Task 7. Internet Users in the Middle East, 2000-2010

Describe the graph that shows changes in the Internet use in selected Middle Eastern countries between 2000 and 2010.

Line Graphs

Line graphs are used to show a trend or pattern which usually takes place over a period of time. It is important to look at the overall pattern on a line graph as well as the significant features within it.

For example,

It shows the population of D enmark from 1996 to 2007. You can see that in 1996 the population was 5.25 million and that by the year 2007 it had grown to 5.45 million.

When you write about a line chart it is important to look first at the Chart Title. This tells you what information the graph 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 graph the units are millions. The population of Denmark in 1996 was not 5.25, but 5.25 million people.

Line graphs describe change. When describing these graphs you must answer the question, "What changed?". In this case we can see that the population of Denmark increased from 1996 to 2007.

We can also ask the question, "How did the population change?". Because the line is fairly smooth, we can say that the population increased steadily.

Lastly, we can ask the question, "How much?". In this case, "How big was the change in population?" The population in 1996 was 5.25 million and in 2007 it was 2.45 million. So there was an increase of 0.2 million or 200,000 people.

To provide a good description of the graph, it is necessary to answer the following questions:

1. What exactly does the graph show? (Use the chart title to help you answer this question)

2. What are the axes and what are the units?

3. What changed?

4. How much did it change?

“This graph shows population change in Denmark from 1996 to 2007. Denmark's population grew steadily from 5.25 million in 1996 to 5.45 million in 2007, an increase of 200,000 people.”

Practice

Task 1. Fill in the gaps in the given sentences.

steady increase	stood at	rocketed	peaked	peaked	fell sharply
dropped	fell slightly	sudden increase	remained	rise sharply	reached

1. In 1991, the price of gold _____________________at $380 an ounce.

2. From 1991 to 1993, the price of oil _____________________.

3. The price ________________________ stable at just under $400 an ounce between 1994 and 1996.

4. From 1997 to 2000, the price _____________________ from $380 to about $250.

4. There was a _______________________ in 2000 to about $300 an ounce.

5. From 2001 to 2006, there was a ____________________ in the price of gold.

6. The price __________________ in mid-2006 at $700 an ounce.

7. It continued to __________________ and ______________ again in mid-2008 at $1000 an ounce.

8. In 2009, the gold price ___________________ to about $700 an ounce.

9. From 2009 to the present, the price _____________________, until it _____________________ its current price of $1400 an ounce in early 2011.

Task 2. Changes in Milk Consumption

The graph shows changes in the amount of milk consumed per person per year in liters in the US between 1950 and 2000.

______ . Overall, Americans drink much less milk now than at the start of the period. ______ . It fell from about 130 liters per person in 1950 to only around 90 liters five decades later. ______ . At the beginning, whole milk was more popular at 120 liters, but it fell sharply to about a quarter that by 2000. ______ . It rose from roughly 10 liters in 1950 to five times that in 1980, when consumption was almost tied with whole milk. ______ . In conclusion, the American diet with regard to dairy changes significantly over the time represented. ______ .