Description of Tables, Charts and Diagrams — Complete Guide
What is Description of Tables, Charts and Diagrams?
In the SEE examination, students are often asked to study a table, bar chart, pie chart, line graph or diagram and write a short description of the information given. This task tests your ability to understand data and present it clearly in your own words.
Why is this Skill Important?
Describing visual data helps you develop analytical and writing skills. In real life, we often need to explain information shown in tables and graphs. In SEE English, this question carries good marks if the description is clear, organised and accurate.
- It develops the ability to interpret data
- It improves organised and factual writing
- It is a common question type in SEE English
- It teaches the use of comparison and trend language
Common Types of Visuals in SEE
| Type | What it Shows |
|---|---|
| Table | Information arranged in rows and columns |
| Bar Chart | Comparison of quantities using bars |
| Pie Chart | Parts of a whole shown as slices of a circle |
| Line Graph | Changes or trends over time |
| Diagram / Process | Steps of a process or how something works |
Structure of a Good Description
- 1Introduction: Write one or two sentences saying what the table/chart/diagram shows. Mention the title, source (if given) and the period or categories.
- 2Body: Describe the main points. Mention the highest and lowest figures, important comparisons, and any clear trends or patterns. Use the data accurately.
- 3Conclusion: Give a short overall summary or the most important trend.
Useful Language for Description
Introduction Phrases
- The table/chart/diagram shows...
- The given table presents information about...
- The bar chart illustrates...
- The pie chart gives information on...
- The line graph shows the changes in... over...
Describing Trends and Comparisons
| Meaning | Useful Words / Phrases |
|---|---|
| Increase | increase, rise, grow, go up, climb |
| Decrease | decrease, fall, drop, decline, go down |
| No change | remain stable, stay the same, remain constant |
| Highest / Lowest | the highest, the lowest, the maximum, the minimum |
| Comparison | higher than, lower than, compared to, while, whereas |
| Proportion | account for, make up, constitute, the largest share |
Tips for Writing a Good Description
- 1Start with a clear introduction that tells what the visual is about.
- 2Do not copy the numbers only — explain what they mean.
- 3Select the most important information (highest, lowest, big differences, clear trends).
- 4Use comparison language (higher than, the most, the least, while, whereas).
- 5Write in your own words. Avoid copying long phrases from the question.
- 6Keep the paragraph organised and easy to follow.
- 7Use correct tense (usually present simple for tables/charts, past for historical data).
- 8Write about 80–120 words unless otherwise instructed.
- 9Check spelling of numbers and categories carefully.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1Copying the table or chart without explaining the meaning.
- 2Writing every single number instead of selecting key points.
- 3Forgetting the introduction or conclusion.
- 4Using wrong tense or incorrect comparison language.
- 5Making calculation mistakes while comparing figures.
- 6Writing personal opinions when only factual description is required.
- 7Producing a disorganised list of numbers instead of a connected paragraph.
How this Question Appears in SEE
- Study the following table/chart/diagram and write a description of it.
- Interpret the data given in the table/chart in your own words.
- Write a paragraph describing the information shown in the figure.
Sample Descriptions
Sample 1: Table
Title: Number of Students in Different Classes of a School
| Class | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 45 | 40 | 85 |
| 9 | 50 | 48 | 98 |
| 10 | 42 | 55 | 97 |
Model Description: The table shows the number of boys and girls in classes 8, 9 and 10 of a school. Class 9 has the highest total number of students (98), while class 8 has the lowest (85). In class 8 and class 9, the number of boys is higher than the number of girls. However, in class 10, girls outnumber boys (55 girls and 42 boys). Overall, the school has a fairly balanced number of boys and girls, with a slight variation across the classes.
Sample 2: Bar Chart (described)
Title: Favourite Sports of Students (out of 100 students) Football – 35, Cricket – 25, Basketball – 20, Volleyball – 15, Others – 5
Model Description: The bar chart shows the favourite sports of 100 students. Football is the most popular sport, chosen by 35 students. Cricket comes second with 25 students, followed by basketball with 20 students. Volleyball is liked by 15 students, while only 5 students prefer other sports. The chart clearly indicates that football and cricket are the two most preferred games among the students.
Sample 3: Pie Chart (described)
Title: How Students Spend Their Free Time Watching TV – 30%, Playing outdoor games – 25%, Reading – 20%, Using mobile – 15%, Others – 10%
Model Description: The pie chart illustrates how students spend their free time. The largest proportion of students (30%) spend their free time watching television. Playing outdoor games is the second most common activity (25%), followed by reading (20%). About 15% of students use mobile phones, and the remaining 10% are engaged in other activities. Overall, a significant number of students prefer screen-based and outdoor activities during their free time.
Sample 4: Line Graph (described)
Title: Average Temperature of a City (in °C) January – 12, March – 18, May – 25, July – 28, September – 24, November – 16
Model Description: The line graph shows the average monthly temperature of a city in selected months. The temperature is lowest in January at 12°C and rises steadily to reach the highest point of 28°C in July. After July, the temperature begins to fall and reaches 16°C in November. Overall, the graph shows a clear seasonal pattern with higher temperatures in the middle of the year and lower temperatures at the beginning and end of the year.
Sample 5: Process Diagram (described)
Title: Process of Making Tea Steps: 1. Boil water 2. Add tea leaves 3. Add sugar and milk 4. Strain the tea 5. Serve hot
Model Description: The diagram shows the simple process of making tea. First, water is boiled in a kettle or pan. Then tea leaves are added to the boiling water. After that, sugar and milk are mixed according to taste. The tea is then strained to remove the leaves. Finally, the hot tea is poured into cups and served. The whole process is quick and easy to follow.
Quick Revision
- Always start with an introduction (what the visual shows)
- Select and describe the most important data (highest, lowest, trends)
- Use comparison and trend language
- Write a short conclusion
- Keep the description factual and organised
- Write in clear and simple English
- Aim for 80–120 words