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Bar Chart
Academic Task 1Use when comparing quantities across categories at one or more points in time.
Paragraph structure
- Introduction: Paraphrase the chart title. Mention what is being compared and the time frame if given.
- Overview: State the most striking overall pattern — the highest/lowest category, or the biggest gap between groups.
- Detail 1: Describe the 2–3 most significant bars with specific figures. Group similar bars together.
- Detail 2: Compare the remaining notable bars. Note any exceptions to the general pattern.
Example sentence starters
- The bar chart illustrates the [what] in [place/category] during [time period].
- Overall, [X] recorded the highest figure, while [Y] had the lowest throughout the period.
- In [year], [category] stood at approximately [figure], compared to [figure] for [other category].
- It is notable that [exception or comparison].
💡 Tip: Always select 3–4 key features to compare — do not attempt to describe every single bar.
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Line Graph
Academic Task 1Use when describing changes or trends over a period of time.
Paragraph structure
- Introduction: Paraphrase the graph title. Name what is being measured, the time period, and units.
- Overview: Describe the overall direction of each line (rose, fell, fluctuated, remained stable). Mention the highest and lowest points.
- Detail 1: Describe the trend of the 1–2 most significant lines with specific data points.
- Detail 2: Describe remaining lines, highlighting any crossover points, peaks, or reversals.
Example sentence starters
- The line graph shows changes in [what] between [year] and [year].
- Overall, [X] experienced a steady increase over the period, while [Y] declined consistently.
- In [year], [X] stood at [figure] before rising sharply to [figure] by [year].
- [X] and [Y] converged in [year], after which [X] overtook [Y].
💡 Tip: Group lines by similar trend direction in separate paragraphs — rising lines together, falling lines together.
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Pie Chart
Academic Task 1Use when describing proportions or percentage shares of a whole.
Paragraph structure
- Introduction: Paraphrase the pie chart title. State what proportions are being shown and the year/context.
- Overview: Identify the largest and smallest segments. Note whether there are any particularly dominant categories.
- Detail 1: Describe the largest segments with exact percentages. Group two or three similar-sized segments together.
- Detail 2: Describe the smaller segments. If two charts are given, compare the equivalent segments.
Example sentence starters
- The pie chart shows the distribution of [what] in [year].
- Overall, [X] accounted for the largest share at [%], while [Y] represented the smallest proportion.
- [X] and [Y] together made up just over half of the total, at [%] and [%] respectively.
- By contrast, [Z] accounted for only [%] of the total.
💡 Tip: If comparing two pie charts, use comparative language: 'increased from X% to Y%', 'fell by [%] points'.
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Map
Academic Task 1Use when comparing two maps showing changes to a place over time, or a plan and a proposed change.
Paragraph structure
- Introduction: Paraphrase what the maps show. State the two time points or the before/after scenario.
- Overview: Describe the most significant overall change — e.g., from rural to urban, from undeveloped to built-up.
- Detail 1 – Area 1: Describe changes to one specific zone (north, south, entrance, etc.) systematically.
- Detail 2 – Area 2: Describe changes to a second zone. Mention what remained the same if relevant.
Example sentence starters
- The maps compare [place] in [year 1] and [year 2], showing how the area changed over this period.
- Overall, the most significant change was the [addition/removal] of [feature], transforming [area] from [X] to [Y].
- In [year 1], the [north/south/centre] of the area consisted of [features]. By [year 2], this had been replaced by…
- The [feature] remained unchanged throughout the period.
💡 Tip: Use locational language: 'to the north of', 'adjacent to', 'in the south-east corner'. Do not give opinions about the changes.
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Process Diagram
Academic Task 1Use when describing a manufacturing process, natural cycle, or series of sequential steps.
Paragraph structure
- Introduction: State what the diagram shows. Mention how many main stages there are.
- Overview: Identify the first and last stages. Note whether the process is linear or cyclical.
- Detail 1 – First half: Describe the early stages in sequence using passive voice and process language.
- Detail 2 – Second half: Continue with the later stages, connecting them logically to Detail 1.
Example sentence starters
- The diagram illustrates the process by which [what] is [made/produced/generated].
- Overall, the process consists of [number] main stages, beginning with [X] and ending with [Y].
- In the first stage, [material/item] is [verb in passive], after which it is [next step].
- Once [previous stage] has been completed, the [material] is then [next action].
💡 Tip: Use the passive voice throughout: 'is heated', 'are mixed', 'is then transferred'. Avoid 'you' or 'they'.
