Question

Look at the graph and the paragraph below which provides an interpretation of the data given in the graph.
Graph to show number of whales caught in Antarctic (1985-2010)

As whalers reduced catching of the large/r whales, they switched to smaller species. This is evident when we compare figures for the Antarctic catch of the larger sei whale with those for small minke whale. In 1985, fifteen times as many sei whales as minke whales were caught. By 1995, catches of both the species were virtually the same (9000). By the 2000, the situation had reversed and the number of minke whales killed more than doubled as compared to sei whales (6000). The graph shows that while the sei catch was reduced by 95% between 1985 and 2010, over the same period the minke whale catch was eight times greater. If these trends continue, the situation for the smaller species will be as bad as it used to be for the larger ones.

Discuss with a partner:

1. What expressions have been used for comparing the data? Underline them.
2. Does the analysis identify the main trends? Has any projection or guess been made based on the available data?
3. Can you spot a sentence that summarizes the data or draws a conclusion based on it?
4. Has the analysis been supported with figures from the given data?
5. Is there any unnecessary repetition?
6. How many times has the verb 'be' in its different forms been used? Some useful expressions :

{much ,many, far ,slightly, a little}	more, greater,higher, less, lower, further, farther
{half, twice, ten times, (etc.)}	as  { adj. adv.} as
10 percent 150 percent	{more  less } than
almost the same ____ as
as {adj adv.} as

Answer 1

After the discussion with the partner, the results are given below :
1. The expressions for comparing the data have been underlined :

As whalers reduced catches of the larger whales, they switched to smaller species. This is evident when we compare figures for the Antarctic catch of the larger sei whale with those for small minke whale. In 1985, fifteen times as many sei whales as minke whales were caught. By 1995, catches of both the species were virtually the same (9000). By the 2000, the situation had reversed and the number of minke whales killed was more than doubledas compared to sei whales (6000). The graph shows that while the sei catch bwas reduced by 95% between 1985 and 2010, over the same period the minke whale catch was eight times greater. If these trends continue, the situation for the smaller species will be as bad as it used to be for the larger ones.

2. The main trends refer to the comparison of the trends in the two activities.
3. The conclusion emphasizes that if these trends continue, the situation for the smaller species will be as bad as it used to be for the larger ones.
4. The analysis is supported with the comparison of the situation between the years 1985 and 2010.
5. Not exactly ; there is hardly any repetition.
6. The use of verb ‘be’ in its different forms has been identified ie, they figure six times in the given passage which are given as under :

1. is evident
2. were caught
3. were virtually
4. had reversed
5. was reduced
6. was 8 times greater