Al seminar oct27_writing task 1

Active Learning
Seminars

Presented by Nigel Veal

Task 1: Write a report about a graph,
table, bar chart or diagram, using a
minimum of 150 words.

Do not
give your own opinions or reasons
in Writing Task 1

Unfortunately, the divorce rate in the USA
rose during the 1990s. Divorce has a negative
effect on family life.

The divorce rate in the USA rose
during the 1990s.

The number of flights increased in December.
This is probably because people wanted to
spend Christmas with their families.

The number of flights increased in December.

Paraphrasing
shows = illustrates (or ‘compares’ if the graph is comparing)
proportion = percentage
information = data
the number of = the figure for / how many
people in the USA = Americans
from 1999 to 2009 = between 1999 and 2009
from 1999 to 2009= over a period of 10 years / over a 10-year period
how to produce = the process of producing
in three countries = in the UK, France and Spain (i.e. name the countries)

The bar chart illustrates the number of students
studying different subjects at university level
over a five-year period.

The bar chart shows how many students
were studying five different subjects at
tertiary level between 1996 and 2001.

The line graph illustrates changing patterns in
domestic access to different forms of technology
in the UK between 1990 and 1999.

The graph shows changes in the availability of
four types of technology in British homes during
the 1990s.

The use of computers in people’s homes
increased during the 10-year period.

More people used computers in their
homes in 1999 than at any other time
during the decade.

The chicken was fluctuated crazily

The consumption of chicken fluctuated
considerably during the five-year period.

Men quickly fell down smoking.

The percentage of men who smoked
decreased sharply.

The number of male smokers fell
dramatically.

Decide if you need to
1. write about changes over time
2. make comparisons
3. both

This simplified diagram shows applications for different
courses by month in various colleges. Write a description of the
main changes.

The three subjects all reveal completely different trends with
only applications for Accounting remaining stable throughout
the three months. Applicants for Economics and Business
Studies showed opposite trends with the former falling steadily
and the latter rising sharply.

Exam strategy
Task 1 Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1 – Say what the diagram shows in your own words (you
will lose marks if you copy the question). follow this with several
sentences describing the main features supported by reference to
the diagram (eg include dates and figures).
Paragraph 2 – Give further details – describe other features,
significant differences and make comparisons where relevant.
Support with figures from the diagram.
Summarizing sentence – End with one or two sentences that give an
overall summary of the main features. No explanation, reason or
conclusion should be given.

Use suitable linking words
to show contrast

Although car sales rose during the
first quarter, but they fell in April.

Use these words to describe predictions:
• It is predicted/forecast(ed)/estimated/expected/projected/anticipated that … will …
• … will …
• The projection is for … to …
• … is/are predicted/forecast(ed)/estimated/expected/projected/anticipated to …
• … is/are set to …

Well first of all the blue line starts low then has a steadily rise. After a bit more it
then rises sharp. This is probably because of the strong Chinese economy.

Text B
The bar chart illustrates the average amount of unleaded
petrol and diesel consumed in a week for age groups
ranging from 20-60 years of age. Generally, unleaded
petrol was consumed at a higher rate than diesel, the
highest being 14 liters of unleaded per week for the 41-
45 year age group. This is a difference of more than 3
liters in comparison with diesel.

Vary your sentence
subjects

Gerunds can be used to add extra information

…. rose …., increasing from …. to …..
…. rose …., overtaking …. in …. and reaching a peak of …. in ….
…. rose …., before leveling off ….
…. fell ...., before rising ….

Which prepositions need to be used in the following sentences?
in
1. There was a steady rise ____ unemployment between 1999 and 2003.

of
2. There was a drop ____ 6% in the unemployment rate during the 5-year period
(from 12% to 6%).

to
3. Unemployment rates rose ____ a high of 12% last year.

by
4. Unemployment fell ____ 2% last year (from 12% to 10%).

Use the passive voice
to describe man-made processes

Present Simple … is grown …

Present Continuous … is being grown ...

Past Simple … was grown …

Past Continuous … was being grown …

Present Perfect Simple … has been grown …

is made
Chocolate 1…………….. (make) from up to 12 different types of cocoa
are sorted
beans. First, the beans 2..……………. (sort) by hand before being roasted.
is roasted
Each type of bean 3…………..… (roast) separately, which is time
consuming but important.
are loaded
Next, the beans 4 ...……………. (load) into a machine called a ‘winnower’,
which removes the hard outer shells of the beans. After this, the beans
are mashed
5...…….……….. (mash) into a thick paste and sugar and vanilla
are added is called
6…………..…… (add). This paste 7…………….. (call) the ‘chocolate liquor’.
is heated
Then the chocolate liquor 8…………….(heat) for up to 72 hours to make
is blended
sure the liquid 9………………… (blend) evenly. Following this, the liquor
is tempered
10 ……….……….. (temper) for several hours – repeatedly heated and
then cooled.
is allowed
Finally, the chocolate 11…….………… (allow) to cool and harden before
being packaged.

Use the active voice
to describe natural processes

English is your

to

Success!

Al seminar oct27_writing task 1

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