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WRITING TASK 1

1. Introduction:

- Look at question, title and subtitle, vertical and horizontal axes.

- Highlight key words

- Paraphrase key words

- Ask questions to find the answers you need

What kind of diagram is it?

What do the charts show?

Over what time period?

For how many countries?

What does the vertical/ horizontal axis represent?

The (diagram(s)) show(s)/ illustrate(s)/ indicate(s)/

provide(s) some information about..(what?)..(where?)..

(when?).

2. Overview statement:

- Write a general statement (without any data, numbers represented)

Overall,/ In general,/ Generally speaking,/ From an overall

perspective,/ Taking a general overview,/

E.g: Overall, there are a number of significant differences in the

percentage/ proportion/ number of

Generally, there are two main trends: upward and downward.

3. Detailed description: (write specific statements)

- Identify main features and make comparisons where relevant.

- Ask questions to find the information you need.

Where did the most significant change occur over the period?

Which category show the greatest decrease/ increase/ changes

and by how much?

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Which stays the same?

Etc.

- Comparing data:

When you interpret graphs, tables and charts, you will find that youhave to compare and contrast some of the details. Your examiner will

be checking that you can structure your answer well and connect your

ideas appropriately. The following table may help you do this.

To contrast To compare

While/ whilst

Despite( + noun)

Although

Whereas

However

On the other hand

In contrast to

Conversely

Even so

Nevertheless

Lessthan

Morethan

Different from

Differ(ence)

compared to/ with

(be) dissimilar to(be)unlike

Likewise

Similarly

Asas

Just as

In the same way

To reflect

To mirror

To have in common

And

Bothand

Be similar to

(be) the same as

(be) the same

(be) alike

To compare to/ with

Not onlybut alsoLike (+ noun)

Just like (+ noun)

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Other structure

Com

Comparative:

More + Noun + than

E.g.: More males than females chose to study English.

Fewer + Noun + than

E.g.: Fewerfemales than males chose to study English.

More/less + Adj + than

E.g.: The TV was more popularamong males than females.

The TV was less popularthan any other invention.

Superlative:

The most/ least + adjective

E.g.: The most popular/ importantform of communication was the

Internet.

Using as many as when numbers are very close, OR using not

as manyas.

E.g.:As manyfemale as males chose the computer.

Not as manyfemales as males chose the radio.

Using passive/ active form of the verb.

E.g.: More females than males selected the bicycle.

= Fewermales than females selected the bicycle.

= The bicycle was chosen by more females than males.

Adverbs in comparisons

- Almost: nearly, practically

E.g.:

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Nearlyas many children as adults watch programmes about ancient

history.

- A lot: considerably, may, substantially, significantly, far, much

E.g.: Substantiallyless time is now spent doing housework than

before.

- Just a few: slightly

E.g.: Slightly more women than men voted for the bicycle.

Introductory Expressions

It is clear from the graph/ table

It can be seen from the graph/ table

As the graph/ table shows,

As can be seen from the graph/ table,

As is shown by the graph/ table,

As is illustrated by the graph/ table,

From the graph/ table, it is clear that

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LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE TRENDS

1. Vocabulary:

1.1. Increasing trend:

1.1.1 Verbs:

Increase

Rise

Go up

Soar

Jump

Rocket

Shoot up

Recover

Reach a plateau

Reach a peak

1.1.2 Nouns:

Increase

Rise

Jump

1.1.3 Adjectives:

Upward

IncreasingRising

Growing

Soaring

1.1.4 Others:

To be on an increase

1.2. Decreasing trend:

1.2.1 Verbs:

Decrease

Fall

Decline

Drop

Dip

Plummet

Plunge

Hit a trough

Reach the bottom

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1.2.2 Nouns:

Decrease

FallDecline

Drop

Plunge

1.2.3 Adjectives:

Decreasing

Declining

Falling

Downward

1.3. Unchanged trend:

Remain stable/ unchanged/ constant

Stay the same/ stay at the same level

Level off

1.4. Fluctuation:

Fluctuate

Remain erratic

Fluctuate wildly/ upwards/ downwards/ horizontally

Have/ show a(n) upward/ downward fluctuation

2. Sentence structures

2.1 There + be+ (a/an) + Adjective + Noun+ in the percentage of

number

amount

2.2 There + be+ (a/ an) + number + Noun+ in the percentage of

number

amount

2.3 The percentage/ proportion/ number/ amount of+ Adv + Verb

2,4 The percentage/ proportion/ number/ amount of+ experience /

witness/ undergo + (a/an) + Adj + Noun