TASK 1 (Bar charts): Total sales
 |
Sample Answer:
The provided graphic depicts the total sales distribution by region of a specific pharmaceutical company during the period between 2002 and 2006.
What is immediately striking upon observing the depiction is the consistent sheer dominance of Europe and Africa regarding sales contribution, standing in stark opposition to South America, which had by far the lowest figures throughout. Equally noteworthy is the diversity of trends exhibited by the examined regions: Only Asia showed an upward pattern; Europe and Africa, and North America demonstrated declining trajectories; and South America reverted to its original figure despite a notable mid-period downfall.
Asia was the only surveyed part of the world witnessing growth, commencing at 12% of total sales and nearly doubling to a quarter in the following year. From this point onwards, growth became stagnant, although upward momentum was maintained – exemplified in a rise of 2 percentage points annually until 2005, which saw a final surge to reach 28% by 2006 – reflecting a cumulative more-than-twofold increase.
Turning to regions with downward trends, Europe and Africa consistently edged out North America throughout the studied period. Leading all areas at nearly half of total sales in 2002 (44%), the figure for the former rose steadily to a peak of 48% in 2004, after which it fell by 4% on a yearly basis to culminate the timeline at 40% – indicating a 4% drop compared to its 2002 share. Despite such a cumulative loss, its leading position was still preserved. North America, meanwhile, exhibited a more straightforward downfall, starting at 33% and dipping steadily to 21% in 2005 and 2006 – retaining its third position.
South America was the least significant sales contributor throughout and also the one with the least noticeable proportional changes. The region commenced the timeline accounting for only 11% of total sales – 1% less than that of Asia – and this figure nearly halved to 6% in 2004. Henceforth, a full recovery was observed, with South America’s share rising back to its 2002 level in 2005 and 2006.
Vocabulary
| consistent sheer dominance | sự thống trị tuyệt đối liên tục |
| stark opposition | sự đối lập rõ rệt |
| diversity of trends | sự đa dạng xu hướng |
| upward pattern | xu hướng đi lên |
| declining trajectories | quỹ đạo suy giảm |
| reverted to its original figure | trở lại con số ban đầu |
| notable mid-period downfall | sự suy giảm đáng chú ý giữa kỳ |
| upward momentum | đà tăng trưởng |
| final surge | cú tăng cuối cùng |
| cumulative more-than-twofold increase | mức tăng gấp hơn hai lần tích lũy |
| edged out | vượt qua, loại bỏ |
| peak of 48% | đạt đỉnh 48% |
| culminate the timeline | kết thúc giai đoạn |
| cumulative loss | tổn thất tích lũy |
| leading position | vị trí dẫn đầu |
| straightforward downfall | sự suy giảm rõ ràng |
| retaining its third position | giữ vị trí thứ ba |
| least significant sales contributor | đóng góp doanh số ít nhất |
| least noticeable proportional changes | thay đổi tỷ lệ ít đáng chú ý |
| accounting for only 11% | chiếm chỉ 11% |
| full recovery | sự phục hồi hoàn toàn |
| rising back to its 2002 level | tăng trở lại mức năm 2002 |
| sales distribution | phân bố doanh số |
| examined regions | các khu vực được khảo sát |
| studied period | giai đoạn nghiên cứu |
