Line graph population

Population growth 1750 to 2150


World population growth

The line graph shows population growth in richer and poorer countries between 1750 and 2150. It is based on the United Nations World Population Prospects, the 1998 Revision, and estimates by the Population Reference Bureau.

In 1750 the total world population was less than one billion and the population of less developed countries was three or four times greater than that of more developed countries. There was a dramatic increase in the second half of the twentieth century, with total population tripling from 2bn to 6.1bn, but only about 1 billion were in the more developed countries. The estimate is that by 2150 the total world population will be well over 10 billion but the total for the more developed countries will remain at about one billion and may even fall slightly.

It is estimated that the total world population will increase dramatically over the next 150 years but that this growth will be entirely in the less developed countries .

153 words.

Line graph climate

Three African Cities

The line graph gives information about the average monthly temperatures in three African cities - Mombasa, Cairo, and Cape Town. Each city has its own different climate, with very different characteristics.

The hottest place shown on the graph is Cairo. In July and August, average temperatures rise to over 80º Fahrenheit. However, Cairo also has the biggest variation in climate.Temperatures drop to as low as 55 degrees in Cairo’s winter, during January and February. This is equal to Cape Town’s lowest temperature in July. In fact Cairo and Cape Town are almost opposites in temperature. Cairo is hottest when Cape Town is coldest.

Cape Town does not have the range that Cairo has. Its maximum temperature is 70º F from November to February, after which it drops gradually to about 55 degrees in its winter. In contrast to Cairo or Cape Town,

Mombasa is warm all year round. Its temperature fluctuates very little, ranging from a low of 75 to a maximum of 83 in March.

In conclusion, location is very important in deciding climate. When it is winter in Cairo, it is summer in Cape Town, but Mombasa, being tropical, is warm all year round.

196 words

Reflection 3

Up to the first progress test in semester 2 we concentrated on 2 types of essays:

(a) description of graphs

(b) problem & solution

For graphs,we started with pie charts, moving from single pies to double pies, e.g. Valentine's Day gifts. We moved on to bar charts, e.g. date-producing countries. Finally we looked at tables of information, e.g. hurricanes & tornadoes.

We followed a simple 3 paragraph construction. I encouraged students not just to describe the information in the graphs/charts/ tables,but to draw attention in the conclusion to the most striking features, e.g. the growth of Lagos in the city agglomerations chart.

For problem/solution essays we used a 4-paragraph construction: brief introduction stating the problem. Then a paragraph giving 4/5 causes of the problem. Then a paragraph stating 4 or 5 possible solutions. In their concluding 4th paragraph I emphasised the importance of students saying what were the most viable solutions.

Table:hurricanes & tornadoes

This table gives us information about two strong winds, hurricanes and tornadoes. Both are dangerous and destructive but there are important differences between them.

Firstly, the minimum speed of a hurricane is 74 mph, whereas that of a tornado is 40 mph. On the other hand, the maximum speed of a tornado, 250-300 mph, is higher than that of a hurricane, 155-200 mph. The hurricane is classified on the Saffir-Simpson C1-5 scale, while the tornado is measured on the Fujita F0-F5 scale. Whereas a tornado usually lasts from a few minutes to a few hours, a hurricane can last up to a week. A hurricane can be predicted 2-3 days in advance for a wide area and 6-10 hours beforehand for a locality, but a tornado can be predicted only minutes before it hits. Hurricanes start over warm oceans but tornadoes usually originate over land.

In brief, tornadoes are less predictable, last for a shorter period of time and can reach much higher wind speeds.

Bar graph: population changes in large cities

Growth of urban agglomerations, 1950-2015.

The chart shows the population of nine major cities over the past sixty years, and the projected level in five years time.

The only city where the population has fallen is London, from about 8M in 1950 to around 7M in 2000; it’s projected to remain the same in 2015. New York’s population rose steadily, from about 12M in 1950 to around 16M in 2000, rising to 17M by 2015. The other seven cities have all witnessed more dramatic growth. From 2.5M in 1950, Cairo is forecast to reach 14M by 2015. Mexico City is forecast to reach almost 20M, from about 3M in 1950, Shanghai nearly 15M, from 5M, and Sao Paolo 20M, from about 3M. Bombay and Tokyo are predicted to top 25M, from 3.5M and 7M respectively. Perhaps the most dramatic rise is Lagos, with a predicted 24M in 2015, from less than a million in 1950.

Only London has a fall in population, 1950-2015. New York shows a gradual increase, while the other seven cities all show spectacular growth.

169 words

Traffic congestion in Abu Dhabi: problem & solution

Like most large cities around the world, Abu Dhabi suffers from traffic congestion and parking problems.

The main reason for this is the rapidly expanding population. Due to equally rapid economic development, based on oil, this population is wealthy enough to afford motor cars. Indeed, most Emirati households have several cars and many drivers are young, which means more accidents and hold-ups. In addition, the large number of construction projects means more heavy vehicles which slows traffic and worsens congestion. Lack of adequate parking provision only exacerbates the problem.

One obvious solution is to improve the existing road system by widening roads, building more bridges, overpasses, subways and so on. Another possibility is the introduction of staggered hours to eliminate rush hour congestion. Yet another suggestion is to relocate businesses and government offices to off-island sites. Better public transport is also often put forward as a solution to the problem. Harsher fines and stricter enforcement of rules and regulations by traffic police might also help to alleviate the situation, as would better driver education and stiffer driving tests. Paid parking areas have already been introduced and they too have contributed to the easing of congestion in certain areas.

Even better public transport would be a useful solution, but whether there is enough room on the island, for a metro system, in association with a Salik-type system, is debatable. Improvements in the road system and the creation of paid parking areas have already proved successful in easing congestion. Better driver education, including more stringent testing, together with more rigorous enforcement of traffic regulations would also seem viable solutions.

263 words.

Problem & Solution 1

Many people today in the UAE are obese or seriously overweight. Why, and what can be done about it?

Growing obesity rates are a worldwide problem. It is a particular problem here in the UAE.

In the past, most Emiratis lived a harder, more nomadic existence, involving hard travel and physical labour. Today most live a softer, more sedentary life, travelling by car and holding desk jobs requiring little physical exertion. That these jobs exist is due to the rapid economic expansion over the past 40 years, since the discovery and exploitation of oil. In addition, many people today entertain themselves by watching TV or playing computer games, neither of which involves physical exercise. Finally, as well as traditional Arab cuisine, itself often quite high in fat and sugar content, there is today the widespread temptation and easy availability of high-fat and high-sugar fast food.

The solutions? The only viable long-term solution is education. At an early age, children should be taught the importance of two things: a healthy diet and regular physical exercise. A better diet involves not just choosing healthier ingredients, such as fruit and vegetables. Sauces and style of cooking need to be watched. A healthy salad becomes a less healthy option if coated in, say, mayonnaise. Fish and potatoes are themselves good nutritious foods, but less so if fried as fish and chips. Governments around the world can help by encouraging schools to teach nutrition seriously. Campaigns in the media to educate all sections of the population, especially parents, to eat healthily, can also help.

Cars, TVs and computers are not going to disappear so the only viable solution is education to encourage better diet and more physical exercise.

263 words