IELTS Writing Task 1: How to Describe Dynamic vs. Static Graphs

Introduction

Richard | Love to Learn English

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you may need to describe graphs, charts, or tables that present data. These visual representations fall into two main categories:

• Dynamic Graphs: Show changes over time (e.g., line graphs, bar charts with multiple time points).

• Static Graphs: Show a snapshot of data at a single point in time (e.g., pie charts, tables, bar charts without time variation).

This guide will help you structure your response, use appropriate vocabulary, and provide high-scoring sample descriptions for both types of graphs.

Key Differences Between Dynamic and Static Graphs

How to structure your response

1. Introduction

• Paraphrase the question.

• Mention the type of graph and the key information it presents.

2. Overview (Key Features)

• Summarize the main trends or key comparisons.

• For dynamic graphs: Mention the overall trend (e.g., upward/downward/fluctuating).

• For static graphs: Mention the highest and lowest values or major comparisons.

3. 2 x Body Paragraphs (Detailed Analysis)

• Dynamic Graphs: Focus on key trends, peaks, fluctuations, and periods of stability.

• Static Graphs: Compare figures, highlight significant differences, and note any patterns.

• Use data to support your statements.

Vocabulary for Dynamic Graphs

1. Verbs for Trends

• Increase: rise, grow, climb, go up, surge, peak

• Decrease: decline, fall, drop, go down, plummet

• Fluctuate: vary, change, shift, oscillate

• Stabilize: remain steady, level off, plateau

2. Adverbs for Trends

• Fast changes: dramatically, significantly, rapidly, sharply

• Moderate changes: steadily, gradually, moderately

• Slow changes: slightly, marginally, minimally

Vocabulary for Static Graphs

1. Describing Proportions

• "The majority of…"

• "A small fraction of…"

• "X accounted for the highest percentage of…"

• "The lowest proportion was seen in…"

2. Comparing Data

• "X was twice as large as Y."

• "X was nearly equal to Y."

• "X was significantly higher than Y."

• "X represented half of Y."

Sample Descriptions

Example 1: Dynamic Graph (Line Graph)

Question: The line graph below shows the number of international tourists visiting three different countries (France, Spain, and the USA) from 2000 to 2020.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 150 words minimum.

Response:

Introduction: Introduction:
The line graph illustrates the number of international tourists visiting France, Spain, and the USA from 2000 to 2020.

Overview:
Overall, all three countries saw an increase in the number of visitors over the period. France experienced the most significant rise in tourism, while the USA consistently had the lowest number of international tourists throughout the two decades.

Body Paragraphs:
In 2000, France welcomed approximately 50 million international tourists, followed closely by Spain with around 40 million and the USA with about 30 million. Over the following decade, all three countries experienced steady growth, with France reaching close to 80 million visitors by 2010. Spain and the USA also saw increases, reaching nearly 60 million and 50 million, respectively, by the same year.

From 2010 to 2020, France’s number of visitors surged dramatically, reaching roughly 120 million by 2020, the highest among the three countries. Spain’s growth was more gradual, peaking in the region of 90 million in 2020, while the USA saw a more modest rise, reaching 70 million tourists or so by the end of the period.

Example 2: Static Graph (Pie Chart)

Question: The pie chart below shows the distribution of global smartphone sales by brand in 2023.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 150 words minimum.

Response:

Introduction
The pie chart illustrates the distribution of global smartphone sales by brand in 2023, showing the market share of five major smartphone brands.

Overview
Overall, Apple and Samsung were the leading brands, holding the largest shares of the market. Xiaomi, Oppo, and OnePlus accounted for smaller portions of the market, with a clear gap between the top two and the others.

Body Paragraph 1
Firstly, Apple had the largest share, capturing 30% of global smartphone sales. Samsung followed closely, with 25% of the market. These two brands together made up more than half of the total global smartphone sales, with Apple leading the charge in sales volume.

Body Paragraph 2
Xiaomi secured 20% of the market, positioning itself as a significant player in the industry. Oppo followed with 15%, while OnePlus had the smallest share at 10%. Although Oppo and OnePlus had smaller portions of the market compared to the top two brands, they still accounted for a considerable segment of the global smartphone sales.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Checklist

Before submitting your response, review this checklist:

✅ Have I paraphrased the question in the introduction?

✅ Have I included an overview summarizing key trends?

✅ Have I used accurate comparative language (for static graphs)?

✅ Have I included trend-related vocabulary (for dynamic graphs)?

✅ Have I varied my sentence structure?

✅ Have I checked for grammar and spelling errors?

✅ Is my response at least 150 words?

Conclusion

Writing about dynamic and static graphs requires different approaches. Dynamic graphs focus on trends and changes over time, while static graphs emphasize comparisons and proportions. Using appropriate vocabulary, structuring your response logically, and supporting your analysis with data will significantly boost your IELTS Writing Task 1 score.

Practice with real IELTS graph questions and compare your responses with model answers to improve further!