1. MASTER STRUCTURE
The [chart] + [verb] + [WHAT] + [WHERE/CATEGORIES] + [WHEN].
WHAT = what the chart measures
- the number of → countable
- the amount of → uncountable
- the percentage of
- the proportion of
- the sales of
- food expenditure
- data/information about...
Basic order:
Chart → Verb → What → Where/Categories → Time
2. CHART TYPES
| Question | Use |
|---|---|
| Bar chart | The bar chart... |
| Line graph/chart | The line graph... |
| Table | The table... |
| Pie chart(s) | The pie chart(s)... |
3. INTRODUCTION VERBS
You only need these:
⭐ compares
The line chart compares the sales of five types of jam...
⭐ presents information about
The table presents information about food expenditure...
⭐ illustrates
The pie charts illustrate the percentage breakdown...
⭐ shows
The bar chart shows the percentage of...
Don't try to use a difficult verb just to sound advanced.
4. TIME — YOUR FINAL SYSTEM ⭐⭐⭐
🟢 VERSION 1 — YOUR SELECTED PATTERN ⭐
Multiple years / time-change
over a X-year period, starting in X
Example:
The line chart compares the sales of five different types of jam over a six-year period, starting in 2009.
Master formula:
The [chart] + compares/presents + [WHAT] + over a [X]-year period, starting in [YEAR].
This is your main memorised pattern.
🔵 VERSION 2 — Exact start + end year
If you want to mention both years:
from X to Y
Example:
The table presents information about food expenditure in five countries over a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020.
Remember:
from → to ✅
🟣 VERSION 3 — Between
You can also use:
between X and Y
Example:
The line chart compares crime rates between 1970 and 2005.
Remember:
between → and ✅
❌ between 1970 to 2005
5. ONE FIXED YEAR
If the question gives only one year:
in + year
Example:
The bar chart compares the percentage of male and female teachers in 2010.
Another:
The pie charts illustrate the percentage breakdown of exported goods in 2010.
6. NO YEAR
If there is no year, don't add a time phrase.
Example:
The pie chart illustrates the proportion of energy produced from different sources.
❌ Don't invent:
in 2010
from 2000 to 2020
7. PREDICTIONS
If the question has actual data + future predictions:
Your pattern:
over a X-year period, starting in X, with predictions for X and X
Example:
The line chart compares the percentage of people living in cities in four Asian countries over a 50-year period, starting in 1970, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
⭐ Remember
starting year → starting in 1970
future years → predictions for 2030 and 2040
8. NUMBER vs AMOUNT ⭐
NUMBER = countable
number of students
number of people
number of cars
number of houses
Example:
The chart shows the number of students.
AMOUNT = uncountable
amount of money
amount of water
amount of energy
Example:
The chart shows the amount of money spent on food.
Easy rule:
Can I count it? → NUMBER
Cannot count it? → AMOUNT
9. PERCENTAGE / PROPORTION
For percentages:
the percentage of people
the proportion of people
Example:
The bar chart compares the percentage of male and female teachers.
or:
The bar chart compares the proportion of male and female teachers.
10. SALES
Original:
the sales of five types of jam
Useful alternatives:
the sales of... ⭐ safest
the sales figures for...
the quantity of ... sold
Example:
The line chart compares the sales of five different types of jam...
Don't force a synonym if sales already fits the question.
11. YOUR MAIN PARAPHRASING VOCABULARY
| Question | Paraphrase |
|---|---|
| number of | quantity of |
| spending | expenditure |
| rate | percentage |
| information | data |
| share | portion |
| proportion | percentage / figure for |
| sales | sales figures |
| elderly | elderly people / senior citizens |
| production | manufacture |
| people living in cities | population living in urban areas |
| predictions | projections |
12. “PEOPLE LIVING IN CITIES”
Simple:
people living in cities
More academic:
people residing in urban areas
Example:
The line chart compares the percentage of people living in cities in four Asian countries...
or:
The line chart illustrates the proportion of the population living in urban areas in four Asian countries...
13. FOUR CHART EXAMPLES
🟦 BAR — Fixed year
The bar chart compares the percentage of male and female teachers in six different educational institutions in the UK in 2010.
🟩 LINE — Time change ⭐
The line chart compares the sales of five different types of jam over a six-year period, starting in 2009.
YOUR LOCKED PATTERN
over a X-year period, starting in X
🟨 TABLE — Time change
The table presents information about food expenditure in five countries over a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020.
🟥 PIE — Fixed year
The pie charts illustrate the percentage breakdown of goods exported from three South American countries in 2010.
14. PREDICTION EXAMPLE
Question:
Percentage of population living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
Your introduction:
The line chart compares the percentage of people living in cities in four Asian countries over a 50-year period, starting in 1970, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
🔥 FINAL EXAM CHEAT SHEET
TASK 1 INTRODUCTION
CHART
↓
bar / line / table / pie
VERB
↓
compares
presents information about
illustrates
shows
WHAT?
↓
NUMBER = countable
AMOUNT = uncountable
PERCENTAGE
PROPORTION
SALES
EXPENDITURE
TIME?
↓
ONE YEAR
→ in 2010
MULTIPLE YEARS
→ over a X-year period, starting in X ⭐
EXACT YEARS
→ from X to Y
BETWEEN
→ between X and Y
NO YEAR
→ no time phrase
PREDICTION
→ with predictions for X and Y
⭐ Your ONE most important pattern
The [chart] compares [WHAT] over a [X]-year period, starting in [YEAR].
Example:
The line chart compares the sales of five different types of jam over a six-year period, starting in 2009.
This is your main pattern. Keep it. Don't keep changing it during the exam.
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