How to Read a Line Graph
- 1Read the title, both axes (x = time, y = value), and the legend (which line is which).
- 2Identify the time period โ is it years, months, decades?
- 3Identify the unit โ %, millions, thousands, kilograms?
- 4Count how many lines there are โ each line = one data series to describe.
- 5Ask: What is the OVERALL trend? Rising? Falling? Fluctuating? Stable?
Introduction โ Paraphrase
The line graph illustrates the changes in [topic] between [year] and [year].
The graph tracks the number/percentage of [subject] over a [X]-year period.
The line graph depicts how [subject] changed from [year] to [year] in [place].
Tip: Change: "shows" โ illustrates / depicts / tracks / presents / compares Change: "graph" โ chart / data / figure Change: "between 2000 and 2020" โ over a twenty-year period / from 2000 to 2020
Overview โ The Big Picture
Overall, [Line A] experienced a significant increase over the period, while [Line B] showed a general decline.
In general, all countries saw a rise in [topic], with [country] recording the highest figures throughout.
Overall, the most notable trend was the sharp increase in [X], which contrasted with the relatively stable pattern of [Y].
Tip: NEVER put specific numbers in the overview. The overview describes the BIG story โ the details come in Paragraphs 3 and 4.
Trend Language by Band
- rose steadily
- fell sharply
- remained relatively stable
- fluctuated slightly
- reached a peak of
- dropped to a low of
Describing Numbers & Changes
...rose sharply from X to Y between [year] and [year].
...rose sharply from 20% to 45% between 2000 and 2010.
...declined by approximately X [units] over the following [period].
...declined by approximately 15 million over the following five years.
After reaching a peak of X in [year], figures fell back to Y by [year].
After reaching a peak of 80% in 2005, figures fell back to 60% by 2015.
Despite an initial rise, [subject] subsequently fell, ending the period at X.
Despite an initial rise, car ownership subsequently fell, ending the period at 30%.
Sample Answer โ Band 7
Question
The graph shows the percentage of people using the internet in three countries from 2000 to 2020.
Introduction
The line graph illustrates the proportion of the population accessing the internet in three countries over a twenty-year period from 2000 to 2020.
Overview
Overall, internet usage increased in all three countries throughout the period, with Country A consistently recording the highest rates. Country C, while starting from the lowest base, showed the most dramatic growth.
Body
In 2000, approximately 60% of Country A's population used the internet, compared to 35% and 10% in Countries B and C respectively. Country A's figures rose steadily, reaching a peak of 90% by 2020. Country B followed a similar upward trend, climbing to around 75% by the end of the period. Country C experienced the sharpest increase, surging from just 10% in 2000 to nearly 70% in 2020, almost matching Country B by the close of the period.
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