Introduction Understanding charts and tables - NGL

IELTSexpressCBInt_016-023pages 5/4/2005 14:34 Page 20
WRITING
�Exam task�Describing bar charts, pie charts and tables
IN THE EXAM
Writing module: Academic Task 1
If you are preparing for the General Training module, turn to Unit
GT 1A on page 72.
The IELTS Writing module takes 60 minutes and consists of
two tasks.
In Task 1 of the Academic Writing module, you are asked to
write a report for a university lecturer in which you describe
information presented visually, for example in diagrams, bar
charts, pie charts or tables.Alternatively, you may be asked
20
�Exam focus�Academic Writing Task 1�For General Training Task 1, go to page 72.
�Skills�Understanding charts and tables; describing general and specific information;
comparing and contrasting data
1
2
Introduction
Discuss these questions with a partner.
• Have you ever bought anything over the Internet? If yes, what did you buy?
• What kinds of things would you order through the Internet? Why?
• Is there anything that you wouldn’t buy online? Why do you think that some people are nervous
about buying things online?
• Which age group do you think makes the most purchases online?
Understanding charts and tables
A Before you begin writing, it is important to understand the information shown in the chart. Look at
the bar chart on page 21 and discuss questions 1–4 with a partner.
1 What does the title tell you?
2 What does the vertical axis show?
3 What does the horizontal axis show?
4 What does the colour key on the right tell you?
to describe a process, how an object works or a sequence
of events.You are expected to use a formal academic style.
You must write at least 150 words and you are assessed on
the following:
• Task achievement: how well you answer the question
• Coherence and cohesion: how well your answer is
organised, including how the information is linked together
• Lexical resource: the vocabulary you use
• Grammatical range and accuracy

IELTSexpressCBInt_016-023pages 5/4/2005 14:35 Page 21
Task 1 is worth
fewer marks than
Task 2. You should
therefore spend less
time on it. Spend
only 20 minutes on
Task 1.
3
Don’t try to explain
the information –
just describe it. For
example, don’t say
why you think more
young people use
the Internet – just
say they do.
% of shoppers and users
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Adult internet shoppers and users by age group
18–24
years
25–39
years
Age
40–54
years
55 years
or older
Describing general and specific information
Internet
users
Internet
shoppers
B The information in a bar chart can be presented in table form. Complete the table by copying
information from the bar chart above.
Age 18–24 25–39 40–54 55+
Internet users 75% 1 ……… % 55% 2 ……… %
Internet shoppers 11% 15% 10% 3 ……… %
A Look at the chart in 2A. Describe the chart by putting sections a–g in the correct order (1–7).
.... a A final point to note is that the number of people shopping online does not change very much
between the different age groups.
.... b The chart shows how the Internet is used by different age groups. It looks at both general use and
online shopping.
.... c Another thing which stands out in this chart is that most people use the Internet for things other
than shopping.
.... d More specifically, this is between about 5% and 15% in all age groups. The group making the most
purchases are the 25–39-year-olds, and the group making the fewest purchases are the 55-year-olds
and over.
.... e One of the first things to note is that fewer older people use the Internet than younger people.
.... f For example, 75% of 18–24-year-olds use the Net, compared with only 20% of 55-year-olds and
over.
WRITING
.... g For instance, in the youngest age group nearly 80% of people use the Internet, whereas only 10%
make purchases online, although it should be noted that this difference is not as dramatic in all
age groups.
UNIT 2 Shopping and the Internet 21

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WRITING
22
4
B When you describe visual information, you should start with a general overview statement about what the
chart or table shows. Then, you should choose two or three main features and describe them. Each time
you pick out a main feature, use some specific detail to support it.
Read sentences 1–5 and categorise them.
a Which sentences are an overview statement of what the graph shows?
b Which sentences describe an overall trend?
c Which sentences provide specific detail used to support a main point?
1 Fewer older people use the Internet than younger people.
2 75% of 18–24-year-olds use the Net, compared with only 20% of 55-year-olds and over.
3 Most people use the Internet for things other than shopping.
4 The chart shows how the Internet is used by different age groups; it looks at both general use and
online shopping.
5 In the youngest age group, nearly 80% of people use the Internet, whereas only 10% make purchases
online.
Comparing and contrasting data
You can contrast information using but, however, while, on the other hand, in/by comparison and in contrast.
You can add more information using and, also, as well as, in addition, furthermore and not only … but also.
A Complete sentences 1–4 by choosing the correct word. There may be more than one possible answer.
1 Although/However/While 75% of 18–24-year-olds use the Internet, only 10% make purchases online.
2 Although/However/While, only 10% make purchases online.
3 As well as/Not only showing general internet use, it also/but also shows online shopping.
4 It shows as well as/not only general internet use, it also/but also online shopping.
B Information may also be presented as a pie chart. The pie chart below shows how one university student
spent his money on internet purchases last year. Look at the information in the pie chart and choose the
appropriate word(s) to make correct sentences.
1 He spent more/less money on airline tickets than music.
2 A very large/relatively small percentage of his money was spent on entertainment tickets.
3 His biggest/smallest expense was airline tickets.
4 He didn’t spend as much money on computer software/music as computer software/music.
5 He spent much more on airline/entertainment tickets than on airline/entertainment tickets.
6 He spent slightly/much more on music than on books and magazines.
7 He spent a great deal/a little on airline tickets.
UNIT 2 Shopping and the Internet
Internet purchases made by a male university student last year
16%
7% 2% 34%
18%
23%
Airline tickets
Computer software
Music
Books and magazines
Entertainment tickets
Other

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5
A
X
E
C Write your own comparative sentences to describe the data in the charts in 2A and 4B. Include wrong
information in some of your sentences and then show them to your partner. Ask your partner to identify
and correct the mistakes.
Academic Writing Task 1: Report
M
E
P
C
R
A
I
C
T
for this task
�Spend one or two minutes studying the chart until
you understand what it is showing.
�Explain what the chart is describing in your opening
sentence.
�Then identify two or three main features. Don’t
describe everything you see. Look for any interesting
features, especially surprising or contrasting
information.
Item
Toys
Food and
drink
Financial
services
DVDs/
Videos
Music
Computer
equipment
Books
Top internet purchase categories by country
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Percentage of consumers purchasing item online
Australia
Canada
The United
Kingdom
WRITING
�Start with an overall description and then move on to
use details to support your main points. Remember to
use expressions such as in addition and however to link
your ideas.
�Remember to leave time to check your work before
the end.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below shows the different types of goods and services purchased online in Australia,
Canada and the United Kingdom last year.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
UNIT 2 Shopping and the Internet 23