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The monthly profit
increased
fell
by lO%
from 10% to 20%.
from 20% to 10%.
Slovakia had
the largest
percentage
number
of students
(10%).
(245).
10%
of the students.
10% of the students were from the Federation of Russia.
France accounted for. 10% of the students.
They made
twice
three times
four times
the
profit percentage
percentage of profit
in May than in March.
The
profit percentage
percentage of profit
doubled
increased
decreased
three-fold
four-fold
from March to May.
Company A's profit percentage rose steadily, whereas thaLof Company B fell slightly.
respectively).
There were more
School A has
almost
nearly
approximately
about
just over
over
a quarter of
one
a third of
one
(a) half of
one
three quarters of
the (total) number of students.
almost
nearly
approximately
about
just over
over
a quarter
half
three quarters
twice
three times
as many students
as much space
as School B.
School A
has
almost / nearly
about / approximately
as many (students) as
as much (space) as
School B.
of students) as
(number
(proportion
(amount
the same
about / approximately
exactly /precisely
Writing Test Hints
EXPRESS CHANGES IN DATA EFFECTIVELY
If Writing Task 1 is a graph, table or chart, you should notice first if the information is fixed in time
or changes over time. If the information changes over time, you need to express those changes by
using words and phrases which describe how it has changed.
The figures given can either increase or decrease, fluctuate, or remain stable (stay the same).
Increases, decreases and fluctuations can be expressed in either of two grammatical ways:
• verb + adverb form
• adjective + noun form.
• Look at the following table:
• Look at the following examples from the model answer for Task 1 of Writing Test Four:
(i) Acme Sports Cars' monthly profit fell dramatically ...
(ii) Acme Sports Cars' monthly profit decreased slightly ... but rose sharply ...
(iii) The monthly profit of both Acme Sports Cars and Branson Motors gradually
increased...
(iv) There was a three-fold increase in the latter's monthly profit...
Rewrite them using the alternative method to the one used above:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(Answers are given upside-down at the bottom of page 61.)
59
The number of (cars)
VERB +
ADVERB
FORM
There was a (very)
ADJECTIVE
+ NOUN
FORM .
increased
jumped *
rose
decreased
dropped
fell
fluctuated *
A
suddenly
rapidly
• dramatically
significantly
sharply
A
steeply
A
steadily *
gradually *
slowly *
slightly
from (June) to (December).
between (June) and (December).
sudden
rapid
dramatic
significant
sharp
A
steep
A
steady *
gradual *
slow *
slight
increase
jump *
rise
decrease
drop
fall
fluctuation *
A
in the number from ... to ....
of (cars) between... and....
*
A
Note that not all of the word
combinations are possible:
i.e, "slow jump" X
and "sharp fluctuation" X
101 Helpful Hints for IELTS
Little or no change can be expressed in the following way:
The number
of (cars sold)
There was
remained
steady
stable
stayed the same
little
hardly any
no
change
from (June) to (December).
between (June) and (December).
in the number
of (cars sold)
from ... to ... .
between... and
Notice how the words and phrases for expressing data changing with time apply to a graph:
O Look at the following graphical detail taken from Task 1 of Writing Test Four:
The situation at the highest and lowest points of a graph can be expressed in the following way:
The monthly profit
The figures
The situation
peaked
reached
apeak
a high (point)
bottomed out
in (December).
at (20%).
USE THE CORRECT TENSE/VOICE
It is important to use the correct grammatical tense or voice each time you use a verb. If the Writing
Task is a process or procedure, use the present tense and the passive voice to describe the steps or
stages. You can also use the gerund form of a verb (the "-ing" form used as a noun), and the infinitive
with "to" construction after "it is necessary" and "it is important" etc.
O Look at the following examples from the model answer for Task 1 of Writing Test Two:
The second stage involves conducting suitable research.
Notes are taken from available literature at the library, and data (are) collected from
questionnaires...
Writing the first draft is the third stage.
First, it is necessary to organise the content of the essay, and (to) produce a brief outline.
Use similar constructions with the present tense and the passive voice, the gerund form, and the
infinitive with "to", when you are describing how something works.
60
reached
rock
the
bottom
a low (point)
hit a trough
(for Acme Sports
Cars)
sharp rise
peak
steady drop
dramatic fall /
sharp drop
trough
(to) bottom out
(to) reach the bottom
(to) reach a plateau /
(to) remain steady
gradual
increase
Writing Test Hints
When asked to describe information given in a table or chart that shows the present situation, use
the present simple or present continuous tense, and the passive voice where necessary.
O Look at the following examples from the model answer for Task 1 of Writing Test Three:
... students from four European countries ... and one Middle Eastern country ... are
taking Graphic Design...
Some students are enrolled in the Computer-Aided Design core option ...
... Sweden has the largest number of enrolled students (17) and Syria (has) the least (5).
When asked to describe information shown in a graph, table or chart that is either fixed in time or
that changed over time, use the past simple or past continuous tense.
D Look at the following examples from the model answer for Writing Task 1 of Writing Test Four:
(Acme Sports Cars)... was making almost twice the profit at the beginning ...
There was a three-fold increase in the latter's monthly profit over the same period.
... Acme Sports Cars' monthly profit decreased slightly ... but rose sharply ...
Note that the use of the present perfect tense to convey the meaning of a past situation being
considered (by the reader) in the present, e.g. "... Acme Sports Cars' monthly profit has fallen
dramatically", can be confusing. It is better to make it a rule for Writing Task 1 to use the past simple
or continuous tense for changes that took place during a completed period of time in the past.
It is also possible that the information in the graph, table or chart will refer to a period of time
beginning in the past or present, and continuing into the future. In that case, you will need to use
the correct language to express what may happen in the future. (See Speaking Hint 100.)
DO NOT ADD A "SEPARATE" CONCLUSION
There is no need to write a "separate" conclusion as you must do in Writing Task 2. This is because
you are not being asked to conclude an argument, or evaluate your discussion of a topic, as in Writing
Task 2. Remember, your opinions are not required in Writing Task 1.
D Look at the last paragraph of the model answer for Writing Task 1 of Writing Test Two:
The sixth stage consists of writing the final draft of the essay. A spellcheck is required,
before adding a title page and compiling a bibliography. The essay should then be
submitted before the deadline for completion.
This last paragraph serves as a conclusion, since it is the sixth and final stage of the process.
Similarly, the last paragraph of all answers to Writing Task 1 will serve as a conclusion. However,
if you are having trouble trying to write at least 150 words, it is be better to write a short conclusion
than fail to complete the task. Try to do so by giving more detail, and not by giving opinions.
In Writing Task 1, your personal opinions about the topic are irrelevant
Turn the page upside down to see the answers to the exercise given on page 59:
61
101 Helpful Hints for IELTS
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