Essential vocabulary to describe an IELTS writing task 1 line graph. To get a good band score you must show the examiner a range of different words to show upward and downward trends as well as key features. IELTS line graphs show change over a period of time and you must vary your language and vocabulary when you write your report.
This page contains:
- Verbs & Nouns
- Practice Exercise
- Adverbs & Adjectives
- Time Phrases
- Useful link to model answers and more tips for line graphs
1. IELTS Line Graph Verbs & Nouns
Below are lists of verbs and nouns that can be used to describe a line graph in IELTS writing task 1.
Upward trend
- rise / a rise
- increase / an increase
- climb / a climb
- grow / a growth
- go up
Downward trend
- decrease / a decrease
- drop / a drop
- fall / a fall
- decline / a decline
Other vocabulary
- fluctuate / a fluctuation
- dip / a dip
- remain steady
- remain stable
- remain unchanged
- level off
- peak at
- reach a peak of
- hit a high of
- hit a low of
- bottom out
- plateau
Mistakes when using words will affect your band score. This includes spelling.
- Band 6 = some vocabulary errors.
- Band 7 = few vocabulary errors.
2. Practice with Nouns and Verbs
Fill in the gaps using the vocabulary above. Make sure you adapt the words to make the sentences grammatically correct. The completed paragraph below is an example of a body paragraph for a line graph.
- Source: IELTS Liz
- Notice: It is uncommon to be given only one line as a task unless it is combined with another chart or table. The above graph is for practising vocabulary.
Questions 1-5
Fill in the gaps with the correct vocabulary. You should use no more than two words for each gap.
The number of reported cases of influenza began at 40 in 1985 after which the figure (1). …………………… steadily to reach about 55 in 1987. In 1988, there was a (2) …………. in the number to below 50 before (3) ……………. to reach a (4) ………… (5) ……….. approximately 75 in 1991. After that date, the figure dropped to about 55 in the final year.
Answers
Click below to reveal the answers:
Answers- rose / increased / climbed / grew / went up
- a fall / a decline / a drop / a dip / a decrease
- climbing / increasing / rising / going up / growing
- peak
- of
3. Line Graph Adverbs & Adjectives
Below are useful adverbs and adjectives to describe change.
Adverbs: steadily, gradually, sharply, rapidly, steeply, slightly, dramatically, significantly, considerably
Adjectives: steady, gradual, sharp, rapid, steep, slight, dramatic, significant, considerable
Sentences:
- The number of cases of influenza increased steadily from 40 to 55 in the first three years.
- There was a steady rise in the number of cases of influenza to reach 55 in 1987 from 40 in the first year.
4. Time Expressions
IELTS line graphs show change over a period of time. Below are some expressions to help you describe the passing of time without too much repetition.
Time phrases:
- over the next three days
- three days later
- in the following three days
- the next three days show
- over the period
- from…to… / between … and…
- the last year
- the final year
- the first year
- at the beginning of the period
- at the end of the period
5. Recommended Links for more IELTS Writing Task 1
IELTS Writing Task 1: Tips, Model Answers and More
Full Model Answer and Guidelines for IELTS Line Graph
All other free materials are found on the RED BAR at the top of this site.
All the best
Liz
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Hi Liz,
Can I write “in the penultimate year”? I mean is it only used in graduation years or can I use it in a graph too?
It’s fine to use.
Thank you for all of your lessons they are staggering! Just I can say wonderful! I found it very interesting.
You’re welcome 🙂
I really want to appreciate your method of teachings. They have been very insightful and easy to understand. Keep up your good job madam! . I have now developed confidence for the exam. May God bless you richly.
Glad the lessons are helping you 🙂
I think I’m determined not to leave a work unread in your fascinating website for it seems you have prepared everything appropriately for your guests. I wonder if you could provide actual written answers for writing task 1 and 2 so that we can estimate our writings.
Thanks
You can find everything on the main pages of this website. The model answers for task 1 are in the writing task 1 section of this site. You can find each section accessed either through the RED MENU BAR at the top of the site or on the HOME PAGE 🙂
thank you very much. your lessons are enriching my knowledge. they are incomparable.
This website is a blessing especially in times like these. Thank you so much for providing such amazing information and that too for free. You are such an amazing teacher. God bless you. 🙂
I’m glad you are finding my site useful. Good luck with your test 🙂
Exactly!
Dear Liz,
Thank you so much for your excellent support for my IELTS preparation. From the couple of days, I am following your tips and lectures which are available here.
I am so much pleased as I have found my confidence to sit for the exam recently.
Wish you all the best.
Thank you again.
I’m glad you’ve found my site useful 🙂
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To give someone a smile is normal online 🙂
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Good luck!! 🙂
Dear madam! You are doing great job.thank you very much for that
In the answer sheet task 1,,,there is a word rose,i think it should be rise
Good bless you
I don’t understand. There is no answer sheet on the page above. I don’t know which word you are referring to. Can you explain more?
I guess what Prabash said was the word “rose”. he thought it should be “rise”, however in my opinion, he is wrong, “rose” is the correct one.
Is he referring to question 1? It is passed tense: rose / increased etc. You can’t use a present tense when past tense is required. You are correct, Peter 🙂
In writing task 1,you should maintain the use of one tense throughout.For example,if your explanation is in ‘past tense’ you should only use past tense throughout.
Thatswhy,Madam Liz used ‘rose’ instead of ‘rise’ in her graph explanation.
Sorry I didn’t see your comment before. Exactly correct 🙂
Thanks Liz.
Hi Liz,
I was wondering whether all line graphs have trend or not
thanks
Yes, they all have trends. They show change over a period of time and that is the trend you are reporting as well as any other significant key feature.
That is great
This helps a lot.
Thanks. It is helpful for me.
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Thank u Mam God bless u
Thank you Liz, I have my IELTS on the 30th of August and your website is very helpful and useful.
Mimi
Good luck 🙂
Interesting website, lots of helpful materials in an organized manner, and the videos are very clear and informative.
Thanks a lot!
Thank you Liz.your help and useful advises .
Hi Liz,
Your teaching lesson skills and tips are outstanding that’s helping me for IELTS preparation well.
Thank you and appreciate for your kind support.
Regards,
Raju
dear liz
tremandous job you are doing, carving us towards acheiving higher band scores mile stone.
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Hii Liz I’ve just started IELTS . Thank you for all information given! I think there is a wrong word in the other vocabulary that is a drip. It should be a dip. Have a nice day 🙂
Well spotted! Good proof reading skills 🙂
Hey Liz i just want to ask you if i scored 5 on my ielts are there any college that would accept me?
You would have to ask each individual college if they would accept you.
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Thanks 🙂
Hi liz if by chance you read this please do write a comment, I am still not confident in doing task 1. Anyway, I see this as a great help to me , thank you.
Here is my sample report for the line graph above , please correct me especially on my grammar since I am mostly doing a self review and I am thankful I found this because you freely give suggestions.
The line graph gives information about the number of people above 65 with reported cases of influenza in some village of UK starting 1985 up to 1995. The data is measured according to the number of people affected by the flu in the given time frame.
Overall, there is a fluctuation in the statistics throughout the period. Observably, its lowest cases is in the beginning while the highest occurs in the middle years (1991 to 1992) of the decade.
For over 3 years , starting from 1985 until 1987 there is a gradual increase of influenza cases, specifically from 40 going up to 50 respectively. In the following years on the other hand, it starts to fluctuate , it moves downward from the stated latter period above , afterwards the number of people with reported cases continuously rise reaching its peak data of more than 70 in 1991.
Meanwhile , in the next 4 years including the end of the period the number of people with influenza steadily decrease . Consequently, from above 70 it then decline to exactly 60 (1991 to 1995).
This is well written! But do check the last line where, I think you have got a grammatical mistake. Instead of using ‘declined’, you used the word ‘decline’.
Really appreciate your help ,May God bless you with good health and blessings.Thanks for being so generous.
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hugs and kisses,
Marija
Thanks 🙂
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You are very generous to share these ideas, tips, examples and teach those struggling examiners for their IELTS test. I am one of those people who’s very thankful when I found your website. It was very helpful for me.
Godbless your good heart Ms. Liz!
love lots,
Rubie
Thanks liz that was very informative
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Hi Liz.
I’ve started studying for IELTS for two months. My teacher taught me the way to practice for writing that I want to ask your opinion about that. She told us that, for beginners of course, we should spend for example one or two days on one sample of writing, study about topic and learn new words or collocations then try to write a good essay. What do you think? Is it a good way?
Why don’t you try it and see if it works. There is no one way to prepare for IELTS or to learn English. You need to decide which way works most effectively for yourself.
It worked for me!
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Thank you so much
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Thank you very much Liz for a nice organised writing about task1 .
Thank you so much, I think it would help me to get good score next time. Thank you Mam.
Thank you so much, I think it would help me to get good score next time, thank you Mam
Thanks Liz that was very informative
thankyou teacher , that was really helpful , so if just used these phrases in my exam i will det a high score or at least 5.5 ?
Vocabulary counts for 25% of your marks.
ThankQ so much for your wonderful work you have given us.
Wow awesome tips. Many thanks for your boundless generosity and kindness.