IELTS Writing About Graph Tips
IELTS Writing About Graph Tips: In this blog, you will learn how to master the writing section of Part 1 of the IELTS test. Part 1 deals with graphs and therefore, we will examine some examples and specifically demonstrate phrases, vocabulary, and synonyms that can be utilized to enhance your score.
In this article, we will focus on the crucial skill of effectively describing and analyzing graphs in Part 1 of the IELTS Writing test. Graphs are commonly used to present data and trends, making it essential for test-takers to have a strong grasp of this topic.
Part 1 Writing Task
In Part 1 of the writing task, you must complete it within 20 minutes, this limits your ability to look at the graph, analyze, and write. You should write a minimum of 15 words, and we will discuss the ideal length later in this blog.
You will encounter a variety of different graphs in Part 1, such as pie charts, tables, line graphs, mixed graphs, or bar graphs (make sure to watch the attached video below). These serve as mere examples. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the process of examining and analyzing these graph types. Ask yourself what they convey, whether they depict trends or fluctuations, and most importantly, acquire the necessary vocabulary to discuss them effectively.
The examiner can score you on four criteria.
1. Task Achievement
These criteria include task achievement, which assesses whether you finished the goal and completed everything.
2. Coherence and Cohesion
That means does it make sense, does it work together, is it easy to understand,.
3. Lexical Resources
Are you utilizing synonyms or do you repeat yourself for grammatical range and accuracy? Is it accurate? Do you possess good grammar? As evident, lexical resources account for 25% of your score, and this is where students tend to lose marks. You are overly familiar with phrases like “the numbers decreased,” “they increased,” “they went down,” and “they went up.” While this is acceptable, I strongly recommend utilizing this vocabulary no more than once. It would be beneficial for you to acquire synonyms that convey the same meaning as “increase,” “go up,” and “accelerate.” Therefore, it is necessary for us to expand our vocabulary.
Let’s talk about different graphs here and learn how to use verbs as nouns. You often come across verbs like “rise,” “increase,” “peak,” and “go up,” which all indicate an upward trend. Conversely, you can use the verb “fall,” along with “decrease,” “decline,” “dip,” or “drop” to describe a downward trend.
When discussing graphs, we often convert these verbs into nouns. Instead of saying “the numbers rose” in the past tense, we can say “there was a rise in” or “there was a rise in average salaries.”
IELTS Writing About Graph Tips
To begin our discussion about graphs, it is crucial for you to understand the meaning of the X and Y axes, as well as the title and the information they convey. Let’s take a look at the graph in the above-attached video here as a simple example, which will help you grasp the concept. Along the bottom, you will see categories labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, representing different categories. In a real-world example, the graph would provide more detailed information, such as actual salaries.
From the graph, we understand that it pertains to average salaries, so we want to ensure that we discuss the average salary rather than a specific salary. Whether this pertains to the industry or not is unknown to us.
What you truly need to grasp is the utilization of these verbs as nouns. Instead of expressing a decrease in verb tense as “the numbers decreased from 80 to 60,” you can express it as a noun like this: “There was a gradual decrease in salaries.” This approach will enhance your writing if you employ verbs as nouns.
Using the same words repeated again and again should be avoided, especially when it comes to the word “decrease.” Instead, refer to them as “decrease,” “decline,” “dip,” or “drop.”
Examples:
“There was a drop in salaries”
“There was a significant increase”
“There was a significant rise”
“There was a significant peak”
“There was a significant growth in salaries”
Here are also some adjectives to describe these nouns
For example, you can say:
“There was a rise”
“There was a peak” or
“There was growth in salary one went from 10 to 50,000 over two categories”
If you are to use adjectives, it strongly defines your nouns and this is what we want to be doing.
If you are talking about big change you can say
“Significant growth”
“Dramatic growth”
”Substantial increase”
Substantial means very large
If you are talking about a small change you can say
‘there was a slight decline”
‘there was a modest drop”
“there was an insignificant decrease”
If you have gradual or no change you can say:
“It remained steady”
“It is stable”
“It is unchanged”
It is important to learn how to mix these adjectives and nouns together so that you have a wide range of combinations when you are speaking or writing. Be sure to not to use them more than once.
4. Introduction
Now, let’s discuss the introduction. When writing, you should break it into paragraphs. You must write a minimum of 150 words, but I strongly recommend aiming for the 250 range, and here’s why. Including all the necessary details might be challenging if you only write 150 words. Writing more than 250 words increases the likelihood of making grammatical mistakes, but remember, you only have 20 minutes. Analyzing and writing within the tight limit of 250 words can be challenging, so it’s best to stay within the 200 to 250 words range.
Going back to the introduction, you need to ensure that your introduction is very solid because it will make or break your score.
Note the following important point:
When crafting your introduction, focus on presenting the general trend without including specific numbers. In other words, you can state…
“Overall we had a gradual decrease in salaries between the year 2000 and 2023”.
Avoid including numbers or percentages in your introduction, as it serves as your opening sentence and thesis statement. Reserve the numerical details for the body paragraph, where you can provide supporting evidence. Remember, the introduction should consist of a general statement, while specific details belong in the body paragraph.
Body Paragraph
The body paragraph consists of specific details that you can observe in the graph. It should only include information directly presented in the graph, without any analysis or references to external factors. Therefore, if there is a decrease in salaries, do not speculate on the cause, such as attributing it to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the graph does not provide that information. We are solely discussing the data within the graph.
To enhance your score, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the above words and vocabulary. Utilize them effectively while avoiding repetition. Build a comprehensive list of vocabulary and synonyms that can be utilized. Adapt your language to describe changes in the graph accurately, and ensure a thorough understanding of various types of graphs and how to discuss them.
Conclusion:
At first, the task of writing about graphs in the IELTS test may appear challenging, but you can excel in this endeavour with practice and the right strategies. By comprehending the graph, employing suitable vocabulary and verb tenses, drawing comparisons, and employing linking words, you can effectively communicate your analysis. Regular practice and seeking feedback are crucial for enhancing your writing skills.
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