2.
LINE GRAPHS
1. Single Line Graph
• Shows changes in one variable over time (e.g., number of visitors to a park from 2000 to
2010).
• Your task: describe the trend, increase/decrease, peaks, and dips.
The graph illustrates fluctuations in the number of passengers at a London Underground Station
over the course of a typical day.
At 6:00 am, the station sees a relatively low footfall of around 100 passengers. However, within
two hours, this figure quadruples, reaching a pronounced peak of 400 at 8:00 am, indicating the
morning rush hour. Subsequently, the number of commuters declines sharply to 200 by 10:00
am. This is followed by a moderate rise to 300 passengers by noon.
Between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm, the passenger count remains relatively stable at around 300,
before experiencing a notable dip at 4:00 pm, returning to the early morning level of approximately
100. In the early evening, numbers surge once again, reaching the second-highest point of roughly
380 passengers at 6:00 pm, clearly marking the evening peak. Thereafter, the figure drops steeply
to about 130 at 8:00 pm. A slight increase is observed at 9:00 pm, followed by a final decline to
around 120 by 10:00 pm.
In summary, passenger traffic at the London Underground Station is heaviest at 8:00 am and 6:00
pm, while the quietest periods occur at 6:00 am and 4:00 pm.
The given line charts illustrate trends in the number of passengers per million who used rail
transport in Sydney and the percentage of trains operating on schedule between 1995 and 2004.
Overall, while the volume of rail passengers exhibited a general upward trajectory, the
punctuality rate of trains experienced a noticeable downturn over the same period.
In 1995, approximately 250 people per million utilized the train service. This figure rose steadily to
around 265 by 1999, followed by a sharp increase, peaking at 300 passengers per million in 2001.
Subsequently, the number fell to 280 in 2002 — equal to the figure recorded in 2000 — and then
remained relatively stable until 2004.
Conversely, the percentage of trains running on time began at roughly 92%, but declined
markedly to just above 85% by 1997. Despite a temporary rebound, reaching a peak of nearly
94% in 1999, the figure fluctuated and settled at around the same level in 2002. However, by 2004,
there was a dramatic drop, with punctuality falling to just under 73%.
2. Multiple Line Graphs
• Two or more lines on the same graph to compare different groups or categories over time.
• Example: Comparing the population growth of three countries from 1990 to 2020.
• Your task: compare the trends and point out similarities or differences.
The line chart illustrates the population trends, measured in billions, for two major nations, India
and China, between 2000 and 2050.
Overall, while both countries experienced population growth during the first half of the period,
India’s population is projected to continue rising, whereas China’s is expected to decline
slightly after peaking.
In 2000, China’s population stood at approximately 1.25 billion, making it the most populous
nation at that time. This figure climbed steadily, reaching a peak of around 1.45 billion by 2025.
However, from that point onward, the population is anticipated to experience a gradual decline,
falling to just under 1.4 billion by 2050.
India, by contrast, had a smaller population at the start of the century—around 1 billion—but its
growth trajectory was markedly steeper. By 2025, its population had risen dramatically to nearly
1.4 billion. It is forecast to surpass China around 2030, with both countries reaching roughly 1.45
billion. After this crossover point, India’s population is predicted to continue increasing,
eventually reaching a projected 1.6 billion by 2050.
The line graph presents the proportions of unemployed individuals alongside the number of
emigrants from Ireland between 1998 and 2008.
Overall, while unemployment figures exhibited a clear downward trajectory, the number of
people emigrating from the country fluctuated before ultimately rising by the end of the period.
To begin with, the unemployment rate underwent a marked decline between 1998 and 2002.
Specifically, it began at just under 17% in 1998, then plummeted to approximately 12%.
Nevertheless, this figure rebounded sharply, returning to nearly its original level, before falling
once again to below 6%—its lowest point over the decade.
A comparable pattern was observed in emigration numbers. Initially, there was a dramatic surge
from around 30,000 to 60,000 emigrants within just two years. However, this was followed by a
steep drop, with figures falling to around 20,000—roughly one-third of the previous year’s level.
In the second half of the period (2002–2008), both indicators exhibited upward trends. The
unemployment rate edged up slightly, concluding the period at roughly 10%. Meanwhile,
emigration numbers remained relatively stable at around 20,000 until 2004, after which they
experienced a notable increase, doubling to reach approximately 40,000 by 2008.
The line chart illustrates the changes in the average distance travelled per mile by American
children aged 5 to 15, using four different modes of transport, between 1970 and 2020.
Overall, the data clearly indicates a marked shift from physically active forms of transportation to
machine-assisted alternatives over the 50-year period. While walking and cycling declined notably,
the use of cars and buses experienced upward trends.
In detail, both bus usage and cycling began at 28 miles per child per year in 1970. However,
while bus travel increased gradually to 38 miles by 2020, cycling witnessed a steady decline,
falling to 18 miles over the same period.
Meanwhile, car use rose dramatically, starting from 20 miles in 1970 and peaking at 32 miles in
2000, before slightly decreasing to 28 miles by 2020. In contrast, walking showed the sharpest
decline, beginning at 16 miles, dropping drastically to a low point of 4 miles in 2000, and then
recovering modestly to 8 miles in the final year.
The bar chart illustrates population trends globally by percentage from 1950 to 2040. Summarise
the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
The given line graph illustrates the trends in urban, rural, and total population between 1950
and 2040, alongside changes in age demographics over the same period.
From an overall perspective, it is immediately evident that while the proportion of people living
in rural areas is expected to remain relatively stable, urban populations are projected to
increase steadily. In terms of age distribution, the percentage of individuals aged 15 to 65 is
forecast to rise significantly, whereas the shares of both children under 15 and seniors over 65 are
anticipated to remain largely unchanged.
To begin with, the urban population began at around 5% in 1950 and is projected to reach
approximately 40% by 2040, indicating a consistent upward trajectory. A similar trend is
observed in the total population, which stood at just over 10% in 1950 and is expected to climb by
35 percentage points by the end of the period. In contrast, the rural population shows minimal
fluctuation, maintaining a relatively constant level of just over 5% throughout.
Regarding age structure, the share of the population aged 15 to 65 is expected to increase
dramatically, from slightly over 5% in 1950 to 35% in 2040. Meanwhile, the proportions of those
under 15 and over 65 are projected to remain stable, each hovering around 5% throughout the
observed timeline.
3. Cumulative Line Graph
• Lines show cumulative totals or stacked values over time.
• Less common but you might see data that builds up (like cumulative sales or total exports).
The chart illustrates monthly and cumulative sales of Polestar vehicles in China, measured by
insurance registrations from 2020 to 2024. Two models are represented: Polestar 2 and Polestar 4,
along with the cumulative total across the period.
Overall, Polestar sales in China have shown a clear upward trend, with cumulative insurance
registrations steadily increasing each year. While Polestar 2 dominated the market in the earlier
years, the introduction of Polestar 4 in 2024 contributed significantly to the recent sales surge.
In 2020, monthly registrations were relatively low, fluctuating between minimal values and a
slight increase towards the end of the year. The upward momentum continued throughout 2021,
with notable monthly sales peaks, particularly around September. By this time, cumulative
registrations had surpassed 1,000 units.
The growth trend accelerated in 2022, where Polestar 2 saw its strongest monthly sales, peaking
at 350 units in September and reaching 407 in December. Cumulative figures rose sharply
during this period. However, 2023 saw a decline in monthly sales, with figures dipping compared
to previous highs, though the overall cumulative total continued to rise.
A dramatic increase is observed in 2024, coinciding with the debut of the Polestar 4, which is
represented by the darker bars. Monthly sales figures spiked again, culminating in 412 units in
June. By August 2024, the cumulative insurance registrations had reached 5,906, reflecting
sustained and growing consumer interest.
In summary, while Polestar’s initial growth was gradual, strong performances in 2022 and
particularly in 2024—with the addition of a new model—drove a substantial increase in both
monthly and cumulative sales in China.
4. Fluctuating Line Graph
• Line(s) with frequent ups and downs rather than steady trends.
• Important to note the volatility or irregular changes.
The line graph below shows the changes in the share price of Outokumpu companies in euros
between January 2006 and December 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting
the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
The given line chart compares data regarding the share price of Outokumpu companies per euro
from January 2006 to December 2010.
Overall, the price of Outokumpu shares experienced a significant decline over the five-year
period; however, the peak performance for the company occurred at the beginning of 2007 and
again in mid-2008.
According to the chart, the share price started at approximately 13 euros, then rose sharply to
reach a peak of just over 30 euros at the start of 2007. This was followed by a substantial drop to
nearly 21 euros in January 2008. The price then fluctuated considerably throughout 2008, initially
recovering moderately to around 30 euros before plummeting dramatically to a low point of
nearly 7 euros by the end of the year.
Subsequently, the graph shows that the share price rebounded moderately to 15 euros by mid-
2009, after which it varied within a narrow range between approximately 11 and 17 euros.
Ultimately, the share price closed at around 11 euros in December 2010.
The line graph represents the average percentage change in the price of copper, nickel, and zinc
throughout the months of 2014.
The given line diagram illustrates the monthly fluctuations in the average prices of three
different metals throughout 2014.
Overall, as depicted by the graph, the prices of copper, nickel, and zinc oscillated markedly over
the year. Most notably, nickel experienced the most pronounced downward trend compared to
the other metals.
With regard to copper and zinc, it is apparent that the price of copper declined modestly by three
units from January to June 2014. Thereafter, this figure rebounded gradually and stabilised
between July and September, before climbing modestly to 1.5 percent in December. In contrast,
zinc surged sharply from 1 to 3 units within a month, reaching its peak at 3 percent in February.
However, zinc then underwent a significant decline from February to October, hitting a nadir of
minus 1 percent before soaring back to 2 units by the end of the year.
Concerning nickel, as previously mentioned, it plummeted sharply, reaching its lowest point at
minus 3 percent in June. Nonetheless, from June onwards, nickel mirrored zinc’s trajectory, with
both metals’ prices escalating by three units during the latter half of the year.
The chart below shows the percentage of people of different age groups who went to
cinema once a month or more in one European country from 2000 to 2011
A glance at the given line graph illustrates cinema attendance figures among various age groups in
Europe between 2000 and 2011.
It is immediately apparent that younger demographics consistently recorded higher rates of
cinema attendance compared to older groups. Furthermore, despite intermittent fluctuations, all
age categories exhibited an overall upward trend throughout the period.
In particular, the 15–24 age group had the most pronounced attendance, starting at
approximately 15% in 2000 and experiencing a dramatic surge to nearly 50% by 2007. Although
there was a brief dip in 2008, the figure rebounded and remained at a similar level by 2011.
The 7–14 age group also witnessed a notable increase. After fluctuating between 10% and 15%
during the early 2000s, attendance steadily climbed to a peak of around 39% in 2010, followed by
a modest decline in the final year.
In contrast, cinema attendance among adults (25–34) rose from roughly 5% in 2000 to about 8%
in 2005, after which it oscillated slightly before aligning with the rate of younger individuals by
2011.
Lastly, the oldest cohort (aged 35 and above) demonstrated the lowest yet steadily increasing
attendance. Starting at just over 2%, it gradually ascended to nearly 10% by the end of the
period.
