In academic environments, especially in science and research-based fields, interpreting data is a critical skill. Whether it’s in the form of a graph, chart, or table, data tells a story—and being able to understand and communicate that story is essential for success in tests like the ITEP Academic-Plus and in university settings. This lesson focuses on understanding and describing patterns in data, using accurate language to make comparisons and describe trends. As you work through real and adapted data sets today, you will build the ability to identify key points, explain what data shows, and present your interpretations clearly using precise comparative and descriptive language.
Vocabulary
In scientific and academic English, precise terminology is important when discussing visual data. Below are some essential terms that you will encounter throughout this lesson. These terms are frequently used in exam questions, research papers, and scientific discussions.
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Graph | A diagram showing the relationship between two or more variables | The graph illustrates the rise in renewable energy usage over the past decade. |
| Chart | A visual representation of data, often in the form of bars, lines, or slices | This chart compares student performance across different departments. |
| Axis | The horizontal or vertical lines that frame a graph and label the variables | The x-axis represents time, while the y-axis shows temperature. |
| Trend | A general direction in which something is developing or changing | The trend indicates a steady increase in global smartphone usage. |
| Peak | The highest point on a graph, showing the maximum value | Sales peaked in December before falling sharply in January. |
| Plateau | A period during which there is little or no change | The number of users plateaued between 2015 and 2018. |
| Decline | A decrease or reduction in numbers or quality | There was a significant decline in emissions after new regulations were introduced. |
| Variation | A difference or change in condition, amount, or level | Temperature variation throughout the year is greater in inland regions. |
Grammar
Interpreting and discussing data effectively requires strong grammar, especially when making comparisons, estimating values, or indicating amounts. This section focuses on three key grammatical areas: comparatives and superlatives, quantifiers, and approximation phrases.
Comparatives and Superlatives
Comparative adjectives are used when comparing two things, while superlatives are used to compare three or more. For most short adjectives, add "-er" for the comparative and "-est" for the superlative. For longer adjectives, use “more” and “most.”
Example (short adjective): The red bar is higher than the blue one. The red bar is the highest of all.
Example (long adjective): This innovation was more significant than the others. It had the most significant impact overall.
Quantifiers: most, several, few
Quantifiers describe the amount of something and are essential when we do not have exact numbers but want to make general statements. Use “most” for a large majority, “several” for more than a few but not many, and “few” for a small number.
Most students preferred virtual learning over in-person sessions. Several categories showed improvement. Only a few years showed any decline.
Approximations: roughly, nearly, around
When data is not exact or you want to speak more generally, use approximation phrases like "roughly," "nearly," or "around."
The chart shows that around 70% of respondents supported the new policy. Energy use dropped to roughly 50 kilowatt-hours. There were nearly 100 applicants for the program.
Reading
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