Task 4 (M5 LA3 )

Task 4: Describing the main points of information presented in table and charts

In this last section, you will learn how to describe information presented in tables or charts in a coherent paragraph that represents an academic piece of writing. Just like all academic texts, a description of charts or graphs consists of introduction, body, and conclusion sections. Only that they may not always take the form of paragraphs. Look at the example below.

A       The following line chart shows use of transport by international visitors during their visit in New Zealand. Can you complete the sentences in the following summary of the graph? Use the expressions in the box to help you.

a.      going to museums b.      50 percent c.       85 percent d.      go to see places of interest/go sightseeing

e.       40 percent f.        holiday activities preferred g.      45 percent h.       people

The chart shows (1) holiday activities preferred by international visitors in New Zealand. The most popular activity is walking, which (2) 85 percent of people on holiday do. Seventy-five percent of visitors (3) go to see places of interest/go sightseeing  and (4) 45 percent  go to see volcanoes. Another popular activity is boating, which (5) 50 percent  of holidaymakers do. Just over (6) 40 percent  of visitors also like (7 going to museums. Overall, (8) people enjoy doing outdoor activities more than indoor activities.

When you finish, check your answer with the answer key. How did you do the task? Do you have less than 6 correct items? Go back to this link to refresh your understanding.

B        Now, try some more practice with the following.

1

Write a good summary to describe the above chart from the jumbled sentences below:

(1)    Overall, the chart shows that although cars are the most popular means of transport, more people use public transport than private transport. (2)    Nearly 70 percent of visitors travel around in New Zealand by car, which is the commonest mode of transport. (3)    The chart gives information on the means of transport used by overseas visitors to travel in New Zealand. (4)    The second and third most common ways of travelling in the country are by plane or coach, and just over 30 percent of visitors use each of these. (5)   By comparison, only 20 percent of visitors use trains. The least popular method of travel is boat, which six perce of travellers use.

International Visitors to New Zeland: transport used during visit.

The chart gives information on the means of transport used by overseas visitors to travel in New Zealand. Nearly 70 percent of visitors travel around in New Zealand by car, which is the commonest mode of transport. The second and third most common ways of travelling in the country are by plane or coach, and just over 30 percent of visitors use each of these. By comparison, only 20 percent of visitors use trains. The least popular method of travel is boat, which six perce of travelers use. Overall, the chart shows that although cars are the most popular means of transport, more people use public transport than private transport.

2

Write a good summary to describe the above chart from the jumbled sentences below:

(1)    The chart gives information about where people who travel to come from. (2)    The third largest group, 12 percent, comes from the United Kingdom, and 9 percent go to the United States. (3)    27 percent comes from other European countries. (4)    The East Asian countries, China, Japan and South Korea, send 5 percent, 4 percent and 3 percent each. (5)    The percentage of visitors from Australia is the highest, at 40 percent. (6)   Overall, more than 70 percent of visitors come from English-speaking countries.

International Visitors to New Zeland: reason for visit The chart gives information about people’s reasons for visiting New Zealand. The most popular reason for visiting New Zeland is 47% for holiday. Twenty nine percent of visitors come to New Zealand for visiting friends and relatives. Another reasons are 13 % for business trip and 11 % for others. Overall, the chart shows that mostly the visitors of New Zealand are tourists who spend their time there for holiday.

3	Percentage of passenger kilometres by different modes of transport in Shanghai

Write a good summary to describe the above chart from the jumbled sentences below:

(1)    The table predicts changes in the types of transport used in Shanghai between 1996 and 2020. (2)    It is expected that in 2020 the use of cars will increase dramatically and account for over half of all distance travelled (52%). (3)    The figures show that in 1996 the most popular form of transport was public bus, accounting for 39% of passenger kilometers. (4)    Predictably, walking made up the smallest percentage. (5)    This was followed by bicycles with 27% whereas cars and scooters were used less, representing only 15% and 12% of passenger travel respectively. (6)    Bus journeys, for example, will only represent 22% of distances travelled, while bicycle trips will drop to as little as 3%, similar to the figure for walking. (7)    Overall, the table predicts a massive increase in the use of cars by 2020, at the expense of other forms of transport. (8)   In addition, trains will probably account for 13% of passenger kilometers, while the use of all other means of transport will decrease.

Percentage of Passenger Kilometers by Different Modes of Transport in Shanghai

The table predicts changes in the types of transport used in Shanghai between 1996 and 2020. The figures show that in 1996 the most popular form of transport was public bus, accounting for 39% of passenger kilometers. This was followed by bicycles with 27% whereas cars and scooters were used less, representing only 15% and 12% of passenger travel respectively. It is expected that in 2020 the use of cars will increase dramatically and account for over half of all distance travelled (52%). Bus journeys, for example, will only represent 22% of distances travelled, while bicycle trips will drop to as little as 3%, similar to the figure for walking. In addition, trains will probably account for 13% of passenger kilometers, while the use of all other means of transport will decrease. Predictably, walking made up the smallest percentage. Overall, the table predicts a massive increase in the use of cars by 2020, at the expense of other forms of transport.