IELTS ACADEMIC TASK 1
QUANTITATIVE TREND ANALYSIS
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Some scholars struggle to analyze and discuss trends in data tables and graphs .
A trend is a pattern that sustains over time.
You need to identify whether there is a trend for:
Each classification on a bar graph.
Each line on a line graph.
Each category in a time-series collection of pie charts.
Each category in a time-series data table.
You should first search for the largest long-term trends when you analyze time-series data sets.
You may discuss short-term trends if these are the major pattern shown in data.
I suggest that you use this two step approach when analyzing quantitative time-series data.
Step 1: Do you see one or more trends in the data?
Step 2 (a): Yes
Identify by name one or more trends and discuss them in order of prominence.
Step 2 (b): No
Discuss volatile (fluctuating) data patterns.
Trends
No trend
Fluctuation
A discussion example of each trend shall be uploaded on this page during March 2017.
Quantity
You will earn a higher band score for the Task Assessment and Lexical Resource (vocabulary) part of the marking rubric if you can quantify your discussion using numbers.
The pie chart series below shows that total operating expenses for XYZ Inc increase each year from 2013 to 2016 inclusive. Total operating expenses are $64,688 in 2013 and peak at $72,450 in 2016.
Magnitude
You will earn a higher band score for the Task Assessment and Lexical Resource (vocabulary) part of the marking rubric if you can accurately describe the relative size of a trend or pattern.
The continuous growth in finance expenses between 2005 and 2016 occurs at a faster rate than the increase in operating expenses which likewise expands each year over the same period.
Vocabulary: magnitude
Minor, subtle, small
Average, medium-sized, moderate
Large, significant, substantial
Direction
You will earn a higher band score for the Task Assessment and Lexical Resource (vocabulary) part of the marking rubric if you can accurately describe the trajectory of a trend or pattern.
The line graph below shows that total operating expenses increase each year between 2005 and 2016 inclusive.
Vocabulary: direction
Decline, reduce, decrease, contract
Stable, steady, stagnant, flat, consistent
Increase, grow, growth, expansion