Exercise 1

Looking for information at speed

The bar chart below shows the results of a questionnaire to find why native

and non-native speakers of English at a university in Australia learn

languages. The questionnaire was given to 1,000 students.

R easo n s fo r learn in g lan g u ag es

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N ative s peakers N on-native s peakers

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
As you prepare for IELTS you need to develop your speed in using language
and finding information from a graph, chart or diagram. Write down the
answers to the questions below about the bar chart as quickly as you can.
Remember to write the information accurately.

1. What does the bar chart show? __________________

2. How many students participated in the survey? __________________
3. Where were the students from? __________________
4. Which of the two groups was more positive
about language learning? __________________
5. Which reason comes top among non-native
speakers of English? __________________
6. What is the percentage? __________________
7. What percentage of native speakers
found language learning useful for work? __________________
8. What percentage of second language speakers
found language acquisition useful for work? _______________
9. Which reason comes top among native
speakers? __________________
10. What is the percentage? __________________
11. Which reason comes bottom among native
speakers? __________________
12. What is the percentage? __________________

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 2

Write sentences for each piece of information from the chart.

Examples:

1. The bar chart shows the results of a survey.

2. One thousand students took part in the survey.

3. The students were from a university in Australia.

Use the sentences to help you make a continuous text.

Example:

The bar chart shows the results of a survey on the reasons behind learning
languages among 1,000 native and non-native speakers of English at a
university in Australia.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 3

Partially jumbled text

In the model answer below, nine parts of the text have been jumbled. Put
the words in the right order and write out the whole text.

The bar chart shows the results of a survey on the reasons behind learning
languages among 1,000 native and non-native speakers of English at a
university in Australia.

The 1chart striking most the feature of is that those students 2for mother not
English whom their is tongue had a more positive attitude to language
learning than native speakers. 3prospects in is job Improvement mentioned by
just over 90% of non-native speakers as an incentive to acquiring languages,
4
for by closely usefulness followed travel and work and importance for
studying at 90, 90 and just below 90 respectively. In this group, personal
development improvement 5bottom 70% with comes.

This 6attitude contrasts acquisition sharply language with to that of native

speakers, whose approval was lower than non-native speakers on all
accounts. While improvement in job prospects, for example, 7the attracted
with approval giving most 60% it as a reason, this was considerably less than
for non-native speakers. Usefulness for work and improvement in personal
development 8next came of at respondents 50%. Only 20% of native
speakers, however, 9 think enjoyable is languages learning with only 25%
considering it important for studying.

So it is clear that native speakers of English are more negative about learning
languages than non-native speakers.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Text with blanks

The bar chart shows the results of a survey on the reasons behind learning

languages among 1,000 native and non-native speakers of English at a

university in Australia.

The 1___________________ is that those students 2___________________

had a more positive attitude to language learning than native speakers.

3
___________________ by just over 90% of non-native speakers as an

incentive to acquiring languages, 4___________________ travel and work

and importance for studying at 90, 90 and just below 90 respectively. In this

group, personal development improvement 5___________________.

This 6___________________ of native speakers, whose approval was lower

than non-native speakers on all accounts. While improvement in job

7
prospects, for example, ___________________ as a reason, this was

considerably less than for non-native speakers. Usefulness for work and

improvement in personal development 8___________________. Only 20% of

9
native speakers, however, ___________________ with only 25%

considering it important for studying.

So it is clear that native speakers of English are more negative about learning
languages than non-native speakers.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 4

More complex jumble

In the model answer below nine parts of the text have been jumbled. Put
the words in the right order and write out the whole text.

The bar 1languages native shows and results the among a of on the
reasons learning survey 1,000 behind chart non-native speakers of English
at a university in Australia.

The 2chart striking most that those the feature of is students 3for positive
had mother not English whom learning their is tongue a more attitude to
language than native speakers. 4prospects by in is job over improvement
90% mentioned just of non-native speakers as an incentive to acquiring
5
languages, for by and closely travel work and usefulness followed
importance for studying at 90, 90 and just below 90 respectively. In this group,
personal 6bottom development 70% with improvement comes.

7
this contrasts attitude native sharply language with to acquisition that
of speakers, whose approval was lower than non-native speakers on all
accounts. While improvement in job prospects, for example, 8the attracted a
with as it approval giving most 60% reason, this was considerably less than
for non-native speakers. Usefulness for work and 9personal in improvement
next development came of at respondents 50%. Only 20% of native
10
speakers, however, think enjoyable considering is languages learning
with it only 25% important for studying.

So it is clear that native speakers of English are more negative about learning
languages than non-native speakers.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 5

Find the following words in the text below relating to the chart in
Exercise 1. What other words or phrases can replace them.

1. striking
2. feature
3. mentioned
4. just over
5. comes
6. however
7. acquiring
8. on all accounts
9. considerably
10. while
11. respondents

The bar chart shows the results of a survey on the reasons behind learning
languages among 1,000 native and non-native English speakers at a
university in Australia.

The most striking feature of the chart is that those students for whom English
is not their mother tongue had a more positive attitude to language learning
than native speakers. Improvement in job prospects is mentioned by just over
90% of non-native speakers as an incentive to acquiring languages, followed
closely by usefulness for travel and work and importance for studying at 90,
90 and just below 90 respectively. In this group, personal development
improvement comes bottom with 70%.

This attitude to language acquisition contrasts sharply with that of native

speakers, whose approval was lower than non-native speakers on all
accounts. While improvement in job prospects, for example, attracted the
most approval with 60% giving it as a reason, this was considerably less than
for non-native speakers. Usefulness for work and improvement in personal
development came next at 50% of respondents. Only 20% of native speakers,

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
however, think learning languages is enjoyable with only 25% thinking it
important for studying.

So it is clear that native speakers of English are more negative about learning
languages than non-native speakers.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 6

In the text below replace the words and phrases with synonyms. There
will be more than one answer in each case.

The bar chart 1provides information about the results of a survey on the
reasons behind learning languages among 1,000 native and non-native
English speakers at a university in Australia.

The most 2noticeable 3characteristic of the chart is that those students for
whom English is not their mother tongue had a more positive attitude to
language learning than native speakers. Improvement in job prospects is
4
quoted by just over 90% of non-native speakers as a/an 5reason for
learning languages, followed closely by usefulness for travel and work and
6
importance for studying at 90, 90 and almost 90 respectively. In this
7
category, personal development improvement 8is 9last with 70%.

10
This attitude to language acquisition is the opposite of native speakers,
11
whose approval was lower than non-native speakers for all items.
12
Whereas improvement in job prospects, for example, attracted the most
13
approval with 60% giving it as a reason, this was significantly less than for
non-native speakers. Usefulness for work and improvement in personal
14
development came next at 50% of those sampled. Only 20% of native
speakers, however, think learning languages is enjoyable with only 25%
15
regarding it important for studying.

So it is clear that native speakers of English are more negative about learning
languages than non-native speakers.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 7

In the text below some of the words and phrases underlined are not
quite right. Decide which ones are wrong and replace them with a word
or phrase that fits. There will be more than one answer in each case.

The bar chart 1provides informations about the results of a survey on the
reasons behind learning languages among 1,000 native and non-native
English speakers at a university in Australia.

The most 2clear 3point of the chart is that those students for whom English is
not their mother tongue had a more positive attitude to language learning than
native speakers. Improvement in job prospects is 4quoted by just over 90% of
non-native speakers as an 5cause for learning languages, followed closely
by usefulness for travel and work and importance for studying at 90, 90 and
6
around 90 respectively. In this 7 bunch, personal development improvement
8
is 9last with 70%.

This attitude to language acquisition 10contrasts with native speakers, whose

11 12
approval was lower than non-native speakers for all. However,
improvement in job prospects, for example, attracted the most approval with
13
60% giving it as a reason, this was significantly less than for non-native
speakers. Usefulness for work and improvement in personal development
14
came next at 50% of them. Only 20% of native speakers, however, think
15
learning languages is enjoyable with only 25% seeing it important for
studying.

So it is clear that native speakers of English are more negative about learning
languages than non-native speakers.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 8

Read the text below and use the notes in the column on the right to help
you decide if corrections are needed to the text.

The bar chart shows results of a survey on the 1. A word missing?

reasons behind learning langauges among 1,000 2. Spelling?
native and non-native English speaker at a 3. Singular?
university in Australia.

The striking feature of the chart is that those 4. A word missing?

students for whom English is not thier mother 5. Spelling? Tense?
tongue have a more positive atitude to language 6. Spelling? Singular?
learning than native speaker. Improvement in job
prospects was mentioned by just over 80% of 7. Correct data?
non-native speakers as a persuasion to 8. Correct word?
acquiring, followed closely by usefulness for 9. Spelling?
travel and work and importance for studying at 10. Tense?
90, 90 and just below 90 respectivly. In this
group, personal development improvement came 11. Tense?
bottom with 70%.

This attitude to language acquisition contrasted

sharply with that of native speakers, whose 12. Singular/plural?
approval was lower than non-native speakers on
all account. While improvement in job prospects,
for example, attracted the most approval with
60% give it as a reason, this was considerably
less than for non-native speakers. Usefulness for
work and improvement in personal development
came next at 50% of respondents. Only 20% of
native speakers, though, think earning languages 13. Correct verb
is enjoyable with only 25% thinking it important form?
for studying. 14. Correct register?
15. Spelling?
So it is clear that native speakers of English are
more negative about learning languages than
non-native speakers.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 9

In the text below parts of the text are missing. Complete the text below
paying particular attention to the spelling and grammatical structure.

The bar chart shows the res1________________________________hind

learning languages among 1,000 native and non-native English speakers at a
university in Australia.

The most strik2_____ture of the chart is that those students for 3______glish
is not their mother tongue had a more positive attitude to language learning
than native speakers. Improvement in job prospects was
4
ment ________________________% of non-native speakers as an
incent5__________________guages closely by usefulness for travel and work
and importance for studying at 90, 90 and just below 90 respectively. In this
group, pers6______________________ement came bottom with 70%.

This attitude to language acquisition

contr7___________________________tive speakers, whose approval was
lower than non-native speakers on all accounts. While improvement in job
prospects, for example, attrac8________________al with 60% giving it as a
reason, this was considerably less than for non-native speakers. Usefulness
for work and improvem9_________________________________ext at 50%
of respondents. Only 20% of native speakers, however, think learning
languages is enjoyable with only 25% think10__________tant for studying.

So it is clear that native speakers of English are more negative about learning
languages than non-native speakers.

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Exercise 10

Dictation

Complete the missing details on the graph below.

R e a s o n s fo r _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Chart 1 for multiple use

________________

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© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Chart 2 for multiple use

________________

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© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Chart 3 for multiple use

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© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com
Chart 4 for multiple use

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© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2005

Taken from the Exams section in www.onestopenglish.com