UNIT 2 READING GRAPHS/CHARTS

Introduction

Graphs are a common way of giving information. Usually, this kind of visual aids is
helpful for audience to easily grasp the information presented. It is also a good attention
getter so that audience could be more focused on the information conveyed through them.
Graphs are usually used to show for example, portion, trends (for instance, a
development). In explaining a trend through a graph of line chart and of pie chart, certain
expressions are used.
This chapter discusses how to read graphs in the forms bar graphs, line charts, and pie charts.
Therefore, after completing this chapter you will have to be able to explain data or
information on bar graphs, line charts, and pie charts, and use the expressions related to
graphs.


1. Describing Data on Graphs/Charts
There are various kinds of graphs/charts. Among them are bar chart, line chart, and
pie chart, as shown in the following. Can you name each of the following graphs/charts?
Which one is bar chart, line chart, and pie chart?










a. ..................................................... b. ......................................................

















c. .....................................................

Besides saying a portion, comparison is also used in explaining data on a pie chart. Now,
study how the following information in pie chart on total health spending is explained.

The pie chart shows our total health spending for the last year is divided among various
health sector areas. The biggest area (31%) is in hospital care. The second biggest (23%) is
in other spending. Meanwhile, the least spending is in nursing home and prescription drugs.
Next, the following is how some information on line chart is described. Study the sentences
that follow it.

Passenger numbers fluctuated between 2.1 and 2.3 million in the first four months. They even
rose moderately in May, reaching just over 2.5 million at the end of the month. In June you
will notice a sharp fall in passenger numbers.
The following is how a data on a bar chart is described. Study the description that follows the
chart.

In this graph of Electro Incs television sales between 1996 and 1999, we can see that
purchases of televisions went up in 1996 and continued to rise steadily until 1998 when they
dropped slightly in 1999.

2. Phrases and Expressions
The phrases/expressions that are usually used in describing a trend (based on
direction, i.e. upward, downward, and level) in line charts are as follows:

Direction Verb Noun
Upward Climb
Go up
Increased
Rise


Increase
Rise
Downward Decline
Decrease
Dip, Drop
Fall, Go down
Decline
Decrease
Dip, Drop
Fall,
Level Not change
Remain constant
Level off
No change
You should note that usually a trend that happened in the past is described by using
simple


past. Accordingly, the verbs used have to be in past form. Besides, a change is usually
described with adjective or adverbs based on the rate of change. The adjectives and adverbs
are as follows:
Adjectives Adverbs
Slight Slightly
Gradual Gradually
Steady Steadily
Steep steeply
Sharp Sharply
Sudden Suddenly
Fast Fast

You have learned how to describe the information presented on graphs. You also have
learned what certain phrases that are commonly used for describing data on line charts and
pie charts, and bar charts.
Test 1. Look at the pie chart below about the budget allocated by PT ABC on 5 SCR
programs, i.e. infrastructure development (ID), educational improvement (EI), health service
(HS), religion facilies (RF), and environment nurturing (EN).


Test 2. The following graph is a line chart about the sales of singles in the United Kingdom
(UK) over a seven year period. Explain the data.
56,4
(EN)
28,2 (EI)
14,1 (HS)
10 (RF)
57,8 (ID)