Fixed Time Versus Change Over Time
Fixed Time Versus Change Over Time
Fixed Time Versus Change Over Time
Checklist of 11 Expectations
Examples:
2. Superlatives
Examples:
• The chemical sector used the greatest amounts of both ground water and aquifers.
• The water usage by the metal industry accounted for the second largest.
• The amount spent on the public supply water was the largest of all the expenses.
3. Adverbials
Examples:
4. Approximations
Examples:
5. Linking Comparatives
Examples:
• A great deal of people prefer travailing by car while/whereas others choose the train.
• Adults do not have much freetime. Meanwhile, children have far more freetime.
• Compared with Android phones, iPhones are lighter and produce better images.
6. Specific Statements – figures / data / numbers for both fixed time and change over time
Examples:
• Violence against other people was the crime committed the most by women, at/with 23 percent.
• Over twice as many robberies were committed by men than women, at/with 7 percent and 3 percent
respectively.
• The number of fatalities at work reached an all-time high in 1994, accounting for 6,612 deaths that
year.
• The number of deaths at work in 2009 (4,551) was nearly equal to workplace fatalities in 2010
(4,690).
• The number of deaths at work in 2009 was nearly equal to workplace fatalities in 2010. The death
toll was 4,551 and 4,690, respectively.
• The demand for pizza started from 300 grams followed by a spectacular fall to 200 grams in 1985.
• The total demand for face masks skyrocketed to 75 per household per week in June of 2021.
• There was a considerable fall by approximately 5% in the proportion change of estate prices in New
York between 1990 and 1995.
• Likewise, Tokyo and London, which had the same figures, witnessed a dramatic decrease to about
7% over the same period. However, the figures for Madrid and Frankfurt were around 2% and 3%,
respectively.
• During the latter period from 1996 to 2002, the figure for exported coffee was the highest at 66%,
and with more than 40% of the coffee being shipped to America.
• This rate in Frankfurt was 2%, which was lower than in the first 5-year period. Finally, the change in
percentage for Tokyo fell by around 5% between 1996 and 2002.
• The most popular languages were Spanish, German and French, of which the Spanish language
was the most popular, starting from 1889 students in 2000 and gradually increasing to 2453 in
2005.
Change Over Time: General Statements (grammar range)
1. Comparatives
2. Superlatives
3. Adverbials
4. Approximations
5. Linking Comparatives
6. Specific Statements
+
7. Language of Movement
Examples:
Examples:
• The figure for sales significantly increased (adverb + verb) to just over 10 billion units sold.
• There was a rapid rise (adjective + noun) in the number of immigrants arriving in America just after WWII.
preposition + time/date
Examples:
Examples:
In the first two examples here, the basic form of the sentence is subject + verb + time span. Time span is not
necessary but does add useful information to the sentences.
One common alternative for double and triple is the verb + adverb phrase “increased twofold” or “increased
threefold”. The only other point to note here is that the adverb “nearly” comes between “increased” and
“threefold”.
Examples –
It’s also common to use “increase” as a noun with “twofold” working as an adjective together with the be verb. For
whatever reason, this form is usually used for increases rather than decreases.
Examples –
Double and triple are predeterminers which include multipliers (double, twice, four/five times…) as well as
fractions (one-third, three-quarters, half, etc.). They are most commonly used when making comparisons.
Multipliers:
Examples –
Fractions:
Examples –
• The number of people traveling by bus was half as much in 2005 compared to 2010.
• Twice as many people travelled by bus in 2010 compared to 2005
EXAMPLES
The pie graphs below show the result of a survey of children's activities. The first graph shows the cultural and
leisure activities that boys participate in, whereas the second graph shows the activities in which the girls
participate.
The table below shows the hours of leisure time spent by people in different age groups in Someland.
The bar chart illustrates the oil production capacity of several countries in the Middle East over a 20-year period.
The graphs indicate the source of complaints about the bank of America and the amount of time it takes to have
the complaints resolved.
The chart below gives information about billions of euros invested in four areas by various organizations.
The chart below shows the number of films produced by five countries in three years.
• At
• With
Examples –
• From…To
Examples –
▪ Muffin sales significantly increased from about 5 muffins on Wednesday to about 15 on Sunday.
▪ The sale of muffins rocketed to just over 14 muffins by the end of the week.
▪ There was a slight rise in sales from about 5 muffins on Monday.
• Around
• Between…and…
Examples –
▪ Between Monday and Wednesday, muffin sales slightly fluctuated between 4 and 6 muffins.
▪ For three days, the sale of muffins fluctuated mildly around 5 muffins.
Examples –
The word percentage(s) is a countable noun that usually goes in the general statement, NOT the specific statement.
• Meanwhile, percent is an expression of the symbol % which often goes in the specific statement
• ‘The percentage of households that are locked down has increased to 95 percent.’
• Students finish their post-secondary education when they’re about twenty-four or twenty-five years old.
Sentences
Note – sentences resemble an inverted triangle, in which the broader / general statements (ex. subjects) are at the top /
beginning of the sentence, and the specific statements make the information more pointed / focused (ex. data / figures)
Introduction – 2 sentences
Conclusion (optional)
• If your introduction does not have an overview, then you will need a conclusion with an overview
Introduction (2 sentences)
1. Introductory Sentence - signpost language + paraphrase what / where / when
This graph shows ... the number of exports from Vietnam over 10 years starting in
1990.
The diagram outlines... rates of economic in the U.K. between 1990 and
growth 1996.
This table lists... the top ten agencies... in Melbourne in the industrial world.
This pie chart the turnover rate in within 3 different in the first quarter of the
represents manufacturing factories year.
This line chart depicts the changes in sales in Apple Inc. over the past year.
This chart illustrates ... the sales of each in Vingroup during the past ten
salesman weeks.
• If fixed time, the general trend will mention the most and/or the least and/or the biggest/smallest
differences
• If graph is change over time, the general trend will mention general increases and/or decreases and/or
fluctuations and/or level movements
Signpost language –
▪ Overall, …
▪ As an overall trend, …
BREAKDOWN – Paraphrasing
It is helpful to describe what is being measured in more than one way. We can make a noun phrase
such as the use of cars into the two-word noun phrase – car use
Notice that the noun cars from the first phrase transforms into an adjective in the second phrase, so it
looks like a singular noun (car) because adjectives do not have -s forms
For example
the percentage of employees can be paraphrased as employee percentages.
Vietnamese coffee can be paraphrased as coffee from Vietnam
Note –
Pay special attention to articles and prepositions and plurals when paraphrasing
When changing word forms and word order, be sure to add / subtract articles and prepositions when necessary
Also be sure that the main noun is plural because subjects in general statements are plural
Special note –
Academic writing takes its cues from Scientific / Medical writing, which has historically regarded apostrophes and
contractions as informal. Therefore, when writing / paraphrasing the subject, the general rule is to use the ‘of’ structure
for subjects rather than possessive nouns.
This language is covered in the checklist for the 11 expectations of fixed time vs. change over time.
NOTE – Use the answer for these questions to write an introductory sentence.
• If only 1 subject is shown in the graph: Divide the graph into 2 different periods based on the major
changes in movement. Each period will be reported in one body paragraph
• If 2 or more subjects are shown in the graph, you have 2 options:
▪ If there are only 2 subjects – report each subject in their own body paragraphs, with at least 1
comparison between the 2 subjects in each paragraph.
▪ If there are 3 or more subjects – group subjects with similar trends in respective body
paragraphs, report each subject, with at least 1 comparison between the subjects in each body
paragraph.
• Specific figures/data/numbers need to balance out the general statements of the report by giving
specific figures for the following:
Notes –
You do NOT need to write a specific statement for ever data point on the graph. General statements cover the entire
graph, but specific statements only cover the most important / standout figures for each subject on the graph, as shown
above.
BREAKDOWN – Structures for Describing Trends
• Between 2000 and 2005, the use of cars witnessed a significant increase.
• Fast food consumption underwent a slight fall between 2000 and 2005.
• There was a considerable rise in the cost of petrol between 2000 and 2005. .......................
• The cost of petrol experienced a considerable rise between 2000 and 2005. .......................
• The period between 2000 and 2005 witnessed a considerable rise in the cost of petrol. ...
• Fruit prices.............................................................................................................................
• ..............................................................................................................................................
• ..............................................................................................................................................
3. The number of people who speak Spanish has increased significantly between 2000 and 2005.
Introduction paragraph
The line chart depicts a comparison between the amount of wheat exported by three regions between 1985
and 1990. Overall, there was a steady fall in Australian wheat exports while wheat exports for the European
Community increased. Meanwhile, the figure for Canada fluctuated during the period. In addition, Australia
exported the least amount of wheat throughout most of the period.
2. Body Paragraphs: General statements + Specific Statements
General Statements
General statements – subjects/nouns, pronouns, comparisons, sequencing, movement & time expressions
Examples:
1. Australia’s wheat export figure rose slightly between 1985 and 1986.
2. Then, it declined steadily to its lowest point.
3. Regarding Canada, in 1985, many tons of wheat were exported.
4. Following this, there was a slight decrease in 1986 before reaching a peak in 1988.
5. Afterward, the figure plunged in 1989, but then subsequently rose to its 1985 level at the end of the
period.
6. By contrast, the wheat exports from the European Community experienced an increase during the six-
year period.
7. In 1985, many tons of wheat were exported, but 1986 witnessed a fall.
8. From this point, exports rose gradually to the highest point in 1990, which was slightly higher than
Canada but considerably greater than Australia.
Specific Statements
Specific Statements – data / figures / specific numbers.
Examples:
1. Australia’s wheat export figure rose slightly from 15 million tons in 1985 to around 16 million tons in
1986.
2. Then, it declined steadily to a low of just over 10 million tons in 1990.
3. Regarding Canada, in 1985 approximately 19 million tons of wheat were exported.
4. Following this, there was a slight decrease to about 17 million in 1986 before reaching a peak of 25
million tons in 1988.
5. Afterward, the figure plunged to below 15 million in 1989, but then subsequently rose to its 1985 level
at the end of the period.
6. By contrast, the wheat exports from the European Community experienced an increase during the six-
year period.
7. In 1985, nearly 16 million tons of wheat were exported, but 1986 witnessed a fall to about 14 million.
8. From this point, exports rose gradually to a high of about 21 million tons in 1990, which was slightly
higher than Canada but considerably greater than Australia.
Note – the sentences, and ultimately the body paragraphs, are a balance of general and specific statements
Final Draft
The graph below shows the differences in wheat exports over three different areas from 1985 to 1990.
The line chart depicts a comparison between the amount of wheat exported by three regions
between 1985 and 1990. In general, there was a steady fall in Australian wheat exports while
the European Community experienced an opposite trend, and the figure for Canada fluctuated
during the period. In addition, Australia exported the least amount of wheat throughout the
whole period.
Australia’s wheat export figure rose slightly from 15 million tons in 1985 to around 16 million
tons in 1986. Then, it declined steadily to a low of just over 10 million tons in 1990. Regarding
Canada, in 1985 approximately 19 million tons of wheat were exported. Following this, there
was a slight decrease to about 17 million in 1986 before reaching a peak of 25 million tons in
1988. Afterward, the figure plunged to below 15 million in 1989, but then subsequently rose to
its 1985 level at the end of the period.
By contrast, the wheat exports from the European Community experienced an increase during
the six-year period. 7. In 1985, nearly 16 million tons of wheat were exported, but 1986
witnessed a fall to about 14 million. From this point, exports rose gradually to a high of about 21
million tons in 1990, which was slightly higher than Canada but considerably greater than
Australia.
(216)
In millions of tonnes
INTRODUCTION – 2 sentences
1. Signpost language + paraphrase the question (what / where / when)
2. Signpost language + general trend (movement/direction for change over time graph and/or
comparatives/superlatives for fixed time graph) *
* For multiple trends, use linking comparatives = while, whereas, Meanwhile
1. First sentence
• Paraphrased what = the amount of meat produced / the changes in the production of meat
• Paraphrased where = around the world / worldwide / global
• Paraphrased when = between 1950 and 1990 /…over a 40-year period starting in 1950
The line graph illustrates the changes in the worldwide production of meat over a 40-year period starting in 1950.
2. Second sentence
Overall, the production of pork, beef/buffalo and poultry meat experienced an increase while that of sheep/goat
remained relatively stable. Additionally, pork had the highest amount of meat produced by the end of the period.
HOMEWORK
In millions of tonnes
Introduction –
The line graph illustrates the changes in the worldwide production of meat over a 40-year period starting in
1950. Overall, the production of pork, beef/buffalo and poultry meat experienced an increase while that of
sheep/goat remained relatively stable. Additionally, pork had the highest amount of meat produced by the end
of the period.
INSTRUCTIONS – write 150 WORDS maximum for TWO BODY PARAGRAPHS using diverse sentence structures