Summary writing
Shorter Writing
Understanding Task 1
You need to write over 150 words (if you write any
less marks WILL be deducted).
Writethe task in 20 minutes, don’t waste too
much time on this task as it doesn’t contribute in
your marks.
Academic report on a chart or graph.
Marking Criteria
Task Achievement
Cohesion
Vocabulary
Grammatical range and accuracy
Introductory Paragraph
Explainwhat the graph or chart represents,
paraphrasing the title. The chart/graph illustrates
the…
Pie Chart title: Holiday destinations chosen by
American people 1955-2005.
Your first sentence: The pie chart shows the vacation
preferences of American people over a fifty year
period starting in 1955 and finishing in 2005.
Second+ Third Paragraph
Organize the information into two separate groups
and focus on these topics:
Major trends
Major groups
Exceptions
Other similar ideas
Write about this information focusing on a group at
a time.
Last Paragraph
Two sentences summarizing your description.
(What are the major overall trends, changes,
etc.)
General Tips
Ifyou cannot compare the information of your Pie
Charts, don’t panic. In such a case giving a summary
of each picture is fine.
Avoid giving personal opinions at all costs. (E.g. If
the graph shows rising prices and you know it’s
because of a war in Middle East, do not say anything.
Your personal opinion must not be mentioned.)
Always pay attention to the time frame of your Pie
Charts and use the appropriate tense (past, present
or future).
Focus on getting all of the appropriate data from the
Pie Charts/Graphs into your writing.
Vocabulary to Use
Written form Percentage Fraction
a half 50% 1/2
a third 33% 1/3
two thirds 66% 2/3
three quarters 75% 3/4
a quarter 25% 1/4
Verbs Example
soar the use of water soared in March
leap the prices leapt to 90% in one year
Climb populations climbed to over one million by
1980
Rocket use of cars rocketed in the first decade
Surge a surge of migration is seen in November
Verbs Example
Sink The cost of housing sunk after 2008
Slip back Use of electricity slipped back to 50 in May
Dip Divorce rate dipped in the 60s
Drop A drop in crime can be seen last year
Plummet Tourists to the city plummets after
September
Adjective Example Adverb Example
Significant A significant Significantly Changed
change significantly
Dramatic A dramatic Dramatically Sifts
shift dramatically
Sudden A sudden rise Suddenly Has risen
suddenly
Substantial A substantial Substantially Gained
gain substantially
Sharp A sharp Sharply Had
decrease decreased
sharply
Adjective Example Adverb Example
Consistent A consistent Consistently Flowed
flow consistently
Steady A steady Steadily Moved steadily
movement
Constant Constant shift Constantly Shifted
constantly
Adjective Example Adverb Example
Slight A slight rise Slightly Rose slightly
Gradual A gradual fall Gradually Has fallen
gradually
Marginal A marginal Marginally Had changed
change marginally
Modest A modest Modestly Increases
increase modestly
Which Tense to Use
Check the graph title, and the pie chart subtitles, look
for dates!
– if the year is before the present year (i.e. 2018), use
the past tense
– if the year is after the present year (i.e 2021), use the
future tense
– if there is no year, use the present simple tense
Check you don’t accidentally switch the tense half
way through.
Sometimes you will get charts and graphs that will
require you to use more than one tense, but do this
deliberately and with caution.
