Using the right tense is important

The figures you need to write a report about always have a time stamp on them. The time
stamp tells you whether the graph or the figure describes something that happened in the
past or happens in the present or will happen in the future.

Examples

The rate of unemployment increased significantly between 2010 and 2012. (It
happened in the past)
The figures for the electricity consumption show a rapid growth during the day
time. (It happens in the present, generally)
It is predicted that the amount of air pollution will decrease by 5% within the next
two years. (It will happen in the future)

Note: When there is no time stamp that is a date or a time period as in some graphs or
in processes, the present tense must be used.

IELTS JOURNAL 6
Different types of visuals

1 2

3 4

5 6

1. Table
2. Bar chart
3. Line graph
4. Pie chart
5. Process
6. Map
7. Line graph & pie chart
(more than one graph)

IELTS JOURNAL 7
Describing trends, Language of change
Below you can see a list of the most popular vocabulary used to describe trends. We use combinations of
verb/adverbs and adjective/nouns to refer to changes in graphs.

Trends Degree and speed

Verb Noun Adverb Adjective Strong
rise a rise dramatically dramatic
increase an increase sharply sharp
grow a growth enormously enormous
climb a climb steeply steep
boom a boom substantially substantial
peak a peak considerably considerable
go up N/A significantly significant
rapidly rapid
fall a fall moderately moderate
decrease a decrease gradually gradual
reduce a reduction slightly slight
decline a decline minimally minimal
dip a dip
Weak
go down N/A

level out a leveling out Figure 1:

not change no change GM car sales
remain stable (a period of)
stability 105
remain steady N/A
stay constant N/A 85
maintain the N/A
'000 dollars

65
same level
stand steady N/A 45

fluctuate a fluctuation 25
oscillate an oscillation
5
be volatile a period of
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
volatility

Figure 1 example sentences:

GM car sales increased significantly from $5,000 to $105,000 between 1960 and 2010.
There was a significant increase of $100,000 in GM car sales, from $5,000 to $105,000, between
1960 and 2010.
GM car sales saw a significant growth in GM car sales, from $5,000 to $105,000, between 1960 and
2010.
GM car sales registered a significant rise between 1960 and 2010.
GM car sales reached a peak at $105,000 in 2010.
GM car sales had an enormous climb of $100,000 between 1960 and 2010.

Note: Why is a ‘past tense’ used in the examples above?

IELTS JOURNAL 8
Exercise 1: Look at the graphs below. Then describe the changes.

A (Car sales in ‘000) B (Car sales) C (Car sales)

105 105 105

85 85 85
65 65 65
45 45 45
25 25 25
5 5 5

D (Net users in ‘000) E (Net users) F (Net users)

105 105 105

85 85 85
65 65 65
45 45 45
25 25 25
5 5 5

G (Cases of polio in ‘000) H (Cases of polio) I (Cases of polio)

105 105 105

85 85 85
65 65 65
45 45 45
25 25 25
5 5 5

J (Radio listeners in ‘000) K (Radio listeners) L (Radio listeners)

105 105 105

85 85 85
65 65 65
45 45 45
25 25 25
5 5 5

Note: Use a ‘future tense’ to describe changes in items J, K and L above.

Example: It is predicted that the number of radio listeners will fall to 45,000 people in 2030.

IELTS JOURNAL 9
Connecting trends
Similar or different trends

Figure 1 (Addition) Figure 2 (Contrast)

GM car sales GM car sales

105 105
85 85
'000 Dollars

'000 Dollars
65 65
45 45
25 25
5 5
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Figure 1 example:

GM car sales increased gradually to $24,000 in 1980, and then it continued its upward trend in the
next four years to reach a peak at $105,000 in 2010.

Figure 2 example:

There was a sharp increase in GM car sales between 1960 and 1990 until it reached a high of almost
$95,000; however, sales began to decrease swiftly to under $65,000 in 2010.

Exercise 2: Look at the graphs below. Then describe the changes trying to connect trends.

A (Net users in ‘000) B (Net users) C (Net users)

105 105 105

85 85 85
65 65 65
45 45 45
25 25 25
5 5 5

D (Birds population in ‘000) E (Birds population) F (Birds population)

105 105 105

85 85 85
65 65 65
45 45 45
25 25 25
5 5 5

IELTS JOURNAL 10
Exercise 3: First, label the graph using the words and phrases below. Then describe the changes and connect the
trends where relevant.

1. mild fluctuations 8. a marked rise

2. a peak 9. a dramatic decrease
3. a period of instability 10. a period of slight volatility
4. a significant increase 11. a leveling out
5. a partial growth 12. a sharp decline
6. a record high 13. a plateau
7. figures climbing back 14. figures remaining constant

The number of XYZ radio station listeners since 1940 with projections until 2030
105

85
Thousand s

65

45

25

5
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030

Example (Numbers 1 & 5 above):

There were mild fluctuations in the number of the XYZ radio station from 1980 to 2000, ranging
between 11 and 35 listeners; however, the figures saw a partial growth over the next two years,
reaching almost 25 thousand people.

IELTS JOURNAL 11
Using the right prepositions

It is important to use the right preposition when you are reporting the features and
describing the numbers, prepositions like to, by, with and at when describing numbers and
figures. Here are some examples to give you a basic idea of the differences:

1. Use to when describing what happened to the number:

In 2008, the rate of unemployment rose to 10%.

2. Use by when describing the amount of change between two numbers:

In 2009, the rate of unemployment fell by 2% (from 10% to 8%).

3. Use with to give the idea of 'having' the number:

He won the election with 52% of the vote.

4. Use at to add the number on the end of a sentence:

Unemployment reached its highest level in 2008, at 10%.

Exercise: Complete the sentences choosing the right preposition from the list below.

for at on to in by from between

of up down with and during

1. ……… 1990 ……… 2000, there was a drop ……… 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.

IELTS JOURNAL 12
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.

IELTS JOURNAL 13
Describing numbers, percentages & fractions
In some graphs, esp. tables, there are some especial numbers, fractions e.g. 1/3 (one third) and percentages e.g.
50%. Look at the following table which shows a number in different years, 1990-1995:

A. You could describe the table using numbers, fractions or percentages:

Note:
1990 1995 Look how we write
1,200 1,800 fractions in task 1
½ = a half
1. The number went up by 600 from 1,200 to 1,800. (Number) ¼ = a quarter
BUT:
2. The number went up by one third from 1,200 to 1,800. (Fraction)
1/3 = one third
3. The number went up by 50% from 1,200 to 1,800. (Percentage) 2/5 = two fifth
B. You could describe the table using the words double, treble, quadruple, -fold

and times:

1992 1994 1996 1998 Note:

500 1,000 3,000 12,000 See how –fold & times are
used in examples below:

1. The number doubled between 1992 and 1994. “In the last 50 years,
2. The number trebled between 1994 and 1996. there has been a 35-fold
increase in the amount of
3. The number quadrupled from 1996 to 1998. pesticide in farming.”
4. There was a two-fold increase between 1992 and 1994.
5. The number went up six times between 1992 and 1996. “She earns five times
6. The figure in 1996 was six fold the 1992 figure. more than I do.”
7. The figure for 1996 was six times higher than that of 1992.
8. The figure for 1998 was four times greater than that of 1996.

C. You could describe the table using fractions:

1992 1994 1996 1998

1,000 800 400 100

1. Between 1992 and 1994, the figure fell by one fifth.

2. Between 1994 and 1996, the figure dropped by half.
3. The figure in 1998 was one tenth the 1992 total.

D. You could put the percentage either at the beginning of the sentence or at the end of the sentence:

Family Type Proportion of people living in poverty

Single aged person 6%
Aged couple 4%

1. 6% of single aged people were living in poverty.

2. The level of poverty among single aged people stood at 6% .

E. You could also add a comparison:

1. 6% of single aged people were living in poverty, compared to only 4% of aged couples.

IELTS JOURNAL 16
Further explanation and examples

1. 'double' (verb)

The number of unemployed people doubled between 2005 and 2009.

2. 'twice as...as/compared to', 'three times as...as/compared to'

There were twice as many unemployed people in 2009 as in 2005.

Twice as many people were unemployed in 2009 compared to 2005.

3. 'twofold', 'threefold' (adjective or adverb)

There was a twofold increase in the number of unemployed people between

2005 and 2009. (adjective with the noun 'increase')
The number of unemployed people increased twofold between 2005 and
2009. (adverb with the verb 'increase')

Try using these forms in your own sentences. Make sure you follow the patterns.

Describing Quantities
Look at the patterns below and the examples carefully so that you can describe different numbers and
amounts in your report correctly.

The number of + Plural Countable Noun + Singular Verb Form

The number of people out of work fell by 99,000 to 2.39 million in the three months to
October.

The amount of + Singular Uncountable Noun + Singular Verb Form

The amount of rainfall doubles between May and June.

The proportion of + Countable or Uncountable Nouns + Singular Verb Form

The proportion of spending on furniture and equipment reached its peak in 2001, at 23%.

The percentage of + Countable or Uncountable Nouns + Singular Verb Form

The percentage of people using their phones to access the Internet jumped to 41% in 2008.

The figures for Countable or Uncountable Nouns + Plural Verb Form

The figures for imprisonment fluctuated sharply over the period shown.

IELTS JOURNAL 17
Varying your language

As with any task 1, this is important. You should not keep repeating the same structures.
The key language when you write about pie charts is proportions and percentages.
Common phrases to see are "the proportion of…" or "the percentage of…". However, you
can also use other words and fractions. These are some:

A large number of people 60% three-fifths

over a quarter of people 55% more than half
a small minority 50% half
A significant number of people 45% more than two fifths
less than a fifth 40% two-fifths
This table presents some examples 35% more than a third
of how you can change percentages 30% less than a third
to fractions or ratios: 25% a quarter
Percentage Fraction 20% a fifth
80% four-fifths 15% less than a fifth
75% three-quarters 10% one in ten
70% seven in ten 5% one in twenty
65% two-thirds

If the percentages are not exact as above, then you can use qualifiers to make sure your
description remains accurate. Here are some examples:

77% just over three quarters Percentage proportion / number /

77% approximately three quarters amount / majority / minority
49% just under a half 75% - 85% a very large majority
49% nearly a half 65% - 75% a significant proportion
32% almost a third 10% - 15% a minority
5% a very small number

The words above are interchangeable, though number is for countable nouns and amount
is for uncountable nouns.

Here are 3 useful techniques for describing percentages:

1. English speakers usually put the percentage at the start of the sentence.
2. Use while, whereas or compared to (after a comma) to add a comparison.
3. Use "the figure for" to add another comparison in the next sentence.

IELTS JOURNAL 18
Use these examples as models for your own sentences:

In 1999, 35% of British people went abroad for their holidays, while only 28% of
Australians spent their holidays in a different country. The figure for the USA stood
at 31%.
Around 40% of women in the UK had an undergraduate qualification in 1999,
compared to 37% of men. The figures for the year 2000 rose slightly to 42% and
38% respectively.

Using Simple Comparisons

You can use "compared to", "compared with", "in comparison to" and "in comparison with"
in the same way. For example:

Prices in the UK are high compared to / with / in comparison with (prices in)
Canada and Australia.
Compared to / with / in comparison with (prices in) Canada and Australia,
prices in the UK are high.

When writing about numbers or changes, I find it easier to use "while" or "whereas":

There are 5 million smokers in the UK, while / whereas only 2 million
Canadians and 1 million Australians smoke.
Between 1990 and 2000, the number of smokers in the UK decreased
dramatically, while / whereas the figures for Canada and Australia remained
the same.

Note:

We don't say "comparing to".

We say "2 million" not "2 millions".

Correct: 10 million people

Wrong: 10 millions people, 10 millions of people, 10 million of people

When there is no number, we do write "millions of".

e.g. Millions of people travel abroad each year.

IELTS JOURNAL 19
The language for comparing

Here are some good phrases for comparing. See if you can adapt them to other task 1
questions.

The chart compares... in terms of the number of...

...is by far the most... OR ...has by far the highest number of...
the figures for... tend to be fairly similar
In second place on the chart is...*
The number of... is slightly higher than...
Only four other countries have...
...all with similar proportions of...
...is the only country with a noticeably higher proportion of...

Note: Only use phrases like "in second place" if the chart shows some kind of competition.
Don't write "in first / second place" if the chart shows unemployment or health problems.

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Being able to compare and contrast data is an essential skill for IELTS writing, especially in
Task 1. Comparatives and superlatives are one common way to do this.

Comparatives are used to compare two things:

Leopards are faster than tigers.

Superlatives are used to compare one thing against a group of others:

The leopard is the largest of the four big cats.

Here are the basics of how they are formed:

Example Word Comparative Superlative

Words with one syllable high higher the highest
Words with three syllables productive more productive the most productive
or more
less productive the least productive
Words ending in –y wealthy wealthier the wealthiest
Short words ending with a hot hotter the hottest
consonant/vowel/consonant
Irregular good better the best

IELTS JOURNAL 20
Other Important Language for Comparisons

Comparatives and superlatives are useful to compare and contrast, but they won't be
enough.

Here are some other useful words and structures:

Transitions

1. The Middle East produces high levels of oil; however, Japan produces none.
2. The USA produces large amounts of natural gas. In contrast, South Korea
produces none.
3. European countries make great use of solar power. On the other hand, most
Asian countries us this method of power generation very little.

Subordinating Conjunctions

1. The Middle East produces high levels of oil, whereas / while Japan produces
none.
2. Whereas / While the Middle East produces high levels of oil, Japan produces
none.
3. Although the Middle East produced 100 tons oil, Japan produced none.

Other Structures

1. Developing countries are more reliant on alternative energy production than

developed countries.
2. Solar power accounts for far less of the total energy production than gas or
coal does.
3. Hydropower is not as efficient as wind power.
4. Like Japan, South Korea does not produce any natural gas.
5. The Middle East produces twice as much oil as Europe.
6. Western countries consume three times more oil than the Middle East.
7. Russia consumes slightly more oil than Germany.
8. The UAE produced the same amount of oil as Saudi Arabia.

IELTS JOURNAL 21
Adding an explanation

In adding explanation, it is important to minimize the number of words which you intend to
use to make sure you stay within the word limit. Look at the examples below.

1. Both cities experienced a rise in the number of tourists coming in through their
airports, which reached a common level of 255,000 in July.
Reduced Form: Both cities experienced a rise in the number of tourists coming in
through their airports, reaching a common level of 255,000 in July.
2. Gold bar prices experienced a spectacular rise in November, which climbed to a new
peak of $625.
Reduced Form: Gold bar prices experienced a spectacular rise in November,
climbing to a new peak of $625.
3. In the first half of 2009, the attendance at the museum went into free fall, which
nose-dived to approximately 300,000 visitors.
Reduced Form: In the first half of 2009, the attendance at the museum went into
free fall, nose-diving to approximately 300,000 visitors.
4. Females also spend less time socializing and much less time than men on sport,
which allows them more time for studying.
Reduced Form: Females also spend less time socializing and much less time than
men on sport, allowing them more time for studying.

Exercise: Reduce the clauses in the sentences into phrases.

1. The figures then dropped sharply to well below 5000, which was the lowest in record for
more than 40 years.
2. The largest number of visitors in total came from the United States, which rose from 345
to 609 thousand.
3. Rents shot up from 11% in 1993 to 21% in 2003, which doubled over the ten-year period.
4. From the end of 2001, consumption remained unchanged with two minor peaks at the end
of 2001 and 2002, which corresponded with two dips in the use of nuclear and fossil
energies.
5. Email and instant messenger are close thirds and fourths in popularity, which scored 17%
and 16% respectively for men, 21% and 18% for their counterparts.
6. The amount of money saved also dropped dramatically, which stepped down from 6% in
2003 to just 2% ten years later.
7. In the first two months of the year, the number of internet users reached nearly 1.5
million, which was double the estimate for the period.
8. The number of internet users soared once more during March and April, which outstripped
forecasts by a wide margin.

IELTS JOURNAL 22