Sometimes in proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge, you may be asked to describe a graph. But what exactly is a graph?
A graph is a visual representation of data or information. It helps us understand and analyze different trends, patterns, or comparisons in a clear and organized way.
In these exams, you may come across various types of graphs that you’ll need to describe. Let’s take a look at some common types of graphs:
When you talk about graphs in these exams, it’s important to give a clear and short summary of the main things you see.
It’s good to learn how to describe graphs because it helps you understand and explain information better. You can use this skill to study and share data in your writing.
Here you have the basic guidelines to write a report to describe a graph:
What is a report describing a graph?
A report describing a graph is a way to explain and share information about a graph you see. A graph is a picture that shows data or information in a clear and organized way.
When you write a report about a graph, you look at the different parts of the graph and describe what you see. You talk about the important points, like the highest or lowest values, the trends or patterns you notice, or any comparisons between different parts of the graph.
Writing a report describing a graph helps you understand and communicate the information in the graph to others. It’s like telling a story about the graph and what it shows.
Parts of a report describing a graph
1 Introduction
- Start by explaining what the survey is about, who did it, and when.
Example: “This report tells us about a survey on [topic].
- Use the passive to do this:
Example: The survey was done in [month/ year]/ by [organization/ person]
2 Main findings
- Begin with the most important discovery in the first sentence.
Example: “The most important thing we learned from the survey is that [state the discovery].”
- Use numbers and facts to support your main finding. Use words like “but,” “different,” or “compared to” to talk about contrasting information.
- If there is more than one topic or discovery, talk about each one in a different paragraph.
- Use words like “but,” “different,” or “while” to show contrasting information.
- Use simple words and phrases like “most people,” “almost two-thirds,” or “a lot” to describe numbers.
Conclusion
- Explain what you think the survey results mean using phrases like “show,” “seem,” or “tell us.”
Example: “The survey results show that [interpretation of findings].”
- Give a suggestion or advice based on the survey results.
Example: “From these findings, it would be a good idea to [suggested action].”
Now that you know the parts of a report and the steps to follow, let’s see a report sample for the IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge or Duolingo tests
Survey Question: How many hours per week do you spend following the news?
Results:
Useful language to describe a graph
| Stage | Vocabulary and Phrases |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – The picture/graph shows… – This picture/graph has information about… – The horizontal line is for… – This picture/graph gives a general idea of… – This report presents the findings of… – The purpose of this report/survey was to… |
| Describing the graph | – Overall, we can see that… – The results show that… – The graph goes up/down a lot… – The numbers/values show… – The graph keeps changing/stays the same/goes up and down. – The highest point is at… – The lowest point is at… – There is a big/small change from… to… – There is a big/small change from… to… – The numbers show a pattern of… |
| Comparisons | – Compared to… – Similarly – In contrast… – There is a big difference between… – There is a big difference between… – Two things are different:… – On one side, … On the other side, … – While…, …; But…, … |
| Specific data and statistics | – According to the graph, the percentage/number is… – The graph shows that… – Most/Some/Many… – Almost two-thirds/half/one-fourth of… – About/Around… – It’s important to notice that… |
| Concluding the report | – In conclusion/To finish,… – Overall, we can say… – This picture/graph helps us understand… – From the graph/ diagram/ survey, we can see… – Based on the information, we can tell… – This survey/ graph/ diagram suggests that… |
Pro tips for writing reports
Make sure that you:
- wrote a title that shows what the report is about
- divided the report into clear paragraphs with subheadings
- did NOT use contractions or informal words
- Used connectors and formulaic expressions (useful language)
- Used the correct verb tenses, word forms and punctuation
- your ideas are easy to read and understand
Practice time
You have been asked to write a report about a media survey.
Look at the following chart.
Write your report in the comments below.
Time to practice
Teacher Julieta 
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