You can also describe changes using adjective and nouns.

Most of the vocabulary is the same, but you need to

learn the adjective and noun forms.
There was a considerable rise in the income of Robbie's Bakery.
The income of Robbie's Bakery saw/experienced/witnessed a considerable rise.
Complete this table with the noun forms of the verbs.
past simple verb noun past simple verb noun
rose 1 a rise fluctuated 9
fell 2 plunged 10
levelled off 3 decreased 11
declined 4 dipped 12
soared 5 recovered 13
plummeted 6 jumped 14
increased 7 surged 15

dropped 8 grew 16
Write a sentence with an adjective and noun to describe each of these changes in the graph.
1 Bernie's Buns. 2006-2008 There was a considerable- rise- in income-.
2 Robbie’s Bakery. 2007-2008
3 Bernie’s Buns. 2001-2002
4 Lovely Loaves. 2004-2005
Rewrite these sentences, changing them to verb-adverb or adjective-noun.
1 Sales of DVDs in the UK rose sharply between 2001 and 2004.
There was in the UK between 2001 and 2004.
2 Chocolate production in Colombia saw a significant fall.
Chocolate production in Colombia
3 There was a steady growth in average incomes in Europe between 1998 and 2004.
Average incomes in Europe between 1998 and 2004.
MODEL PARAGRAPH
The graph shows information about the amount of money which was earned by three bakeries in London, over a
ten-year period between 2000 and 2010.
Overall what stands out from the graph is that there were considerable upward trends in the income of both
Penile's Puns and Robbie's Pakery, while the earnings of Lovely Loaves saw a considerable fall over the period
in question. Another interesting point is that Lovely Loaves was the most popular bakery in 2000, but in 2010,
Robbie's Pakery earned more money than the others.
Looking at the details, as regards Pemie's Puns, income started at 20,000 in 2000, then there was a fluctuation
over the next three years, at which point it levelled off at just under 40.000 until 2006. Then the figure went up
significantly, finishing at around E65,000 in 2010. If we look at Robbie's Pakery, the trend was similar. Having
remained stable at approximately E55,000 in the first half of the decade, income then rose sharply, reaching
nearly El 00,000 in 200S. There was then a gradual rise to around El 05,000 in 2010.
By contrast, the income of Lovely Loaves went in the opposite direction. Takings fluctuated around E90.000
until 2004. After that, despite falling sharply to just over E40,000 in 200S, the figure then levelled off in the last
two years.
1 another phrase to introduce a new line of the graph: as regards....
2 two more phrases which mean about, to describe numbers: just under
3 another grammar structure to join two ideas together: Having remained stable, ...
4 a linking phrase which means on the other hand
5 two synonyms of income
Rewrite these sentences from the model answer in another way.
1 Income then rose sharply. There ...was a sharp increase in the income
2 There was then a gradual rise to around £105.000. "The figure ...saw a gradual rise to approximately
2105.000
Work with a partner. What other phrases or structures could you use from this model answer?
Linking phrases to introduce new sections of the graph
You can see that in the model answer, the writer uses the linking phrases as regards and if we look at... to show
that a new part of the graph is being discussed. This is a good way to improve the organization and academic
style of your answer.
Sentence fragment: thieu thanh phan cau
Similar phrases are Regarding, As for and With respect to.
When you use these linking phrases, you generally need to repeat the subject of the sentence.
Regarding the income of Bemie's Buns, it started at £20,000 in 2000, and then ...
Rewrite these sentences using the linking phrases in brackets.
1 The income of Robbie’s Bakery began at just under £60,000. (with respect to)
With respect to Robbie’s Bakery’s income, the figure/ the number began at just around 60,000
2 The amount of money which was earned by Bernie’s Buns in 2000 was £20,000. (if we look at)
Looking at the income of Bernie’s Burns, the amount of money earned by this restaurant was
3 The earnings of Robbie’s Bakery remained stable during the first five years of the graph, (as for)
4 Income for Lovely Loaves fluctuated considerably between 2000 and 2005. (regarding)
Regarding Lovely Loaves, there was a considerable fluctuation in its income between 2000 and 2005
Joining two changes together
Read this paragraph and underline all the linking words and phrases which mean and then.
Income of Bernie’s Buns started at £20.000 in 2000, and after that there was a slight rise to £23.000 in 2001.
Following this, the figure fell slightly to £21,000 in 2002, after which income rose sharply in 2003. At this
point, the number levelled off until 2005. Next, there was a slight dip in 2006, but this was followed by a sharp
increase to £60,000 in 2008. Subsequently, income went up gradually in the last two years.
Join these changes together using the linking phrase in brackets. Make any other necessary changes.
1 Income began at just over £80.000. Income went up slightly to £95.000 in 2001. (and then)
2 There was a steady fall to £80.000. Income recovered to £90.000 in 2004. (after which)
3 Earnings dropped sharply to just over £60.000. There was a slight dip. (At this point)
4 There was a slight rise to just under £60.000. The figure went down considerably. (Subsequently)
5 Income fell significantly to £40.000. The number levelled off. (Next)
Beef consumption started at around 60 pounds in 1955, and after that there was slight rise in 1958 and marginall
fall in 1961, after which the consumption rose considerably in 1964. At this point the number levelled off until
As regards the consumption of beef,…….the number started at 60 pounds in 1955 and after that there
was a fluctuated rise in 1973.At this point , the consumption is tend to decrease year on year in 2012
Looking at the beef’s consumption, there was a considerably rise from 1955 (????) to 1976 after that then
there was a slight fall in 1961. With respect to beef’s consumption, it hit to a peak of 90 pound in 1976 at
this point beef’s consumption plummeted yearly to 60 pound in 1994.
With respect to the beef’s consumption, starting at 60 pounds per person in 1960, the figure saw a
considerable rise, hitting its peak at 90 in 1976, despite its slight falls in 1958 and 1975. Following this,
there was a sharp decrease to just above 60 until 1994, at which point the number saw a gradual dip until
2009. The downward trend is even estimated to continue until 2012 at around 50 pound per head.
Despite ... and Having...
You can also use these two structures to join together two changes. Make sure you study how to use them
carefully. Don’t forget: if you use the Having structure, you need the past participle (e.g. Having fallen ...).
Rewrite these sentences using the words in brackets.
1 There was a steady decline to £80.000. and then income recovered to £90.000 in 2004. (Despite...)
2 Earnings dropped sharply to just over £60.000. but then rose slightly. (Having...)
Use the linking phrases from Exercise 1 and despite/having to join these ideas to form a good paragraph.
Income of Lovely Loaves began at just over £80.000 in 2000. There was a slight rise to around £95.000 in 2001.
The figure went down steadily to £80.000 in 2003. There was a slight increase to around £90.000 in 2004.
There was a sharp fall to just over £60.000 in 2005. Income dipped in 2006. There was a negligible increase to
just under £60.000 in 2007. Income fell considerably to £40.000 in 2008. The figure levelled off in the last two
years.
Prepositions and articles
Read this paragraph and choose the correct prepositions.
As regards Robbie’s Bakery, income started 1 to / at £55.000 in 2000 and remained stable 2 at / to this figure 3
during / until 2005. At this point, there was a sharp rise to / at £70,000. Between 2007 and 2008, the figure
went up 5 to / by around £30,000. 6 to/from £70,000 7 at / to nearly £100.000. Finally, income grew gradually,
and peaked 8 at / to £105,000 in 2010. If we look at Lovely Loaves, earnings fluctuated 9 between / at £80.000
and £90.000 in the first five years, and then there was a sharp fall 10 to / fli £40,000 in 2008. Finally, the figure
levelled off 11 to/at £40,000, and finished 12 to / at the same figure.
Check your answers to Exercise 1, then work with a partner to complete these rules for using
prepositions.
1 With started and finished, use -at..

2 With increases or decreases, use

3 With remained stable and levelled off, use

4 With peaked, use

5 To describe how much something increases or decreases, use

6 To describe the range of fluctuation, use

Add the missing prepositions to this paragraph.
If we look at Bernie’s Buns, income started £20,000 in 2000, and then there was a slight rise £25,000 in 2001.
At this point, the figure fell back just over £20,000. followed by a slight increase just under £40,000. Earnings
then levelled off £39,000, and then fell marginally £38.000. Income then rose £23,000. £38.000 £61.000. In the
next two years, there was a gradual rise around £62,000, and then the figure peaked around £65.000.
USING CORRECT ARTICLES
Another way to make your writing more accurate is to use articles (a/an and the) correctly.
There are 12 more missing articles in these paragraphs. Add them in the correct places and compare
your answers with a partner.
The graph shows information about the amount of money which was earned by three bakeries in London, over
a ten-year period between 2000 and 2010.
Overall, what stands out from the graph is that there was a downward trend in the income of Lovely Loaves,
while the amount of money earned by the other two bakeries rose over the period in question.
Turning to details, as regards Lovely Loaves, the figure started at just over £80,000 in 2000, and then there was
a considerable fluctuation until 2005. Following this, its income levelled off at just under £60.000 until 2007.
Having fallen sharply to £40,000 in 2008. The income of Lovely Loaves then remained stable during last two
years.
COMMENTATING ON THE DATE ON GRAPH
To take your Task 1 essay to the next level, try to comment on the data, rather than just give a list of numbers.
Add one or two comments to show that you understand and can interpret the graph. Here are some ways you
can do this.
• Compare the different parts of the graph, using a relative clause:
The income of Lovely Loaves fell Significantly to around £40,000 in 2008, which meant that it earned far
less than the other bakeries
• Comment on the peak:
There was a considerable rise in the takings of Robbie's Bakery in the last two years to £105,000, this figure
being the peak level of income during the whole period
• Add an extra verb to give emphasis:
The income of Robbie's Bakery rose sharply in 2008, rocketing to just under £100,000.
• Add a superlative:
Lovely Loaves earned just over £80,000 in 2000. This meant that it had the highest income of the three bakeries
in that year.
• Group data into a period of time:
There was a significant fluctuation in the income of Lovely Loaves in the first half of the decade
Use the ideas above to complete these comments on the graph.
1 The earnings of Bemie’s Buns were £20.000 in 2000. .....
2 The income of Lovely Loaves fell sharply in 2005. p……. to just over £60.000.
3 The income of Robbie's Bakery remained stable in the first……..of the period.
4 There was a sharp rise in the income of Robbie's Bakery between 2005 and 2008, which meant that it earned
far……………..than the other bakeries.
5 Lovely Loaves’ income fell considerably to £40.000 in 2008. This meant that it had the………. income of the
three bakeries.
Complete the comments in this paragraph with one word in each gap.
If we look at Bernie's Buns, it started at £20.000 in 2000. which was the 1 income of the three bakeries at this
point. After that, it started to rise and went up sharply to around £60.000 in 2008. which meant that it earned 2
money than Lovely Loaves. Finally, the earnings of Bemie's Buns rose gradually. 3 at around
£65.000 in 2010.
Look at the graph on page 90 and complete these sentences with a comment.
1 Forty-eight per cent of people worked in the private sector in 2000. which meant...
2 There was a slight rise in the percentage of people who worked in the public sector, to just over 50% in 2010.
this figure being...
3 The percentage of people employed in the public sector rose sharply between 2002 and 2004, soaring...
4 The percentage of people who worked in the private sector went down steadily to 20% in 2010. This meant...
WRITING ABOUT GRAPH WITH FUTURE TREND
Sometimes in the exam you can be asked to write about a graph with a future trend. You should write your
answer in the same way as before, but instead of using the past simple, change the grammar and use future
tenses.
Look at this essay question and discuss how to write an answer to it.
The graph below shows predictions about the number of people who will study three major world languages
between 2020 and 2030.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
1 Change the sentences using will
1 The number of students of Spanish rose considerably.
The number of students of Spanish ..:...
2 There was a steady rise in the number of people who study English.
There in the number of people who study English.
3 The number students of Mandarin rocketed.
The number of people who study Mandarin
2 Match the two halves of these sentences containing academic phrases.
1. The number of students of English a. the number of Spanish students is likely to
2. By 2030, the number of students of Mandarin increase
3. Projections show that b. is set to reach over 700 million
c. will have risen sharply over 500 million.
3 Use the language in Exercise 3 to write some sentences of your own about the graph in Exercise 1.
TABLE AND BAR CHARTS WITH TRENDS
It is common in the IELTS Writing paper to be asked to describe a table or bar graph with a trend, not only a
line graph. Make sure you practise writing all different forms of trend questions, so that you feel confident in
the exam.
Write an answer for this Task 1 question containing a table with a trend.
The table below highlights data on the number of travellers using three major British airports between
1998 and 2003.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Airport visitors, 1998-2003 (millions of travellers per year)
airport 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Heathrow 27.2 36.4 48.2 37.1 33.2 45.6
Gatwick 36.5 41.9 44.4 47.3 51.1 69.3
Stansted 17.3 26.6 39.9 43.3 43.3 43.3
2 Write an answer for this essay question containing a bar graph with a trend.
The graph below shows the number of visitors to three museums between 2000 and 2005.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Trend: line graph, table, bar chart
Ielts task 1 line graph/table/ bar chart

Rewording introduction
Overall
Describe trend
Mention new ideas
Connecting between different trends (within a trend; after that)
Preposition
Articles
Comment on trend