Line Graphs - Introduction

A line graph generally plots the changes in data over time.

 

When looking at a line graph, you should ask yourself:

• What is the highest level / point?
• What is the lowest level / point?
• Is there a point where the trend is increasing or decreasing?
• When does that trend change?

 

 

A trend can be anything where you notice a pattern. Where something predictably follows another.

Let's try that now with the following graph...

We have spent quite some time developing your answering skills by looking at bar graphs. You will apply these same skills to the following line graph tasks. Remember to use the vocabulary you have learnt, and be sure to use transition words to link your ideas.
For those who are not yet confident enough, you may complete task (a) only. In this task, you need to complete the model answer by filling in the missing phrases. The guiding words in brackets will help you to write the correct answer. For those who are confident, you should complete task (b), namely the essay writing component.
Before moving on to the writing of Task 1 for line graphs, let us take a look at one more graph, and answer some of the preliminary type questions that should be asked before writing the essay.
This is the question:
Your Economics teacher has asked you to investigate and present a speech to the class on Kazakhstan’s economic performance since 1990 as compared to other former Soviet countries.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

GDP = Gross Domestic Product – this is what is used to show the economic health of a country. In other words, it shows the size of a country’s economy. Per capita means per person. So, GDP per capita is the GDP divided by the number of people in the country. That gives you an amount that reflects the average income of a person in that country.

1. Which 5 countries are represented, and why have they been selected?

2. Rank the countries from most improved to least improved economies. For this you will need to estimate and provide a reason for your answer.

3. Which economy has consistently been the strongest of the 5 countries?

4. How does Kazakhstan compare to this economy?

5. Which economy has shown the least growth?

6. How does Kazakhstan compare to this economy?

7. Compare Latvia and Kazakhstan’s economy. Look at the early years, but focus on when their relative strengths changed.
Check your answers against these:


1. Russia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine. They represent the 5 economically strongest former Soviet countries.

2.
Russia 24-19 = 5000 - 4
Latvia 22.5-13.5 = 9000 - 2
KZ 24-13.5 = 11500 - 1
Belarus 17.5-8 = 9000 - 2
Ukraine 8-11 = -3000 - 5

3. Russia. It has always been stronger than other economies.

4. KZ has been traditionally quite a bit economically weaker than Rus, however its economy has shown remarkable growth in comparison to Rus over the past few years.

5. Ukraine. It has consistently been the weakest performer, and has registered negative growth.

6. While Ukraine failed to recover in the dip that all the economies suffered between 1990 and 1996, KZ bounced back significantly, particularly in the last 5 years.

7. KZ and Latvia suffered a significant drop in GDP between 1990 and 1995, registering a similar $7000 GDP in 1995. Despite this, they rebounded and both demonstrated positive growth over the ensuing years, with Latvia being the stronger economy, reaching its strongest point in 2007. In 2008/2009, however, the Latvian economy suffered a setback and dropped significantly, while the KZ economy continued to make steady progress. From 2009 until 2014, the KZ has had a marginally stronger economy.