Useful introductory phrases Simple changes you can make The table shows changes in … The table gives information about … The bar chart compares … The graph illustrates … The chart shows data about … The pie charts compare … The diagram shows the process of … The figure shows how … is produced The line graph shows changes in … The line graph compares … Graph/line graph/chart/bar chart Diagram/figure Shows/illustrates/compares proportion = percentage information = data the number of/the figure for/the proportion of people in the UK the British from 1999 to between 1999 and 2009/over a period of 10 years in three countries = in the UK, France and Spain (i.e. name the countries) Example: The graph below shows the figures for imprisonment in five countries between 1930 and 1980. We can change 3 elements of this sentence 1. graph shows = bar chart compares 2. figures for imprisonment = number of people in prison/prisoners 3. between ... and ... = over a period of … years Sample paraphrased introduction The bar chart compares the number of people in prison in five different countries over ab iibperiod of 50 years, from 1930 to 1980. (24 words) in th ous ands
IELTS JOURNAL 25 Useful Phrases You can use the words and the phrases below to start writing your introductory paragraph more quickly with more confidence. The … gives information about …