Using the right vocabulary to present data in IELTS writing task 1 is essential if you are aiming for a high score. The video tutorial below explains why it is important to give accurate data when describing a chart in and provides a range of flexible vocabulary to help you achieve a better score.
Writing Task 1 Vocabulary for Data
Make sure you describe data accurately using a range of vocabulary. Lack of accuracy will lower your score for IELTS writing task 1. This video will help you understand more about this.
Summary
It’s very important that all the information you give is accurate the examiner will check and any mistakes will lower your band score.
Looking at the video, you will see this sentence is possible: In the age group 20 to 30, 28% of men smoked compared to 30% of women. What is the problem? Can you see any mistake? The problem is that the data for women is correct 30% but for men we can see it is under 30. We cannot see that it is 28%, but we can write it is about 30% or just under 30% or slightly less than 30%. We need to do is we need to use flexible language to give the accurate information let’s have a look.
Below I have listed useful language to help you present data more accurately and flexibly to avoid repeated words.
Under
- under
- below
- less than
- just under
- slightly under
- nearly
- almost
- close to
- well under
- considerably less than
About
- about
- approximately
- around
Over
- over
- above
- more than
- just over
- slightly over
- marginally above
- well over
- considerably more than
Recommended
Hello Liz, my exam is on 8/Aug/2020 and your website is very useful for the preparations however the content is a bit old like of year 2015 and 2016. Just wanted to know if the tips and material will still help me achieving 7+ bands or the marking criteria has changed now?
Thanks in advance. 🙂 🙂 🙂
All lessons and tips are still relevant today 🙂
Hello Ms Liz
I have a question about writing Task 1
You said that in bar chart, it is not correct write exact number when we are not sure the percentage, and it’s better to use under or over words before the number.
But, I’ve heard that the examiner does not have question when they get a score. So, how the examiner understand these differences?
For example, the 28% is true or over 30%?
I’m not sure what you mean: ” I’ve heard that the examiner does not have question when they get a score”. If you are talking about whether the examiner can see the task when they are scoring – the answer is YES, they can see it.
Wonderful update.
Thank you Ma.
should i write plural in brackets in listening? eg book(s)
No. IELTS is a test. You must choose one answer only.
What is the result of inappropriate or no use of articles(a/ an/the) ?
Eg: While I was practising reading section 2 ( answer in no more than three words)
Q. A final decision is made by ————–
Is the answer correct if I write just “advisory panel” instead of “an advisory panel” (as mentioned in the answer key)
Also, what if I use another article, in this case, let’s say “the advisory panel”?
It depends if it is to complete notes, such as a diagram, notes, table etc. Or you are completing sentences. Look at the question type.
Hii Liz, I had a similar doubt too. So if the heading says “no more than 3 words”, is use of article necessary to complete 3words or I can omit it? Additionally, if article is not used will it be considered as a Wrong answer? Kindly guide.
The use of article depends on the type of question. If you are completing a sentence, the sentence must be grammatically correct once it is finished – this means paying attention to whether you need or don’t need an article. For that, you must learn English grammar rules, not IELTS rules. However, for note completion type questions, no article is required unless shown in other examples.
Hello Respected Madam,
I have query related to listening section and and I have doubt in fill in the blank question. My question is if unit is there in question such as Kilometers, dollar, temperature and many more is already mention in question so is it essential to rewrite unit in answer shit.
For example
1 cost of accommodation $_________.
And If answer is 300 so what should I write in as a answer only 300 or $300?
You write what is missing. Is the symbol “$” missing from the question? If it is missing, you write it on the answer sheet. If it is not missing, you don’t write it. Just be logical !!
Hi Liz,
Which one is correct: increased steadily or steadily increased? Could we use both? Do they have different meanings?
Another question: lets take a complete sentence like this: The number of overseas visitors increased steadily to about 1000 in 2006. question is, if I want to write a new sentence after fullstop, can I say ‘This number/figure…. or these numbers or figures….’?
Thank you Liz
a steady increase (noun / adj)
it increased steadily (verb / adverb)
Hi liz,
I am new about IELTS, can you provide guidance and how to score 8 band in exam?
There are 300 pages of tips, lessons and model answers on this website. Start learning 🙂
hi liz,
is it good to use the terms “1 in 4″,”a quarter”,”about half of the population “in describing a barchart and piechart?and is it necessary to mention the accurate data in brackets when i have used the above terms?
thanks in advance
These terms are usually used for pie charts which show portions of one whole.
should i mention accurate data in brackets if i use “1 in 4”, “a quarter”
You must always provide accurate data and using brackets is a good way.
Halo liz, i saw your video about writing task 1 and it was about bar chart for (expenditure of France and the United Kingdom on Consumer Goods).
My question is is it okay for use bracket in writing task ? (Both task 1 and 2) because i have followed a prep class in February 2016 and one of the teacher said to not use brackets.
Looking forward for your answer 😊 thank you in advance
It is completely normal to use brackets to present data in writing task 1, which is a report. This is a usual and appropriate way to present data in a report. However, it is not recommended in task 2 which is an essay.
Hi,
What is the cost of advanced lessons in pound sterling ?
It depends on the exchange rate. Around £13. Paypal will show you the currency conversion before you buy it.
First of all thanx for everything u taught us and I just want to know, is that all your criteria of preparation is updated as per ielts marking attitude..
Yes, it’s all up-to-date for 2016
U r awsome teacher
Respected mam
This is actually a very very helpful site. Thanx alot for providing a brilliant guidance to millions of people.
Thank you
do we have to compulsory leave a line after each paragraph in both task in the exam paper? because i think if we will leave i am afraid that we will not be able to complete 150 words.
Pls can u tell what should i do..
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Liz, just want ask what’s the difference between “it” and “with”, with regard to their uses in describing the data in task 1? Thank you
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
hi everyone!!!! I’m new here))) can i ask one question from you Liz?
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Liz
Thanks for posting useful videos..I just need to ask one qs as u mentioned not to right data if we r not sure about exact number so do we need to write ‘under 30’ for all date within 20-30 range??
You use this language when the number is not exact and you can’t see the exact number clearly.
Liz
Hi Liz,
I still have a hard time in paraphrasing the word ‘number’ or even ‘percentage’ .
Can i use proportion and amount as a substitute for number? Does it also apply to percentage?
Thanks Liz.
Percentage is “proportion” and at times as “amount” or “rate” (but not all the time) and number can be paraphrased as “how many” in the introduction. There is very limited paraphrasing for these words. Your task is to paraphrase other words relating to the content of the graph or chart.
Liz
Thanks Liz.
I think I understand now.