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Interactive Grammar: Describing Data

Use noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositions, and approximations to describe graphs, charts, and statistical information in English.

Grammar Explanation · Authentic Examples · Practice Exercises

Lesson progressNot started
Duration
~60 min
Exercises
40
Level
Upper Intermediate

Overview

Use noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositions, and approximations to describe graphs, charts, and statistical information in English.

Describing trends

  • riseSales rose / increased / climbed sharply / steadily / gradually.
  • fallProfits fell / dropped / declined dramatically / slightly.
  • stableOutput remained stable / levelled off throughout the year.
  • peakThe figure reached a peak in July before falling.

Quantities & approximations

  • Sales fell by 15%. (15% change)
  • Unemployment rose to 8%. (new total = 8%)
  • Approximately / roughly / around 500 people attended.
  • The figures fluctuated between 30 and 50.

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Sales rised. → ✅ Sales rose. (irregular verb)
  • ❌ Output fell to 10%. → ✅ Output fell by 10%. (change, not new total)
  • ❌ There was a gradually increase. → ✅ a gradual increase. (adjective before noun)

When to use

IELTS Task 1

The graph shows a steady rise in temperatures.

Business reports

Sales climbed sharply in Q3.

News & analysis

Unemployment fell to a ten-year low.

Academic writing

The data reveals a significant upward trend.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct language for describing data and graphs

Multiple Choice12 questions
1'Sales rose sharply.' 'Sharply' describes .
2Which is the most accurate way to describe 'approximately 50'?
3Which phrase shows a gradual increase?
4To describe a peak, you say the figure .
5Which phrase describes a sharp fall?
6'Figures fluctuated between 30 and 50.' This means .
7Which preposition is used to add data?
8Sales fell 20% in the final quarter.
9Sales fell 20% (meaning the new total was 20%).
10'Approximately', 'around', and 'roughly' are used to .
11Which describes a levelling off?
12Which conjunction is used to add contrasting data?

Fill in the Blanks

Complete with the correct data description language

Fill in the Blanks10 questions
1Sales(rose/rised/risen)steadily throughout the year.
2Profits fell(by/to/with)15% in the second quarter.
3The figures(fluctuated/fluctuating/fluctuation)between 20 and 40.
4The number(reached/reaching/reach)a peak in June.
5Sales dropped(dramatically/dramatic/drama)in the final quarter.
6Output(remained/remain/remaining)relatively stable throughout.
7Unemployment rose(by/to/with)around 8% — roughly double the previous year.
8The graph shows a(gradual/gradually/graduation)increase over the decade.
9(Approximately/Approximate/Approximation)3,000 people attended the event.
10Costs(climbed/climb/climbing)sharply in the first half of the year.

Transform the Sentences

Rewrite the data description more precisely or formally

Transform8 questions

1Sales went up a lot. → → Use 'rose significantly'

2The number went down from 100 to 80. → → Use 'fell by ... to ...'

3The figure was roughly 500. → → Use 'approximately'

4Sales went up and down a lot. → → Use 'fluctuated'

5The highest point was in July. → → Use 'reached a peak'

6It stayed the same for most of the year. → → Use 'remained stable'

7Sales fell a bit at the end. → → Use 'declined slightly'

8It went up very fast in 2020. → → Use 'rose sharply'

Fix the Errors

Correct the data description language

Error Fix10 questions

1Sales rised by 20% last year.

2The figure reached at a peak in July.

3Output fell to 10% in the second quarter.

4Sales dramatically dropped.

5The price fluctuated from 30 to 50.

6Figures remained relatively stably.

7There was a gradually increase.

8Approximately 500 of people attended.

9Costs climbed sharp in the first quarter.

10Sales went up to 15% compared to last year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on sentence structure cover?

Use noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositions, and approximations to describe graphs, charts, and statistical information in English.

Which CEFR level is this lesson designed for?

This lesson is designed for Upper Intermediate (B2) learners and forms part of the Sentence Structure section on Grammartier.

What is the best approach for studying this grammar topic?

Start with the definition, then study the examples carefully to understand how the pattern works in context. Practise identifying the structure in authentic sentences before producing your own — this recognition-first approach builds a strong foundation for accurate, confident use.

Your Grammar Learning Path

Follow the CEFR progression for this topic cluster.

  1. B2
    Advanced Linking Words
  2. B2
    Contrast and Concession
  3. B2
    Describing DataYou are here
  4. B2
    Discourse Markers
  5. B2
    Formal Connectors
  6. B2
    Inversion After Negative Adverbials
  7. B2
    Paraphrasing

Before You Start

Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first.

Continue Your Grammar Journey

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