Comparison Graph
Comparison Graph
The vocabulary you will use in comparison graphs is "bigger than, more than, less than, the
highest, equal to, almost the same as, less than, approximately the same as, twice as much as,
half, quarter, three times," etc.
You are usually asked to compare 2 pie charts but sometimes you only have 1 chart
to describe.
Paragraph 2
Describe the sections of the graph starting with the biggest and working your way down.
Paragraph 3
This pie chart tells us about how Americans spend their money. The total expenditure is $1.2
trillion, divided into eleven categories.
The highest percentage is spent on food, drink and tobacco: 23 cents in every dollar. Housing
and household operations accounted for 15 cents each, followed by transportation with 13 cents.
Medical care, clothing and jewellery, and recreation ranged from 9 to 7 cents. 5% of the total
was spent on personal business while only 2% was spent on private education and research. At
the bottom end were personal care, foreign travel and religious and welfare activities. All three
took just 1% each of the total spent.
This chart shows us that over half of the money spent by Americans was in consumer durables
such as food and drink, and homes and house maintenance. If we include transport then 63
cents in every dollar was spent in these areas.
Another version
The pie-chart shows how typical Americans spend their money. Overall, the biggest areas of
expenditure are on food, housing and household expenses, and transport.
The biggest single area is food drink and tobacco. This accounts for almost a quarter of
spending. Housing and household maintenance make up 15% each, and another 13% goes on
transport. Medical care comprises almost one-tenth of spending. This is slightly more than is
spent on clothes and jewelry, at 8%, and recreation, at 7%.
The remaining segments account for just 10% in total. Americans spend just 5% on personal
business, and less than half of that on education. Personal care, foreign trave and spending on
religion account for just one percent each.
In summary, half of the money spent goes on food and housing, while transport, medical care
and clothes make up a further quarter.
2. Describe the chart
Suggested answer:
In conclusion, two sources, coal and gas, dominated production of electricity, while hydroelectric
power stations, nuclear facilities and oil-burning turbines produced just over a quarter of US
power needs.
B. Two Pie Charts
If you have 2 pie charts they will be giving similar information so you can compare the two. This
type of writing is similar to a compare and contrast essay.
Paragraph 1
Explain that they are pie charts and say what they are describing. This is the same as line
graphs except there are 2.
Paragraph 2
Compare the data between the two charts. Start with the biggest sectors and work your way
down.
Paragraph 3
US Electricity
The two piecharts illustrate the production of electricity in the US by source in 1970 and 1984. In
general, coal was the most important source of electrical power in both years, although nuclear
power grew in importance.
In 1970, coal-powered stations were the main source of electricity, producing 46% of electricity,
and this figure increased to 55% in 1984. The second most important source of power in 1970
was from natural gas, with almost 25%. However, by 1984, this had declined to just 12.3%.
Hydroelectric power also declined over the same period, from 16% to less than 14%. In
contrast, nuclear energy gained in importance. It rose from just 1.4% of production in 1970 to
almost 14% in 1984, a ten-fold increase.
In summary, more electricity was produced from coal and nuclear energy, while natural gas,
hydroelectric power, and oil declined in importance.
More Examples
The graph shows the average amounts spent by typical UK households on areas such as food,
leisure and savings. Overall, food, rent and education made up almost three-quarters of the
budget.
Food is clearly the biggest single expense. It made up 35% of the average family’s expenditure.
The second-biggest heading was rent. It totaled just over a quarter of spending. Education was
the next biggest cost, at 12% of the budget. The British spent the same amount on transport, at
10%, as they did on leisure, entertainment and activities. Finally, savings were comparatively
low. They accounted for only 6% of spending.
In summary, food and rent were the two biggest areas with Britons spending about two or three
times as much on these areas as on transport, education or leisure.
Two pie charts
The graphs show changes in the amount of money spent by families in the UK between 1993 and
2003. Overall, families are spending more on rent and leisure.
Rent went up sharply. In 1993, it accounted for 27% of family expenditure. In 2003, this figure
went up to 34%. Spending on leisure also increased. It shot up from 11% in 1993 to 21% in
2003, more than doubling over the ten years.
Compare
Neither …nor… Neither Abu Dhabi nor Ajman has high mountains.
Contrast
Comparative
1. Gap-fill exercise
Fill in all the gaps with words/phrases given in the box below.