Ielts Academic Writing Task 1
Academic task 1 – trend vocabulary
This post looks at some vocabulary for IELTS writing task 1 when you need to describe a graph or chart that has a time element. I begin by looking at some of the most common vocabulary you need. Then I give you some variations and talk about some grammar.
Test yourself first
Before you read on, you may want to test your knowledge first.
Basic trend language
The most basic trend vocabulary – a few variations
Let’s look at this graph and see what words we need to describe it. Put simply we need language that describes * up (2009 to 2010), * down (2008 to 2009), * up and down (between 2006 and 2009) * no change (2006 and 2007) * the top (2010)
The trend vocabulary I am going to suggest may seem very basic. It does, however, allow you to say the same thing in up to 6 different ways.That’s good.
Tip: if you find yourself repeating a word, try changing the form of it from a verb to a noun
You should also note that, even with this basic language, there are a variety of grammar problems that cause many candidates problems. That’s bad.
Up variations
Down variations
Up and down
Sometimes you need to describe a graph that goes up and then down. Here we have fewer options.
No change
Top
Preposition problem 1 – by and to
Prepositions are horrid in English. Have another look at the graph:
Note how these two sentences mean exactly the same:
The rate of unemployment rose to 12% in 2010.
The rate of unemployment rose by 5% in 2010.
Preposition problem 2 – in and of
This one is harder. We use “in” to describe changes in things and “of” to describe changes in number or amount. For example,
There was a rise in the rate of unemployment
There was a rise of 5% in the rate of
This post looks at some vocabulary for IELTS writing task 1 when you need to describe a graph or chart that has a time element. I begin by looking at some of the most common vocabulary you need. Then I give you some variations and talk about some grammar.
Test yourself first
Before you read on, you may want to test your knowledge first.
Basic trend language
The most basic trend vocabulary – a few variations
Let’s look at this graph and see what words we need to describe it. Put simply we need language that describes * up (2009 to 2010), * down (2008 to 2009), * up and down (between 2006 and 2009) * no change (2006 and 2007) * the top (2010)
The trend vocabulary I am going to suggest may seem very basic. It does, however, allow you to say the same thing in up to 6 different ways.That’s good.
Tip: if you find yourself repeating a word, try changing the form of it from a verb to a noun
You should also note that, even with this basic language, there are a variety of grammar problems that cause many candidates problems. That’s bad.
Up variations
Down variations
Up and down
Sometimes you need to describe a graph that goes up and then down. Here we have fewer options.
No change
Top
Preposition problem 1 – by and to
Prepositions are horrid in English. Have another look at the graph:
Note how these two sentences mean exactly the same:
The rate of unemployment rose to 12% in 2010.
The rate of unemployment rose by 5% in 2010.
Preposition problem 2 – in and of
This one is harder. We use “in” to describe changes in things and “of” to describe changes in number or amount. For example,
There was a rise in the rate of unemployment
There was a rise of 5% in the rate of