Data interpretation.

 Q. The table below shows the spending of people on various items of 5 countries in 2001. 

Write a report of maximum 150 words describing the significant features and comparing data where possible. 

The table provides information about consumer spending on various items in 2001 in different countries. The data is given in percentage.

The striking feature of the chart is that the expenditure incurred on food/drinks/tobacco by consumers in all countries was higher in comparison with clothes and entertainment. Precisely, consumers in Turkey spent significant proportion on food, drinks etcetera (32.14%) followed by USA (28.91%). As far as Spain, Italy and Sweden were concerned, people in these countries spent 18.80%, 16.36% and 15.77% respectively. 

Further, all countries spent differently on clothing and footwear with Americans spending the highest (26.43%) whereas Spanish and Turks being the lowest spenders in this category.

Turning to leisure/education, highest proportion of expenditure was incurred by Turks, that is, 14.35 followed by Spain (11.98%). For Itlay and Spain, the figures were relatively lower at 3.22% and 3.20% respectively. Surprisingly, Americans spent least in this category.

Thus, from the overall analysis, people of most countries spent majority of amount on food/drinks/tobacco followed by clothing and finally, least consumer spending was on leisure/education.

REFERRAL POINTS:

Table/Tabular chart // showing percentage of money spent // 5 different countries on 3 different things // in 2001 // maximum amount spent by all countries was on food/drinks/tobacco // highest in Turkey, 32.14% // lowest amount expended by all countries on leisure/education // least was 2.21% by USA // clothing and footwear people spent differently // Spain and Turkey spent almost equal percentage (nearly 6%)

VOCABULARY: Percentage: proportion, per centum // spent: expended // money: amount // lowest: least, minimum // highest: maximum.

Graph interpretation.

 Q. The graph below shows the value of exports of 3 different items by one country from 1993 to 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write atleast 150 words. 

The line graph compares value of exports of selected items like fuel, food and manufactured goods over 6 years by one country. The data is given in million dollars.

It is evident that fuel worth 80000 dollars approximately was expected in 1995. A continuous decline was experienced in the subsequent years. In 1996, value of fuel exported dipped to nearly 70000 million dollars. In next 2 years, the figure dropped further and reached at almost 40000 million dollars in 1998. Later, in 1999 and 2000, it remained almost same at 30000 million dollars with only a marginal difference.

Moving further, the figures for export of food remained almost same throughout. The figures always kept below 10000 million dollars. Moving to manufactured goods, a fluctuating trend was observed. Initially, in 1995, the value of manufactured goods exported was nearly 20000 million dollars which doubled by 1997. After that, a fall was experienced and the figure reached 30000 million dollars in 1998. Thereafter, a gradual growth was seen till the last year of 2000.

Thus, continuous fall was witnessed in value of fuel exported over the years, whereas the value of manufactured goods experienced ups and downs. 

Referral Points:

value of exported goods // 6 different years // export value of fuel continuously dropped // In 1995, it was near 80000 dollars // stagnated in last two years // value of food exported was almost same throughout // slight drop in 1996 // manufactured goods had a fluctuating trend (20000 in 1995 & 33000 in 2000) // fall was seen in 1998 and then it again rose till 2000.

VOCABULARY: Show: illustrate // decline: decrease, drop // negligible: slight, little // grow: rise, increase // witnessed: experienced, observed // fluctuating: zigzag

Graph interpretation class IX

 Q. The graph demonstrate telephone calls put into categories in The United States from 2005 to 2012. Write a report of atleast 150 words reporting significant trends and figures along with suitable comparisons.

The given bar graph provides information about the total time spent on calls via fixed lines and mobile phones from 2005 to 2012 in UK. There are 3 types of calls given. The data is calibrated in thousands of minutes. 

Considering local fixed calls first. It is evident that 2008 and 2009 recorded the highest figures for such types of calls. The minutes of calls were same at about 90 thousands. However, year 2005 and 2012 recorded the lowest minutes of calls by fixed line (70 thousands minutes.)

Moving to national and international calls made through fixed line and all mobile calls, it is clear that the trend was upward in both the categories but the rate of increase in former was much higher in comparison with later. Initially the calls made by mobiles were 50 thousand minutes but by 2012, the figure reached at the highest point (inspected thousands minutes). A steady growth was seen in minutes of national and international fixed line calls starting at nearly 35 thousand minutes in 2005 and increasing to 62 thousand minutes by 2012.

Overall, in terms of talk time, local fixed lines topped the charts but rate of growth in case of mobile calls were maximum. 

REFERRAL POINTS: local fixed calls - in 2008 and 2009 - highest figures - 90 thousand // 2005 and 2012 - the lowest minutes (70 thousands minutes) // National and International calls made through fixed line and mobile calls, trend was upward // Mobile talk time- less than 5 thousand minutes (2005) // Mobile talk time- highest point (45 thousand minutes) - 2012 // Overall in terms of talk time, local fixed lines topped the charts but rate of growth in case of mobile talk time was maximum.

VOCABULARY: Elucidates: shows // approximately: nearly, about, almost // gradually: slowly, steadily // increased: rose // Subsequent: following

Diagram interpretation class IX

 Q. The flow chart shows how electricity is generated by a hydroelectric dam. 

Write a 150 words report for a university lecturer explaining how the process works.

The flow chart shows the process of generating electricity. The diagram reflects the entire structure of a hydroelectricity dam.

As it can be seen from the figure that a large dam is constructed and it is connected to a powerhouse. The dam forms a large reservoir across a river. Following this, water collected in the reservoir is sent out with force through a way made for admission or intake. It then flows into a narrow chamber called a penstock where the resulting high pressure moves a turbine. The turbine is connected to a generator in the powerhouse above where the movement of the turbine produces electricity. This electricity leaves the powerhouse through wires which carry it to far off places where it can be used. After the turbine stage, water goes out through another channel into a river.

Thus, it is good that this process is renewable and is totally dependent on natural forces.

REFERRAL POINTS:

Process of generating electricity // entire structure of a hydroelectricity dam // large dam is constructed and it is connected to a powerhouse // water collected in the reservoir is sent out with force // flows into a narrow chamber // electricity leaves the powerhouse through wires which // water goes through another channel into a river // process is renewable and is totally dependent on natural forces. 

VOCABULARY: Elucidates: shows// Reservoir: tank// Chamber: Compartment// Turbine: a kind of machine

Topic: Incident you forgot important.

 Cue Card-45 

An incident where you forgot something important. 

• When was it? // What did you forget? // What was the result? // How did you feel.

I made the mistake of forgetting something four years ago. // I forgot to deposit my sister’s admission fee. // She was to begin school and her seat was given to someone else. // I was so upset with my carelessness.

To err is human. No one is perfect and I am no exception. 4 years ago my youngest sister was to begin school and my parents trusted me with the depositing her school fee as they had to go out of town due to an unfortunate demise in the family. I was sure that I would remember and be able to do so but sadly on the day which fee was to be deposited, I forgot about it. In the late afternoon I realized the terrible mistake I had made. My parents had advised me to set a reminder on my phone but I didn’t follow their advice because I was overconfident that it is a simple task and I will not forget to do it. I was extremely upset with the carelessness I exhibit at that time. I was filled with guilt that my mistake will cost my sister admission in the best girl’s school of our city. However, after a lot of efforts, we were able to secure her admission in that school. I and my parents spoke to the principal several times but she denied admission saying that she cannot bend the rules. An acquaintance who was known to the principal spoke to her and she obliged us by agreeing to admit my sister in the school. My parents did not scold me but asked me to learn a lesson from the incident. I learnt it that day and remember it till date. I make sure to write or set reminders for every important task.

Follow ups:

1. What do people do to remember things? (People generally write the things that they need to remember or set up alarms and reminders on their phone.)

2. Why do old people forget things easily? (Old people forget things easily because generally memory goes down with age.)

3. What kinds of things can people do to prevent a bad memory? (People get almonds to keep their memory sharp. They also avoid excessive use of mobile phones and other modern gadgets to prevent bad memory.)

4. Do you think memory is important while learning language? (Like for all other things, memory is important to learn a language because retention is important to learn a language.)

Related Question: An appointment you forgot.

Skill you would like to learn.

 Cue Card-44

A skill you would like to learn

• What it is? // Where can you learn it? // Explain why you want to learn it.

I would like to learn the skill of cooking. // I will join a cooking course, see videos on You Tube and also take some tips from my mother. // I am planning to go abroad and I will be alone there, so learning to cook will be helpful in my day to day life.

Life is a process of constant learning. We are always learning small and big things. I am very fond of learning and I always want to know new things. Recently, I have decided that I will join a cooking course and improve my skills as I am nowhere near being a good cook. I feel, this is important for everyone to learn as it makes a person independent. I have decided to join a four week cooking course with my friends and watch cookery videos on you tube and most importantly, learn from my mother who is an amazing cook. I am a foodie, I love trying different kinds of food. I want to learn cook because I am planning to go abroad for higher studies where I will be alone. So, I should be able to cook for myself. I will try to improve my cooking skills and become as proficient as I can be. 

Follow ups:

1. Do you think boys and girls should learn the same skills? (Boys and girls learn different skills because boys are more interested in sports whereas girls like learning cooking, make-up. However, sometimes both genders learn common skills.)

2. Why do boys tend to have better critical thinking skills? (Boys tend to have better critical thinking skills as they are more practical where as girls are more emotional.)

3. Why do girls like shopping? (Girls like shopping because it elevates their mood and they are keen to keep up with latest clothing trends.)

4. Do you like to learn new skills constantly? (I like learning new skills but not constantly. I feel like, we should learn one thing at a time, practice it and attain some level of expertise before getting into something else.)

5. Should schools teach both arts and science? (Schools should teach both art and science as some students have a logical brain whereas others are more inclined towards creativity and art.)

Related Questions: Describe a course you want to join OR Describe something you wish to learn.

Cue card A news reporter you would like to meet.

 Cue Card-43

A news reporter you would like to meet.

• Who is it? // How do you know him/her? // Why do you like him/her?

The news reporter I would like to meet is Barkha Dutt. // She is a columnist in the Hindustan Times and a journalist and news anchor for NDTV. // I like her because of her confidence and also because she is graceful, elegant and well-educated. 

India has had many great people from time to time. There are a few personalities who leave indelible footprints in our hearts and they influence us in several ways. The person, I truly admire and appreciate is Barkha Dutt who is an Indian television journalist and columnist. I have read several articles written by her in the popular newspaper, Hindustan Times. She is the host of my favourite TV show and the award winning weekly show, ‘We, The People’ as well as the daily prime time show, ‘The Buck Stops Here’. She emerged as a prominent figure post her reporting of the Kargil war in 1999. She has to her credit books named “The Unquiet Land Gujrat”, “The Making of a Tragedy”. She is also the recipient of the Padma Shri for her excellent work. I am inspired by her confidence, elegance and grace. She is a woman par excellence who is an inspiration to many others, especially me. Her strong and charismatic disposition impresses the viewers. She is a woman who I respect and admire and would surely want to meer her one day. 

Follow ups:

1. What type of people can be seen on TV? (All kinds of people like politicians, doctors, priests, astrologers, or dieticians can be seen on TV.)

2. Do you think there is too much news about celebrities? (Yes, I feel celebrities are excessively flashed on news channels to an extent that they lose their privacy.)

3. Do you think negative information shown in the news can have a negative influence on people? (I think that a negative influence is cast on people when things like crime and fear of terror attacks are hyped in news.)

Related Question: Favourite personality OR Favourite person on television OR A person you admire