Unemployment rates in the UK initially increased in the recent past but had decreased to as low as 6% by 2010. However, unemployment then rocketed to a maximum of 12% in 2010, demonstrating changing unemployment trends over time with rates first decreasing before sharply increasing to a peak. Two example sentences are also provided that mean the same thing by describing the unemployment rate as both rising to 12% and rising by 5% in 2010.

1. Graphs
describing change

2. Language
• recent change
there has been an increase in
the unemployment rates in
the UK

4. Language
• more distant past
By 2010 unemployment had already
decreased to as low as 6%.

6. Language
• the maximum.
Unemployment rates rocketed and
reached a peak in 2010

7. Language

8. Language

9. Language

10. Language

21. Note how these two sentences mean exactly the same:
The rate of unemployment rose to 12% in 2010.
The rate of unemployment rose by 5% in 2010.

23. The rate of unemployment rose to 12% in 2010.
The rate of unemployment rose by 5% in 2010.