Task 1: Fixed Time vs.

Change Over Time

Checklist of 11 Expectations

Fixed Time: General Trend Statements (grammar range)

1. Comparatives

Examples:

• Only Greece and Italy have a greater number of historical monuments.

• A higher number of cars are exported from Japan than imported.

2. Superlatives

Examples:

• The chemical sector used the greatest amounts of both ground water and aquifers.
• The water usage by the metal industry accounted for the second largest.
• The amount spent on the public supply water was the largest of all the expenses.

3. Adverbials

Examples:

• There are significantly more men than women at gyms.

• Ground water usage was considerably larger than what was expected.
• The number of contract workers increased slightly to 18%

4. Approximations

Examples:

• Purchases accounted for roughly 14,000 vehicles.

• Just over a third of the attendees were senior citizens.

5. Linking Comparatives

Examples:

• A great deal of people prefer travailing by car while/whereas others choose the train.
• Adults do not have much freetime. Meanwhile, children have far more freetime.
• Compared with Android phones, iPhones are lighter and produce better images.
6. Specific Statements – figures / data / numbers for both fixed time and change over time

Examples:

• Violence against other people was the crime committed the most by women, at/with 23 percent.

• Over twice as many robberies were committed by men than women, at/with 7 percent and 3 percent
respectively.

• The number of fatalities at work reached an all-time high in 1994, accounting for 6,612 deaths that
year.

• The number of deaths at work in 2009 (4,551) was nearly equal to workplace fatalities in 2010
(4,690).

• The number of deaths at work in 2009 was nearly equal to workplace fatalities in 2010. The death
toll was 4,551 and 4,690, respectively.

• The demand for pizza started from 300 grams followed by a spectacular fall to 200 grams in 1985.

• The total demand for face masks skyrocketed to 75 per household per week in June of 2021.

• There was a considerable fall by approximately 5% in the proportion change of estate prices in New
York between 1990 and 1995.

• Likewise, Tokyo and London, which had the same figures, witnessed a dramatic decrease to about
7% over the same period. However, the figures for Madrid and Frankfurt were around 2% and 3%,
respectively.

• During the latter period from 1996 to 2002, the figure for exported coffee was the highest at 66%,
and with more than 40% of the coffee being shipped to America.

• This rate in Frankfurt was 2%, which was lower than in the first 5-year period. Finally, the change in
percentage for Tokyo fell by around 5% between 1996 and 2002.

• The most popular languages were Spanish, German and French, of which the Spanish language
was the most popular, starting from 1889 students in 2000 and gradually increasing to 2453 in
2005.
 Change Over Time: General Statements (grammar range)

1. Comparatives
2. Superlatives
3. Adverbials
4. Approximations
5. Linking Comparatives
6. Specific Statements
+
7. Language of Movement

pronoun + nouns OR subject + past tense verb

Examples:

• There was an increase (noun) in the number of exports to America.

• Italian leather exports arriving in Australia peaked (verb) in late November, 2020.

8. Degree of Speed / Change

adjective + noun - OR - adverb + past tense verb

Examples:

• The figure for sales significantly increased (adverb + verb) to just over 10 billion units sold.
• There was a rapid rise (adjective + noun) in the number of immigrants arriving in America just after WWII.

9. Time Periods/Expressions – prepositional phrases that answers WHEN?

preposition + time/date

Examples:

• Between January and March, tourism experienced a significant drop.

• Throughout the whole period, sales rose steadily.
• From 8am to 10am, visits to the state park rose dramatically.

10. Sequencing Phrases – especially for a process or diagram

Examples:

• First, Next, Before…, After…, Then…

• …, after/before which… , …before/after… , This was followed by…
11. Proportional Terms – for both fixed time and change over time

1. doubled, tripled, increased twofold, etc. (verb phrases)

In the first two examples here, the basic form of the sentence is subject + verb + time span. Time span is not
necessary but does add useful information to the sentences.

One common alternative for double and triple is the verb + adverb phrase “increased twofold” or “increased
threefold”. The only other point to note here is that the adverb “nearly” comes between “increased” and
“threefold”.

Examples –

• Profits doubled from year 1 to year 4.

• The amount of compost nearly tripled over the period shown in the chart.
• The amount of compost increased nearly threefold over the period shown in the chart.

2. a twofold increase, etc. (noun phrases)

It’s also common to use “increase” as a noun with “twofold” working as an adjective together with the be verb. For
whatever reason, this form is usually used for increases rather than decreases.

Examples –

• There was a twofold increase from year 1 to year 4.

• There was a nearly threefold increase in the amount of compost over the period shown in the chart.

3. double, triple, half, twice, etc. (predeterminers)

Double and triple are predeterminers which include multipliers (double, twice, four/five times…) as well as
fractions (one-third, three-quarters, half, etc.). They are most commonly used when making comparisons.

Let’s take a look at some examples:

Multipliers:

Examples –

• The profits in year 4 were double / twice the profits in year 1.

• 2009 statistics show triple / three times the amount of recycling as of 2006.

Fractions:

Examples –

• The number of people traveling by bus was half as much in 2005 compared to 2010.
• Twice as many people travelled by bus in 2010 compared to 2005
 EXAMPLES
The pie graphs below show the result of a survey of children's activities. The first graph shows the cultural and
leisure activities that boys participate in, whereas the second graph shows the activities in which the girls
participate.

The table below shows the hours of leisure time spent by people in different age groups in Someland.
The bar chart illustrates the oil production capacity of several countries in the Middle East over a 20-year period.

The graphs indicate the source of complaints about the bank of America and the amount of time it takes to have
the complaints resolved.
The chart below gives information about billions of euros invested in four areas by various organizations.

Breakdown and sample report https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-writing-task-1-sample-answer-organisations-bar-chart/

The chart below shows the number of films produced by five countries in three years.

Breakdown and sample report https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-sample-answer-task-1-bar-chart/

 COMMON MISTAKES with prepositions when expressing figures

1. Prepositions referring to a single point in graph – beginnings, endings, peaks

• At
• With

Examples –

▪ The number of muffins sold started with / at about 5 on Monday.

▪ Sales peaked at about 15 muffins on Sunday.
▪ Sales for muffins ended with / at roughly 15 on Sunday.

2. Prepositions referring to movement – following language of movement

• From…To

Examples –

▪ Muffin sales significantly increased from about 5 muffins on Wednesday to about 15 on Sunday.
▪ The sale of muffins rocketed to just over 14 muffins by the end of the week.
▪ There was a slight rise in sales from about 5 muffins on Monday.

3. Prepositions used with fluctuations

• Around
• Between…and…

Examples –

▪ Between Monday and Wednesday, muffin sales slightly fluctuated between 4 and 6 muffins.
▪ For three days, the sale of muffins fluctuated mildly around 5 muffins.

4. Prepositions used with amounts – answers how much?

• By – combined with verb language of movement

• Of – combined with noun language of movement

Examples –

▪ Muffin sales significantly increased by 10 muffins between Wednesday and Sunday.

▪ There was a significant increase of 10 muffins between Wednesday and Sunday.

For more details on prepositions go here - https://www.mmmenglish.com/2017/10/10/prepositions-of-time-in-on-at-by/

 COMMON MISTAKES with numbers
1. When you write a specific large number, especially in specific statements, don't add -s to its end:

• 5,000,000 = ‘…exported roughly 5 million kilograms’ (not 5 millions kilograms)

• 4,000 = ‘…sold nearly 4 thousand motorbikes’ (not 4 thousands motorbikes)

2. The noun which follows the large number is always plural.

• The number is a countable noun, therefore is used in general statements

• ‘There were four hundred guests on the wedding.’

3. Unspecific large number + of is used to show big quantities:

• ‘There were thousands of people in the meeting.’

• ‘There were millions of voters who turned up for elections, at roughly 20 million.’

4. Always write percent without s (ex. five percent, twenty-three percent)

The word percentage(s) is a countable noun that usually goes in the general statement, NOT the specific statement.
• Meanwhile, percent is an expression of the symbol % which often goes in the specific statement
• ‘The percentage of households that are locked down has increased to 95 percent.’

5. Write two-figure numbers with a hyphen (ex. fifty-four, seventy-two, twenty-one).

• Students finish their post-secondary education when they’re about twenty-four or twenty-five years old.

6. Always write 100, 1000, 1,000,000 with ‘a’ or ‘one’:

• A hundred = one hundred (not hundred)

• A million = one million (not million)
• A thousand = one thousand (not thousand)

General Statements – subjects/comparisons/movement

Sentences

Specific Statements – figures/data/numbers

Note – sentences resemble an inverted triangle, in which the broader / general statements (ex. subjects) are at the top /
beginning of the sentence, and the specific statements make the information more pointed / focused (ex. data / figures)

Writing Numbers – https://canvas.hull.ac.uk/courses/213/pages/writing-numbers

 Structure for Task 1

Introduction – 2 sentences

• Introductory sentence (paraphrase what / where / when)

• Overview statement (general movement trend or the most striking feature on the graph)

Body – 2 body paragraphs (fixed time or change over time)

• Cover key features and make comparisons using general statements

• Include specific data at date points using specific statements

Conclusion (optional)

• If your introduction does not have an overview, then you will need a conclusion with an overview

Introduction (2 sentences)
1. Introductory Sentence - signpost language + paraphrase what / where / when

Signpost language What Where When

This graph shows ... the number of exports from Vietnam over 10 years starting in
1990.

The diagram outlines... rates of economic in the U.K. between 1990 and
growth 1996.

This table lists... the top ten agencies... in Melbourne in the industrial world.

This pie chart the turnover rate in within 3 different in the first quarter of the
represents manufacturing factories year.

This line chart depicts the changes in sales in Apple Inc. over the past year.

This chart illustrates ... the sales of each in Vingroup during the past ten
salesman weeks.

2. Overview statement - signpost language + general trend

• If fixed time, the general trend will mention the most and/or the least and/or the biggest/smallest
differences

• If graph is change over time, the general trend will mention general increases and/or decreases and/or
fluctuations and/or level movements

Signpost language –

▪ Overall, …
▪ As an overall trend, …
 BREAKDOWN – Paraphrasing

It is helpful to describe what is being measured in more than one way. We can make a noun phrase
such as the use of cars into the two-word noun phrase – car use
Notice that the noun cars from the first phrase transforms into an adjective in the second phrase, so it
looks like a singular noun (car) because adjectives do not have -s forms

For example
the percentage of employees can be paraphrased as employee percentages.
Vietnamese coffee can be paraphrased as coffee from Vietnam

Note –

Pay special attention to articles and prepositions and plurals when paraphrasing

When changing word forms and word order, be sure to add / subtract articles and prepositions when necessary

Also be sure that the main noun is plural because subjects in general statements are plural

Practice paraphrasing these subjects

1. The number of participants = ...............................................................................

2. Summer travel costs = .........................................................................................
3. The rate of crime = ...............................................................................................
4. The cost of motorbikes = .....................................................................................
5. Education levels =................................................................................................
6. The sale of comic books = ...................................................................................
7. Employee salaries = ............................................................................................
8. Tourist percentages = ..........................................................................................

Special note –

Academic writing takes its cues from Scientific / Medical writing, which has historically regarded apostrophes and
contractions as informal. Therefore, when writing / paraphrasing the subject, the general rule is to use the ‘of’ structure
for subjects rather than possessive nouns.

Correct – The rate of crimes

Incorrect – Crime’s rate

 Body Paragraphs: Checklist of 11 Expectations

This language is covered in the checklist for the 11 expectations of fixed time vs. change over time.

1. Analyze the graph

• What is the graph about (What? Where? When?)

• What are the axes of the graph?
• What is the unit used in the graph?

NOTE – Use the answer for these questions to write an introductory sentence.

2. Language for fixed time or change over time

• If the graph is fixed time, use comparatives and superlatives

• If the graph is change over time, determine the general trends of the subjects using language of
movement – ex. increase, decrease, fluctuate or remain constant, etc.
• If no apparent trend can be found in change over time graph, compare in the lines/subjects

3. Key features: movements

• If only 1 subject is shown in the graph: Divide the graph into 2 different periods based on the major
changes in movement. Each period will be reported in one body paragraph
• If 2 or more subjects are shown in the graph, you have 2 options:

▪ If there are only 2 subjects – report each subject in their own body paragraphs, with at least 1
comparison between the 2 subjects in each paragraph.
▪ If there are 3 or more subjects – group subjects with similar trends in respective body
paragraphs, report each subject, with at least 1 comparison between the subjects in each body
paragraph.

4. Specific Statements: figures / data

• Specific figures/data/numbers need to balance out the general statements of the report by giving
specific figures for the following:

▪ Start / End figure

▪ Similar / Equal figures
▪ Lowest / Highest figures
▪ Figures for level periods (ex. figures for ‘...between...and…’ time periods)

Notes –

You do NOT need to write a specific statement for ever data point on the graph. General statements cover the entire
graph, but specific statements only cover the most important / standout figures for each subject on the graph, as shown
above.
 BREAKDOWN – Structures for Describing Trends

Four ways to describe trends for change over time graphs

1. Subject + VERB + ADVERB / Time

• In 2005, the use of cars increased significantly.

• Fast food consumption fell slightly in 2005.

2. There + be + article + ADJECTIVE + NOUN + in + subject / Time

• There was a significant increase in the use of cars in November of 2017.

• In November of 2017, there was a slight fall in fast food consumption.

3. Subject + phrasal verb + article + ADJECTIVE + NOUN / Time

• Between 2000 and 2005, the use of cars witnessed a significant increase.
• Fast food consumption underwent a slight fall between 2000 and 2005.

4. Time expression + phrasal verb + article + ADJECTIVE + NOUN + in + subject

• The year 2005 witnessed a dramatic surge in the number of exports.

• Weekends experience a dramatic increase in fast food consumption compared to weekdays.

phrasal verbs – witnessed, underwent, experienced, saw

Rewrite these sentences using diverse structures

1. The cost of petrol rose considerably between 2000 and 2005.

• There was a considerable rise in the cost of petrol between 2000 and 2005. .......................
• The cost of petrol experienced a considerable rise between 2000 and 2005. .......................
• The period between 2000 and 2005 witnessed a considerable rise in the cost of petrol. ...

2. There was a sharp decline in fruit prices in the year 2000.

• Fruit prices.............................................................................................................................
• ..............................................................................................................................................
• ..............................................................................................................................................

3. The number of people who speak Spanish has increased significantly between 2000 and 2005.

• There has .............................................................................................................................

• ..............................................................................................................................................
• ..............................................................................................................................................

4. There has been a slight increase in participation rates in November of 2017.

• Participation rates ................................................................................................................

• ..............................................................................................................................................
• ..............................................................................................................................................
Note – pay attention to the verb tense and subject/verb agreement
 BREAKDOWN – Task 1
The graph below shows the differences in wheat exports over three different areas from 1985 to 1990.

1. Introduction: Paraphrase Question + Overview

Paraphrase Question: Paraphrase the introduction given in the question

signpost language + what / where / when
Example:
Original question: The graph below shows [signpost language] the differences in wheat exports
[what] over three different areas [where] from 1985 to 1990 [when].
Paraphrased introduction: The line chart depicts a comparison between the amount of wheat
exported by three regions between 1985 and 1990.

Overview: Summarize the information presented in the graph

signpost language + general trends with no specific numbers or data
Example:
Overall, there was a steady fall in AUSTRALIAN wheat exports while wheat exports for the
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY increased. Meanwhile, the figure for CANADA fluctuated during the period.
In addition, AUSTRALIA exported the least amount of wheat throughout most of the period.

Introduction paragraph
The line chart depicts a comparison between the amount of wheat exported by three regions between 1985
and 1990. Overall, there was a steady fall in Australian wheat exports while wheat exports for the European
Community increased. Meanwhile, the figure for Canada fluctuated during the period. In addition, Australia
exported the least amount of wheat throughout most of the period.
2. Body Paragraphs: General statements + Specific Statements

General Statements
General statements – subjects/nouns, pronouns, comparisons, sequencing, movement & time expressions
Examples:
1. Australia’s wheat export figure rose slightly between 1985 and 1986.
2. Then, it declined steadily to its lowest point.
3. Regarding Canada, in 1985, many tons of wheat were exported.
4. Following this, there was a slight decrease in 1986 before reaching a peak in 1988.
5. Afterward, the figure plunged in 1989, but then subsequently rose to its 1985 level at the end of the
period.
6. By contrast, the wheat exports from the European Community experienced an increase during the six-
year period.
7. In 1985, many tons of wheat were exported, but 1986 witnessed a fall.
8. From this point, exports rose gradually to the highest point in 1990, which was slightly higher than
Canada but considerably greater than Australia.

Specific Statements
Specific Statements – data / figures / specific numbers.
Examples:
1. Australia’s wheat export figure rose slightly from 15 million tons in 1985 to around 16 million tons in
1986.
2. Then, it declined steadily to a low of just over 10 million tons in 1990.
3. Regarding Canada, in 1985 approximately 19 million tons of wheat were exported.
4. Following this, there was a slight decrease to about 17 million in 1986 before reaching a peak of 25
million tons in 1988.
5. Afterward, the figure plunged to below 15 million in 1989, but then subsequently rose to its 1985 level
at the end of the period.
6. By contrast, the wheat exports from the European Community experienced an increase during the six-
year period.
7. In 1985, nearly 16 million tons of wheat were exported, but 1986 witnessed a fall to about 14 million.
8. From this point, exports rose gradually to a high of about 21 million tons in 1990, which was slightly
higher than Canada but considerably greater than Australia.

Note – the sentences, and ultimately the body paragraphs, are a balance of general and specific statements
 Final Draft

The graph below shows the differences in wheat exports over three different areas from 1985 to 1990.

The line chart depicts a comparison between the amount of wheat exported by three regions
between 1985 and 1990. In general, there was a steady fall in Australian wheat exports while
the European Community experienced an opposite trend, and the figure for Canada fluctuated
during the period. In addition, Australia exported the least amount of wheat throughout the
whole period.

Australia’s wheat export figure rose slightly from 15 million tons in 1985 to around 16 million
tons in 1986. Then, it declined steadily to a low of just over 10 million tons in 1990. Regarding
Canada, in 1985 approximately 19 million tons of wheat were exported. Following this, there
was a slight decrease to about 17 million in 1986 before reaching a peak of 25 million tons in
1988. Afterward, the figure plunged to below 15 million in 1989, but then subsequently rose to
its 1985 level at the end of the period.

By contrast, the wheat exports from the European Community experienced an increase during
the six-year period. 7. In 1985, nearly 16 million tons of wheat were exported, but 1986
witnessed a fall to about 14 million. From this point, exports rose gradually to a high of about 21
million tons in 1990, which was slightly higher than Canada but considerably greater than
Australia.

(216)
 In millions of tonnes

INTRODUCTION – 2 sentences
1. Signpost language + paraphrase the question (what / where / when)
2. Signpost language + general trend (movement/direction for change over time graph and/or
comparatives/superlatives for fixed time graph) *
* For multiple trends, use linking comparatives = while, whereas, Meanwhile

1. First sentence

• What = the changes in meat production

• Where = in the world
• When = 1950-1990

Signpost language = The line graph illustrates…

• Paraphrased what = the amount of meat produced / the changes in the production of meat
• Paraphrased where = around the world / worldwide / global
• Paraphrased when = between 1950 and 1990 /…over a 40-year period starting in 1950

The line graph illustrates the changes in the worldwide production of meat over a 40-year period starting in 1950.

2. Second sentence

Signpost language = Overall,…

General trend = pork/beef/poultry increased…sheep/goat remained relatively stable.

Overall, the production of pork, beef/buffalo and poultry meat experienced an increase while that of sheep/goat
remained relatively stable. Additionally, pork had the highest amount of meat produced by the end of the period.
 HOMEWORK

In millions of tonnes

Introduction –
The line graph illustrates the changes in the worldwide production of meat over a 40-year period starting in
1950. Overall, the production of pork, beef/buffalo and poultry meat experienced an increase while that of
sheep/goat remained relatively stable. Additionally, pork had the highest amount of meat produced by the end
of the period.

INSTRUCTIONS – write 150 WORDS maximum for TWO BODY PARAGRAPHS using diverse sentence structures