How Should You Build Your Report? For single graphs/charts: 1. Introduction: 1 paragraph (1-2 sentences), introduce the topic, paraphrase the prompt (do not copy it), give a brief overview and present a trend 2. Two main body paragraphs: organize and group the information, summarize it and analyse it by contrasting and comparing where necessary (depending on the prompt), select what is important, do not present all the information given For double graphs/charts: 1. Introduction: Write two sentences: introduce each chart separately (in one sentence) and present a trend. 2. Two main body paragraphs: 1. show main points for each chart, compare the charts 2. compare the information from both charts NOTE: Do not write a conclusion. This task does not require you to present any personal opinions or write anything beyond the information provided. How to write a good INTRODUCTION? Always paraphrase the prompt by: - using derivatives of a word e.g. contribute (v.) – contribution (n.) - converting active sentences into passive once and vice versa e.g. Children used the books more eagerly when they were illustrated. The books were used more eagerly when they were illustrated. - using synonyms and antonyms e.g. The graph provides information on the number of cars bought… The chart shows data on the figure of cars purchased… - making changes, e.g.: - graph = line/bar graph - chart = line/bar chart - diagram = figure - shows = illustrates etc. - proportion = percentage - information = data (requires a plural verb) - the number of = the figure of - people in the USA = Americans - from 1999 to 2009 = between 1999 and 2009 - from 1999 to 2009 = over a period of 10 years - how to produce = the process of producing - in three countries = in the UK, France and Spain (i.e. name the countries) Prepare For This Task (about 2-3 minutes) - Study the question carefully. Make sure you understand instructions correctly. - Think about the outline. Make note of some pertinent points. - Note the times given for correct use of tenses. - Make sure your ideas are arranged logically with appropriate connectors. - Do not neglect to proofread your report. It will help you identify grammatical errors and correct them before the examiner reads it. Useful Vocabulary For Task 1 - For general statements/introduction: - According to the…, - As shown in the…, - As can be seen from the…, - We can see from the…, - It is manifested from the…, - It is visible from the…, - It can be learnt from…, - It is clear/apparent from…, - The …shows/indicates/illustrates/reveals/represents/depicts… - As the … shows, - As is illustrated by the… - For time frames - from… to… - between… and… - for (one month etc.) - for a period of (how many years) - over the (next month etc.) - over the (25-year period etc.) - during the (10-year period etc.) - throughout the period - in (1999 etc.) - in (the next two decades etc.) - before/after - around/about - (in) the period from… to… - from that time on - after that - then - in the 1980s - in years to come - in the winter months - in the first quarter of the year (3 months) - in the second half of the year - For quantity - the amount of (with uncountable nouns ) - figure (n.) - the total quantity = the total amount - the whole of the (with uncountable nouns) - the majority (with singular or plural verbs) - the maximum = the largest - quantity (with countable nouns) - the number of (with plural nouns) - the total - the total number - all of the - the whole amount - the full amount - the greatest amount - the greatest number - the minimum - percent (used with a number) - percentage (not used with a number but with adjectives) - the proportion of (with plural nouns) - For age groups : - age group/profile/bracket/range/cohort - People aged… - …-… year-olds - Verbs related to measurement: - be - constitute - equal •include - stand at •make up - comprise - account for - record - become - consist of •amount to - represent - reach - Useful mathematical expressions - half (n.) - halve (v.) (divided by two) - double (n./v.) (times two) - triple (n.) - treble (v.) (times three) - quadruple (v.) (times four) - threefold (adj.) (three times as much) - quarter (n./v.) (times four) •multiply (v.) - divide (v.) - average (adj./v./n.) - total (adj./v.) - partial (adj.) (not complete) - equal (adj./n) - fraction (n.) - one-third - one-fifth - two-thirds - two-fifths TREND (a general direction in which something is developing or changing) - tendency - current - variability - direction - orientation Grammar for describing trends: - Use Simple Past if the data represents actions from the past - Use Simple Present (for graphs, charts and tables) if the task represents changes or actions which happen regularly - Use Passive Voice for processes and cycles - Use Present Perfect for the trend that begins in the past and continues till now - Use Future Simple to report the value a trend will reach in the future years Phrases for future predictions: POSITION (a place where something is located) HOW THINGS CHANGE (v. + adv.) Big/fast change - dramatically - sharply (fast) - significantly - highly - severely - considerably - extremely - excessively - widely - drastically - substantially - hugely - enormously - tremendously - remarkably - rapidly (fast) - quickly (fast) - swiftly (fast) - steeply (fast) - crucially - strikingly - notably - briskly (fast) - exponentially (a high degree of change) Medium change - carefully - noticeably - markedly - moderately - to a certain extent - vaguely Small/slow change - slightly - minimally - gradually (slow) - slowly (slow) - at a slow pace - steadily - bit by bit - little by little - slowly but surely - marginally Unexpected change - suddenly - unexpectedly - abruptly NO CHANGE or SMALL CHANGE NO CHANGE (v.) - To remain at + number - To remain constant/steady/static/stable - To stay flat - To stay/remain unchanged at + number - To become flat - To flatten out - To plateau - To bottom out - To be stable - To keep at - To shift A CHANGE (n.) - a minor/slight change - a modification - an alteration - an adjustment TO COMPARE (two tables/graphs/bar charts/pie charts/maps/diagrams): - The greatest difference occurred + when/where? - In contrast to B, A is (larger/smaller etc.) by + number. - In comparison with B, A is…. - A is just/approximately under/over + how many times larger/smaller than B. - A is under/over twice/three times as large/great/high as B. - A is considerably higher/greater than B. - A is almost/roughly as large/high as B. TO FLUCTUATE (v.) - To fluctuate around + number/time - To remain between A and B - To vary - To be unstable - To alter - To swing - To oscillate - To rise and fall - To undulate A FLUCTUATION (n.) - a minor/slight fluctuation - a variation - a shift - an alternation - a swing - an oscillation - an unsteadiness - a rise and fall - an undulation TO INCREASE (VERB) : - to rise by/to - to go up by/to - to build up - to expand - to climb by/to - to rocket to/by (big) - to take off (big) - to reach a new high at - to reach a peak at - to escalate - to grow to/by - to soar (big) - to shoot up (big) - to boom - to double - to triple - to surge - to intensify - to mount up - to multiply - to inflate - to magnify - to amplify - to elevate - to skyrocket (big) AN INCREASE (NOUN): - a tightening up of - a rise of - a growth of - a progress in - a climb - an expansion of - a doubling in + N. (two) - a trebling in + N. (three) - a boom - a surge - an escalation - a multiplication - an inflation - a magnification - an amplification - an extension - an elevation - an increment - an upsurge TO DECREASE (VERB): - to decline to/by - to diminish to/by - to fall to/by - to dip to/by - to drop to/by - to dive to/by (big change) - to plummet to/by (big) - to crash to/by (big) - to reach a new low of - to reach a trough at - to plunge to/by (big) - to slump to/by - to deteriorate - to go down to/by - to lessen - to reduce - to dwindle - to abate - to subside - to ebb - to curtail - to deplete - to minimize A DECREASE (NOUN): - a decline of - a drop of - a slump of - a reduction in - a plunge - a deterioration in - a plummet - a weakening of - a fall of - a relaxation of - a change of - a crash - a downturn - a diminution - a wane - an ebb
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