Useful Vocabulary For Task 1 Academic

To get a high score in Task 1 writing of the academic IELTS you need to give accurate and strong
description and analyses for the provided graph(s) or diagram. In this minimum 150 word essay it
is easy to keep repeating words and numbers. However, this is not good to achieve a high score.
In order to get a great band level on this section of the IELTS, you must use a variety of
vocabulary that not only describes but also emphasizes the changes, similarities and differences in
the data. You should review and practice the vocabulary below. For lots more help with IELTS visit
and join today, click here: AEHelp IELTS full course
Verbs
These verbs are alternatives to the basic rise and fall vocabulary. One benefit of using them is that
sometimes they help you avoid repeating too many numbers. If you have a strong verb, you don’t
always have to give the exact figure.
Up Verbs
Verbs Example
soar the use of water soared in March
leap the prices leapt to 90% in one year
Climb populations climbed to over one million by 1980
Rocket use of cars rocketed in the first decade
Surge a surge of migration is seen in November
Notes:
 “Soar “and “rocket” are both very strong words that describe large rises. “Rocket” is more
sudden. You probably do not need to qualify these verbs with adverbs.
 “Leap” shows a large and sudden rise. Again, you probably do not need to qualify it with
an adverb.
 “Climb” is a relatively neutral verb that can be used with the adverbs below.
Down verbs
Verbs Example
Sink The cost of housing sunk after 2008
Slip back Use of electricity slipped back to 50 in May
Dip Divorce rate dipped in the 60s
Drop A drop in crime can be seen last year
Plummet Tourists to the city plummets after September
Notes:
 “Plummet” is the strongest word here. It means to fall very quickly and a long way.
 “Drop” and “drop” are normally used for fairly small decreases
 “Slip back” is used for falls that come after rises
 “Drop” and “Dip” are also frequently used as nouns: “a slight dip” “a sudden drop”
Adjectives and adverbs
This is a selection of some of the most common adjectives and adverbs used for trend language.
Please be careful. This is an area where it is possible to make low-level mistakes. Make sure that
you use adjectives with nouns and adverbs with verbs:
 a significant rise – correct (adjective/noun)
 rose significantly – correct (adverb/verb)
 a significantly rise – wrong
Please also note the spelling of the adverbs. There is a particular problem with the word
“dramatically:
 dramatically – correct
 dramaticly – wrong
 dramaticaly – wrong
Adjectives of Degree
Adjective Example Adverb Example

Significant A significant change Significantly Changed significantly
Dramatic A dramatic shift Dramatically Sifts dramatically
Sudden A sudden rise Suddenly Has risen suddenly
Substantial A substantial gain Substantially Gained substantially
Sharp A sharp decrease Sharply Had decreased sharply

Notes:
 “sudden” and “sharp” can be used for relatively minor changes that happen quickly
 “spectacular” and “dramatic” are very strong words only used for big changes
Steady Adjectives

Consistent A consistent flow Consistently Flowed consistently
Steady A steady movement Steadily Moved steadily
Constant Constant shift Constantly Sifted constantly
Small adjectives

Slight A slight rise Slightly Rose slightly
Gradual A gradual fall Gradually Has fallen gradually
Marginal A marginal change Marginally Had changed
marginally
Modest A modest increase Modestly Increases modestly
Notes:
 “marginal” is a particularly useful word for describing very small changes
Other useful adjectives
These adjectives can be used to describes more general trends
Adjective Example
Upward By looking at the five data points, there appears to be a clear upward pattern in
prices
Downward Over the past quarter century there is a downward trend in use of pesticides
Overall The overall shift in the market seems to favour the use of nuclear power

Notes:
 “overall” can be used to describe changes in trend over the whole period: very useful in
introductions and conclusions
 “upward” and “downward” are adjectives: the adverbs are “upwards” and “downwards”
The table below gives information on consumer

spending on different items in five different
countries in 2002.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main
features, and make comparisons where relevant.
» Write at least 150 words.

Percentage of national consumer expenditure by category -
2002

Useful Vocabulary For Task 1 Academic

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To get a high score in Task 1 writing of the academic IELTS you need to give accurate and strong

 “Slip back” is used for falls that come after rises

Adjectives and adverbs

 a significant rise – correct (adjective/noun)

 rose significantly – correct (adverb/verb)

 a significantly rise – wrong

Adjective Example Adverb Example

Adjective Example Adverb Example

Adjective Example Adverb Example

 “marginal” is a particularly useful word for describing very small changes

Other useful adjectives

These adjectives can be used to describes more general trends

The table below gives information on consumer

» Write at least 150 words.

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