest amount. We can use two verbs with this: FALL to its lowest point or HIT its lowest point. Notice how we need the preposition TO after FALL but we don’t use TO after the verb HIT. • a plateau … is when the trend goes up … and then remains level or stable for an amount of time. The verb to use with plateau is REACH a plateau

Describing line graphs

4. Vocabulary (2)

Describing line graphs

5. Use of prepositions