Use this course with a Ringle tutor to practice summarizing charts and graphs in business scenarios or for English proficiency tests, like the IELTS or SPA exams.

In this lesson, you’ll be presented with line graphs, a type of data visualization. Below, two sample graphs* will come alongside sample answers and discussion questions. Before starting, review the Answer Guidance section for your reference.

*Disclaimer: Please note that the following graphs contain randomly generated data and are for educational purposes only.

Answer Guidance

(1) When summarizing a line graph, begin by describing the x-axis, y-axis, and the units used. If there are several distinct categories, highlight them. A brief summary of the line graph should be what the first paragraph covers.

(2) Notice any trends? Upwards, downwards, or stagnation? Take a moment to highlight any you’ve noticed. Keep your descriptions more general, and focus on an overarching description of the graph’s behavior—we’ll save very specific details for the final paragraph. Make sure that you address each line at least once here; it’s important to be thorough.

(3) Finally, take a moment to break down your trends, including specific numbers and details that you notice. Are there any significant peaks? What about dips? If you do happen to think there may be an explanation for a peak, consider mentioning it. If not, consider wrapping up by including some details of exceptions to trends you noticed and noted in the former paragraph(s).

[Chart 1] Number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 in the United States

[Chart 1] Sample Answer

The line graph illustrates the number of people hospitalized in the US with COVID-19 in a 12-month interval between March 2020 and February 2021. Units are in number of people.

Although hospitalizations were more or less constant [1] between the months of April to October 2020, there was a dramatic increase in hospitalizations starting in November, peaking in December 2020, before declining to previous levels once again in February 2021.

Specifically, hospitalizations began at zero in March 2020, which may have been due to a lack of reporting. Hospitalizations then oscillated [2] between 25,000 and 60,000 between the months of April and October. Starting in November 2020, hospitalizations grew to a bit more than 75,000, peaking at [3] about 130,000 in December 2020 before dropping to 100,000 in January 2021 and falling again to less than 75,000 shortly thereafter.

[Chart 2] How TV Viewers Watch Their Favorite Shows

[Chart 2] Sample Answer

The line graph illustrates the percentage of viewers watching shows on Netflix as compared to on live TV between the five-year period starting in 2014 and ending in 2019. Units are in percent.

Overall, there was a consistent upward trend [5] in Netflix viewership in the five-year period observed. Alongside this growth, there was a downward trend [5] in live TV viewings during the same period.

Specifically, live TV viewers greatly exceeded [6] Netflix watchers in 2014, with live TV viewers making up about 45% of viewership as compared to 15% for Netflix viewership. Netflix viewership exceeded live TV viewership for the first time in 2018, standing at 30% and 25%, respectively. This distance grew in the year 2019, with Netflix viewership standing at 35% compared to only 24% for live TV viewership.

Line graphs for Discussion Questions

[Chart 3] Number of international tourist arrivals in Italy from March 2020 to February 2021, by month

[Chart 4] Percentage of total music sales by method