Academic Writing samples

Tourism in Dubai, 1990-1994

Dubai Tourism, 1990-1994

The graph shows the numbers of tourists in hundreds of thousands visiting Dubai
between 1990 and 1994. There are several features in the graph.

First of all, the total number of tourists increased rapidly between 1990 and 1994. In
1990 there was a total of 450,000 tourists in Dubai. This rose sharply to 625,000 in
1991, an increase of more than 30%, and rose slightly again to just under 700,000 in
1992. In the following two years, the number of visitors started to pick up again and
reached 1 million in 1994. This was more than double the figure for 1990.

The second trend is that there was a huge increase in the number of tourists from Russia.
In 1990, Russian tourists comprised only 20,000 or less than 5% of visitors. This
number shot up to 50,000 in 1991 and doubled again to more than 100,000 in 1992.
Between 1992 and 1994, the number trebled, from 110,000 to 330,000. This meant that
Russian tourists made up one-third, or 33%, of Dubai’s 1 million visitors in 1994. In
comparison, the number of tourists from other countries increased only slightly, from
550,000 in 1991 to 580,000 in 1994.

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In conclusion, although the number of tourists from all countries is increasing, Russian
tourists are becoming more and more important for the tourism industry in Dubai.

London Underground

Underground Station Passenger Numbers

The graph shows the fluctuation in the number of people at a London underground
station over the course of a day.

The busiest time of the day is in the morning. There is a sharp increase between 06:00
and 08:00, with 400 people using the station at 8 o'clock. After this the numbers drop
quickly to less than 200 at 10 o'clock. Between 11 am and 3 pm the number rises, with a
plateau of just under 300 people using the station.

In the afternoon, numbers decline, with less than 100 using the station at 4 pm. There is
then a rapid rise to a peak of 380 at 6pm. After 7 pm, numbers fall significantly, with
only a slight increase again at 8pm, tailing off after 9 pm.

Overall, the graph shows that the station is most crowded in the early morning and early
evening periods.

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North American Fish Catch

Annual fish catch (millions of tonnes): North America

North American fisheries have been in severe decline since the late 1980s, with at least
one-third of all species overfished.

North American Fish Catches

The graph shows changes in fish catches for the US and Canada over the last 30 years.

The most significant feature is that fish catches have declined drastically in both the US and
Canada since the mid-1980s. Although Canadian production is much lower, its echoes US figures,
declining or increasing at the same rate.

Between 1972 and 1977, US fish catches averaged between 2.5 and 2.75 million tonnes per year,
while Canadian landings fluctuated between 800,000 and 1.1 million tonnes. In 1997, however,
there was a big increase in fish caught in the US, and this rise continued up to a peak of 5.5
million tonnes in 1987. During the same period, Canada's catch increased from 1 million tonnes
to 1.5 million tonnes, an increase of 50%.

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From 1987 onwards, there was a sudden decline in both countries. US figures tumbled to 4
million tonnes in 1995, a drop of 28%, and Canadian catches plunged to 0.5 million tonnes, a
drop of 66%. In the following four years, US catches fluctuated around the 4 million tonne mark,
while Canadian catches rose very slightly.

In general, both Canadian and the much larger US catch have declined dramatically since their
peak in the mid-1980s.

Bar Charts

Heart Attacks by Age and Gender, USA

Heart Attacks by Age and Gender

The graph shows how age and gender influence the frequency of heart attacks in the US.

Less than 6% of all heart attacks occur in the 29-44 age group. The number of women who suffer heart attacks in this
group is negligible - only 3000 per year, compared to 123,000 men.

However the proportion of men and women with heart attacks rises dramatically between 45 and 64, with over half a
million per year. Over 420,000 men a year in this age group have heart attacks. The incidence amongst women
increases - women have one heart attack for every three men in this age group.

Over the age of 65, the number of men suffering heart attacks only increases slightly. However there is a huge increase
in the number of women with heart attacks - they comprise over 40% of all victims.

In conclusion, men are more likely to be the victims of heart attacks at all ages, but women are increasingly likely over
the age of 65.

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Fertility Rates (Births per Woman) in Gulf
Countries, 1990-2000

Fertility Rates
The chart shows striking changes in the fertility rate of women in six Gulf countries –
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain between 1990 and 2000.

In the ten year period, there was a decline in the number of births per woman in all
countries. The biggest declines were in two countries which had low fertility rates at the
start of the decade, Bahrain and the UAE.

Fertility rates vary greatly between the six countries. Oman and Saudi Arabia had the
highest rates, with over seven births per woman in 1990. This compared with around 4
births per woman in Bahrain and the UAE, and just 3.75 in Kuwait

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By 2000, the rate had fallen below three births per woman in Kuwait, Bahrain and the
UAE, with a drop of over 25% in a decade in the UAE. However, in Saudi Arabia and
Oman, the rates fell by just 20%, from 7.0 to 5.5.

In summary, there were major decreases in birth rates in all countries, but some countries
in the region have double the fertility rate of others.

162 words

Oil Production

Oil Production Capacity

The graph shows Oil Production Capacity in millions of barrels per day for selected Gulf
countries. There are several features in this graph.

The most significant feature is that oil production will increase sharply in almost all the countries
shown. Kuwait and Iraq are both expected to double their output between 1990 and 2010, with
Kuwait's production rising from 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in 1990 to 3.8 in 2010. Iran will
also increase its output by a slightly smaller amount. After remaining steady at 2.5 million bpd
from 1990 to 2000, the UAE's output is expected to approach 4.0 million bpd in 2010. Only
Qatar's production is predicted to fall, back to 0.8 million bpd after a slight rise in 2000.

However, the greatest increase will be from Saudi Arabia. In 1990, its output capacity at 8.5
million bpd exceeded the combined production of Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. This lead is expected to
continue with a 75% increase in production to 14.5 million bpd 2010.

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In summary, while most of the countries are expected to show increases, Saudi Arabia will
maintain and strengthen its position as the major producer.

(194 words)

HCT Graduates
Graduates from the Higher Colleges of Technology's Women's and Men's Colleges, 1999

Higher College Graduates

The chart shows male and female graduates from the Higher Colleges of Technology
colleges in the UAE.

The most outstanding feature of the graph is female graduates outnumber males in all
the colleges. For example, in Dubai, there are 30% more women graduates than men.
There are also large differences in Al Ain and in Ras Al Khaimah. However, the number
of men and women is almost equal in the colleges in Abu Dhabi.

There are also big differences in the sizes of the colleges. Ras Al Khaimah has less than
300 students altogether, while Abu Dhabi has about 600 and Dubai has almost 1000

In summary, women outnumber men in all the colleges, and there are significant
differences in the sizes of the colleges.

124 words

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Internet Usage in Taiwan by Age Group, 1998-2000

Internet Usage in Taiwan by Age

The graph shows changes in the age profile of Internet users in Taiwan between 1998 and 2000.

The main users of the Internet in Taiwan are young adults between 16 and 30 years old. In 1998,
they accounted for more than half of all users. In 1999 the number dropped slightly to 45%, but
even in 2000 they were the biggest group.

The second biggest group of users is aged between 31 and 50. They made up 41% in 1998,
falling slightly to 37% in 2000. When combined with the 16-30 age group, over 94% of users in
1998 were between 16 and 50.

However this number is dropping steadily as more children and older users log on. In 1999, the
number of children online quadrupled from 2% to 8%, and it continued to increase in 2000.
There were similar increases for older users, rising from 4% in 1998 to 10% in 2000.

In summary, while adults between 16 and 50 still represent the great majority of Internet users
in Taiwan, their share is declining as more children and older users join the web.

(180 words)

Computers and Internet in the Arab World

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Computers & Internet in the Arab World
The chart shows striking differences in the level of computer and Internet penetration in
the Arab world.

The UAE and Kuwait are by far the most computerized countries, with Lebanon a
distant third. The UAE has over 150 computers for every 1000 inhabitants, compared to
Kuwait's 130 and Lebanon's 60. In contrast, countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Syria
have less than 20 computers per 1000 inhabitants.

There are also great differences in Internet use and availability. The UAE has by far the
highest proportion of users, with more than one-third of its population using the
Internet. Kuwait and Lebanon are second and third again, with 100 users per thousand in
Kuwait and 80 in Lebanon. In some countries the number using the Internet is negligible:
Saudi Arabia has less than 20 users per thousand, and there are fewer than 5 users per
thousand in Syria.

One unusual feature of the graph is that Internet use does not seem to be directly related
to the number of computers. In several countries (the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan and Oman),
there are more Internet users per thousand people than computers. However, in other
countries, such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria, the number of Internet users is lower
than the number of computers.

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In summary, there are major differences between computer use and Internet use in the
Arab world, but the UAE clearly leads the area in both number of computers and
number of internet users per capita.

Phones

The graphs below show the number of land-line phones (ordinary connections) and mobile phones per
thousand people in two different countries between 1996 and 2000.

Write 150 words comparing the two countries.

Philippines Canada

US Spending Patterns, 1966 -1996

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