How to present a graph

Aus ZUM-Unterrichten

Quite often there is a graph a table or a chart. Here we can learn to

  • understand
  • analyse and
  • interpret

these charts.

Type of charts

  • A line chart shows changes over a period of time, showing data and trends.
  • A (vertical or horizontal) bar chart is used to compare different items.
  • A pie chart displays the size of each part as a percentage of a whole.
  • A table is a convenient way to show a large amount of data in a small space.
  • A diagram is a drawing showing arrangements and situations, such as networks, distribution, fluctuation ...
  • A flow chart is a diagram that represents a workflow or process. A flowchart can also be defined as a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm,

Can you find the matching pairs?

flow chart Calligra Flow icon.svg
pie chart JFreeChart 3D pie chart sample.svg
bar chart Bar graph.png
line chart Oxygen480-actions-office-chart-line-stacked.svg
table Table icon.svg
diagram Faenza-x-dia-diagram.svg

Graphs-vocabulary.svg

Can you find the correct terms?

This is a line graph with two lines. One is a solid line (3). The other is a broken line (4) - you can use this if you can't use different colors. A dotted line (number 5) is often used to show projections into the future.

  • The horizontal x-axis (2) shows often the timeline.
  • the vertical y-axis (1) has got a scale (6) with units.

Presenting a Graph

Introduction Topic Circumstances
This graph shows … the results of our products … over 10 years.
The diagram outlines … the rates of economic growth … between 2020 and today.
This table lists … the top ten agencies … in the industrial world.
This pie chart represents… the company's turnover … for this year in our sector.
This line chart shows … the changes in sales … over the past year.
This chart breaks down … the sales of each salesman … during the past ten weeks.

Trends

⇗ Upward Movement

verbs

  • (to) go up
  • (to) extend, (to) expand
  • (to) grow
  • (to) increase
  • (to) raise
  • (to) rise (rose, risen)
  • (to) progress
  • (to) push/put/step up
  • (to) boom/soar/climb
  • (to) jump, (to) skyrocket
  • (to) reach a peak, (to) peak
  • (to) reach an all-time high

nouns:  

  • (an) extension, expansion
  • (an) increase
  • (a) growth
  • (a) raise (US), a rise (UK)

  • (a) progression

  • (an) upswing
  • (a) boom
  • (a) jump
  • (a) peak

⇘ Downward Movement

verbs

  • (to) go down
  • (to) cut
  • (to) decrease
  • (to) decline
  • (to) drop (off)
  • (to) fall (off) (fall, fell, fallen)
  • (to) reduce
  • (to) plunge, to plummet
  • (to) collapse
  • (to) slump, (to) go bust
  • (to) bottom out

nouns:

  • (a) cut
  • (a) decrease, (a) downswing
  • (a) decline
  • (a) drop
  • (a) fall
  • (a) plunge
  • (a) reduction
  • (a) collapse (dramatic fall)
  • (a) slump

⇒ No Movement

verbs

  • (to) keep ... stable
  • (to) remain stable
  • (to) hold ... constant
  • (to) stay constant
  • (to) stabilize
  • (to) stand at
  • (to) remain steady

nouns:

  • stability

⮍ CHANGE OF DIRECTION

verbs

  • (to) level off
  • (to) level off/out, to flatten out
  • (to) stop falling/rising
  • (to) stop rising and start falling

nouns:

  • (a) levelling-off
  • (a) change

Interactive Exercises

Graphs and trends


Look at the graphs and match graph and sentence.

A. The investment level rose suddenly. Graph 3
B. The sales fell slightly in the final quarter. Graph 7
C. The R&D budget has stabilized over the past few years. Graph 8
D. At the end of the first year, sales stood at 50 per cent of the present level. Graph 1
E. The price peaked before falling a little and then maintaining the same level. Graph 6
F. There has been a steady increase in costs over several years. Graph 4
G. The sudden collapse in share prices has surprised everyone. Graph 2
H. The share value has steadily declined. Graph 5


See also

Weblinks