Task 1

Grammar/vocabulary for describing trends

 TENSES
Dates and Tenses: The information supplied in the graph will tell you what tense to use:

No dates – present tense

Dates in the past – past tense
Dates in the future – future forms
Dates spanning both past and future – both past tense and future forms

Mixing both past and future forms:

Sample using both tenses:

In 2018, the number of sales stood at 1 million and is forecast to rise to a peak of 8
million by 2050.
WRITING TASK 1: THREE RULES FOR VERB
TENSES
Rule 1: Simple present
Rule 1: Use present simple to write about the graphic in the introduction and about processes.

Basic Example: “The graph/map/diagram shows…” or “The table displays…” or “First, the truck picks
up…”

Comment: Whenever you write directly about a graphic including a table, chart, graph, map, etc. you
should use the present simple tense. Use the same tense for process diagrams.

Band 9 Example: “The line graph compares three companies in terms of their waste output between
the years 2000 and 2015.”
Rule 2:
Rule 2: Use past simple (e.g. “increased) to write about the past.

Basic Example: “The number of people increased…” or “Several houses were built in the northern
area…”

Comment: Whenever you are writing about the past, use past simple (e.g. “was”, “increased”). It’s no
problem if you use present perfect (e.g. “have increased) or past perfect (e.g. “had increased”) if it’s
correct, but most of the time it’s unnecessary.

Band 9 Example: “Overall, there was a general decrease in the percentage of people who donated
money over the two time periods (Rule 2). However, the pattern differs between the three age
groups before 50 and the two age groups after the age of 50. (Rule 1)”
Rule 3:
Rule 3: Use passive voice (e.g. “is sent”) often to write about processes, predictions, and sometimes maps.

Basic Examples:
1.“After that, the electrical current is sent to…” (Rule 3)
2.“The number of people that own cars is predicted to increase…” (Rules 1 and 3)
3.“Several houses were built in the central area…” (Rules 2 and 3)

Comment: Passives are very useful for processes, predictions, and maps because we often don’t know or don’t
care “who” or “what” is the cause of the action. For example, we don’t care what sends the electrical currents,
who makes the prediction, or who built the houses.

Band 9 Example: ““After that, electricity from the generator is transferred to a transformer where the electricity
can be changed to a form that is ready to be sent to the grid to power homes and industry (Rule 3). Hot water
makes its way to a cooling tower, condenses and then returns to the turbine or can flow into the cold water
source. (Rule 1)”
IELTS Writing Task 1: Grammar for describing
trends
In IELTS writing task 1 you may have to describe trends. This may come up
in a line graph, bar chart or when comparing more than one chart.

There are two main grammatical structures we can use to describe trends.

1. There + be + adj. + noun + in + noun phrase

Example:
There was a gradual rise in the price of oil.
There has been a sharp drop in the price of oil.
2. Noun phrase + verb + adverb
Example:
The price of oil rose gradually.
The price of oil has risen dramatically
Possible Adj Possible nouns Possible verbs Possible adverbs
gradual variation rise gradually
moderate decline jump moderately
modest decrease grow modestly
sharp dip climb sharply
dramatic drop increase dramatically
slight fall rocket slightly
steep peak fall steeply
steady fluctuation drop steadily
significant growth decline significantly
considerable increase decrease considerably
rapid rise go down rapidly
slump plummet slowly
plunge
Describing trends vocabulary
Verbs to describe an upward trend
The following verbs can be used to describe a trend or pattern that goes up.
climb (past: climbed)
go up (past: went up)
grow (past: grew)
increase (past: increased)
jump (past: jumped)
rise (past: rose)
rocket (past: rocketed)
Sentence examples using words that show an upward trend:
The number of enrolments increased significantly between 2005 and 2010.
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.
decline (past: declined)
decrease (past: decreased)
drop (past: dropped)
fall (past: fell)
go down (past: went down)
plummet (past: plummeted) = to fall or drop suddenly in amount or value
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:
Prices of Model X dropped significantly once Model Y became available on
the market.
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:
maintain (past: maintained)
remain (past: remained)
stay (past: stayed)
constant
stable
steady
unchanged
Adverbs used when describing trends
Adverbs describe HOW something happens. They usually come after a verb.
sharply, rapidly, quickly, steeply
considerably, significantly, substantially
steadily, gradually, moderately
slightly, slowly
Academic Writing Task 1 Summary Chart
Nouns used when describing trends
decline
decrease
dip (a momentarily small drop in the level of something)
drop
fall
fluctuation (= an irregular rising and falling in number or amount; a variation)
growth
increase
peak (= the highest point)
rise
slump (= a severe or prolonged fall in the price, value, or amount of
something)
variation (= a change or difference in condition, amount, or level)
Vocabulary for introduction
Example:
Example :

1. The diagram shows employment rates among adults in four European countries from 1925 to
1985.

2. The given pie charts represent the proportion of male and female employees in 6 broad
categories, dividing into manual and non-manual occupations in Australia, between 2010 and
2015.

3. The chart gives information about consumer expenditures on six products in four countries
namely Germany, Italy, Britain and France.

4. The supplied bar graph compares the number of male and female graduates in three
developing countries while the table data presents the overall literacy rate in these countries.
General Statement
The General statement is the first sentence (or two) you write in your reporting. It
should always deal with:

What + Where + When.

Example: The diagram presents information on the percentages of teachers who

have expressed their views about the different problems they face when dealing
with children in three Australian schools from 2001 to 2005.

What = the percentages of teachers...

Where = three Australian schools...
When = from 2001 to 2005...
Vocabulary for the General Trend:
In general, In common, Generally speaking, Overall, It is obvious, As is observed, As a
general trend, As can be seen, As an overall trend, As is presented, It can be clearly
seen that, At the first glance, it is clear, At the onset, it is clear that, A glance at the
graphs reveals that...
Example:
1. In general, the employment opportunities increased till 1970 and then declined
throughout the next decade.
2. As is observed, the figures for imprisonment in the five mentioned countries show no
overall pattern, rather shows the considerable fluctuations from country to country.
3. Generally speaking, citizens in the USA had a far better life standard than that of
remaining countries.
4. As can be seen, the highest number of passengers used the London Underground
station at 8:00 in the morning and at 6:00 in the evening.
4. Generally speaking, more men were engaged in managerial positions in 1987 than
that of women in New York this year.
Vocabulary to Start the Report Body

Just after you finish writing your 'Introduction' (i.e. General Statement +
General overview/ trend), you are expected to start a new paragraph to
describe the main features of the diagrams. This second paragraph is
called the 'Body Paragraph / Report Body". You can have a single body
paragraph/ report body or up to 3, (not more than 3 in any case)
depending on the number of graphs provided in the question and the
type of these graphs. There are certain phrases you can use to start
your body paragraph and following is a list of such phrases ---
Examples:
1. As is presented in the diagram(s)/ graph(s)/ pie chart(s)/ table...
2. As (is) shown in the illustration...
3. As can be seen in the...
4. As the diagrams suggest...
5. According to the...
6. Categorically speaking...
7. Getting back to the details...
8. Now, turning to the details...
9. The table data clearly shows that...
10. The diagram reveals that...
11. The data suggest that...
12. The graph gives the figure...
13. It is interesting to note that...
14. It is apparently seen that...
15. It is conspicuous that...
16. It is explicitly observed that...
17. It is obvious...
18. It is clear from the data...
19. It is worth noticing that...
20. It is crystal clear/ lucid that...
21. It can be clearly observed that...
22. It could be plainly viewed that...
23. It could be noticed that...
24. We can see that...
 Vocabulary to show theVerb
Trends form
changes Noun form
rise / increase / go up / uplift / rocket(ed)
a rise / an increase / an upward trend / a
/ climb / upsurge / soar/ shot up/
Increase growth / a leap / a jump / an
improve/ jump/ leap/ move upward/
improvement/ a climb.
skyrocket/ soar/ surge.
fall / decrease / decline / plummet / a fall / a decrease / a reduction / a
plunge / drop / reduce / collapse / downward trends /a downward
Decrease
deterioriate/ dip / dive / go down / take a tendency / a decline/ a drop / a slide / a
nosedive / slum / slide / go into free-fall. collapse / a downfall.
unchanged / level out / remain
constant / remain steady / plateau / a steadiness/ a plateau / a stability/ a
Steadiness
remain the same / remain stable / static
remain static
an upward trend / an upward tendency /
Gradual increase
------------ a ceiling trend
a downward trend / a downward
Gradual decrease
------------ tendency / a descending trend
level(ed) off / remain(ed) constant /
remain(ed) unchanged / remain(ed)
stable / prevail(ed) consistency /
Stability/ Flat
plateaued / reach(ed) a plateau / No change, a flat, a plateau
stay(ed) uniform /immutable / level(ed)
out/ stabilise/ remain(ed) the same.
Vocabulary to represent changes in graphs:
Type of Change Adverb form Adjective form

dramatically / rapidly / sharply /

dramatic / rapid / sharp / quick /
quickly / hurriedly / speedily /
hurried / speedy / swift / significant
Rapid change swiftly / significantly/
/ considerable / substantial /
considerably / substantioally /
noticable
noticably.

moderately / gradually / moderate / gradual / progressive /

Moderate change
progressively / sequentially. sequential

Steady change steadily/ ceaselessly. steady/ ceaseless

Slight change slightly / slowly / mildly / tediously. slight / slow / mild / tedious
Types of Changes/ Differences and Vocabulary to present them:
Great change / Huge difference:
Adjectives Adverbs
Overwhelming Overwhelmingly
Substantial Substantially
Enormous Enormously
Big change / Big difference:
Adjectives Adverbs
Significant Significantly
Considerable Considerably
Medium change / Moderate difference:
Adjectives Adverbs
Somewhat Somewhat
Moderate Moderately
Minor change / Small difference:
Adjectives Adverbs
Fractional Fractionally
Marginal Marginally
Slight Slightly
 Percentage, Portion and Numbers:
• Percentages:
10% increase, 25 percent decrease, increased by 15%, dropped by 10 per cent, fall at 50%, reached to 75%, tripled, doubled,
one-fourth, three-quarters, half, double fold, treble, 5 times higher, 3 timers lower, declined to about 49%, stood exactly at 43%.

• Fractions:
4% = A tiny fraction.
24% = Almost a quarter.
25% Exactly a quarter.
26% = Roughly one quarter.
32% Nearly one-third, nearly a third.
49% = Around a half, just under a half.
50% Exactly a half.
51% = Just over a half.
73% = Nearly three quarters.
77% = Approximately three quarter, more than three-quarter.
79% = Well over three quarters.
• Proportions:
2% = A tiny portion, a very small proportion.
4% = An insignificant minority, an insignificant proportion.
16% = A small minority, a small portion.
70% = A large proportion.
72% = A significant majority, A significant proportion.89% = A very large proportion.
89% = A very large proportion.
Dates, Months & Years related vocabulary and grammar:
From 1990 to 2000, Commencing from 1980, Between 1995 and 2005,
After 2012.
» By 1995, In 1998, In February, Over the period, During the period,
During 2011.
» In the first half of the year, For the first quarter, The last quarter of
the year, During the first decade.
» In the 80s, In the 1980s, During the next 6 months, In the mid-70s,
Next 10 years, Previous year, Next year, Between 1980 - 1990.
» Within a time span of ten years, within five years.
» Next month, Next quarter, Next year, Previous month, Previous year.
» Since, Then, From.
Words/ Phrases of Approximation - Vocabulary:
» Approximately
» Nearly
» Roughly
» Almost
» About
» Around
» More or less
» Just over
» Just under
» Just around
» Just about
» Just below
» A little more than
» A little less than.
Vocabulary to represent highest and lowest points in graphs:
Type Verb Noun
a (/the) peak / a (/the) pinnacle / a
peaked / culminated / climaxed /
(/the) vertex / the highest point/ an
reach the peak / hit the peak /
Highest Point (/the) apex / a (/the) summit, a
touch the highest point / reach the
(/the) top, a (/the) pinnacle, a
vertex/ reach the apex
(/the) acme, a (/the) zenith,

the lowest point / the lowest mark /

bottommost point / rock bottom
touch the lowest point / get the
Lowest Point point/ bottommost mark / nadir/
lowest point / reached the nadir
the all-time low/ the lowest level/
the bottom/ rock-bottom
Example:
1. The price of the oil reached a peak amounting $20 in February and
again touched the lowest point amounting only $10 in July.
2. Student enrollment in foreign Universities and Colleges increased
dramatically hitting a peak of over 20 thousand in 2004.
3. The highest number of books was sold in July while it was lowest in
December.
4. The oil price reached a pick in 2003 while it was lowest in 2006.
5. The selling volume of the DVD hit a pick with 2 million copies sold in
a month but after just three months it reached the bottom with only 20
thousand sold in a month.
Vocabulary to represent comparison in graphs

Type Word(s) should be used

about / almost / nearly / roughly / approximately / around / just

Similar
about / very nearly /

Just over just above / just over / just bigger / just beyond / just across

Just short just below / just beneath / just sort / just under / just a little

Much more well above / well above / well beyond / well across / well over

Much less well below / well under / well short / well beneath
Rules of Time Preposition use
'In'
»» Use preposition 'in' when you talk about years, months, decades, centuries, seasons.
Example:
Years= in 1998, in 2015 etc.
Months= in January, in December etc.
Decades= in the nineties, in the seventies etc.
Centuries= in the 19th century, in the 14th century, in the 1980s etc.
Seasons= in summer, in winter, in autumn etc.
»» Use preposition 'in' to talk about past or future.
Example:
Past time= in 1980, in the past, in 1235, in the ice age, in the seventies, in the last century
etc.
Future time = in 2030, in the future, in the next century etc.
Use preposition 'in' when you talk about a long period.
Example:
in the ice age, in the industrial age, in iron age etc.
'On'
»» Use preposition 'on' when you talk about days (days of the weeks or special
days).
Example:
Days of the week= on Sunday, on Friday, on Tuesday.
Special days= on New Year's Day, on your birthday, on Independence
Day, on holiday, on wedding day etc.
»» Use preposition 'on' when you talk about dates.
Example:
on July 4th, on 21st January 2015, on 5th May etc.
»» Use preposition 'on' when you talk about times (like morning/ afternoon/
evening/ night) of a day.
Example:
on Friday morning, on Saturday afternoon, on Sunday evening, on
Monday evening etc.
'At'
»» Use preposition 'at' when you need to express an exact time.
Example:
At eight o'clock, at 10: 45 am, at two p.m, at nine o'clock.
»» Use preposition 'at' when you talk about meal times
Example:
At breakfast time, at lunchtime, at dinner time etc.
»» Use preposition 'at' when you talk about weekends, holiday periods,
or the night time.
Example:
At the weekend, at Christmas, at Easter, at night etc.