Words for describing graphs and figures

Graphs and figures

Match

Match the following

bar chart

flow chart

pie chart

line chart

table

• bar chart

• flow chart

• pie chart

• line chart

• table

Multiple Choice

Steps in the process of recruiting staff for a company:

• map

• table

• flow chart

• line chart

• bar chart

Multiple Choice

The number of children vaccinated for measles over a 30-year period:

• map

• table

• flow chart

• line chart

• bar chart

Multiple Choice

The percentage breakdown of a country’s total working population by ethnic origin:

• map

• table

• flow chart

• line chart

• pie chart

Multiple Choice

The layout of a university campus:

• map

• table

• flow chart

• line chart

• pie chart

Multiple Choice

Percentage of male and female police officers in six cities across the UK:

• map

• table

• flow chart

• bar chart

• pie chart

Multiple Choice

Sales figures for ten different types of mobile phone in twelve retail outlets:

• map

• table

• flow chart

• bar chart

• pie chart

Components for graphs and figures

Multiple Select

Bar chart

• step

• horizontal axis

• arrow

• vertical axis

• key

Multiple Select

Map

• axis

• segment

• step

• bar

• key

Multiple Select

Flow chart

• arrow

• bar

• column

• step

• vertical axis

Multiple Select

Table

• column

• segment

• step

• row

• arrow

Verbs meaning 'show'

If a sign or symbol represents

something, it is accepted as meaning that thing. A black dot in the middle of the circle is supposed to represent the source of the radiation.

Represent

If a graph or diagram depicts something, it is shown there in the form of lines, shapes, or figures. Reading from left to right, the first four columns depict our transactions with customers.

Depict

Alternatives to the verb show

• Compare

• Illustrate

• Give data
  

Alternatives to the verb show

​The charts below show local government expenditure in 2000 and 2010.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Writing
task 1

Model answer

The charts show the percentage breakdown of government spending across nine categories in 2000 and 2010. Over the ten-year period, there were significant changes in expenditure.

In both years, the four largest areas of government expenditure were: education, healthcare, pensions, and defence, with education taking the largest share (24% in 2000 and 21% in 2010). The smallest areas of expenditure were transport, culture and leisure and ‘other’. Interest on borrowing and spending on welfare lay in between. Interestingly, between 2000 and 2010, spending on all four of the largest areas had dropped, with the exception of pensions, which remained the same at 19%. Spending on transport and culture and leisure also fell significantly, with the transport budget declining by two thirds. On the other hand, spending on welfare and interest on government borrowing rose markedly, with the latter doubling over the ten-year period to 10%.

Overall, the charts indicate that the government has had to cut expenditure in most areas in order to fund the cost of borrowing and welfare.