Describing Bar Charts and Column Charts (1)

Bar charts and column charts are similar: only their orientations differ. A bar chart is orientated horizontally, whereas a column chart is arranged vertically. Sometimes "bar chart" refers to both forms.

These types of charts are usually used for comparison purposes (unlike line charts, which describe change).

Observe the following chart :

It shows the populations of various European countries in the year 2007. The populations are only for one year, 2007, and so we cannot make any comments about change in population: we can only compare one county with another.

When you write about a bar or column chart it is important to look first at the Chart Title. This tells you what information the chart displays and you can use this information in your description.

Then look at the X and Y axes. The titles of these axes sometimes give you information you can use in your description. It is important also to look at the UNITS. On the Y-axis in this chart the units are millions. The population of Belgium in 2007 was not 10, but 10 million people.

Bar and column charts show similarities and differences. When describing these charts you need to make comparisons.

You also need to group together any columns which have broad similarities.

To write a short description of this graph ask yourself (and answer!) the following questions:

1. What exactly does the chart show? (Use the chart title to help you answer this question)
2. What are the axes and what are the units?
3. What similarities are there?
4. Is it possible to put some of the columns into one or more groups?
5. What differences are there?

Answering these questions will help you to write a short description of this simple column chart.

Here is an example:

This chart shows the populations of some European countries in 2007. The country with the largest population is Germany, with over 80 million people whereas Estonia has the smallest population, at little more than a million. Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia and Ireland all have populations or ten million or less, while Greece has a population of about eleven million. Apart from Germany, the largest countries are Spain, France and Italy with populations ranging from about forty-four to sixty-three million. Together, the four largest countries account for over eighty per cent of the population of the countries shown.

Vocabulary

To make comparisons, you need to know the comparatives and superlatives of common adjectives. Here are some examples:

To signal comparison and contrast within a sentence you can use the following conjunctions:

as ....... as, not as ......... as, not so ........ as, whereas, but, while, although

To signal comparison and contrast between sentences you can use the following words and phrases:

However, By contrast, On the other hand, In comparison

O/L English Language Support Materials by RCF – Tips for describing pictures

In the test no 3 of the O/L English Language Paper, they normally give a picture to describe. The following tips will help the student to describe the picture successfully.

At first, it may seem like there is not a lot to write about, but here is where the teacher can be a guide in the beginning. There are many things you can describe in each picture:

(1) Describe what they are doing.

He's riding a dinosaur.

(2) Describe what they are wearing.

She's wearing a ribbon.

(3) Describe what they are holding.

He's holding a bat.

(4) Describe what there is and how many there are.

There is an elephant. There are two birds.

(5) Describe where they are.

There are at the beach.

(6) Give an opinion.

Her dress is pretty. It looks like fun.

(7) Describe where things are in relation to each other.

The bear is next to a tree.

(8) Describe shapes and colors.

The wheel is round. His hat is red.

(9) Describe what the weather is like.

It's a sunny day.

(10) Make predictions.

They are going to take a trip.

(11) Describe emotions.

He is scared. She is happy.

O/L English Study Materials by RCF: Test 16 – Completing a Story (First line given) – Some Tips with an example.

Structure

The first thing to remember is that stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. A story has to be in the right order or your readers won't understand it.

Beginning

The beginning of a story is where you introduce your readers to your style, setting and characters. Often a writer will give his characters a problem to solve. This keeps the reader interested, as they'll want to find out what happens.

Middle

In the middle you develop your story. The reader begins to ask more questions and starts to learn what will happen to the characters.

End

In the end you tell readers exactly what happens to the characters and how they solved the problems you gave them at the start.

Also

Don't leave any questions unanswered at the end of the story and make sure your reader knows what happens to all your characters - unless you are planning a sequel (second part), in which case don't tell the reader everything! Then they'll want to read your next story to find out what happens.

In order to have a story your character has to face a challenge at some point. Otherwise it is one long description. Think about the situation to find a potential conflict, maybe the bus will break down on the way home. Maybe she'll accidentally get on the wrong bus, or it will get hijacked. Maybe she'll have to walk or hitchhike to get home.

Example:

Test 16:

Complete the following story.

One day my mother and I went shopping…

One day my mother and I went shopping and bought some clothes. After that when we were coming out of the shop an alarm rang. We were surprised as everyone looked at us, as if we had stolen something.

The security officer told us that something had gone wrong and he wanted to check our bags. He found nothing wrong and then he wanted to check my mother's handbag. He found a tag on it. It was the security tag which had triggered the alarm. It had been given to my mother when she entered the fitting room and my mother had forgotten to return it.

My mother explained everything to them and then we came home. That was an unforgettable incident in my life.