IELTS WRITING TASK 1: LESSON 1

I. Dạng câu hỏi cho IELTS Writing Task 1

 Type 4 categories
 5+ categories
 3 categories
 Two years
 Future
 Total
 No change over time
 2 items
 Mixed charts
 Maps
 Process
II. Từ vựng hữu ích cho IELTS Writing Task 1:
 Từ vựng mô tả sự thay đổi:
Xu hướng Verb Noun
increase increase
rise rise
grow growth
go up upward trend
climb
rocket
soar
leap
jump
surge
boom
shoot up
decrease decrease
fall/fall down fall
go down downward trend
reduce reduction
decline decline

drop drop
plunge plunge
slump slump
dive dive
plummet plummet
dip dip
 fluctuate fluctuation
oscillate oscillation
wave
vary variation
volatile (a period of) volatility
remain/stay stable (a period of) stability
remain/stay unchanged
stabilize
to be unchanged
remain/stay constant
stand steady
reach a peak of
peak at
hit/touch the highest
point
top out at
reach/hit the lowest
point
fall to a low
reach a bottom
bottom out at

 Từ vựng miêu tả tốc độ thay đổi:

Tốc độ Adjective Adverb
dramatic dramatically
sharp sharply
substantial substantially
Nhiều, đáng kể, nhanh considerable considerably
và rõ ràng significant significantly
rapid rapidly
remarkable remarkably
noticeable noticeably
moderate moderately
Bình thường, ổn định constant constantly
progressive progressively
slight slightly
marginal marginally
Ít, không đáng kể steady steadily
slow slowly
gradual gradually

 Những từ vựng hữu ích khác:

Nhiều hơn More than/over/north of
Ít hơn Less than/under/shy of/south of
 Khoảng About/approximately/roughly/around/virtually/more or less
Tương tự Similarly/likewise/in a similar way/a similar trend was seen in
Ngược lại Conversely/in contrast/an opposite trend was seen in

 Giới từ trong writing task 1:

Giới từ Cách sử dụng Ví dụ
Miêu tả sự thay đổi đến In 2010, the unemployment rate increased to 5%
To
mức nào
Miêu tả sự thay đổi trong In 2018, the rate of school enrolment in Viet Duc
By một khoảng cụ thể Primary School fell by 2% (from 15% to 13%)
Miêu tả phần trăm, số He won the election with 53% of the vote
With
lượng
At Cung cấp con số cụ thể The unemployment rate hit its highest point, at 10%

 Dạng bài tỉ lệ, %:

5% a small fraction 30% nearly a third

10% a tenth, one in ten 33% a third, one-third

15% less than a fifth 50% a half

20% a fifth 65% nearly two-thirds

25% a quarter 75% three quarters

III. Cấu trúc câu:

1. Cấu trúc miêu tả xu hướng:

Time, S + V + adv
Example:
1. In 2004, the number of lecturers in Hanoi University grew dramatically.
2. By the end of 2025, the number of public transportation in Vietnam is expected to rocket.

There + to be + a/an + adj + N + in + S + time

Example:
1. There was a significant drop in the number of smartphones sold in 2005.
2. There was a moderate growth in the number of literated citizens in Africa in 2007.
 S + saw/witnessed/experienced + a/an + adj + N + time
Example:
1. The number of literated citizens in Africa experienced a moderate growth in 2007.
2. The population of China witnessed a tremendous rise in the past 5 years.

Time + witnessed/experienced/saw + a/an + adj + N + in + N- phrase

Ex:
1. The year 2007 witnessed a moderate growth in the number of literated citizens.
2. The 3 consecutive years from 2000 experienced a tremendous rise in the population of
China.
2. Cấu trúc so sánh:
a, So sánh hơn kém:

S1 + tobe + more/fewer/less than + S2

Fewer: Ít hơn, đi với danh từ đếm được số nhiều

Less: Ít hơn, đi với danh từ không đếm được

Ex: - The number of male game players is more than the number of female gamers.
- The number of primary students in Lao Cai in 2002 was fewer than that in 2003.
- The amount of gas consumed in Vietnam is less than that in China.

b, So sánh hơn nhất:

S + to be + The adj - est (đối với tính từ ngắn)

The most + adj (đối với tính từ dài)

Example:
- It is clear that the USA is by far the most successful Olympic medal winning nation.
- The average diet contains the lowest percentage of carbonhydrates but the highest
proportion of protein.

c, So sánh ngang bằng:

S1 + to be + similar to + S2

the same as

Example:
- The percentage of girls attending the English training course was similar to that of boys in
2002.
- The number of students in Faculty of Spanish is the same as that in Faculty of Chinese.
d, So sánh với số liệu:

S1 + to be + twice + as many/much as + S2

three/four... times higher/greater than

Example:
- The number of students in grade 1 is twice as many as the number of of students in grade 2.
- The population in Hanoi is three times as much as the population in other capital cities in
the world.
IV. Cấu trúc IELTS Writing Task 1:
 1234 Structure:
- Paragraph 1 - 1 sentence: Introduction: Key information
+ WHAT is described?
+ WHEN was the data collected?
+ WHERE was the data collected?
Language skills: paraphrasing skills -> Paraphrase the prompt
- Paragraph 2 – 2 sentences: Overview: Identifying the main features:
+ Lowest/Highest figures
+ Most drastic changes
+ Stability
+ Similar/Opposite patterns
=> 1st sentence: General trends
=> 2nd sentence: Highest/Lowest figures / Most drastic changes
- Paragraph 3 & 4 – 3-4 sentences: Body: Report & Compare
+ Identifying the key features
+ Make comparisons where relevant
 “Introduction” expressions:

Loại biểu đồ Động từ Mô tả Thời gian/Khoảng thời gian

The line Show/represent The comparison of… - Over the course of X-year,
graph/table/ / illustrate/ The differences in … commencing from/starting in…
map(s)/ bar compare/give The number of … - Over a X-year period,
charts/pie data on/ give The amount of … commencing from…
chart(s)/ information The percentage of … - From … to …
picture(s)/ on.. How many/ How - Between … and …
diagram much …
The shifts/changing
patterns in …

Example: The line graph illustrates the percentage of females elected in parliament in 5
European countries over the course of 12-year , commencing from 2000.
 “Overview” expressions:
- 1st sentence: General trends
+ There showed a clear sign of upswing in the + N = There was an increase in the + N
+ There showed a clear sign of downswing in the + N = There was a decrease in the + N
N + experienced an upward / a downward trend
If there’s only one trend:
-> with N witnessing the most dramatic growth/fall
If there’s another trend:
+ while an opposite trend was seen in + N
+ while the reverse was true for the case of + N
+ except for the case of + N
- 2nd sentence: Highest/Lowest figures / Most drastic changes
+ N + consistently had the lowest/highest figures throughout the period
+ N + managed to top the chart/graph/table in terms of…
+ N + had by far the lowest/highest figure(s) throughout the period
+ The most dramatic/significant growth/fall was seen/observed in the figure(s) for + N
Example: Overall/In general/Generally speaking, there showed a clear sign of upswing in the
amount of waste disposed via burning while the reverse was true for the case of landfill and
dumping at sea. In addition/Additionally, landfill consistently had the highest figure for most
of the studied period.
 Useful language for body paragraphs:
(1) The number/amount/proportion of + N started at _(data)_, after which it experienced/
witnessed/saw a rise/decline to _(data)_ in _(year)_ before ending the period at _(data)_
Example: The number of students studying abroad started at 0,4 million, after which it
experienced a dramatic rise to 1,4 million in 1985, before ending the period at 0,8 million.
(2) (Data) + S + V, with a subsequent + increase/decrease/levelling off/fluctuation…+ and a
final increase/decrease/... + to _(data)_ in _(year)_
Example: 0,4 million students studied in the US in 1970, with a subsequent/considerable/
significant rise to 1,4 million and a final drop to 0,8 million.
(3) The figure for (number/proportion/amount of) … was at _(data)_, followed by a
slow/significant + increase/decrease to _(data)_
Example: The figure for students studying abroad was at 0.4 million, followed by a
significant increase to 1,4 million and a final drop to 0,8 million.
(4) The figure for … + V …, and (but) + …..
Example: The figure for students studying abroad increased sharply, reaching a peak of 1,4
million in 1985, but it later dropped to 0,8 million in the last year of the examined
/studied/surveyed period.
(5) Similar/Opposite changes can be seen in the figure for …, which (+changes) …
(6) The figure for … (+changes) , ending/reaching the period at _(data)_ ….
V. Bài tập:
Exercise 1: Complete the sentences using the given words:
For at on to in by from
of up down with and during between
1. …From/Between…… 1990 ……to/and … 2000, there was a drop …by/of…… 15%.
2. GM car sales peaked ……… 2,000 in 1999.
3. The chart shows a decline ……… 35% ……… the bird population.
4. There has been a significant increase ……… the number of people aged over eighty.
5. There have been dramatic cuts ……… the level of spending on the elderly, reaching a
low …… 11%.
6. Profits rose ……… a low of 4.5 million to a high of 8 million in 2008.
7. Canada and Australia’s wheat exports fluctuated ……………… 5 million and 6 million
respectively.
8. There were significant improvements ……… healthcare ………… 1980.
9. The statistics show a reduction ……… 20% ……… energy costs as a result ……… the
measures.
10. Profits fell …..…… 10%, from 2,000 to 1,800 in 1970s.
11. The radio station experienced a fall …….…… 36,000 listeners to a total
audience ……… 2.1 million.
12. The number of students fell ……… a low of 1,500 in the second half of the year.
13. Cases of AIDS shot ……… from 2,400 in 1996 to 4,000 in 2004.
14. Demand reached a peak ……… 45,000 in early March.
15. The number of cars sold remained unchanged in 1999 ……… three million.
16. Students do between three ……… four hours homework a night.
17. The number of accidents ……… 1999 was slightly higher than that of 2000.
18. The figure rose steadily ……… the four years between 1997 ……… 2001.
19. Oil production rose dramatically at first but then leveled out ……… $70 a barrel.
20. There was an increase ……… 50,000 between 1990 and 1992.
21.……… 1994 ……… 1997, sales rose steadily ……… over 20,000.
22. DVD sales peaked ……… 60,000 ……… 1992 but then decreased ……… about 10,000
over the next two years.
23. In the year 2000, sales started ……… 10,000. In the first month, there was a rise ………
around 2,000.
24. After some fluctuations, sales in 2000 reached their peak ……… just over 15,000, a rise
……… 5,000 since the beginning of the year. Sales increased ……… over 10,000 between
1994 and 1997, but then dropped ……… more than 10,000 …………… 1997 and 1999.
25. In 2008, the rate of unemployment rose …… 10%.
26. In 2008, the rate of unemployment rose …… 10%, from 2,000 to 2,200 cases.
27.There was a slight rise …… the number of men employed.
28. Experts expect there to be a fall …… approximately 30% over the next decade.
29.The introduction ……… DVDs led to a decline ……… 20% ……… video sales.
30. The figures show a drop ……… 5% ……… student numbers.
31. The health service program spent a total ……… $2.5 billion on staffing …… April 2002.
32. The survey hopes to track trends ……… consumer spending.
33. In 2009, the rate of unemployment fell ……… 2% (from 10% to 8%).
34. He won the election ……… 52% of the vote.
35. Unemployment reached its highest level ……… the year 2008 ……… 10%.
36.……… 2002, the cost of an average house in the UK was around £130,000. ……… 2007,
the average house price had risen ……… almost £190,000, but it fell back ……… just
under £150,000 ……… 2008.
37. Japan ……… two gold medals and a silver one stood ahead of the US ……… one gold
and one bronze medal ……… 1968.
Exercise 2: Study the following chart. Describe some specific changes in the given
period using sequencing words: after / before / (and) then / followed by.
The first one has been done for you as an example
1. People at the age of 25-37 (1950-2000)
 People at the age of 25-37 decreased sharply from 20% to under 10% between 1950 and
1990, before remaining stable at this figure until 2000.
2. People in the age group of under 14 (1950 - 2000)
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………
……… …………………………………………………………………………………………
…………… ……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………..…………………………………………………………………………
3. People aged from 38-45 (1950 - 2000)
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………
……… …………………………………………………………………………………………
…………… ……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………..…………………………………………………………………………
4. People aged from over 65 (1950 - 2000)
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………
……… …………………………………………………………………………………………
…………… ……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………..…………………………………………………………………………...
Exercise 3: Complete the following sentence, using comparative language.
1. The proportion of visitors from the UK and the US is just over 20 percent. That of
Australia is 40 percent.
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………..…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………..…………………………………………………………………………
2. Japan and South Korea account for 4 percent and 3 percent each. That of the UK is 12
percent.
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………
……… …………………………………………………………………………………………
…………… ……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………..…………………………………………………………………………
3. 12 percent of visitors come from the UK, and 9 percent come from the US.
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………..…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………..…………………………………………………………………………
Exercise 4: The graph below shows UK acid rain emissions, measured in millions of
tones, from four different sectors between 1991 and 2007.
Fill the gaps using these words: produced, reaching, fell, responsible, saw, considerably,
terms, drop, dramatic
The line graph compares four sectors in
1._________ of the amount of acid rain
emissions that they produced over a
period of 17-year in the UK.
It is clear that the total amount of acid
rain emissions in the UK 2.___________
between 1990 and 2007. The most 3.
_____________ decrease was seen in the
electricity, gas and water supply sector.
In 1990, around 3.3 million tones of acid
rain emissions came from the electricity,
gas and water sector. The transport and
communication sector was
4._____________ for about 0.7 million tones of emissions, while the domestic sector
5._______________ around 0.6 million tones. Just over 2 million tones of acid rain gases
came from other industries.
Emissions from electricity, gas and water supply fell dramatically to only 0.5 million tones in
2007, a 6.____________ of almost 3 million tones. While acid rain gases from the domestic
sector and other industries fell gradually, the transport sector 7.__________ a small increase
in emissions, 8.__________ a peak of 1 million tones in 2005.
Exercise 5: The graph below gives information about car ownership in Britain from
1971 to 2007. Fill the gaps in the essay with the following words: almost, to, figures, per,
between, by, over, with, without, onwards
The graph shows changes in the number of
cars ______ household in Great Britain
______ a period of 36 years.
Overall, car ownership in Britain increased
______ 1971 and 2007. In particular, the
number of households with two cars rose,
while the number of households ___________
a car fell.
In 1971, ________ half of all British
households did not have regular use of a car.
Around 44% of households had one car, but only about 7% had two cars. It was uncommon
for families to own three or more cars, _________ around 2% of households falling into this
category.
The one-car household was the most common type from the late 1970’s __________,
although there was little change in the ___________ for this category. The biggest change
was seen in the proportion of households without a car, which fell steadily over the 36-year
period __________ around 25% in 2007. In contrast, the proportion of two-car families rose
steadily, reaching about 26% in 2007, and the proportion of households with more than two
cars rose _________ around 5%.
Exercise 6: The chart below shows average hours and minutes spent by UK males and
females on different daily activities. Fill the gaps using these words: doing, up, over,
spent, while, sleeping, sleep, twice, amount, takes.
The table compares the average ______ of
time per day that men and women in the UK
spend ______ different activities.
Overall, people in the UK spend more time
______ than doing any other daily activity.
Also, there are significant differences
between the time ______ by men and
women on employment/study and
housework.
On average, men and women in the UK
______ for about 8 hours per day. Leisure
______ ______ the second largest
proportion of their time. Men spend 5 hours
and 25 minutes doing various leisure
activities, such as watching TV or doing sport, ______ women have 4 hours and 53 minutes
of leisure time.
It is noticeable that men work or study for an average of 79 minutes more than women every
day. By contrast, women spend 79 minutes more than men doing housework, and they spend
____________ as much time looking after children.

Exercise 7: Fill the gaps with these words: constitutes, drops, amount, fifth, higher, make,
one, relative, figure, up
The pie charts compare the proportion of
carbohydrates, protein and fat in three
different diets, namely an average diet, a
healthy diet, and a healthy diet for sport.
It is noticeable that sportspeople require
a diet comprising a significantly higher
proportion of carbohydrates than an
average diet or a healthy diet. The
average diet contains the lowest
percentage of carbohydrates but the
highest proportion of protein.
Carbohydrates ______ ______ 60% of
the healthy diet for sport. This is 10% ______ than the proportion of carbohydrates in a
normal healthy diet, and 20% more than the proportion in an average diet. On the other hand,
people who eat an average diet consume a greater ____________ of protein (40%) than those
who eat a healthy diet (30%) and sportspeople (25%). The third compound shown in the
charts is fat. Fat ______ exactly ______ ______ of both the average diet and the healthy diet,
but the ______ ______ to only 15% for the healthy sports diet.