In Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Writing test, you are expected to write a report on information provided in visuals such as graphs, charts, tables or diagrams.
These can include figures and features which you are expected to compare, contrast and highlight. This article will help you with some language that can be used to describe data and trends.
Language for reporting
In the introduction to your report, it is a good idea to paraphrase the language given in the question as this will show the examiner that you can use a range of vocabulary. The main things to consider are:
What the data shows.
Where the data has been collected (if mentioned).
When the data was measured (if mentioned).
For example, here is a sample task:
The line chart below shows the number of people in Australia who bought a second-hand car from 2014 to 2024.
The graph below was created using AI for learning purposes only. It's just an example, not real-world data, and may include inaccuracies or simplified information.
Here are some synonyms for the key words in the question that you could use to avoid repetition:
Key words from the question | Other words or phrases you could use |
|---|---|
the line chart | the diagram, the illustration |
shows | highlights, depicts, illustrates, demonstrates |
the number of | the quantity of, the amount of |
people in Australia | Australian people, Australians, Australian individuals |
bought | purchased |
second-hand | used |
car | motor vehicle |
from 2014 to 2024 | between 2014 and 2024 or over a 10-year duration, commencing in 2014. |
IELTS Writing Task 1: Describing trends (increase/decrease)
Many of the illustrations in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 show changes. Here are some typical words to show changes over time (e.g. over a period of 10 years):
Phrase for describing trend | Synonyms |
|---|---|
increase | rise, grow, climb |
increase a lot | rise significantly, surge, escalate |
decrease | fall, drop, decline |
decrease a lot | fall dramatically, plummet |
Remember that you can switch between different parts of speech to show that you have a range of vocabulary. For example.
The number of people who purchased a car grew significantly from 2,545 in 2016 to 5,115 in 2020. (verb + adverb)
The number of people who purchased a car had a significant growth from 2,545 in 2016 to 5,115 in 2020. (adjective + noun)
Learn more about how to analyse graphs, charts and other visuals.
Describing stability (no change)
Sometimes, you will see that a particular category in the charts has had no changes. Here are some words that you could use to indicate this:
From 2019 until 2022, the amount of purchases remained steady at approximately 2,400 per year.
Other synonyms for ‘remain steady’: remain stable / stay the same / remain constant / reach a plateau.
Making comparisons
It is also useful to make comparisons and contrasts of the data provided in the charts.
Tip: Pair items together that are similar as you can use more language to define the differences.
Here is part of a sample question:
The table below shows the average daily temperatures in 6 various cities around the world for each month of the year.
If you compare items that are opposite, you are less likely to produce a range of comparative language. For example, look at these two descriptions:
1. The table below shows the average daily temperatures in 6 various cities around the world for each month of the year. Jeddah’s average temperature in August of 36.7 degrees is the hottest, while Malmo’s is the lowest with 18.0 degrees.
2. Both Malmo and Mexico City have the coldest temperatures in August among these 6 urban centres, although the latter city has a marginally higher average by 1.9 degrees compared to the former one.
You can see the second description offers more opportunities to use comparative language.
Learn more about comparative language.
Describing proportions
In some line graphs and bar charts, it is difficult to know what the exact number is in the diagram. In this case, it’s fine to guess a number as close as you can.
For example:
There were approximately 10,000 users of this mobile phone application in 2009.
There was an approximate number of 10,000 users of this mobile phone application in 2009.
There was an approximation of 10,000 users of this mobile phone application in 2009.
You will see that in each of these three sentences, a different part of speech was used:
approximately = adverb
approximate = adjective
approximation = noun
Other synonyms for ‘approximately’ can include:
More advanced | More basic |
|---|---|
in the vicinity of, in the region of, in the range of, in the proximity of, close to | nearly, roughly, almost, about |
Try IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 practice questions.
Describing specific figures
Sometimes you might need to report on exact figures or percentages. However, one important thing to consider is that it is not necessary to include every figure from the diagram in your answer. You are only required to include the key features. Let’s compare the following descriptions:
Description 1 (mentioning every detail):
Firstly, 12% of people had a dog as a pet in 2006 and this had a slight growth to 15% in 2007. However, from 2008 to 2010, there was a significant rise to 30% before having a drop to 25% in 2011. In 2012 though, the rise continued, reaching 36% and then there were more increases to 39% in 2013 and then a sharp rise to 49% in 2014. Finally, the ratio of dog ownership reached 55% in 2016.
The problem with this description is that it is very mechanical and it is hard to see what the main or overall trend is. It also lacks language of comparison and contrast.
Description 2 (mentioning the key features):
The ratio of people who owned a dog as a pet had a constant growth from its lowest point of 12% in 2006 to become the most dominant figure of 55% in 2016, despite the slight drop of 5% in 2011.
The graph below was created using AI for learning purposes only. It's just an example, not real-world data, and may include inaccuracies or simplified information.
Describing time periods
There can be various time periods indicated in IELTS graphs. Some of them are constant, while others are periodic. Here are a few examples:
Constant time periods (stay the same) | Periodic times (repeats after a fixed interval) | Two separate dates |
|---|---|---|
from 2010 to 2020 | in 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2020. | in 2015 and 2025 |
between 2010 and 2020 | in 3-year intervals from 2011 to 2020 | in 2015 compared to 2025 |
over a 10-year duration, commencing from 2010 | every 3 years between 2011 and 2020 | in 2015 in contrast to 10 years later |
over a span of 10 years, concluding in 2020. |
How to practise describing trends and figures before your IELTS test
It is a good idea to expose yourself to as many different graphs and charts before you sit your IELTS test. Here is a list of typical Task 1 images you could encounter:
Line graph(s)
Pie chart(s)
Table(s) of data
Bar graph(s)
A combination of the above (e.g. a line graph + a bar chart)
Process
Map(s)
View sample IELTS Academic Task 1 questions.
Don’t just look at one pie chart question, look at a range of them. The same applies to the other task types. Every line graph is different – they do not always show the same trends.
When looking at various graphs, consider the following questions:
How should I group the categories together?
What should I compare?
Which figures should I use?
What are the main trends?
Are there any exceptions?
What is an appropriate overview?
Finally, don’t forget that using different vocabulary and sentence structures can help you achieve a higher band score as the upper levels require you to show range in your language use.
For more tips on the IELTS Writing test, visit our Preparation Hub.
IELTS Academic Writing: FAQs
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