This is the first in a series of postings about how to approach academic task 1 in the writing paper. The starting point is to be aware of the different types of charts and graphs you may see. The key point is that each chart and graph will require a different form of language.
The chart types
There are 4 different chart type you may see in the exam:
- the bar chart/line graph
- the pie chart
- the table
- the process/diagram
Static and dynamic charts
You should note that there are 2 major types of chart and graph: the static chart and the dynamic chart. The static chart shows only one period of time or has no time element. In contrast, the dynamic chart shows two or more periods of time or a change over a period of time.
It is essential to note this as static charts and dynamic charts require different language. You cannot use the famous “trend language” in static charts where there is no change in time. Many candidates focus exclusively on this language. That is a big mistake.
A video tutorial
In this video, I talk through the different chart types and describe some of the typical problems they present.
Are you from China?
Here is a Chinese friendly/non-Youtube version of the video.
The key language
What language do you need for academic task 1? It will depend on the chart/graph you see. These are the main possibilities:
topic specific language: if the graph is about leisure activities, you will need leisure activity language; if it is about employment, you will need employment language, etc. You should note that to get a reasonable score, you will need to vary the language in the question and the chart: it is not sufficient to copy that language.
comparison language: typically, you will need to compare and contrast in tables, charts and graphs. You will need this language whether the chart/graph is static or has a time element. To get a good score, you will need more than one comparison structure: it is not sufficient to repeat the same comparing structure every time.
trend/change language: this language is only appropriate in charts/graphs where there is a change of time. If there is no time element, or if there is only one period of time then you do not need this language.
process language: if you see a diagram or process, then you will need the language to describe processes (first, then, next etc)
Thank you so much for including a non-Youtube link for this video! I am not in China, but in another country that blocks Youtube. I have been using your site everyday this last week, as I am tutoring someone to prep for this exam! Thank you so much for your amazing resources. You really deserve a lot of advertising income from it!
Thanks.
I must remember to convert my older videos onto a non-Youtube site. Must say I am considering advertising but the idealist in me wants to keep it commercial free! You might be interested to know that just about my next step will be to set up some form of teaching resources section: still in the planning phase but imminent I hope.
Can I ask whether you can access my Vimeo videos? It’s slightly easier that way for me.
Thank you so much to prepare the video specially for the chinese student.