How to Use Vocabulary for Describing Change in IELTS Writing Task 1 (Charts)
Richard | Love to Learn English
In IELTS Writing Task 1, you are often asked to describe charts, graphs, or tables. To score well, you need to accurately describe changes in data over time or compare different trends. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using a variety of vocabulary to describe changes. This blog will help you understand how to use verbs and nouns from the table above to describe upward and downward trends, fluctuations, and stabilization in data.
Understanding the Basics of Task 1
In Task 1, you are expected to:
Identify trends (e.g., increases, decreases, fluctuations).
Compare data (e.g., between different categories or time periods).
Use appropriate vocabulary to describe changes clearly and accurately.
The Vocabulary Table for Describing Change
Here's a comprehensive vocabulary table that can help you describe various movements in the data:
How to Use the Vocabulary in IELTS Writing Task 1
1. Describing Increases
If the data shows an upward trend, you can choose from a range of verbs and nouns to describe the change. Here’s how you can use the table effectively:
Simple increase: Use common verbs like increase, rise, or grow.
Example: The number of users increased steadily from 2000 to 2010.
Noun: There was a steady increase in the number of users between 2000 and 2010.
Sharp or dramatic increase: Use more vivid verbs like surge, soar, skyrocket.
Example: In 2015, sales skyrocketed to 10,000 units in just three months.
Noun: A surge in sales was observed in 2015, reaching 10,000 units.
Highest point: When describing the peak, use peak or top out.
Example: Sales peaked in 2015 at 10,000 units before declining.
Noun: The sales reached a peak of 10,000 units in 2015.
2. Describing Decreases
For downward trends, a variety of verbs and nouns can help you convey how severe or mild the decline is:
Simple decrease: Use decrease, fall, or decline.
Example: The population declined steadily over the decade.
Noun: There was a steady decline in the population between 2010 and 2020.
Sharp or rapid decrease: Use plummet, drop, diminish, or collapse.
Example: Oil prices plummeted after the economic crisis.
Noun: A dramatic plummet in oil prices occurred after the crisis.
Gradual decrease: For slower declines, use taper off, dwindle, or subside.
Example: The unemployment rate slowly tapered off after 2018.
Noun: There was a gradual tapering off in the unemployment rate.
3. Describing Fluctuations
When the data shows variation or constant changes, use words from the “fluctuate” group:
Fluctuations: Use fluctuate, oscillate, swing, or vary.
Example: The temperature fluctuated between 10°C and 20°C throughout the month.
Noun: There was significant fluctuation in temperatures during March.
4. Describing Stabilization
When the data shows a steady or unchanged trend, vocabulary related to stabilization is helpful:
Stability or constant trend: Use stabilize, plateau, remain constant, stand at.
Example: The number of visitors stabilized at around 1,000 per day after 2018.
Noun: There was a stabilization in visitor numbers at 1,000 per day.
Plateauing or leveling off: If data rises but then flattens out, use plateau or level off.
Example: The company’s growth plateaued in 2020 after several years of rapid expansion.
Noun: The data shows a plateau in growth starting in 2020.
5. Describing Recovery
If the data initially drops but then rises again, you can describe it with recovery-related verbs:
Recovery: Use recover, rebound, bounce back, improve.
Example: After a significant drop in 2020, the stock prices recovered in 2021.
Noun: There was a rapid recovery in stock prices following the initial drop.
Tips for Using Vocabulary Effectively
Avoid repetition: Try not to use the same word multiple times. Vary your language by choosing different verbs and nouns from the table.
Be specific: Use strong verbs like plummet or surge when the change is significant, and softer verbs like decline or increase for gradual changes.
Combine with adverbs: Enhance your descriptions with adverbs such as steadily, sharply, dramatically, slightly, etc.
Example: The number of visitors increased steadily from 2000 to 2010.
Match verb tenses to the chart: Use the correct tense based on whether the data refers to the past, present, or future.
Example: Sales are expected to increase by 10% next year.
Using Adjectives and Adverbs to Describe the Degree of Change in IELTS Writing Task 1
When describing changes in data, it's important not only to indicate the direction of the change (e.g., increase, decrease) but also to express how big or small the change is. Adjectives and adverbs play a key role in describing the degree or intensity of changes. Using a variety of these descriptive words can significantly enhance the precision and quality of your writing in IELTS Writing Task 1.
How to Use Adjectives and Adverbs
Adjectives are used to describe nouns, which in this case are the changes or results (e.g., a significant rise).
Adverbs are used to describe verbs, indicating how the action happened (e.g., increased significantly).
When describing charts or graphs, these words can help you communicate whether the change is small, moderate, or large. Here’s a table with common adjectives and adverbs to describe the degree of change:
Table of Adjectives and Adverbs Describing Degree of Change
How to Use These Adjectives and Adverbs in Sentences
For Large/Strong Changes:
Adjective: There was a dramatic rise in sales between 2015 and 2020.
Adverb: Sales increased dramatically from 2015 to 2020.
For Moderate Changes:
Adjective: A moderate increase in revenue was observed last year.
Adverb: Revenue grew moderately last year.
For Small/Minor Changes:
Adjective: The company experienced a slight growth in its market share.
Adverb: The market share increased slightly during the second quarter.
For Negative Changes (Declines):
Adjective: There was a sharp drop in visitor numbers after the holiday season.
Adverb: Visitor numbers dropped sharply after the holiday season.
For Describing Stability:
Adjective: The employment rate remained stable throughout the decade.
Adverb: The employment rate has stayed steadily at 5%.
How to Choose the Right Adjective or Adverb
Consider the scale of the change: Use adjectives like dramatic, substantial, considerable for large or sudden changes. For minor or slow changes, opt for slight, minimal, marginal.
Match the context of the graph or chart: If the data shows a slow, gradual increase, gradually or steadily would be more appropriate than dramatically or rapidly.
Examples of Good Usage in IELTS Writing Task 1:
Describing a Sharp Rise:
"The number of online users increased significantly in 2018, rising from 2 million to 4 million in just six months."
"There was a dramatic growth in the number of users, which doubled in a short period."
Describing a Gradual Decline:
"From 2015 to 2020, the unemployment rate steadily declined from 8% to 6%."
"A gradual decrease in unemployment was observed over the five-year period."
Describing Fluctuations:
"The price of oil fluctuated noticeably throughout the year, peaking in July before dropping sharply in November."
"There was a marked fluctuation in oil prices, with significant changes between months."
Describing Stability:
"The company's profit remained constant at $500,000 for three consecutive years."
"Profits were stable, showing no significant change from 2018 to 2020."
Using Adjectives and Adverbs to Describe the Speed of Change in IELTS Writing Task 1
In IELTS Writing Task 1, describing how fast or slowly changes occur is crucial for giving an accurate picture of the data. The speed of change can add depth to your analysis, especially when discussing trends in charts, graphs, or tables.
Table of Adjectives for Describing the Speed of Change
How to Use These Adjectives and Adverbs in Sentences
For Very Fast Changes:
Adjective: There was a sudden spike in sales following the product launch.
Adverb: Sales increased rapidly in the first quarter after the marketing campaign.
For Fast Changes:
Adjective: A sharp rise in prices occurred after the oil supply crisis.
Adverb: The price of oil fell sharply after the announcement of new supply measures.
For Moderate Speed Changes:
Adjective: The population showed a steady increase from 2015 to 2020.
Adverb: The number of new enrollments grew gradually over the decade.
For Slow Changes:
Adjective: The unemployment rate experienced a slow decrease over the last ten years.
Adverb: Unemployment dropped slowly, taking years to show any significant improvement.
For Very Slow Changes:
Adjective: The progress in reducing pollution levels was minimal, with hardly any noticeable change.
Adverb: The company’s profits grew negligibly, with almost no change year over year.
How to Choose the Right Adjective or Adverb for Speed
Very Fast Changes: Use adjectives like sudden, immediate, or instantaneous when describing rapid and noticeable shifts in the data.
Example: The unemployment rate dropped suddenly after government reforms.
Example: There was a rapid increase in the population of the city in 2019.
Fast Changes: Use words like sharp or accelerated for quick but not extreme changes.
Example: The company experienced a sharp rise in revenue after launching the new product line.
Example: Revenue increased rapidly following the introduction of new technology.
Moderate Speed Changes: For changes that are steady or gradual, use steady, moderate, or consistent.
Example: The cost of living increased moderately over a period of five years.
Example: A consistent rise in house prices was observed between 2010 and 2015.
Slow Changes: When data moves slowly, appropriate terms include slow or limited.
Example: The adoption of renewable energy has been slow in many countries.
Example: Improvements in healthcare were limited, taking years to make an impact.
Very Slow Changes: For extremely slow or negligible changes, use terms like minimal, negligible, or prolonged.
Example: The change in global temperatures was minimal, making it difficult to perceive any immediate difference.
Example: Economic growth was prolonged, showing only minor increases over several years.
Examples of Good Usage in IELTS Writing Task 1
Describing a Very Fast Rise:
"The number of new subscribers grew rapidly after the service was launched, doubling in just one month."
"There was a sudden spike in visitors to the website after the marketing campaign."
Describing a Gradual Increase:
"The percentage of people who preferred online shopping steadily increased from 2015 to 2020."
"A gradual rise in mobile phone usage was observed over the course of the decade."
Describing a Sharp Decline:
"The price of crude oil fell sharply after the global market crash."
"There was a swift decrease in consumer spending following the economic recession."
Describing a Slow Improvement:
"The unemployment rate decreased slowly, showing only minor improvements year by year."
"A minimal decline in inflation rates was noted, indicating weak economic recovery."
Describing a Negligible Change:
"The temperature changed negligibly throughout the year, remaining relatively constant."
"A minimal shift in attitudes toward climate change was observed among policymakers."
Using Approximating Language in IELTS Writing Task 1
In IELTS Writing Task 1, candidates are often required to describe trends and data presented in various formats, such as graphs, charts, and tables. However, it is common to encounter data that may not be exact or where precise figures are hard to discern. Therefore, using approximating language is crucial for accurately conveying your understanding of the data without overstating or misrepresenting it.
Why Use Approximating Language?
Uncertainty in Data: When interpreting graphs or charts, especially if the data points are close together or the scale is not clearly marked, it can be challenging to determine exact figures.
Flexibility in Descriptions: Approximating language allows you to express trends, changes, and comparisons effectively without needing to provide precise numbers.
Natural Academic Tone: Using approximations is a common practice in academic writing, allowing you to present your analysis in a more nuanced manner.
How to Use Approximating Language
Here are some ways to incorporate approximating language effectively in your IELTS responses:
1. Using Adverbs of Approximation
Adverbs can help convey that a number is an estimate rather than an exact figure. Common adverbs include:
Approximately: Suggests a number is close to a value but not exact.
Around: Indicates an estimate that is likely near the actual figure.
About: Used to give a rough idea of a figure without being specific.
Nearly: Implies that the number is very close to a certain value.
Examples:
"The population of City X was approximately 1 million in 2020."
"Sales figures were around 150,000 units during the summer months."
"The unemployment rate stood at about 7% last year."
2. Using Expressions for Ranges
When data is close together or when you want to show a range, using expressions can be effective. Phrases such as the following are useful:
Between X and Y: Useful for indicating a range.
In the region of: Suggests a figure that is not exact but gives a general idea.
Ranging from X to Y: Indicates a span of values.
Examples:
"The number of visitors to the museum ranged from 50,000 to 75,000 over the summer."
"The company’s profits were in the region of $200,000 last quarter."
"The temperatures typically fluctuated between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius."
3. Describing Trends Without Exact Numbers
When discussing trends, it’s often unnecessary to cite exact figures. Instead, you can focus on the general trend and use approximations.
Examples:
"There was a significant increase in sales, with numbers rising by about 20%."
"The data indicates a steady decline in the population over the last decade, with numbers dropping to roughly 300,000."
"The majority of respondents were satisfied, with satisfaction levels estimated at around 80%."
4. Using Visual Cues for Approximation
When describing a chart or graph, you can reference visual cues to help estimate figures. Phrases like “as shown in the graph” or “according to the chart” can lend credibility to your approximations.
Examples:
"As shown in the graph, sales appeared to peak at approximately 500 units in March."
"According to the chart, the number of students enrolled was roughly 1,200, fluctuating slightly throughout the year."
By using a variety of precise vocabulary to describe changes in data, you can write more compelling and accurate responses in IELTS Writing Task 1. Practice these words and phrases regularly, and soon you’ll be able to handle any chart or graph with ease!
Next steps?
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In Part 1 of the IELTS Writing test, you may be asked to describe a process. While process questions are less common than charts or graphs, they do appear occasionally. Fortunately, process questions are generally easier to answer, though many people overlook preparing for them. This is a missed opportunity, as it doesn’t take long to become familiar with these types of questions and learn how to respond effectively.