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Academic Writing Task 1 (Lesson 2 - Vocabulary)

The document provides guidance on how to effectively describe graphs in the IELTS Writing Task 1, including how to introduce the graph and describe trends. It outlines specific vocabulary for upward, downward, stable, and unstable trends, as well as adverbs and nouns relevant to trend descriptions. Additionally, it offers academic writing tips to ensure clarity and accuracy in reporting data.

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Ziprey Lising
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26 views5 pages

Academic Writing Task 1 (Lesson 2 - Vocabulary)

The document provides guidance on how to effectively describe graphs in the IELTS Writing Task 1, including how to introduce the graph and describe trends. It outlines specific vocabulary for upward, downward, stable, and unstable trends, as well as adverbs and nouns relevant to trend descriptions. Additionally, it offers academic writing tips to ensure clarity and accuracy in reporting data.

Uploaded by

Ziprey Lising
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vocabulary to Describe IELTS Graphs in Writing Task 1

Introducing the Graph

❖ The introduction should begin by mentioning what Graphic or Visual Representation you are going to
write about – a line graph?, a bar graph?, a pie chart? etc..

You can start by writing “The line graph/table/pie chart/bar chart/diagram...” then choose one of
these verbs/verb phrases:

o shows...
o illustrates...
o compares...
o describes...
o explains why...
o provides information about/on...
o gives information about/on...
o draws the conclusion of (a survey) ...

❖ After you have decided what verb/verb phrases you will use, you should then paraphrase the topic or
the question prompt – make sure that you do not copy the topic word per word. Use synonyms or try
another sentence structure.

Let’s take a look this sample topic / question prompt:


Now, let’s try to write the introduction by following the tips we learned earlier.
Additional Tip: If there are years or any period given in the graphic, you need to mention them as well.

o Mention the type of Graphic or Visual Representation: “The line graph...”


o Decide on a Verb or Verb Phrases you want to use: “…provides information about...”
o Paraphrase the topic or the question prompt: “…how much junk food was eaten by adolescents in
Australia between 1975 and 2000.”

Our introduction is complete! It will look something like this:


“The line graph provides information about how much junk food was eaten by adolescents in
Australia between 1975 and 2000.”

Very simple, right? Now let’s move on to the next Tips!

Describing Trends (or Changes)


In IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic), you will need to describe trends, compare and contrast data or report
statistical information. Occasionally you will need to describe a process and maps (which we will explain in
future sessions).
In order to do well in this section, you need to know specific vocabulary related to describing trends.
❖ Verbs to describe an upward trend
The following verbs can be used to describe a trend or pattern that goes up.
o climb (past: climbed)
o go up (past: went up)
o grow (past: grew)
o increase (past: increased)
o jump (past: jumped)
o rise (past: rose)
o soar (past: soared)
o rocket (past: rocketed)

Sentence examples using words that show an upward trend:

1. The unemployment rate increased significantly between 2005 and 2010.


2. Production rose from 800 units in May to 1000 units the following month.

❖ Verbs to describe a downward trend


The following verbs can be used to describe a trend or pattern that goes down.

o decline (past: declined)


o decrease (past: decreased)
o drop (past: dropped)
o fall (past: fell)
o go down (past: went down)
o plummet (past: plummeted)
= to fall or drop suddenly in amount or value
o plunge (past: plunged)
= to fall or drop suddenly in amount or value

*Plunge and Plummet, when describing trends, have the same meaning.

Sentence examples using words that show a downward trend:

1. Prices of Samsung phones dropped significantly after Apple phones became available on the market.
2. Company profits decreased in 2013 by 15%.

❖ Words and phrases used to describe a stable trend


To describe a more or less stable pattern, you can use the following expressions:

o maintain (past: maintained)


o remain (past: remained)
o stay (past: stayed)
o constant (adjective)
o stable (adjective)
o steady (adjective)
o unchanged (adjective)
❖ Words and phrases used to describe unstable trend
To describe an unstable trend, you can use the following expressions:
o fluctuate (past: fluctuated)
o vary (varied)
o fluctuation (noun)
o variation (noun)

❖ Adverbs used when describing trends


Adverbs describe HOW something happens. They usually come after a verb.

o sharply, rapidly, quickly, steeply


o considerably, significantly, substantially
o steadily, gradually, moderately
o slightly, slowly

*To see the degree of intensity of these adverbs, look at the chart below.
❖ Nouns used when describing trends

o decline
o decrease
o dip (a momentarily small drop in the level of something)
o drop
o fall
o fluctuation (= an irregular rising and falling in number or amount; a variation)
o growth
o increase
o peak (= the highest point)
o rise
o slump (= a severe or prolonged fall in the price, value, or amount of something)
o variation (= a change or difference in condition, amount, or level)

More Academic Writing Tips when describing trends


o Do not describe every small upwards or downwards movement. You need to look at the important trends
or characteristics and give a general overview.
o You will normally use verbs in the past tense when describing trends though always look for dates to
confirm which tense to use.
o Do not write about things that do not appear in the graph. You shouldn't give an opinion, just describe
the information that appears.
o Even if your grammar (and vocabulary) is perfect, you will lose marks for not showing an accurate
understanding.

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