TỔNG HỢP CÁC BÀI WRITING

PARAPHRASING

I. Word level
1. Synonyms
Many women are choosing to have children when they are older.
Many -> a large number of
choose -> opt
have children -> give birth
Rewrite:
A large number of women are opting to give birth when they are older.

2. Antonyms
Cultures around the world are becoming more and more similar.
More and more similar -> less different/distinct
Rewrite:
It can be seen globally that cultures among countries are becoming less different.

3. Terminology explanation
Many people are bilingual in European countries.
Bilingual -> can speak two different languages
Rewrite:
A large number of European people can speak two different languages.

4. Definition
Governments around the world should be responsible for protecting wild animals
Governments -> national leaders
Rewrite:
National leaders around the globe should be responsible for protecting wild animals.

5. Change word form

Both governments and individuals should be responsible for protecting wild animals.
be responsible -> take responsibility

protecting -> (the) protection

Rewrite:
Both governments and individuals should take responsibility for the protection of wild animals.

II. Sentence level

1. Change subject
Students learn far more with their teachers than other sources.
Rewrite:
Learning with teachers is more effective for students than learning from other sources.

2. Active / Passive voice

Human activities are destroying natural habitats.
Rewrite:
Natural habitats are being destroyed by human activities.

3. Use dummy subjects

Some people believe that smoking should be banned.
Rewrite:
It is believed that smoking should be banned.
• Combine both ways to paraphrase effectively
Both governments and individuals should be responsible for protecting wild animals as human
activities are destroying their habitats.
Rewrite:
It is the responsibility of both national leaders and individuals to protect wild animals because
their natural habitats are being damaged by human activities.

INTRODUCTION
I. Outline for the introduction:
Sentence 1: General Statement – Introduce the topic by paraphrasing the question.
Sentence 2: Thesis Statement – Give your opinion about the question.
Sentence 3: Outline Statement - Tell the reader what you are writing about.

II. General statement

1. Paraphrasing:
There is a good deal of evidence that increasing car use is contributing to global warming and
having other undesirable effects on people’s health and well-being.
Paraphrase: Rising global temperatures and human health and fitness issues are often viewed as
being caused by the expanding use of automobiles.
Increasing -> expanding
Car use -> use of automobiles
Global warming -> rising global temperatures
People’s health -> human health

2. Introductory words/phrases:
- Nowadays/ In this day and age,...
- Some/Many people believe/think/argue that...
- It is often said that.../ It is widely believed that...
- It is true/obvious/undeniable that...
- It is often argued that... / It can be argued that...

Example: Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay
taxes that support the state education system.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
➔ Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should not
need to contribute to state schools through taxes. Personally, I completely agree with
this view.

III. Thesis Statement

Begin your thesis with one of these structures:
- I (strongly/partly) agree/disagree that ...
- I (strongly/partly) agree/disagree with this view.
- In my opinion,... / From my perspective, ...
- Personally, I believe that ...
- While I accept/agree that..., I believe that ...
Examples:
Some people think the main purpose of schools is to turn children into good citizens, rather than
to only teach them knowledge. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Agree: People have different views about the main purpose of schools. Personally, I believe that
a school’s role is to help children become good members of society.
Disagree: Many people argue that the main role of schools is to help children become good
members of society. However, I believe schools should only teach them knowledge.

Neutral: To some extent I agree that the role of schools is to help children become good
members of society. However, I also believe that schools should also equip them with enough
knowledge.
IV. Outline Statement
In ‘opinion’ questions, you can write an optional outline sentence like these:
- The following paragraphs will explain my view.
- The following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument.
- Both views will be discussed in the following paragraphs.
- My reasons will be explained in the following paragraphs.
- I will support this view with arguments in the following paragraphs.
- In this essay, I will ...

TYPES OF ESSAY
I. TYPES OF ESSAYS:
1. Cause – Problem - Solutions
Students leave high school without learning how to manage their money. What are the reasons and
solutions for this issue?

2. Advantages & Disadvantages

It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.

3. Positive or Negative?
Nowadays, more people are choosing to socialise online rather than face to face. Is this a positive or
negative trend?

4. Agree or Disagree?
Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?

5. Discuss both views

Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while
others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

II. SAMPLE ESSAYS:

Topic 1: Cause - Solution

(Paraphrase the topic) There is a common problem among high school graduates these days where
students are leaving school without any knowledge or skills in personal money management.
(Thesis/Outline) This essay will outline a number of reasons for this trend and a number of possible
solutions to help tackle the issue.

(Topic sentence) This problem is caused by several reasons. (First reason) One of the main causes is
that the majority of high school students live with their parents and are completely financially dependent
on them. (Explain) Most students do not need to work to earn money while at high school, as their
parents pay for all their needs, and therefore do not gain any understanding of the realities of earning
and saving money. (Second reason) Also, the only money that students receive is from their parents
and this is typically in the form of pocket-money, which is given with the intent on it being spent.
(Result) Therefore, young people only really learn how to spend money, and not how to earn, save or
manage it wisely.

(Topic sentence) However, there are a number of viable solutions to help students deal with this
problem. (First solution) Firstly, basic money management skills could be included as a compulsory
subject for students in their high school years, (result) which would help equip them with the knowledge
and skills to manage their own personal finances when they leave school, move out of home and enter
employment. (Second solution) The second possible step that could be taken to deal with this problem
is through education at home. (Explain) Parents need to take responsibility to make sure that their
children are adequately educated in such matters to ensure their children maintain a successful and
independent financial situation after graduating and leaving home.

In conclusion, although money management is a problem for a lot of school leavers, there are a number
of viable solutions to counteract this problem (restatement).

Topic 2: Advantages - Disadvantages

(Paraphrase the topic) Taking a gap year before attending college has recently gained enormous
popularity amongst high school graduates. (Thesis/Outline) There are benefits and drawbacks of this
trend, and they will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

(Topic sentence) On the one hand, having a year off after high school graduation is advantageous in
some certain aspects. (Advantage 1) Firstly, students can use this period of time to travel to acquire
knowledge of various fields such as foreign languages and cultures. (Explanation) This would be more
difficult during their years at university owing to their intense study schedules. (Advantage 2) Secondly,
many high school graduates benefit from taking a temporary job before starting their college life.
(Explanation) Due to the inadequate provision of career orientation in high school, sparing another 12
months looking for a job or signing up for a vocational course is considered a solution for students to
figure out their future path.
(Topic sentence) On the other hand, the disadvantages of a gap year before college are more significant.
(Disadvantage 1) Initially, compared to the students having a year off, those who go straight to
university after high school are more likely to have a permanent job early. (Result) They finish their
academic studies one year in advance, hence better opportunities to get a job with stable incomes.
(Disadvantage 2) More importantly, high school seniors might lose their study habits as well as
discipline. (Explanation) In other words, one year spent on travelling or working can demotivate them
from following tertiary education.

In conclusion, there are both merits and demerits for students who decided to take a year off before
applying for university. Therefore, they must consider carefully before making their decision.

Topic 3: Positive or Negative?

(Paraphrase the topic) An increasing number of people meet and talk to their friends online instead of
in person. (Thesis) In my opinion, this is a negative development.

(First point) One serious problem that can arise from people socialising online is that it can lead to
isolation. (Explain) Before the internet, people would frequently go out to meet friends, for example in
cafes, bars or restaurants, whereas now people prefer to stay at home alone, chatting online. (Expand)
As a result, people are starting to spend the majority of their time alone at home in their room without
meeting others. Isolation of this kind is not healthy and can sometimes lead to depression and other
issues.
(Second point) Another issues is that meeting people online can be risky. (Explain) In other words,
people can assume fake identities online as well as hide their true characteristics. This is particularly
concerning for teenagers who are impressionable and can easily be led into dangerous situations.
(Expand) Furthermore, as this interaction is online, parents have no way of monitoring it and protecting
their children.
(Final point) Finally, socialising online can end in difficulties years later as conversations and shared
photos that had been forgotten reappear. (Expand) This situation is currently critical for many people,
again especially for teenagers who do not think carefully before posting online. That is to say,
information which is put online can remain there forever and while people may share intimate
communications with close friends, these words can then resurface later on leading to much
embarrassment.
In conclusion, although it has become more popular for people to socialise through the internet, it has
brought about too many problems for this to be considered a positive trend.
Topic 4: Agree or Disagree?

In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities. (Thesis/Paraphrase
the topic) However, I do not agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender in every
university subject.

(Main idea 1) Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply unrealistic.
(Supporting ideas) Student numbers on any course depend on the applications that the institution
receives. If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of males and females, it would need
enough applicants of each gender. In reality, many courses are more popular with one gender than the
other, and it would not be practical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to
attract more female applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fifty per cent of the places
needed to go to males.
(Main idea 2) Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would be unfair
to base admission to university courses on gender. (Supporting ideas) Universities should continue to
select the best candidates for each course according to their qualifications. In this way, both men and
women have the same opportunities, and applicants know that they will be successful if they work hard
to achieve good grades at school. If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it
would be wrong to reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications.

In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, and it would be both
impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on gender.

Topic 5: Discuss both sides and give opinion

(Background) When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue
their education. (Mention first view) While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school,
(your opinion) I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.
(First view) The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. (First point)
Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. (Expand) In this way, they can
become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. (Second point)
In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may
progress more quickly. (Explain) They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical
skills related to their chosen profession. (Expand) This may lead to promotions and a successful career.
(Second view) On the other hand, (restate your opinion) I believe that it is more beneficial for students
to continue their studies. (First point) Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions.
(Example) For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the
relevant degree. (Expand) As a result, university graduates have access to more and better job
opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. (Second point)
Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of
applicants for one position in a company. (Expand) Young people who do not have qualifications from
a university or college will not be able to compete.
For the reasons mentioned above, (restate you opinion) it seems to me that students are more likely to
be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.
 PRACTICE

1. Nowadays more and more people prefer to communicate on the Internet, so there’s no need for face-to-
face communication. Do you agree or disagree?

         Nowadays, some people believe that interacting face-to-face is not essential because of the popularity
of the Internet. I strongly disagree with this view.

2. In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are
decreasing. What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve
them?

In some countries, many people are both overweight and have health problems. There are a lot of
causes of problems. I will discuss this point and some measures to solve the issue.

3. More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be extremely
difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. What can be done about it

         Although city life is quite difficult, some people still decide to move to the city. In this essay, the
difficulties of living in a city and some solutions will be discussed.

4. Some people think one should stay all their life in the same job, whereas others advocate changing jobs
from time to time. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

         While some people tend to change their jobs frequently, others remain in their career during their life.
Both sides of the argument will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

5.      More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country. Do
the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?

 Nowadays, studying abroad is more and more popular . I believe that this trend has more
advantages than disadvantages. 

6. Some people say that the main environmental problems of our time is the loss of particular species of
plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems. Discuss both these
views and give your own opinion.

             While it is argued that people should pay more attention to the disappearance of some species of
plants and animals, I believe that other environmental problems are also equally important. Both sides of
the point will be discussed in the essay. 

7. International tourism has brought about enormous benefits to many places. At the same time, there is
concern about its impact on local inhabitants and the environment. Do the disadvantages of international
tourism outweigh the advantages?

         Some people argued that international tourism has brought many high value but they also affect local
inhabitants and the species habitat. I strongly believe that this problem has more  advantages than
disadvantages.

8. Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others,
however, believe that school is the place to learn this. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

         Many people want to teach their children to become a good person at home. While there are many
benefits to studying at school, I would argue that it is better for children to study at their school.

9. The government money should be invested in teaching science rather than other subjects so as to help
the country make progress and develop. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 
It is believed that the government should put more resources into science education in order to develop the
country. Personally, I disagree with this view because I believe that other subjects also contribute to the
development of a country.

10. When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

Some people believe that the salary is an essential aspect when looking for a job. Personally, I disagree with
this view because the salary is only one of the most crucial factors.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

I. General outline for a body paragraph:

Sentence 1: Topic sentence (Generalize what you are going to write in the paragraph)
Sentence 2: First supporting idea.
Sentence 3: Explanation / Example for the first supporting idea.
Sentence 4: Second supporting idea.
Sentence 5: Explanation / Example for the second supporting idea.
Sentence 6 (Optional): Concluding sentence.

II. Planning
Choose a position (agree or disagree)
III. Brainstorming and developing ideas
Main idea -> Supporting idea
There are several ways to develop your ideas:
• Reason & Result
• Example
• Fact
• Comparison
• Hypothesis

Example:
Main idea: Advertising helps us shop better.
Reason & Result: The reason is that advertisements on TV and in supermarkets are the way to
give us information about the product we are going to buy. Therefore, we will know the product
better and make right decisions.
Example: For example, whenever I want to buy any electric devices, I have to check their adverts
to know the choices I have before deciding to buy them.
Fact: In fact, we can see all kinds of adverts, from flyers to banners, in every shopping mall and
supermarkets to give us information about the products that are being sold.
Comparison: In the past, we could not know anything about what we were going to buy and
were more likely to make bad decisions. Meanwhile, in the modern world, we are able to know
exactly what we need to buy before going to shopping malls or supermarkets.
Hypothesis: If we do not have advertising to give us information about the products we are
going to buy, we will be more likely to buy things we do not really need.

IV. Language
To begin first paragraph:
• There are many reasons why some people believe/argue that ...
• According to many people, ...
• For a variety of reasons, ...
• On the one hand, ...
• To begin with, ...
• (It is obvious that) There are some advantages of ...
To begin second paragraph:
• However, I believe/argue that...
• On the other hand, ...
• Apart from that, ...
• Despite those benefits, there are still some drawbacks.
To give first supporting idea:
• Firstly / First of all / First and foremost,
• Clearly / Obviously,
• The first/greatest/main advantage is ...
To give second supporting idea:
• Secondly,
• Additionally / In addition / Besides / Also / Furthermore / Moreover,
• Another advantage is ...

PRACTICE
 Write the supporting sentences for the main ideas of each paragraph below:

1. Paragraph topic: Advantages of accessing information on the Internet.

It is true that accessing information online has several clear benefits. The first one is that online sources can store a
huge amount of information. In the past, information used to be stored in papers or books, hence it would be
limited in quantity. Meanwhile, in the modern world, all the information is stored on social platforms easily.
Furthermore, students can look for information on the Internet whenever they want. So, they can complete their
work with high productivity and save a lot of their time. 

(Comparison): Previously, looking for information took lots of time because students had to read books and a lot
of documents. However, students can look for information with fast speed by one click on the Internet. 

2. Paragraph topic: Factors that cause overweight problems.

To begin with, there are several factors that make people become overweight. First and foremost, people tend to
eat too much unhealthy food.

For example, many people choose fast food as their main meals because it is convenient for them. The high
consumption of this type of food can lead to severe obesity.

Secondly, people do not do enough physical activities these days.

(Fact): In fact, we can see many people spend a lot of time working or using social networks instead of doing
physical exercise regularly.

3. Paragraph topic: Difficulties of living in a city.

Obviously, living in cities is extremely difficult. The first problem migrants have to encounter is the high living
costs.

(Example): For instance, you have to pay taxes when you buy something. Moreover, in some big cities the price of
products or houses is usually higher than in the countryside. 

Another issue is that urban areas tend to suffer from health problems.

(Reason/Result): The reason is the harmful effect of industry development and transports in big cities that make
the environment polluted. Therefore, people had to face many health problems and diseases.

4. Paragraph topic: How the Internet has improved our life.

On the one hand, the Internet has substantially improved our lives. Obviously, the most beneficial change is the
better way to communicate with other people. In the past, people used to send letters to communicate over long
distances which took a lot of time and had many risks. Nowadays, we can communicate with many people around
the world easily on the Internet. We not only contact each other by text message but also video call whenever you
want. Secondly, the Internet helps people raise their knowledge about the world and culture of countries. There are
some people who don’t have the opportunity to travel or experience many places in the world, but the Internet can
help them know information about places they haven’t been to. Moreover, you can look for many new things in
the world with a computer at your home.

5.  Paragraph topic: Reasons for doing many jobs in one’s life.

There are various reasons why some people believe that a person should do many jobs during his or her career.
The first reason is that switching to a different job helps him or her develop valuable professional skills.

(Reason -> Result): The reason is that they want to look for a suitable working environment and challenge
themselves in many fields. It would help them have many relations, experience and professional qualifications in
many fields. 

The second reason for people doing many jobs is to find the most suitable job to their hobbies and passions. 

Some people choose their jobs depending on their favourite. Someone who is working as a textile but at other
times she wants to switch to being a content creator because that may give her more inspiration. The fact is people
have many favourites and they want to experience them in their life so they decide to change many jobs. 

6. Paragraph topic: Reasons why we should invest in teaching science.

On the one hand, there is no question why investment in teaching science subjects is necessary. First of all, science
and technology is the major contributor to the thriving of a nation.

(Reason): The factor which evaluates a thriving nation is the development of science and technology. If a nation
has advanced technology, they can improve the quality of life, increase productivity. 

In addition, that country can affirm its position to the world with many science achievements. With the
development of science, some countries achieve success in the field of space research and make great inventions
for humans which not only give them many economic benefits but also enhance their standing with the world.

7. Paragraph topic: Benefits of studying abroad

On the one hand, there are many benefits of studying abroad. The main advantage would be the opportunity for
students in their future careers.

Many employers would choose employees who graduate from foreign universities over those who only study in
their home countries because they really appreciate the international degrees, and they believe that foreign students
would work effectively and bring many benefits for their company. 

Besides, studying abroad will create wonderful conditions for studying and  communicating. When you study in a
foreign country, you can collect many information and development policies which can apply in our country.
Moreover, you can interact with many foreign people that help raise your languages and communication skills.

8. Paragraph topic: Reasons why salary is the most important factor when finding jobs

On the one hand, I agree that money is necessary in order for people to meet their basic needs. There are many
reasons for that but the first one is that salary is a motive power to help people work effectively. 

If you receive a salary which appreciates your effort in jobs, you will be comfortable and satisfied with those jobs. 

In addition, most people need money to pay for everything in their life. 

Example: With a person who has a high condition of life, they need to find a high paid job which is enough for
them to pay for many life activities.  
 WRITING THE CONCLUSION

Summarize the main points and/or restate your position (thesis).

Concluding phrases:
- In conclusion, ...
- In summary, ...
- To conclude, ...
- To summarize, ...
Examples:
Topic: When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
Introduction:
Many people choose their jobs based on how much money they earn from the job. While I agree
that money is a critical factor when deciding on a career, I believe that other factors are equally
important.
Conclusion (by paraphrasing the thesis):
In conclusion, while salaries certainly affect people’s choice of jobs, I do not believe that money
is the most important factor.

PRACTICE
Question 1:
After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love,
rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Introduction:
Some people make their career choices based on what they enjoy doing, whereas others try to
find a high-paying job. Personally, I support the view that doing a job that we love is much more
important than earning money.
Conclusion:

Question 2:
More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign
country. Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?
Conclusion (based on your introduction):

Question 3:
The government money should be invested in teaching science rather than other subjects so
as to help the country make progress and develop. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Conclusion (based on your introduction):

Question 4:
Nowadays more and more people prefer to communicate on the Internet, so there’s no need
for face-to-face communication. Do you agree or disagree?
Conclusion (based on your introduction):

Question 5:
Internet technology means people do not need to travel to foreign countries to understand
how others live. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
 WRITING TASK 1 – GRAPHS/CHARTS 
I. TYPES OF GRAPH/CHART: 
Bar char Pie chart

Table
Line
graph

Understand the Task 1 question: 

The chart shows the annual GDP growth rates in 3 countries from 2007 to 2010. 
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparison where 
relevant. 
Write at least 150 words. 
Notes: 
- You should spend 20 minutes on this task. 
- Only report main features, not all details. 
- No opinion, no speculation, no “I, you, etc.”, no contraction (it’s, wasn’t) 
- Use correct tense (past, present, etc.) 
II. LEXICAL AND GRAMMATICAL RESOURCE: 

1. Language of changes: 

Verb Noun Verb Noun

Increased An increase Fell A fall S + did not change Fluctuated (v)  →a

fluctuation  (n)
Rose A Rise Declined A decline

Grew A growth Decreased A decrease Remained Was erratic

Went up An upturn Dropped A drop unchanged/ (adj)
stable/  steady
Went down A downturn Stood

Doubled A two-fold Stabilized (v)

increase A stability (n)

Peaked Reach the Bottomed Hit the lowest 

out point
peak/highest
point
Soared A soar Plunged A plunge

Surged A surge Plummeted A plummet

Rocketed

OTHER WORDS: 

- Started at, began at, ended at, finished at 

- Reached 
- A surpassed / outnumbered / exceeded B  
- A occupied / took up / was responsible for X% 
- A showed an upward/ downward trend
2. Language of speed: 
Adjectives Adverbs

Small slight, minimal slightly, minimally

Slow gradual, slow, steady gradually, slowly, steadily

Quick quick, rapid quickly, rapidly

Big considerable, significant, substantial, considerably, significantly, substantially, 

drastic, sharp drastically, sharply

Very big dramatic dramatically

Basic rule 
Verb + Adverb: increase significantly, decrease dramatically 
E.g. The number of cars sold increased significantly from 2000 to 2010. 

Adjective + Noun: a significant increase, a dramatic decrease 

E.g. The amount of money people spent on transport saw a dramatic decrease between 2005 and 2010.    
Note: 
Soar = increased significantly 
e.g. The number of cars sold soared from 2000 to 2010. 
A soar = a significant increase 
Plunge = decreased significantly 
A plunge = a significant decrease 
e.g. The amount of money people spent on transport saw a plunge between 2005 and 2010. 
3. Preposition: 
Preposition Usage Example

at Stand/start/end at + data The crime rate stood at 5%

in 2000.

remain stable/remain the same at + data The figure for rice export
in Vietnam remained stable
stabilize at at $15 million in 2015.
 Peak/bottom out at + data The amount of
electricity produced
peaked at 10,000  units
in 2000.

to (verb) increase/decrease to + data - The number of

students increased
(from …  to…) (from 7000) to
10,000 after 2 years.

(noun) an increase/decrease to + data - There was an

increase to 10,000 in
the number of  students
after 2 years.

by (verb) increase/decrease by + data - The number of

students increased by
2,000 after 2  years.

of (noun) an increase/decrease of +  data - There was an

increase of 2,000 in
the number of
students after 2 years.

reach the peak/reach the highest point  of + data The amount of electricity
produced reached a peak
of  10,000 units in 2000.

hit the lowest point of + data The amount of electricity

produced hit the lowest
point  of 5,000 units in
1980.

around/ fluctuate/a fluctuation around data The unemployment rate of Vietnam fluctuated around
between 10% from 2007 to 2010.
fluctuate/a fluctuation
… and… between…  and…. The unemployment rate of Vietnam fluctuated between
8% and 12% from 2007 to 2010.

Exercise 2: Match the beginnings and endings to complete these sentences. 

1. The percentage of working men decreased 2. There was a growth 
3. An increase 
4. China had the biggest growth in terms of  export value, increasing 
5. The amount of money spent on food rose slightly 
6. Spending on education fluctuated 

4. Sentence structures: 
Basic structures: 
a. of about 2000 has been recorded in car  purchases since last year. 
b. by 10% in 2010. 
 c. from 2 to 4.5 billion dollars. 
d. around 20% of total budget. 
e. to around 100 in the number of scientific  inventions. 
f. to 250 dollars per month. 

Structure Example

1 Subject + Verb + Adverb + Number+ Time  period The number of students increased
significantly to  2,000 in 2016.

There+ be+ a/an + Adjective + noun + number +  in + There was a significant increase of 500 in the
Subject + Time period number of students in 2016.

3 Subject + experienced/ saw/ witnessed/ The number of students witnessed a

underwent/recorded + a/an + adj + noun +  number+ significant  increase of 500 in 2016.
time period

A/an + adj + noun + number + was seen + in  subject A significant increase of 500 was seen in the
+ time period number  of students in 2016.

Time period + witnessed/ saw/ experienced/ underwent/ The year 2016 witnessed a significant increase
recorded + a/an + adj + noun + in +  noun phrase of 500 in the number of students.

Exercise 3: Rewrite these sentences using the structures above. 

1. The number of cars fell gradually over the period from 1990 to 2000. 
The number of cars.............................................................................................................................
2. The percentage of decreased significantly in 2005. 
The year..............................................................................................................................................
3. There was a slight fall in the sales of mangos in 2006. 
The sales .............................................................................................................................................
4. The quality of food in supermarkets has increased sharply in recent years. 
There...................................................................................................................................................
5. There was a quick drop of $3 million in sugar imports in 1988. 
The year 1988.....................................................................................................................................
6. The price of laptops dropped quickly over the period. 
A quick drop .......................................................................................................................................
7. There was an upward trend in the number of visitors to the website. 
The number of visitors........................................................................................................................
8. The growth rate fluctuated wildly throughout the years. 
There...................................................................................................................................................
9. The number of students applying to the university stabilized over the decade. 
A stability............................................................................................................................................
10. The year 2000 saw a gradual growth in the house price in London. 
The house price in London .................................................................................................................
Complex structures: 
Example: The number of university students decreased slightly to 1,500 in 2015. However, the number 
of university students increased significantly by 500 in 2016.
Structure Example
 S + V, which was There was a fall to 1,500 in the number of university students in  2015, which was
followed by followed by an increase to 2,000 in 2016.

S + V, but later + V The number of university students declined slightly to 1,500 in  2015, but later
went up sharply by 500 in 2016

S + V before V-ing The number of university students declined slightly to 1,500 in  2015 before
experiencing a sharp increase of 500 in 2016.

After V-ing, S + V After declining slightly to 1500 in 2015, the number of university  students
experienced a sharp increase of 500 in 2016.

Exercise 4: Complete the paragraph with correct verbs, nouns, and prepositions.

The number of road accidents began at over 4 million in 1983 and then (1) ……..………. steadily  to
nearly 5 million in 1985. In the following year, the figure (2) ………….……. at 6.5 million before  (3)
…………………….……. 3.5 million in 1987. There was (4) ………………….. in the number of  road
accidents between 1987 and 1990, which was followed by (5)……….………….. to the lowest  point of
just under 3 million in 1991. The year 1992 (6)………………….. a rise back to 4 million  accidents, but
the figure then (7)………………….. to 3 million cases at the end of the period. 

5. Language of amount: 
- For countable nouns: the number of Sth, how many Sth (+ V) 
- For uncountable nouns: the amount of Sth, how much Sth (+ V) 
- For percentage: the percentage of Sth, the proportion of Sth, the rate of Sth 
- For every noun: the figure/figures for Sth, the data for Sth
6. Language of approximation: 
About, around, approximately, roughly, nearly 
Slightly under/over, just under/over 
Example: 
The number of students increased to nearly 1000. 
The percentage of male students was slightly under 40%. 
7. Time expressions: 
At the beginning (of the period), At the end, 
In the 1980s /In 1990, 
 After that, 
In the following / next year, 
Over the period from .... to.... (between … and …) 
Over the next years/ decades 
Over a 10-year period / Over a period of 10 years 

8. Referencing language:
Word Example

It There was only 23% female staff in 2000, but it increased considerably to 51% in the
following year.

They In 2010, shoppers spent nearly half of their income for accommodation; however, they
spent less money for healthcare.

This There was only 23% female staff in 2000, but this number increased considerably to 51%  in
the following year.
There was a dramatic rise in the number of phone users between 1990 and 1995. This was
followed by a sharp decrease in the next 10 years.

That The rate of female students fluctuated wildly, while that of male students rose steadily.

These in 2010 saw a notable fall, whereas these in 2011 experienced a slight growth.

Those More people aged 35 and over said that they visited museums than those aged 18 to 34.

Respectively The percentages of people visiting the museum and the theatre rose to 37% and 32%
respectively.

The former The rate of unemployment among females and males rocketed in 2001, the former being  20%
The latter and the latter being 40%

9. Compare and contrast 

For example: female teachers (80%), male teachers (20%) 
- Compare: 
The percentage of female teachers at Primary school stood at 80%, which was four times higher than that of
male teachers. 
The percentage of female teachers at Primary school stood at 80%, four times higher than that of male
teachers. 
Females accounted for 80% of the teaching staff at Primary school compared to/in comparison with only
20% male teachers. 
At 80%, the figure for female teachers at Primary school was four times higher than that of male.
At 80%, the figure for female teachers at Primary school was four times as much as that of male. -
Contrast: 
There were 80% female teachers at Primary school, while the figure for males stood at only 20%. Females
accounted for 80% of the teaching staff at Primary school, while male teachers made up only 20%. - Use
“while, whereas” to describe opposite trends/changes: 
The rate of GDP growth in Japan increased steadily, while/whereas the figures for the other two nations
experienced a decline over the period. 
 While/Whereas the number of male students rose significantly by 200, that of female saw a fall to nearly 500
in 2005. 

Exercise 5: Make comparison. 

a. Percentage of urban population in 2015. Asia: 60%. Africa: 30%. 

b. Number of Vietnamese students 2000-2010. In France: 2 million – 1.2 million (decrease). In USA: 1.5 million –
3 million (increase) 

c. Visitors to USA 1990. From Canada: 43%. From Mexico: 20%

10. Superlative 

Exercise 6: Which of these sentences describe correctly the features of the above chart? Correct the  wrong
ones. 
1. At roughly 85 million tonnes, the volume of emissions in USA is highest. 
2. USA is responsible for 80 million tonnes of emissions – the second highest in the chart. 3.
New Zealand has the highest amount of emissions, with 30 million tonnes. 
4. The figures for UK and Germany are equal, at around 40 million tonnes each. 
5. Australia has a slightly higher level of pollution than UK and Germany, with nearly 35 million tonnes 
emitted to the environment. 
6. The lowest figure in the chart belongs to Australia, with 35 million tonnes - nearly a third of USA. 7.
30 million tonnes are the total amount of emissions made up by New Zealand – the lowest in the  chart. 
8. At 35 million, the volume of air pollution in Australia is slightly lower than that in UK and Germany. 9.
USA has the least polluted air among 5 countries when only 85 million tonnes of emissions are  recorded
in this country. 
10. USA is the most polluted country among the five, with around 85 million tonnes of emissions.