Writing based on Non-linear stimuli

Task description
You will be given a non-linear stimulus/stimuli (eg graph/chart). Your task is to describe
the information given in the stimulus/stimuli by writing a 200-250 word report. You are
not asked to give your opinion.

What is being tested is your ability to:

• objectively describe the information given to you

• compare and contrast
• report on an impersonal topic without the use of opinion
• use the language of graph/chart description

Guidelines for a good report:

Does the report have a suitable structure?

• Does it have an introduction, body and conclusion?

• Does it include connective words to make the writing cohesive within sentences
and paragraphs?

Does the report use suitable grammar and vocabulary?

• Does it include a variety of sentence structures?

• Does it include a range of appropriate vocabulary?

Does the report meet the requirements of the task?

• Does it meet the word limit requirements?

• Does it describe the whole stimulus/stimuli adequately?
• Does it focus on the important trends presented in the stimulus/stimuli?

Sample 1: Double Line Graph

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.

Task:

The graph below compares the rate of smoking between men and women in Someland
from 1960 to 2000. Write a report for a university lecturer comparing and describing the
changes in the graph below. You should write between 200 to 250 words.
Sample answer:

Overview/Introduction • The line graph compares the rate of smoking in

men and women in Someland between the years
1960 and 2000.

Overall Trend(s) • Overall, it can be clearly seen that the rate of

smoking for both men and women is declining and
that fewer women have smoked throughout the
period.

• Key features/Major • In 1960, 600 men in every 1,000 were smoking.

findings • This number decreased gradually to 500 by 1974
• Analysis and and continued to decrease but more steeply to 250
Synthesis of Data in 2000.
(Numbers/Trends/Chan • In contrast, the rate of smoking in women in
ges) 1960 was very low at only 80 in every 1,000.
• By 1968, this increased to 170, and increased
again but more steeply to 320 in 1977.
• The rate of female smokers then remained stable
at 320 until 1984 at which point, the figures began
to decline and had dropped to 200 by 2000.

Conclusion In conclusion, it can be seen that the rate of smoking in

men dropped throughout the whole period but was always
at a higher level compared to female smokers’ figures.
On the other hand, the rate of smoking in women
increased until 1977 but then declined for the rest of the
 40-year period.
Sample 2: Pie Charts

Task:

The pie charts below the percentages of world spending, world population and
consumption of resources. Write a brief report by comparing and commenting on the
patterns in the charts. You should write between 200 to 250 words.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3

Sample answer:

Based on the given pie charts, Figure 1 shows the rate of world spending, Figure 2
shows the percentage of world population while Figure 3 shows the percentage of
consumption of resources. In Figure 1, it can be seen that the highest percentage of world
spending goes to “Other” with 40%. However, details of what ‘other’ covers are not
provided. The second highest category in which people spend most of their income (24%)
on is food. Transport and housing are the next major expenses at 18% and 12%
respectively. Only 6% of income is spent on clothing.
 In Figure 2, it is not surprising to find that 57% of people live in Asia as China
and India are two of the most populated countries in the world and they are both situated
in this continent. Europe and the Americans account for nearly 30% of the total, whilst
10% of people live in Africa. Finally, Figure 3 reveals that the USA and Europe consume
a huge 60% of the world’s resources as opposed to other parts of the world with 40%.
The latter mainly include Asian and African countries. To sum up, the major world
expenditure is on food, the population figures are the highest for Asia but the major
consumers of resources are USA and Europe.

Sample 3: Bar Graph

Task:

The graph below gives information about the preferred leisure activities of Australian
children. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown. You
should write in about 150 words.

Sample answer:

The graph shows the preferred leisure activities of Australian children aged 5-14.
Of the 10,000 children that were interviewed, all the boys and girls stated that they
enjoyed watching television or videos during their spare time. In addition, the second
most popular activity, attracting 80% of boys and 60% of girls, was playing electronic or
computer games. While girls rated activities such as art and craft highly, just under 60%
stated that they enjoyed these in their spare time. Meanwhile, only 35% of boys opted for
creative pastimes. Bike riding, on the other hand, was almost as popular as electronic
games amongst boys and, perhaps surprisingly, almost 60% of girls said that they
enjoyed this too. Skateboarding was relatively less popular amongst both boys and girls,
although it still attracted 35% of boys and 25% of girls. To conclude, as might be
expected, it is clear from the data that sedentary pursuits are far more popular nowadays
than active ones.

Sample 4: Graph/Chart/Table Combo

Task:

The line graph below shows the number of annual visits to Australia by overseas
residents. The table below gives information on the country of origin where the visitors
came from. Write a report for a university lecturer describing and integrating the
information given. You should write between 200 to 250 words.

NUMBER OF VISITORS (million)

1975 2005
SOUTH KOREA 2.9 9.1
JAPAN 3.2 12.0
CHINA 0.3 0.8
USA 0.4 1.1
BRITAIN 0.9 2.9
EUROPE 1.1 4.5
 Total 8.8 30.4

Sample answer:

The given line graph illustrates information on the number of overseas visitors
traveling to Australia while the table provides statistics showing the countries whose
residents went to Australia between 1975 and 2005.. Overall, one notable trend seems to
be that Australia has steadily become more popular as a destination spot. Based on the
line graph, it can be seen that there were 20 million more visitors to Australia in 2005
compared to 1975. This is a major increase from 10 million in 1975 to 30 million within
20 years.

As for the number of foreign visitors to Australia, in 1975, there were only 8.8
million foreign tourists. The largest number of visitors came from Japan with 3.3 million.
This is followed by South Korea with 2.9 million and Europe with 1.1 million visitors.
The least number of people traveling to Australia is from China with only 0.3 million
visitors. In 2005, the number of people visiting Australia grew in each of these countries,
bringing the total to 30.4 million. For example, 12 million people were from Japan with
an increase of 8.7 million in 2005. China remained the lowest with only 0.8 million
visitors to Australia even though the figure increased with an additional 0.5 visitors. In
conclusion, it can be seen that Australia has grown to become a popular holiday
destination particularly among the Japanese and South Koreans.

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