The learner can use accurate language for describing trends, comparisons, processes and maps appropriate to the chart type.
Language for every chart and diagram type
Choosing the right language for your chart type
The language you use in Task 1 must match the type of data or diagram you are describing. For line graphs and bar charts that show change over time, use trend verbs such as rose, increased, climbed (upward movement) or fell, declined, dropped (downward movement). Add precision with adverbs: sharply, dramatically, significantly (fast change) or gradually, steadily, slowly (gentle change). You can also use noun forms for variety: there was a sharp rise in sales; a gradual decline was observed. Other useful trend verbs include peaked (reached the highest point), levelled off (stayed roughly the same after changing), and fluctuated (went up and down repeatedly).
For charts showing proportions or comparisons — pie charts, tables, bar charts — use language such as: accounted for (Energy accounted for 30% of costs), compared with / in contrast to, the highest / lowest / second largest, twice as many as, or approximately half. These expressions let you make precise comparisons without repeating the same structures.
For process diagrams (flow charts, cycles), the key feature is the passive voice, because the focus is on what happens to something, not who does it: the material is heated, the mixture is filtered, CO₂ is released. Use sequencers to show order: first, then, after that, subsequently, finally. For maps showing change over time, use passive constructions too: a new road was built, the forest was replaced by housing, a bridge was constructed to the north of the town centre. A worked example for a line graph: 'The number of visitors rose sharply from 2 million in 2000 to 5 million in 2010, before levelling off at around 5.2 million by 2015.' A worked example for a process: 'First, raw materials are collected and transported to the factory. They are then sorted and heated at high temperature before the final product is packaged and distributed.'
Lesson notes
Choosing the right language for your chart type
The language you use in Task 1 must match the type of data or diagram you are describing. For line graphs and bar charts that show change over time, use trend verbs such as rose, increased, climbed (upward movement) or fell, declined, dropped (downward movement). Add precision with adverbs: sharply, dramatically, significantly (fast change) or gradually, steadily, slowly (gentle change). You can also use noun forms for variety: there was a sharp rise in sales; a gradual decline was observed. Other useful trend verbs include peaked (reached the highest point), levelled off (stayed roughly the same after changing), and fluctuated (went up and down repeatedly).
For charts showing proportions or comparisons — pie charts, tables, bar charts — use language such as: accounted for (Energy accounted for 30% of costs), compared with / in contrast to, the highest / lowest / second largest, twice as many as, or approximately half. These expressions let you make precise comparisons without repeating the same structures.
For process diagrams (flow charts, cycles), the key feature is the passive voice, because the focus is on what happens to something, not who does it: the material is heated, the mixture is filtered, CO₂ is released. Use sequencers to show order: first, then, after that, subsequently, finally. For maps showing change over time, use passive constructions too: a new road was built, the forest was replaced by housing, a bridge was constructed to the north of the town centre. A worked example for a line graph: 'The number of visitors rose sharply from 2 million in 2000 to 5 million in 2010, before levelling off at around 5.2 million by 2015.' A worked example for a process: 'First, raw materials are collected and transported to the factory. They are then sorted and heated at high temperature before the final product is packaged and distributed.'