1.

Line graph
1.1. Tips for Line graph

Line graphs always show changes over time. Here's some advice about how to describe them:

 Try to write 4 paragraphs - introduction, summary of main points, 2 detail paragraphs.

 For your summary paragraph, look at the "big picture" - what changes happened to all of the
lines from the beginning to the end of the period shown (i.e. from the first year to the last). Is
there a trend that all of the lines follow (e.g. an overall increase)?

 You don't need to give numbers in your summary paragraph. Numbers are specific details.
Just mention general things like 'overall change', 'highest' and 'lowest', without giving
specific figures.

 Never describe each line separately. The examiner wants to see comparisons.

 If the graph shows years, you won't have time to mention all of them. The key years to
describe are the first year and the last year. You should also mention any 'special' years (e.g.
a peak or a significant rise/fall).

 Start describing details (paragraph 3) with a comparison of the lines for the first year shown
on the graph (e.g. in 1990, the number of...).

 Use the past simple (increased, fell) for past years, and 'will' or 'is expected/predicted to' for
future years.

 Don't use the passive (e.g. the number was increased), continuous (e.g. the number was
increasing), or perfect tenses (e.g. the number has increased).
 PRACTICE
Exercise 1

The line graph illustrates how much food, measured in points, and oil, measured
Introduction
in dollars, cost on average from 2000 to 2011 in the world.

Overall, both food prices and petro costs experienced quite similar fluctuations
during 11 years, which led to a clear correlation at 93,6%. It is also noticeable
Overview
that 3 years from 2007 to 2009 was the most unsteady stage when those two
prices rose and dropped dramatically.

Body 1

2007-2011
Body 2
 The line graph compares the average price of oil with the food price index
Introduction
over a period of 11 years.

It is clear that average global prices of both oil and food rose considerably
Overview between 2000 and 2011. Furthermore, the trends for both commodities
were very similar, and so a strong correlation (93.6%) is suggested.

In the year 2000, the average global oil price was close to $25 per barrel,
and the food price index stood at just under 90 points. Over the following
four years both prices remained relatively stable, before rising steadily
Body 1
between 2004 and 2007. By 2007, the average oil price had more than
doubled, to nearly $60 per barrel, and food prices had risen by around 50
points.

A dramatic increase in both commodity prices was seen from 2007 to

2008, with oil prices reaching a peak of approximately $130 per barrel and
the food price index rising to 220 points. However, by the beginning of
Body 2
2009 the price of oil had dropped by roughly $90, and the food price index
was down by about 80 points. Finally, in 2011, the average oil price rose
once again, to nearly $100 per barrel, while the food price index reached
its peak, at almost 240 points.

Exercise 2
he line graph compares three companies in Biểu đồ đường so sánh ba công ty về lĩnh vực sản
erms of their The between
waste output line graph the
compares
years how lượng
much trash
chấtthat
thải3của
different
họ từcorporations
năm 2000 đếnproduced
2015.
Introduction
during their 15-year manufacture from 2000.
000 and 2015.

is clear that there wereOverall, whilechanges

significant the wasteinamount
Rõ of A and
ràng B những
là có experienced
thayađổi
downward
đáng kểtrend, the
về lượng
Overview opposite was true for corporation C. It is noticeable that company A was the
he amounts of waste produced by all three company chất thải được
generated mostthải ra bởi cả ba công ty được
garbage.
ompanies shown on the graph. While hiển thị trên biểu đồ. Trong khi công ty A và B
ompanies A and B saw waste output fall over thấy sản lượng chất thải giảm trong thời gian 15
Starting at 12 tones, company A outweighed the others until 2012 when being
he 15-year period, the amount
overtakenofby
waste năm, alượng
company C. It showed gradualchất thải then
decline do công ty Cover
reached thải8ra tăng
tonnes
roduced byBodycompany
1 C increased đáng kể.C began at the lowest point of 4 tones but
in 2015. On the other hand, company
onsiderably. went up steadily and held the top spot at approximately 10 tonnes at the end of
the period.

2000, company A produced 12 tonnes of Năm 2000, công ty A thải ra 12 tấn chất thải,
aste, while companies BMeanwhile, corporation B experienced
and C produced trong khi volatility
các côngwithin
ty B và15Cyears from
thải ra 2000 to
khoảng 8 tấn
2015. Its amount of waste began at over 8 tonnes, peaked at 10 tonnes in 2005
Bodyand
round 8 tonnes 2 4 tonnes of waste material và 4 tấn chất thải phế liệu lần lượt. Trong 5 năm
then decreased remarkably to the point of 3 tonnes, the lowest point compared to
espectively. Over the following 5 years, the tiếp theo, sản lượng chất thải của các công ty B
the others.
aste output of companies B and C rose by và C tăng khoảng 2 tấn, nhưng con số cho công
round 2 tonnes, but the figure for company A ty A giảm khoảng 1 tấn.
Exercise 3
ell by approximately 1 tonne.

rom 2005 to 2015, company A cut waste Từ năm 2005 đến năm 2015, công ty A đã cắt
roduction by roughly 3 tonnes, and company B giảm sản lượng chất thải khoảng 3 tấn, và công
 The line graphs show the average monthly Biểu đồ đường thể hiện số tiền trung bình hàng
Those two line graphs provide information about sports practice from 2008 to
amount that parents in Britain spent on their tháng mà cha mẹ ở Anh chi cho các hoạt động
2014 of British children: the first shows how much money they received from
Introduction
children s sporting activities and the number of
their parents for sports per monththểwhile
thao của con cái họ và số lượng trẻ em nước
the other compares how many of them
British children who took part in threeinvolved
different in 3Anh tham giakinds
separated vào ba
ofmôn thể thao khác nhau từ
sports.
sports from 2008 to 2014. năm 2008 đến năm 2014.

Overall,
It is clear that parents all more
spent the factors
moneyincluded
each inRõthose
ràngtwo charts
là cha experienced
mẹ dành nhiều tiềnan upward
hơn mỗi nămtrend.
Overview In theparticipation
year on their children’s second graph, it is noticeable
in sports cho sựthat football
tham gia củaplayers 2 các
trẻ trong times
mônoutweighed
thể thao
over the six-year period. Inother participants
terms of the numberand kept thekhoảng
trong top spot during
thời thatnăm.
gian sáu period
Xéttime.
về số lượng
of children taking part, football was significantly trẻ em tham gia, bóng đá phổ biến hơn nhiều so
more popular than athletics and swimming. với môn thể thao và bơi lội.
It is clear to see that parents in Britain are spending more and more money on
sports for their children.
InBody
2008,1British parents spent an average of
around £20 per month on their children s Năm 2008, cha mẹ Anh đã chi trung bình
sporting activities. Parents spending on khoảng 20 bảng Anh mỗi tháng cho các hoạt
children s sports increased gradually over the động thể thao của con họ. Chi tiêu của phụ huynh
following six years, and by 2014 the average đối với thể thao của trẻ tăng dần trong sáu năm
Body 2 amount had risen to just over £30.
monthly tiếp theo và đến năm 2014, số tiền trung bình
hàng tháng đã tăng lên hơn 30 bảng.
Looking at participation numbers, in 2008
approximately 8 million British children played
football, while only 2 million children were
enrolled in swimming clubs and less than 1 Nhìn vào con số tham gia, trong năm 2008 có
million practised athletics. The figures for khoảng 8 triệu trẻ em Anh chơi bóng đá, trong
Exercise 4

The graph below shows the average number of UK commuters travelling each day by car, bus or
train bet ween 1970 and 2030.

The line graph compares figures for daily travel Biểu đồ đường so sánh số liệu cho việc đi lại hàng
The
by workers in the UKline graph
using different forms
threeillustrates how many UK
ngày củaresidents ở nước
nhân viênused car,Anh
bus sử
or dụng
train ba
to loại
move
Introduction
of transport over afrom 1970
period toyears.
of 60 present and also predictions aboutkhác
hình giao thông future
nhaufigure
trongby the time
khoảng thờiof
gian2030.
năm.

It is clear that the car is by far the most popular Rõ ràng là xe hơi là phương tiện giao thông phổ
Overall, while the number of car drivers and train passengers tends to increase
means of transport for UK commuters biến nhất cho hành khách nước Anh trong suốt
Overview gradually, fewer people take a bus to travel than before. It is also noticeable that
throughout the period shown. Also, while the gian được nêu ra. Ngoài ra, trong khi số
cars are always thethời
most used means of transport.
numbers of people who use the car and train lượng người sử dụng xe hơi và xe lửa tăng dần,
increase gradually, the number of bus users falls số lượng người dùng xe buýt giảm dần.
steadily.
Car - train
Body 1
In 1970, around 5 million UK commuters Vào năm , khoảng 5 triệu nhân viên ở Anh
travelled by car on a daily basis, while the bus đã đi bằng xe hơi hàng ngày, trong khi xe buýt và
and train were used by about 4 million and 2 xe lửa đã được sử dụng bởi khoảng 4 triệu và 2
million people respectively. In the year 2000, the triệu người lần lượt. Trong năm , số lượng
number of those driving to work rose to 7 million người lái xe đến nơi làm việc tăng lên triệu và
Bodythe2number of commuting rail passengers số lượng
and bus hành khách đi lại bằng đường sắt đạt 3
reached 3 million. However, there was a small triệu. Tuy nhiên, có một sự giảm nhẹ khoảng 0,5
drop of approximately 0.5 million in the number triệu trong số lượng người dùng xe buýt.
of bus users.

By 2030, the number of people who commute Đến năm , số lượng người đi làm bằng xe
by car is expected to reach almost 9 million, and hơi dự kiến đạt gần 9 triệu người, và số lượng
the number of train users is also predicted to người dùng xe lửa cũng được dự đoán sẽ tăng
rise, to nearly 5 million. By contrast, buses are lên, lên gần 5 triệu người. Ngược lại, xe buýt
predicted to become a less popular choice, with được dự đoán sẽ trở thành một lựa chọn ít phổ
only 3 million daily users. biến hơn, với chỉ 3 triệu người dùng hàng ngày.
Exercise 5

The graph below shows trends in US meat and poult ry consumption.

The line graph shows changes in the per capita Biểu đồ đường cho thấy những thay đổi trong
consumption ofThe
Introduction
line
beef, graph
pork, compares
broilers the averagetiêu
and turkey amount of bò,
thụ thịt meat and
thịt heo,poultry
gà thịtconsumed by
và gà tây trên
an American from 1955
in the United States between 1955 and 2012.
to now and predictions about future figures
bình quân đầu người tại Hoa Kỳ từ năm
by 2012. đến
năm .
It is noticeable that beef was
Overall, it isbynoticeable
far the mostthat beef is always the most eaten kind of meat and
Overview
popular of the turkey remains
four types of meatthe for the position compared
lowest Điều đángtochútheýthree
là thịtothers. However,
bò là loại phổ biếnwhile
nhất
poultry
majority of the 57-year tends
period. to increase
However, a in consumption, the opposite
trong bốn loại thịt trongisphần
true lớn
for thời
meat.gian 57
considerable rise can be seen in the năm. Tuy nhiên, có một sự gia tăng đáng kể có
consumption of broilers, with figures eventually thể được nhìn thấy trong việc tiêu thụ gà thịt, với
surpassing those for beef. con số cuối cùng vượt qua thịt bò.
Beef and broilers
Body 1
Between 1955 and 1976, US beef consumption Giữa năm và , tiêu thụ thịt bò của Mỹ
rose from around 60 to a peak of 90 pounds per tăng từ khoảng 60 lên mức cao nhất là 90
person per year. During the same period, pounds/ người/ năm. Trong cùng thời gian đó,
consumption of broilers also rose, to nearly 30 tiêu thụ gà thịt cũng tăng lên, gần 30 pounds/
Pork and turkey
Body 2per person, while the figures for pork
pounds người, trong khi con số cho thịt heo dao động từ
fluctuated between 50 and 40 pounds per đến 40 pounds/ người. Gà tây là loại thịt phổ
person. Turkey was by far the least popular biến nhất, với con số dưới 10 pounds bình quân
meat, with figures below 10 pounds per capita đầu người mỗi năm.
each year.

By 2012, the amount of beef consumed by the Đến năm , lượng thịt bò tiêu thụ bởi người
average American had plummeted to around 50 Mỹ trung bình đã giảm xuống còn khoảng 50
pounds, but the consumption of broilers had pounds, nhưng tiêu thụ gà thịt đã tăng gấp đôi
doubled since the 1970s, to approximately 55 kể từ những năm , lên khoảng 55 pounds
pounds per capita. By contrast, there were no bình quân đầu người. Ngược lại, không có thay
significant changes in the trends for pork and đổi đáng kể nào trong xu hư ớng tiêu thụ thịt lợn
Exercise 6

The graph below shows US consumers' average annual expendit ures on cell phone and resident ial
phone services between 2001 and 2010.

The line graph compares average yearly spending Biểu đồ đường so sánh chi tiêu trung bình hàng
by Americans onThe
Introduction
lineand
mobile graph compares
landline phone how much
nămmoney thatMỹ
của người American customers
đối với dịch annually
vụ điện thoại di
spent
services from 2001 to 2010.
on mobile phone and landline phone services from 2001
động và điện thoại cố định từ năm
to 2010.
đến
năm .

Overall, both of them experienced such significant changes. While expenditures

It is clear that spending on landline phones fell Rõ ràng là chi tiêu cho điện thoại cố định giảm
Overview on landline phone services decreased without a pause, the opposite was true for
steadily over the 10-year period, while mobile đều đặn trong khoảng thời gian năm, trong
mobile phones, which made a replacement in consumers' choice by 2006.
phone expenditure rose quickly. The year 2006 khi chi phí cho điện thoại di động tăng nhanh.
marks the point at which expenditure on mobile Năm đánh dấu cột mốc tại đó việc chi tiêu
services overtook that for residential phone cho các dịch vụ di động đã vượt qua dịch vụ
services. điện thoại dân cư.
Body 1
In 2001, US consumers spent an average of nearly Năm , người tiêu dùng Mỹ đã chi trung
$700 on residential phone services, compared to bình gần đô cho các dịch vụ điện thoại dân
only around $200 on cell phone services. Over the cư, so với chỉ khoảng đô cho các dịch vụ
following five years, average yearly spending on điện thoại di động. Trong 5 năm tiếp theo, chi
landlines dropped by nearly $200. By contrast, tiêu trung bình hàng năm cho các đường dây
Body 2
expenditure on mobiles rose by approximately cố định giảm gần đô. Ngược lại, chi tiêu
$300. cho điện thoại di động tăng khoảng 300 đô.

In the year 2006, the average American paid out Trong năm , trung bình người Mỹ chi trả
the same amount of money on both types of một lượng tiền tương tự cho cả hai loại dịch vụ
phone service, spending just over $500 on each. By điện thoại, chi hơn đô la cho mỗi loại. Đến
2010, expenditure on mobile phones had reached năm , chi tiêu cho điện thoại di động đã
around $750, while the figure for spending on đạt khoảng 750 đô, trong khi đó con số chi tiêu
residential services had fallen to just over half this cho các dịch vụ dân cư đã giảm xuống chỉ hơn
amount. một nửa số tiền này.
Exercise 7

The graph below shows the proport ion of the populat ion aged 65 and over between 1940 and 2040 in
three different count ries.

The line graph compares the percentage of Biểu đồ đường so sánh tỷ lệ phần trăm người
The line graph illustrates the actual
people aged 65 or more in three countries over a and forecast
từ 65 tuổi trởratio
lên ở of
bapeople
quốc giaover 65khoảng
trong years old
Introduction
period of 100 years.to the whole population in three different
thời gian nations
năm. from 1940 to 2040.

It is clear that the proportion of elderly people Rõ ràng là tỷ lệ phần trăm người già tăng lên ở
Overall, those three figures have the same upward trend. While the proportion of
increases in each country between 1940 and mỗi quốc gia từ năm đến năm . Nhật
Overview Sweden and the USA tends to increase steadily, Japan remained at the lowest
2040. Japan is expected
level for to see the
a long most
time, dramatic
went up slowly được
Bảnbut kỳ vọng
in 2030 sẽ thấy
may marknhững thay đổi rise.
a dramatical lớn
changes in its elderly population. nhất trong dân số già.

In 1940, around 9% of Americans were aged 65 or Năm , khoảng % người Mỹ đạt độ tuổi từ
over, compared to about 7% of Swedish people 65 tuổi trở lên, so với khoảng % người Thụy
Body 1
and 5% of Japanese people. The proportions of Điển và % người Nhật. Tỷ lệ người cao tuổi ở
elderly people in the USA and Sweden rose Mỹ và Thụy Điển tăng dần trong năm tới, đạt
gradually over the next 50 years, reaching just dưới % vào năm . Ngược lại, con số cho
under 15% in 1990. By contrast, the figures for Nhật Bản vẫn dưới % cho đến đầu những năm
Japan remained below 5% until the early 2000s. 2000.
Body 2
Looking into the future, a sudden increase in the Nhìn vào tương lai, sự gia tăng đột ngột trong
percentage of elderly people is predicted for tỷ lệ người cao tuổi được dự đoán cho Nhật
Japan, with a jump of over 15% in just 10 years Bản, với mức tăng trên % chỉ trong năm từ
from 2030 to 2040. By 2040, it is thought that đến . Đến năm , người ta cho
around 27% of the Japanese population will be 65 rằng khoảng 27% dân số Nhật Bản sẽ đạt từ 65
years old or more, while the figures for Sweden tuổi trở lên, trong khi số liệu cho Thụy Điển và
and the USA will be slightly lower, at about 25% Hoa Kỳ sẽ thấp hơn một chút, tương ứng là
and 23% respectively. khoảng 25% và 23% lần lượt.
Exercise 8

1.2. Internet Users as percentage of population

The line graph compares the percentage of people in three countries who used
betweenThe
Introduction
lineand
1999 graph illustrates the proportion of people using the Internet to the whole
2009.
population in three different nations from 1999 and 2009.
It is clear that the proportion of the population who used the Internet increased in
over theOverall,
periodthose
shown.
figuresOverall,
started at athemuch larger
same low pointpercentage
then shared aof Canadians
similar upward and A
access to trend
Overview
in the meantime.
the Internet It is noticeable
in comparison with that during that
Mexicans, period,
and the number
Canada of
experienced the f
Internet users in Mexico remained at the lowest level compared with Canada and
in Internet usage. America.

In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA was about 20%. T
Canada and Mexico were lower, at about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2005, Inte
Bodyboth
1 the USA and Canada rose to around 70% of the population, while the figur
reached just over 25%.

By 2009, the percentage of Internet users was highest in Canada. Almost 100%
used the Internet, compared to about 80% of Americans and only 40% of Mexicans
Body 2
Exercise 9

1.3. International migration in UK

The chart gives information about UK immigration, emigration and net migration betwe
The mixed chart uses the 2 lines to illustrate the number of people, measured in
and 2008.
Introduction thousands, immigrated and emigrated from UK from 1999 to 2008 and the bars
below to show the net migration meanwhile.
Both immigration and emigration rates rose over the period shown, but the fig
immigration were significantly higher. Net migration peaked in 2004 and 2007.

In 1999, over 450,000 people came to live in the UK, while the number of people who e
Overview
stood at just under 300,000. The figure for net migration was around 160,000, and it rem
a similar level until 2003. From 1999 to 2004, the immigration rate rose by nearly
people, but there was a much smaller rise in emigration. Net migration peaked at almost
people in 2004.
Body 1
After 2004, the rate of immigration remained high, but the number of people em
fluctuated. Emigration fell suddenly in 2007, before peaking at about 420,000 people in 2
a result, the net migration figure rose to around 240,000 in 2007, but fell back to around
in 2008.
Body 2
(159)
 1.4. UK acid rain emission
Exercise 10

TheThe graph
graph below
below showsshows UKrain
UK acid acidemissions,
rain emissions, measured
measured inofmillions
in millions of tones, fr
tonnes, from
different
four sectors betweensectors between
1990 and 2007. 1990 and 2007.

I've made
Thethe
linefollowing essaythe
graph illustrates into a gap-fill
amount of acidexercise.
rain emissions from 1990 to 2007
Introduction
produced by 4 separated industrial sections the UK.
The line graph compares four sectors in ______ of the amount of acid rain emiss
produced over a period of 17 years in the UK.
Overall, despite having different beginnings, all of them experienced a
downward trend. While emissions from the electricity, gas and water supply
It is clear sector
Overview that the total amount of acid rain emissions in the UK ______ ______
started at the highest point then dropped significantly, the domestic
and 2007. The mostsection______ decrease
remained was seen
the lowest pointinduring
the electricity,
the period. gas and water supp

In 1990, around 3.3 million tones of acid rain emissions came from the electricity,
sector. The transport and communication sector was ______ for about 0.7 mi
Bodyemissions,
1 while the domestic sector ______ around 0.6 million tones. Just over 2
of acid rain gases came from other industries.

Emissions from electricity, gas and water supply fell dramatically to only 0.5 m
2007, a ______ of almost 3 million tones. While acid rain gases from the domes
Bodyother
2 industries fell gradually, the transport sector ______ a small increase in emis
a peak of 1 million tones in 2005.

Fill the gaps using these words:

produced, reaching fell, responsible, saw, considerably, terms, drop, dramatic

 The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and water
Exercise 11
consumption in two different countries.

The charts compare the amount of water used for agriculture, industry and homes around
The
world, and water chart
use compares
in Brazil andthe
theamount of water,
Democratic measured
Republic of in cubic kilometers,
Congo.
consumed by 3 main economic zones all over the world during the twentieth
Introduction
century
It is clear that andwater
global illustrates
needstherose
specific figures about
significantly water use
between 1900in and
Brazil and Công
2000, in agricu
and that
2000.
accounted for the largest proportion of water used. We can also see that water consumption
considerably higher in Brazil than in the Congo.

In 1900, around 500km³ of water was used by the agriculture sector worldwide. The figure
Overview
industrial and domestic water consumption stood at around one fifth of that amount. By 2
global water use for agriculture had increased to around 3000km³, industrial water use had
to just under half that amount, and domestic consumption had reached approximately 500km

Body 1 year 2000, the populations of Brazil and the Congo were 176 million and 5.2 mi
In the
respectively. Water consumption per person in Brazil, at 359m³, was much higher than that in
Congo, at only 8m³, and this could be explained by the fact that Brazil had 265 times m
irrigated land.

Body
(1842words, band 9)

Writing Task 1 - Simon Pa

 1.6. 12Car ownership
Exercise

The graph below gives information about car ownership in Britain from 1971 to 2007.

The graph shows changes in the number of cars ______ household in Great Britain ______ a
period of 36 years.
The line graph illustrates the proportion of household car ownership split into 4
Overall, car ownership in Britain increased ______ 1971 and 2007. In particular, the number of
Introduction
categories in Britain from 1971 to 2007.
households with two cars rose, while the number of households ______ a car fell.

In 1971, ______ half of all British households did not have regular use of a car. Around 44% of
Overall, while the percentages made up by households with no and one car
households had experienced
one car, but aonly about 7%
downward hadthe
trend, two cars. Itwas
opposite wastrue
uncommon for owning
for families familiestwo
to own
Overview
three or more cars, ______ around
and three or more 2%
cars.ofIthouseholds falling
is noticeable into this category.
that possessing one car was the most
common spread in Britain during that period.
The one-car household was the most common type from the late 1970’s ______, although there
was little change in the ______ for this category. The biggest change was seen in the proportion
of households without a car, which fell steadily over the 36-year period ______ around 25% in
2007.
BodyIn 1 contrast, the proportion of two-car families rose steadily, reaching about 26% in 2007,
and the proportion of households with more than two cars rose ______ around 5%.

Fill the gaps in the essay with the following words:

almost, to, figures, per, between, by, over, with, without, onwards
Body 2

Writing Task 1 - Simon Page 7