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Describing trends and graphs using nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs | Academic IELTS Writing Task 1








Describing a graph & describing trends | Academic IELTS Writing Task 1

To get a high score in Task 1 of IELTS Academic Writing test you need to show you have a good range of vocabulary to descrive visual information.  You also need to be  accurate when you use adjectives, adverbs and phrases to describe the information.

Here are some useful words and phrases to help describe trends.

Nouns
a rise
an increase
a growth
a surge		 a fall
a decline
a drop
a decrease		 a peak a fluctuation
a variation		 a period of stability a plateau
a plateux
Verbs
to rise
to increse
to grow
to surge		 to fall
to drop
to decline
to decrease		 to peak to fluctuate
to vary		 to stabilize to plateau
Phrases
 to show an upward trend to show a downward trend
to hit the lowest point
to hit a trough		 to reach a peak to show some fluctuation
to show some variation		 to remain stable
to remain constant		 to reach a plateau
to level off
to flatten out
Adjectives & Adverbs
 sharp(ly)
dramatic(lly)
significant(ly)		 steady / steadily relative / relatively considerable / considerably the second highest
the third lowest		 slight / slightly
gentle / gently
a little		 gradual / gradually

Tip:
You don’t need to describe everything the graph shows. The writing question usually asks you to summarize the main point/information/trends which are shown. Your first task is to identify the most important information in the visual information given. For example:
    - What are the most important points?
    - Which are the biggest changes?
    - Are there any significant periods of time?
    - Can you identify the highest/lowest point?
    - Can you identify when there was no change/rapid change/ unusual change?

Remeber, you are not asked to guess or try to explain why something happened/changed. Your task is to report the main points by writing a summary. Do NOT include in your answer any information/data which is not in given in the question.

Strategy:
    - Clearly state the purpose of the chart/graph
    - Write an overview
    - Identify the main trends and features
    - Demonstrate these using figures/numbers/percentages, etc.
    - Conclude with a simple but relevant observation – if possible