Graph Analysis
Basic Format: Introduction + Basic/ Genertal Trends + Details Description + Conclusion
Use correct synonyms in your writing.
Use a range of vocabulary.
Do not repeat words and phrases from the exam questoin unless there is no alternative.
Use less common vocabulary.
Do not use the same word more than once/twice.
Use precise and accurate words in a sentence.
Vocabulary for the
Introduction Part:
Presentation
Starting
Type
diagram / table /
figure /
illustration /
graph / chart / flow
chart / picture/
The given / the presentation/ pie
supplied / the chart / bar graph/
presented / the line graph / table
shown / the data/ data /
provided information /
pictorial/ process
diagram/ map/ pie
chart and table/ ba
graph and pie cha
...
Example :
1. The provided diagram shows data on employment categories in energy producing sectors in Europe
starting from 1925 and till 1985.
Vocabulary for the General trends Part:
In general, In common, As is presented, Generally speaking, As is observed, As a general trend, As can be
seen, Generally speaking, Overall.
Example:
1. In general the employment opportunity has increased till 1970 and has dropped down afterward.
2. As is observed, the figures for imprisonment in the five mentioned countries show no overall pattern
of increase or decrease rather shows the considerable fluctuation from country to country.
3. Generally speaking, USA had far more standard life than all the other 4 mentioned countries.
4. As can be seen, the highest number of passengers used the London Underground station at 8:00 in
the morning and at 6:00 in the evening.
5. Generally speaking, more men were engaged in managerial positions in 1987 than that of women in
New York.
Vocabulary to show the changes:
Trends Verb form Noun Form
rise / increase / go up / uplift / a rise / an increase / an
Increase
rocket(ed) / climb / upsurge / soar. upward trend / a growth
a fall / a decrease / a
fall / decrease / decline / reduction / a downward
Decrease
plummet / plunge / drop / reduce trends /a downward
tendency / a decline/ a drop
unchanged / level out / remain
constant / remain steady / plateau / a steadiness/ a plateau / a
Steadiness
remain the same / remain stable / stability/ a static
remain static
an upward trend / an upward
Gradual Increase
tendency / a ceiling trend
a downward trend / a
Gradual decrease downward tendency / a
descending trend
Examples:
1. The overall sale of the company has increased by 20% at the end of the year.
2. The expenditure of the office remained constant for the last 6 months but the profit rose by almost
25%.
3. There was a 15% drop in the student enrollment of the University.
Tips: Use 'improve' /'an improvement' to describe a situation like economic condition or employment
status. To denote numbers use other verbs/nouns like increase.
Vocabulary to represent changes in graphs:
Type of
Adverb form Adjective form
Change
dramatically / rapidly / dramatic / rapid / sharp /
Rapid change sharply / quickly / quick / hurried / speedy /
hurriedly / speedily / swiftly swift
Moderate moderately / gradually / moderate / gradual /
change progressively / sequentially progressive / sequential
slightly / slowly / mildly /
Slight change slight / slow / mild / tedious
tediously
Example:
1. The economic inflation of the country increased sharply by 20% in 2008.
2. There was a sharp drop in the industrial production in the year 2009.
3. The demand for new houses dramatically increased in 2002.
Vocabulary to represent frequent changes in graphs:
Type of Change Verb form Noun form
waves / fluctuations /
Rapid ups and wave / fluctuate / oscillate /
oscillations / vacillations /
downs vacillate / palpitate
palpitations
Example:
1. The price of the raw materials fluctuated for the first three months.
2. The graph shows the oscillations of the price of fuel from 1998 to 2002.
3. The passenger number in this station oscillates throughout the day but early morning and evening are
the two busiest time.
The chart below gives information about science qualifications held by people in two countries.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model answer
The bar chart illustrates the percentage of people who hold a science qualification in Singapore and
Malaysia. A prominent feature is that a significantly low percentage of people hold science qualifications,
that is Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in science from university level studies in both countries. Less than
5% of people hold a qualification in science at Master’s degree level in both Singapore and Malaysia.
There is a significant difference in the percentage of people holding science qualifications at Bachelor level
between the two countries; while this number is 20% in Singapore, in Malaysia it is a mere 10%. The
percentage of people with school leaving exams in science is slightly higher in Malaysia than in Singapore.
35% of people in Malaysia have a science qualification at this level, whereas the number in Singapore is 5%
lower. Finally, more than half the people in both countries hold no science qualification at all.
(152 words)
Another Model Answer
The bar chart indicates a survey on two different age groups on the factors contributing to make their
environment pleasant for working.
These factors are divided in to internal and external factors. The internal factors are the team spirit,
competent boss, respect from colleagues and job satisfaction. The external factors are chance for personal
development, job security, promotional prospects and money.
On the internal factors above 50 % in both age groups agreed that team spirit, competent boss and job
satisfaction are essential to make their environment pleasant. Whereas on the external factors, there are
contrasting results. On the chance of personal development and promotional aspects, 80% to 90% of the
younger groups were in favor while only less than 50% of the older group thought so. A similar pattern is
also noted on job security. With regards to money, 69% to 70% on both age groups said it is essential.
In conclusion, the internal factors have similar responses from the two age groups while they had dissimilar
responses on the external factors.
