Improve Your IELTS Writing with Graph Description Vocabulary

Understanding IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 and the Importance of Vocabulary

What Is IELTS Academic Writing Task 1?

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is the first writing task in the academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In this task, candidates are given a visual input such as a line graph, bar chart, table, pie chart, or a combination of these. Occasionally, diagrams like maps or processes are presented instead. Candidates must write a short report summarizing and describing the main features of the visual data in a formal and academic tone.

The key purpose of this task is to assess your ability to interpret and convey numerical or factual information, describe trends, make comparisons, and highlight significant data. You are required to write a minimum of 150 words, and it is recommended that you spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Unlike Task 2, which involves giving an opinion or argument, Task 1 is objective and descriptive. It is not about your opinion but about what the data show.

Task Requirements and Marking Criteria

To perform well in IELTS Writing Task 1, you need to meet four key criteria. Each criterion is weighted equally:

1. Task Achievement
   You must cover all the requirements of the task, which includes selecting and summarizing key features, making comparisons where relevant, and not simply listing all data points. You must also write at least 150 words.

2. Coherence and Cohesion
   Your writing should be logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as linking words and reference words should be used appropriately.

3. Lexical Resource
   This measures your range and accuracy in using vocabulary. Using varied and topic-specific vocabulary while avoiding repetition is essential.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
   Your writing should demonstrate a wide range of grammatical structures with accurate usage. Complex sentence forms and the correct use of tenses are particularly important.

Of these, the Lexical Resource criterion is where vocabulary plays a central role. A strong vocabulary helps you avoid repetition, describe changes precisely, and show relationships between data points clearly.

Nature of Visual Inputs

Most Task 1 prompts include one or more of the following types of visuals:

• Line Graphs: Display data over time and show trends (rising, falling, fluctuating).

• Bar Charts: Compare quantities across different categories.

• Tables: Present data in a grid format and require you to describe numbers and percentages.

• Pie Charts: Show proportions and are ideal for discussing percentages and distribution.

• Mixed Charts: Combine two types of visuals, such as a table and a pie chart or a line graph and a bar chart.

• Static vs. Dynamic Charts: Some visuals reflect changes over time (dynamic), while others offer a snapshot at one point in time (static).

For dynamic data, verbs and adverbs to describe change and trends are crucial. For static data, comparative and superlative structures are more frequently used.

The Role of Vocabulary in Writing Task 1

Vocabulary plays a crucial role in meeting the lexical resource criteria. An effective use of vocabulary allows you to:

• Describe upward and downward trends with precision.

• Vary your language to avoid repeating the same verbs or phrases.

• Use appropriate academic tone and register.

• Accurately describe quantities, proportions, and comparisons.

• Communicate the significance or insignificance of specific data changes.

For example, using a range of verbs like “increase,” “rise,” “grow,” “surge,” or “soar” for upward trends reflects strong lexical variety. Similarly, choosing between “drop,” “decline,” “decrease,” “plummet,” or “dip” shows awareness of subtle distinctions in meaning.

Repeating the same words, such as using “increase” four or five times in one paragraph, signals limited vocabulary. Therefore, part of achieving a high band score involves demonstrating that you can vary your vocabulary and apply it correctly.

Common Challenges Students Face

Many candidates struggle with vocabulary use in Writing Task 1 due to several factors:

• Limited Range of Synonyms: Some students rely too heavily on basic terms like “increase” and “decrease” without learning more expressive alternatives.

• Inappropriate Register: Using informal words like “went up” or “got bigger” instead of “rose” or “increased.”

• Confusion Between Similar Words: Misunderstanding subtle differences between “plummet” and “dip” or “rise” and “soar” leads to inaccurate descriptions.

• Overuse of Certain Adverbs: Repeatedly using “significantly” or “dramatically” for every change, regardless of context.

• Neglecting Grammar and Collocations: Using vocabulary incorrectly in a sentence, such as “the figures were increased” or “soared gradually,” which makes the writing ungrammatical or illogical.

These issues not only affect the lexical resource score but can also impact coherence and grammatical accuracy. The solution is to systematically learn and practice vocabulary in context, ensuring that words are used in grammatically correct and semantically accurate ways.

Building a Strong Vocabulary Foundation

A good IELTS vocabulary strategy includes:

• Learning by Function: Categorize words based on function, such as verbs for rising/falling trends, adjectives to describe the degree of change, or linking words for comparisons.

• Focusing on Collocations: Understand which words commonly go together, e.g., “a sharp increase,” “reach a peak,” “fluctuate wildly.”

• Practicing in Context: Instead of memorizing words in isolation, write full sentences or paragraphs using them.

• Using Synonym Maps: Create mind maps of related vocabulary with notes on differences in usage.

• Reading Model Answers: Observe how high-scoring IELTS responses use vocabulary. Highlight and imitate these structures in your practice.

A varied and appropriate use of vocabulary can elevate an otherwise average response and demonstrate the precision and flexibility that IELTS examiners are looking for.

Sentence Structure and Tense Usage

In describing graphs and charts, simple and complex sentence structures should be used together for variety and clarity. Tense consistency is also important. For most Task 1 visuals that present past data, the past simple tense is used. If a chart includes predictions or projected data, then future forms or modals like “will” or “is expected to” may be needed.

Examples:

• In 2000, the number of students enrolled was 15,000. (Past simple)

• The figures are expected to rise to 20,000 by 2030. (Future passive)

Using the correct tense, in combination with accurate vocabulary, ensures grammatical accuracy and coherence throughout your report.

Sample Introduction and Overview with Appropriate Vocabulary

To conclude this section, here is an example of how vocabulary can be applied effectively in an introduction and overview.

Task: The chart below shows the average monthly spending in three countries on five consumer goods in 2010.

Sample Introduction:
The bar chart illustrates the average monthly expenditure on five categories of consumer goods (food, clothing, leisure, transportation, and electronics) across three different countries in the year 2010.

Sample Overview:
Overall, while all three countries allocated the highest proportion of their spending to food and transportation, the least was spent on leisure activities. Spending patterns were broadly similar, although there were notable differences in the expenditure on electronics.

This response demonstrates variety in vocabulary (“illustrates,” “expenditure,” “categories,” “allocated,” “proportion,” “broadly similar”) and provides an appropriate academic tone. There is also no repetition of key terms or reliance on basic words like “spend” or “money.”

Vocabulary for Describing Trends, Changes, and Movements in Graphs

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, candidates are frequently asked to describe dynamic visuals, such as line graphs, bar charts over time, or multi-year tables. These visuals reflect how figures rise, fall, remain constant, or change in other ways. Expressing these movements clearly and precisely is essential to scoring well, particularly in the lexical resource and grammatical accuracy bands.

This part explores the essential vocabulary needed to describe trends and movements in data, including verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, with examples of usage and common sentence structures.

Types of Trends and the Language Used

When describing dynamic visuals, the following trend types are typically seen:

• Upward trends (increases)

• Downward trends (decreases)

• Fluctuations (irregular changes)

• Stability (no change)

• Peaks and lows (extreme points)

• Recovery (return to a previous level)

Each of these requires specific vocabulary to convey meaning accurately. Using appropriate verbs and modifiers (adverbs/adjectives) allows for more nuanced descriptions.

Verbs for Upward Trends

The following verbs are commonly used to indicate an increase in quantity or value:

Neutral verbs:

• increase

• rise

• grow

• climb

Stronger or more dramatic verbs:

• surge

• jump

• rocket

• soar

• escalate

Examples in context:

• The number of tourists increased steadily between 2010 and 2015.

• Profits soared in the third quarter, reaching an all-time high of $2 million.

• Between January and March, sales climbed from 12,000 to 18,000 units.

These verbs can be used either intransitively (no object) or with a noun form:

• There was a sharp increase in sales.

• The company experienced a surge in demand.

Verbs for Downward Trends

The following verbs describe a decrease or reduction:

Neutral verbs:

• decrease

• fall

• drop

• decline

• reduce

Stronger or sudden-change verbs:

• plummet

• plunge

• slump

• tumble

• deteriorate

Examples in context:

• After peaking in 2008, property prices fell significantly.

• Oil production plummeted in the second half of the year.

• Sales declined gradually over the ten years.

Again, noun forms can be used for variation and structure:

• The chart shows a gradual decline in readership.

• There was a dramatic drop in carbon emissions.

Verbs for Fluctuation and Stability

When data moves irregularly or remains relatively unchanged, different sets of verbs are appropriate.

Fluctuation:

• fluctuate

• vary

• swing

Examples:

• Fuel prices fluctuated throughout the decade.

• The temperature varied significantly from one month to the next.

Stability or minimal change:

• remain stable

• stay constant

• level off

• stabilize

• plateau

Examples:

• Interest rates remained stable during the first three months.

• The trend plateaued after a brief rise in 2015.

• Following the decline, values stabilized at around $30 per unit.

Using these phrases helps show that you can describe trends without exaggeration, especially when the changes are minimal or inconsistent.

Nouns for Trends

These nouns are often paired with adjectives to provide variation and structure:

• an increase

• a rise

• a growth

• a surge

• an escalation

• a peak

• a drop

• a decline

• a dip

• a reduction

• a decrease

• a slump

• a fall

• a trough

• a plateau

Examples:

• There was a gradual increase in exports between 2001 and 2005.

• The company experienced a sharp fall in revenue.

• After a brief plateau, the figures began to rise again.

Using nouns instead of repeating verbs provides stylistic diversity and improves coherence.

Adverbs to Describe Degree and Speed of Change

Adverbs modify verbs and help express how fast or how much the figures changed. This adds depth to the writing and demonstrates vocabulary control.

Adverbs showing rapid change:

• dramatically

• sharply

• significantly

• substantially

• steeply

• suddenly

• rapidly

Examples:

• Sales rose sharply in the final quarter.

• The cost of goods suddenly dropped in December.

Adverbs showing gradual or minor change:

• gradually

• slowly

• marginally

• slightly

• steadily

• minimally

Examples:

• Enrolment numbers increased gradually over ten years.

• The prices dropped slightly, by about 2 percent.

Pairing adverbs with the right verbs is key. For example, “plummeted slightly” is illogical because “plummet” already implies a dramatic fall.

Adjectives to Describe Change

Adjectives are often used with nouns (e.g., “a sharp increase”) to describe the nature of the trend. Like adverbs, they help in describing degree and speed.

For large or fast change:

• sharp

• dramatic

• significant

• substantial

• steep

• rapid

• considerable

Examples:

• The chart shows a dramatic decline in energy consumption.

• There was a significant rise in house prices.

For small or slow change:

• slight

• marginal

• moderate

• gradual

• steady

• minimal

Examples:

• The data reveal a slight increase in urban migration.

• Exports rose at a steady rate during the period.

Choosing the right adjective ensures that you describe the data accurately. A small difference should not be called “dramatic,” and a large one should not be described as “slight.”

Describing Peaks, Lows, and Endpoints

These are important features of many graphs and can be described using specific vocabulary.

To indicate a maximum:

• peak

• Reach a peak

• Hit a high

• top out

Examples:

• The number of users peaked at 80,000 in July.

• Employment reached a peak in 2011.

To indicate a minimum:

• bottom out

• Reach a low

• Hit a trough

Examples:

• The birth rate hit a low of 14 per 1,000 in 2003.

• Sales bottomed out before recovering in the final quarter.

These expressions are often used in overviews or summary statements to highlight extreme points in the data.

Describing Recovery and Change in Direction

When trends reverse or improve after a fall, different vocabulary is needed.

For recovery or upward reversal:

• recover

• bounce back

• rebound

• pick up

• rally

Examples:

• After the dip in 2009, figures recovered to their original level.

• The market bounced back in the second half of the year.

For downward reversal:

• decline again

• fall back

• dip again

Examples:

• Following the recovery, the index fell back in late 2012.

• Sales dipped again after a brief rise.

Combining Verbs and Modifiers

For fluency and variety, it’s important to combine verbs and modifiers logically:

• rose gradually

• increased substantially

• fluctuated wildly

• remained relatively stable

• declined marginally

Incorrect combinations to avoid:

• soared slowly

• plummeted gradually

• decreased sharply slightly

Always match the strength of the verb with the strength of the modifier.

Sentence Structures for Describing Trends

Using varied sentence structures helps with coherence and grammatical range. Here are several examples:

Simple sentences:

• Sales rose sharply in March.

• The number of users remained constant.

Complex sentences:

• Although profits declined in the first half, they recovered by the end of the year.

• While the price of oil dropped significantly, electricity costs stayed stable.

Passive voice (for variety):

• A sharp rise was recorded in 2005.

• The figures were observed to fluctuate in the second quarter.

With prepositional phrases:

• Between 2010 and 2015, the numbers increased gradually.

• From January to April, production levels remained unchanged.

These structures enable flexibility and a more academic tone in your writing.

Vocabulary for Comparisons, Similarities, and Differences in Charts

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, especially when dealing with bar charts, tables, and pie charts, you are often required to compare two or more groups, categories, or periods. Accurately identifying and describing similarities, differences, and proportions is a key skill assessed under Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, and Lexical Resource. This section focuses on the vocabulary and structures used for making effective comparisons.

Understanding Comparative Language in IELTS

Comparative language is used to evaluate relationships between data points. Depending on the type of data provided, comparisons may relate to:

• Amounts (e.g., more, less)

• Proportions (e.g., a greater percentage)

• Frequencies (e.g., most common, least common)

• Change over time (e.g., X grew more rapidly than Y)

• Categories (e.g., women spent more than men)

To express these relationships clearly and avoid repetition, you must use a variety of comparative forms, transitional phrases, and sentence structures.

Comparative and Superlative Forms

The comparative form is used to compare two things, while the superlative form is used to indicate the extreme among three or more.

Comparative structures:

• X is higher than Y

• A grew more rapidly than B.

• X is less popular than Y.

• The figure for A is slightly larger than for B.

Superlative structures:

• X has the highest percentage

• A recorded the lowest number of participants.

• The most significant increase occurred in 2010

Examples:

• In 2012, the number of graduates in Engineering was higher than in the Arts.

• Among all categories, food accounted for the highest spending.

Note that adjectives ending in y-y change to ier for the comparative and -iest for the superlative:

• Busy → busier → busiest

• Easy → easier → easiest

For longer adjectives or adverbs (e.g., significant, carefully), use

• most significant

Useful Phrases for Making Comparisons

Here are some expressions that are commonly used to describe similarities and differences:

Similarities

• Both X and Y…

• Similarly,…

• In the same way,…

• X and Y experienced a similar trend.

• X showed a pattern that resembled Y.

• A and B were nearly identical in terms of…

Examples:

• Both the UK and Australia saw a steady increase in renewable energy usage.

• Similarly, household spending in Canada mirrored the trend in the US.

Differences

• In contrast,…

• Unlike X, Y…

• While A increased, B declined

• The figure for X was significantly higher/lower than for Y

• There was a noticeable difference between A and B

• A and B followed the opposite trend.s

Examples:

• In contrast to France, Italy experienced a sharp decline in GDP.

• While car usage rose in the city, public transportation declined.

Sentence Structures for Comparing Data

Using a range of sentence structures adds complexity and variety to your writing. Here are some common patterns:

Using “while” or “whereas”:

• While sales of tea rose, coffee sales declined.

• Tea was more popular among older people, whereas coffee attracted younger consumers.

Using “compared to” or “in comparison with”:

• Compared to 2000, the number of internet users tripled in 2020.

• In comparison with other sectors, agriculture saw the least growth.

Using “as… as…” or “not as… as…”:

• The revenue from tourism was not as high as that from manufacturing.

• The average working hours in Germany were almost as long as those in the UK.

Using “more/less/fewer + noun + than”:

• The UK produced more electricity than France.

• There were fewer cars in use in 1990 compared to 2000.

Using proportional phrases:

• A greater proportion of students preferred science to the humanities.

• A smaller percentage of males took part in the survey.

Describing Proportions and Percentages

In pie charts and some tables, you need to describe proportions. Using varied vocabulary to express percentages and fractions will show your lexical flexibility.

Exact percentages:

• 25% = one quarter

• 50% = half

• 75% = three quarters

• 10% = one in ten

Approximate expressions:

• around 30%

• just over 40%

• slightly under 60%

• nearly a third

• roughly half

• about one in five

Examples:

• Roughly a quarter of respondents selected option B.

• Just under 40% of the budget was allocated to education.

• Nearly half the participants supported the new policy.

These phrases can be used to avoid repeating the same numerical terms and to create variation in sentence structure.

Expressing Dominance and Minimal Contribution

Charts often show one category dominating others, while another shows minimal involvement. Here are ways to express this contrast:

For the largest group:

• The largest segment was…

• The majority of…

• The most significant contributor to…

• The highest proportion/number belonged to…

Examples:

• The largest segment of the pie chart represents housing at 35%.

• The majority of exports came from the manufacturing sector.

For the smallest group:

• The smallest segment

• A minority of

• The least popular category

• The lowest percentage/figure

Examples:

• The smallest segment was entertainment, accounting for only 5%.

• A minority of students chose to study abroad.

Expressing Rank or Order

You may need to describe more than two groups in order of size, value, or popularity.

Ranking phrases:

• The second highest…

• Ranked third…

• Followed by…

• In fourth place…

• Topped the chart

• Came last

Examples:

• Electronics ranked second, just below transportation.

• Entertainment came last, with only 4% of total spending.

Linking Words for Comparison and Contrast

Cohesive devices help organize comparisons smoothly. Here are some linking words and phrases for comparison and contrast:

For comparison:

• Similarly

• Likewise

• Both…and

• Just like

• Equally

For contrast:

• However

• In contrast

• On the other hand

• Whereas

• While

• Unlike

Examples:

• Just like the previous year, profits remained steady.

• On the other hand, digital sales increased by 15%.

• Whereas exports fell, imports remained stable.

Using these connectors properly improves coherence and allows for more fluid writing.

Vocabulary to Describe Relative Size or Difference

Sometimes, it’s not about exact numbers but describing relative differences. These expressions can help:

For small differences:

• Slightly higher/lower

• A small margin

• Marginally different

• A narrow gap

For large differences:

• Considerably higher/lower

• A substantial difference

• A wide disparity

• Significantly more/less

Examples:

• The figures for Germany and Spain were marginally different.

• There was a substantial difference in average salary levels between the two countries.

These terms allow you to describe relationships without always citing exact values.

Practice Sample: Comparing Data in a Paragraph

Here’s a sample paragraph comparing two groups using appropriate vocabulary and structures:

Task Prompt: The table compares the number of international tourists visiting five countries in 2010 and 2020.

Sample Paragraph:

In both 2010 and 2020, France attracted the highest number of international tourists, with figures rising from 76 million to 89 million. The USA followed closely, although its growth was slightly less pronounced. In contrast, China saw the most significant increase, nearly doubling its visitor numbers from 25 to 48 million. While Italy’s tourist numbers remained relatively stable, Spain experienced modest growth. Overall, the ranking remained unchanged, with France and the USA maintaining the top two positions, and China narrowing the gap significantly.

This paragraph demonstrates varied comparative structures, vocabulary for describing change, and effective summarizing phrases.

Applying Vocabulary in Full Responses with Grammar and Structure

Describing visual data in IELTS Writing Task 1 is not just about knowing individual vocabulary items. To write a high-scoring response, you must use the vocabulary correctly in context, organize your writing logically, and demonstrate grammatical variety and accuracy. This section shows how to combine everything learned from previous sections into full, coherent responses.

Understanding the Structure of a Strong Task 1 Response

A well-organized IELTS Task 1 response typically includes four clear parts:

1. Introduction
   Paraphrase the task statement using your own words.

2. Overview
   Summarize the most significant trends or features.

3. Body Paragraph 1
   Describe the first group of data, often the most notable figures or trends.

4. Body Paragraph 2
   Describe the remaining trends, changes, or comparisons.

Each part should be logically connected using linking phrases and accurate grammar. Let’s look at each section in detail and how to apply vocabulary effectively.

Writing the Introduction: Paraphrasing the Question

The first sentence should introduce the chart by rephrasing the given prompt. This demonstrates your vocabulary range and avoids repeating the wording of the question.

Task prompt example:
The graph below shows the percentage of households in a country that had internet access between 2000 and 2020.

Paraphrased introduction:
The line graph illustrates the proportion of homes in a specific country with internet connectivity over twenty years, from 2000 to 2020.

Useful paraphrasing strategies:

• “Shows” → “illustrates,” “displays,” “depicts,” “presents”

• “The percentage of” → “the proportion of,” “the share of”

• “Households” → “homes,” “residences”

• “Between 2000 and 2020” → “from 2000 to 2020,” “over the two decades”

Avoid adding details or analysis in the introduction. Keep it short and factual.

Writing the Overview: Highlighting Key Trends

The overview is arguably the most important paragraph in Task 1. It gives the examiner a clear understanding of your grasp of the data. This paragraph should not contain specific numbers but rather describe general trends or patterns.

What to include in the overview:

• Highest and lowest figures

• Overall trends (increase, decrease, stability)

• Points of intersection or significant change

• Dominant categories or noteworthy shifts

Example Overview:

Overall, the proportion of households with internet access rose significantly throughout the period, with the most dramatic growth occurring between 2005 and 2015. By the end of the timeframe, internet access had become nearly universal.

Useful overview expressions:

• Overall, it is clear that…

• In general, the data indicate…

• It can be seen that…

• The most noticeable trend is…

• Over the entire period,…

The overview should never include detailed comparisons or specific data points. That level of detail belongs in the body paragraphs.

Writing Body Paragraphs: Describing and Comparing Data

Once the introduction and overview are written, you must describe the data clearly and logically. Organize the body paragraphs by categories, time periods, or groupings depending on the type of visual.

Body Paragraph 1: Describing the First Group of Data

Start with the most significant trend or the group with the highest or lowest figures.

Example:

In 2000, only around 10% of households had internet access. This figure grew steadily over the next five years, doubling to 20% by 2005. A sharp rise followed, with connectivity reaching approximately 65% in 2010. This period saw the fastest growth in adoption.

This paragraph uses a variety of verbs and adverbs to describe change:

• Grew steadily

• Doubling

• A sharp rise

• Reaching

• Fastest growth

It also uses the correct past simple tense because the data are historical.

Body Paragraph: Describing the Remaining Data and Comparisons

Continue describing the rest of the data, including any shifts, trends, or comparisons with earlier years.

Example:

Between 2010 and 2020, growth continued but at a slower pace. Internet access increased gradually from 65% to 95%, approaching full coverage by the end of the period. Compared to the previous decade, this growth was more modest, though it remained consistent.

This paragraph includes:

• Temporal phrases: “Between 2010 and 2020”

• Comparative language: “more modest,” “compared to”

• Precise adverbs: “gradually,” “consistently”

The grammar remains accurate, and the vocabulary continues to vary in tone and intensity.

Common Sentence Structures in Task 1

IELTS Writing Task 1 rewards a range of sentence types. Here are the most common sentence structures used in high-scoring responses.

Simple sentences

These are clear and direct.

• The number of students increased steadily.

• Car sales fell in 2015.

Compound sentences

These show cause-and-effect or contrast relationships.

• The number of users rose, but the percentage of active users declined.

• Profits fell, yet expenses remained constant.

Complex sentences

These demonstrate higher-level grammar.

• Although revenue grew in the first half, it declined in the second half.

• While access to the internet improved, some rural areas remained unconnected.

Passive structures

Used when the actor is unknown or irrelevant.

• A significant increase was recorded in 2012.

• Internet access was provided to most households by 2020.

Using a mix of all four sentence types adds grammatical range and improves coherence.

Using Cohesive Devices for Clarity

Cohesive devices help to link ideas between and within paragraphs. They include conjunctions, adverbs, and referencing phrases.

To show time/order:

• Then

• After that

• Subsequently

• In the following year

• By 2010

To show contrast:

• However

• In contrast

• On the other hand

• While

To show similarity:

• Likewise

• Similarly

• As with

To compare:

• Compared to

• In comparison with

• More than

• Less than

To summarize:

• Overall

• In general

• To summarize

Example:

The number of mobile phone users increased sharply in the early 2000s. However, growth slowed significantly after 2010. In contrast, tablet usage remained stable throughout the period.

These words signal shifts in argument and make your writing easier to follow.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Even with good vocabulary, many candidates make recurring errors in structure or accuracy. Here are the most frequent issues and how to correct them.

Repetition

Using the same verbs and nouns throughout your answer weakens your lexical resource score.

Incorrect:

The number increased in 2000. Then it increased again in 2001. In 2002, the number increased slightly.

Improved:

The number rose in 2000, followed by another increase in 2001. In 2002, it grew slightly.

Incorrect collocations

Using words that do not naturally go together.

Incorrect:

The profits soared slowly.
Sales plummeted slightly.

Correct:

The profits soared rapidly.
Sales dropped slightly.

Tense errors

Use the appropriate tense based on the data. Most charts use the past simple tense.

Incorrect:

In 2015, the rate increased to 80%.

Correct:

In 2015, the rate increased to 80%.

Incorrect word form

Mixing up verb, noun, or adjective forms.

Incorrect:

There was a dramatic increase in sales.

Correct:

There was a dramatic increase in sales.
Sales increased dramatically.

Full Sample Task 1 Response Using Strong Vocabulary

Task Prompt: The bar chart shows the number of students choosing different subjects at a university in 2010.

Sample Answer:

The bar chart presents data on the number of students who selected various academic subjects at a university in 2010.

Overall, science-related fields attracted the highest number of students, while humanities and arts subjects were the least popular. Engineering had the largest enrollment, followed by computer science and biology.

Engineering registered approximately 200 students, making it the most selected subject. Computer science and biology followed closely, with 180 and 150 students, respectively. In contrast, fewer than 100 students enrolled in psychology, and only about 60 chose philosophy, the lowest figure among all categories.

A clear gender difference can be observed in certain subjects. While male students dominated in engineering and computer science, females were more likely to choose psychology and literature. Philosophy attracted equal numbers from both genders.

This response demonstrates strong vocabulary usage, clear comparisons, accurate grammar, and a logical paragraph structure. It effectively combines everything discussed in this guide.

Final Thoughts

To succeed in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, candidates must go beyond simply describing data—they must use vocabulary accurately, vary their language, and organize their ideas logically. A wide range of verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs allows for precise descriptions of trends, comparisons, and proportions, while grammatical accuracy ensures clarity. Structure also plays a key role: a strong response includes an introduction, a clear overview, and well-developed body paragraphs. Using appropriate tenses, cohesive devices, and comparative language helps communicate ideas effectively without repetition. Ultimately, mastering Task 1 requires both language knowledge and strategic writing. Regular practice, analysis of model answers, and applying vocabulary in context will help build the skills needed to achieve a high band score.