Mastering “As Depicted By” for IELTS: A Guide to Describing Visuals

“As Depicted By” is a phrase that often trips up IELTS candidates, but it’s actually a powerful tool for showcasing your vocabulary and grammatical range. It pops up in the Writing and Speaking sections, especially when you need to describe charts, graphs, diagrams, or images.

Let’s look at some examples:

• Writing Task 1: “The sharp decline in sales, as depicted by the line graph, suggests a change in consumer behaviour.”
• Speaking Part 2: “The photograph shows a bustling marketplace, and as depicted by the smiles on people’s faces, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”
• Speaking Part 3: “Some people believe that modern art is too abstract, as depicted by the controversial works of artists like Jackson Pollock.”

In each of these examples, “as depicted by” helps to connect the visual information to your written or spoken description. This is a key skill in IELTS, demonstrating your ability to analyze and interpret visual data.

Understanding “As Depicted By” and Its Importance

“As depicted by” essentially means “as shown by” or “as represented by.” It’s a more formal and academic way of expressing this idea. Using it correctly instantly elevates your language and shows the examiner you can handle sophisticated vocabulary.

Frequency in IELTS:

While not overly common, “as depicted by” and its synonyms are valuable additions to your lexical resource. They allow for greater flexibility and precision in your descriptions.

Using “As Depicted By” Effectively

Here’s the formula for using this phrase:

[Element being described] + as depicted by + [Visual Source] + [Further explanation/interpretation]

Let’s break down the usage for different sections of the IELTS exam:

line-graph-sales-decline|Line Graph of Sales Decline|A line graph showing a sharp decline in sales over time.

Writing Task 1

• Line Graphs: “The upward trend in online shopping, as depicted by the steep incline of the line graph, highlights the growing popularity of e-commerce.”
• Bar Charts: “The significant gender gap in leadership positions is clearly depicted by the bar chart, with far fewer women in senior roles.”
• Pie Charts: “The dominance of social media in daily life is evident, as depicted by the largest segment of the pie chart representing time spent on these platforms.”

Speaking Part 2

• Photographs: “The photograph shows a family gathered around a campfire, and as depicted by their relaxed postures and happy expressions, they seem to be enjoying each other’s company.”
• Diagrams: “The diagram illustrates the process of photosynthesis, and as depicted by the arrows, sunlight plays a crucial role in converting carbon dioxide into oxygen.”

Speaking Part 3

• Abstract Ideas: “Many people feel alienated by modern art, as depicted by the often negative reactions to abstract expressionism.”

Mastering Synonyms and Variations

To score higher, diversify your language! Instead of always relying on “as depicted by,” try these synonyms:

• as shown by
• as illustrated by
• as revealed by
• as evidenced by
• as can be seen in/from

For example:

• Original: “The growing concern about climate change is as depicted by the increasing number of protests.”
• Improved: “The growing concern about climate change is clearly illustrated by the increasing number of protests and the global shift towards renewable energy sources.”

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect Prepositions: Using the wrong preposition after “depicted” is a common error. Remember, it’s “depicted by,” not “depicted in” or “depicted on.“

   • Incorrect: The data is depicted on the chart.
   • Correct: The data is depicted by the chart.

2. Redundancy: Don’t state the obvious. If the visual already clearly shows something, you don’t need to reiterate it with “as depicted by.”

   • Redundant: The graph shows a rise in temperature, as depicted by the upward slope of the line.
   • Better: The upward slope of the line on the graph clearly indicates a rise in temperature.

3. Lack of Interpretation: Don’t just describe what you see; analyze it. Explain the significance or implications of the visual information.

   • Descriptive: The bar chart depicts a higher percentage of men in engineering jobs.
   • Analytical: The bar chart, which depicts a higher percentage of men in engineering jobs, highlights the persistent gender imbalance within this field.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “as depicted by” and its synonyms can significantly boost your IELTS score. Remember to use it accurately, avoid redundancy, and always interpret the visual information you’re describing. Practice incorporating this phrase into your writing and speaking, and watch your confidence and fluency grow!