How to talk about charts and graphs in English (advanced English lessons)

Summary

In this lesson, we explore chart vocabulary for analyzing data in English. The four main types of charts discussed are pie charts, bar graphs, line graphs, and scattergraphs. Key terms include axes, trends, peaks, and steady growth, with a focus on describing changes in data like increases, decreases, and sharp drops. The lesson uses an example of tomato soup sales in 2017 to demonstrate how to articulate data trends, peaks, and fluctuations. This video equips viewers with essential language for presenting charts and graphs in English, making data analysis easier to understand.

Takeaways

• 😀 There are four types of charts and graphs: pie charts, bar graphs, line graphs, and scattergraphs.
• 😀 Pie charts are called so because they resemble something you can eat.
• 😀 A bar graph uses bars, a line graph uses lines, and a scattergraph uses dots.
• 😀 The word 'graph' is used for bar, line, and scatter graphs, while 'chart' is specifically used for pie charts.
• 😀 Charts and graphs typically have two axes: the X-axis (horizontal) and the Y-axis (vertical).
• 😀 When the data line or bar goes up, it indicates an increase or growth in the data (e.g., tomato soup sales).
• 😀 When the data line or bar goes down, it indicates a decrease or fall in the data (e.g., declining tomato soup sales).
• 😀 The highest point on a graph is called the peak, such as when sales reached their peak during the third quarter of 2017.
• 😀 The lowest point is typically referred to simply as the lowest point, marking the lowest sales or value.
• 😀 A steady growth trend means a consistent upward movement in data over time, as seen in the steady increase in tomato soup sales throughout 2017.
• 😀 A sharp fall or drop refers to a significant decrease in data, such as the sharp decline in tomato soup sales at the beginning of the new year.
• 😀 Trend refers to a general change or direction in the data, like an upward trend followed by a downward trend in tomato soup sales in 2017.

Q & A

What are the four types of charts and graphs mentioned in the lesson?

The four types of charts and graphs mentioned are a pie chart, bar graph, line graph, and scattergraph.

Why is a pie chart called a pie chart?

A pie chart is called a pie chart because its shape resembles something that you can eat, like a pie.

What is the difference between a chart and a graph?

A chart is a general term for a visual representation of data, while a graph specifically refers to diagrams that use axes and data points, such as bar graphs, line graphs, and scattergraphs.

What are the axes in a chart or graph?

The axes in a chart or graph are the X-axis (horizontal line) and Y-axis (vertical line), which represent different variables of the data.

What does it mean if a line or bar in a graph is going up?

If the line or bar is going up, it means that the data is increasing or growing.

What terms are used to describe a decrease in data on a graph?

If the data is decreasing, we can say it is falling or dropping.

What is the highest point on a graph called?

The highest point on a graph is called a peak.

What does the term 'steady growth' refer to in the context of a graph?

'Steady growth' refers to a consistent, continuous increase in data over time, as indicated by an upward trend on the graph.

What does a 'sharp fall' or 'sharp drop' mean in data analysis?

A 'sharp fall' or 'sharp drop' refers to a sudden and significant decrease in data values, typically shown by a steep downward movement on the graph.

What does the term 'trend' refer to in a graph?

A 'trend' refers to the general direction of change or development in the data over time, whether it is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable.