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VI. WRITING
Description of a line graph
1. Work in pairs. Look at the line graph. Match the sentences with the information in the graph.
Percentage of Population in Urban and Rural Areas
It remained stable
1. _____
It increased slightly.
2. _____
3. _____
a. It is expected to go up gradually.
b. It fell steadily.
c. It rose steadily.
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2. Look at the line graph and put the paragraphs in the correct order.
Percentage of Population in Urban and Rural Areas in Fantasia
A. By contrast, the urban population rose throughout the same period. In 1950, the percentage of urban population was just around 6 per cent. It increased slightly to 15 per cent in 1980. After that, the figure rose steadily and in 2000 it stood at 40 per cent. The upward trend continued and in 2020, more than half of its population lived in urban areas. In the next twenty years, the urban population is expected to reach 65 per cent of the total population.
B. The line graph shows population trends in Fantasia's urban and rural areas over the 1950-2040 period. Overall, the urban population has increased and will continue to grow while the rural population has decreased and will continue to fall.
C. In 1950, 94 per cent or most of Fantasia's population lived in rural areas. This figure remained stable until 1960. However, from 1960 to 1980, the percentage of rural population fell slightly to 85 per cent. This figure went down steadily to 48 per cent in 2020 and is expected to drop to 35 per cent in 2040.
Tips
To describe a line graph, you should:
• introduce and describe the most outstanding feature of the line graph.
Example: The line graph shows information about/changes in/illustrates how/compares... Overall, ...
• describe trends.
Example:
- The figure/proportion/percentage rose/increased/went up + slightly/slowly/gradually/rapidly.
- The figure/proportion/percentage fell/decreased/went down + slightly/slowly/gradually/rapidly. ...
- fell/rose to/by...
- remained the same/stable.
• make comparisons.
Example: By contrast,... /Compared to... /In comparison with ...
3. The line graph below illustrates population trends in Viet Nam from 1960 to 2020. Write a description (120-150 words) of the graph. Use the expressions in 1, the model and tips in 2, and the suggestions below to help you.
Percentage of Urban and Rural Population in Viet Nam
The line graph shows population trends in Viet Nam from 1960 to 2020. Overall, the urban population...
In 1960, most Vietnamese people... However, from 1960 to 1980, ... From 1990, ...
By contrast, the urban population rose throughout the same period. In 1960, ... In 1980.... From 1990, ...
