Your No.

1 IELTS Preparation

IELTS
WRITING
TEST
TASK 1 – Line and
Bar Graphs
 What to expect?

Line graphs,
bar graphs, 20 minutes. 33% of your
pie charts, At least 150 total writing
tables, flow words score
charts, maps
First Paragraph:
Paraphrase the question (+ units)
Shows = Illustrates
From… to… = Between… and…
The number of = How many
The amount of = How much
The percentage of = The proportion of
Men = Males
Women = Females
Average = Typical
Every month = Monthly
Every year = Yearly
Expenditure = The amount of money spent on
In four/ three XXX = In XXX
In eight XXX = In a number of XXX
Paraphrasing the question
The line graph below shows the amount of food consumed in
China from 1985 to 2010. Write at least 150 words

The given line graph illustrates how much food was consumed in
China over a period of 25 years between 1985 and 2010 (The
paraphrased sentence)
Writing the units

Units are measured in…

>> Units are measured in grams eaten per person per week
Your first paragraph will look like this:
The given line graph illustrates the changes in food consumption
in China between 1985 and 2010. Units are measured in grams
eaten per person per week.
Second Paragraph:
Overview/ Key Features
Writing the Overview

Overall, it can clearly be seen that the consumption of all foods

rose throughout the given period, with the exception of salt.
Moreover, fish was the most consumed food over the years.
Your second paragraph will look like this:
Overall, it can clearly be seen that the consumption of all foods
rose over the given period, with the exception of salt. Moreover,
fish was the most consumed food over the years.
Paragraph 3 and 4:
Details
 Opening
Sentences

- In terms of the food with the highest level of consumption, ….

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Paragraph 3)

- Regarding the other two types of food with lower levels, ....
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxx (Paragraph 4)
The consumption of fish stood at precisely 600 in 1985
The consumption of salt started at just below 500 in 1985
The consumption of meat started at exactly 100 in 1985
Describing movements

Go up = increase, climb, rise, grow, skyrocket, soar

Increase from 30% to 80%

Increase to 80%
Increase by 50%
The amount of fish consumed increased to precisely 700 in 1990

The amount of fish consumed increased by precisely 100 between 1985 and 1990
Describing movements

Go down = decrease, drop, decline, fall, plummet, plunge

Decrease from 90% to 10%

Decrease to 10%
Decrease by 80%
The consumption of fish decreased to precisely 600 in 1995

The consumption of fish decreased by precisely 100 in the following five years
Describing movements

No movements = remain steady, remain stable

The figure for natural gas remained steady from before 1950 to 1969

The figure for natural gas remained stable from before 1950 to 1969
Describing the Degree

Slightly, moderately, significantly, drastically,

dramatically, greatly, noticeably, gradually,
steadily, stably
Describing the Degree

Significantly, drastically, dramatically, moderately, greatly,

noticeably, slightly, gradually, steadily, stably, and so forth

The car sales increased significantly from 45% to 70%

The car sales experienced a significant increase from 45% to 70%
From this point onwards, the figure for fish increased significantly to around 850.

From this point onwards, the figure for fish experienced/ had/ witnessed/ saw a
significant increase to around 850.
Time expressions

In 1985, in 1990, in 1995, in 2010 (BORING)

• From 1985 to 1990/ Between 1985 and 1990

• Then, xxxxxxxx in 1990
• In the following/ next five years
• Thereafter, xxxx
• , after which xxxx
• From this point onwards, xxxxx
Stating
Numbers

• Approximately, around, about, roughly

• Exactly, precisely
• Almost, nearly, just below, just under
• Just over, just above
References

• The figure/ the number/ the percentage

Example: the consumption of fish jumped to around

850 grams in 2010 (correct)

Fish jumped to around 850 grams in 2010 (incorrect)

Transitions

• Similarly…Likewise… In contrast

The consumption of salt dropped by XXX grams

In contrast, the consumption for meat rose steadily by

XXX
Other useful words
Reach a peak of

Respectively

Intersect at

Surpass

By far the highest compared to the other xxx

Started slightly lower than xxx at

Before

Hit a trough at
From this point onwards, the figure for fish increased significantly and
reached a peak of around 850.

From this point onwards, the figure for fish increased significantly and
peaked at around 850.
In 1985, the figures for salt and meat stood at just below 500 and
exactly 100, respectively.
The figures for both salt and meat converged at exactly 200 in
2010.
The figure for Sutton Wood surpassed/ overtook the figures for
the other libraries.
Rye Slip had by far the highest number compared to the other libraries in
June at exactly 300.

The figure for Sutton Wood started slightly lower than that of Rye Slip at 250.
The figure for Sutton Wood increased to around 275 in July. Then, it dropped
significantly to exactly 100 in August.

The figure for Sutton Wood increased to around 275 in July before dropping
significantly to exactly 100 in August.
The figure for Sutton Wood increased to around 275 in July before
hitting a trough at exactly 100 in August.
Describing future

Be estimated: The car sales is estimated to reach a peak of 70%

in 2030

Be expected; The car sales is expected to increase by almost

30% in 2040

Be projected: The car sales and the bike sales are projected to
decrease to about 30% and 50%, respectively

Be predicted: The car sales and the bike sales are predicted to
intersect at just below 70% in 2035

Be set: The car sales and the bike sales are set to intersect at just
below 70% in 2035
The line graph illustrates the comparison of population
growth in India and China from 2000 to 2020, with projections
until 2050
Bar graphs are similar to line graphs
Bar graphs are similar to line graphs