WRITING TASK 1

1. Introduction: -

Look at question, title and subtitle, vertical and horizontal axes. Highlight key words Paraphrase key words Ask questions to find the answers you need What kind of diagram is it? What do the charts show? Over what time period? For how many countries? What does the vertical/ horizontal axis represent? The (diagram(s)) show(s)/ illustrate(s)/ indicate(s)/ provide(s) some information about..(what?)..(where?).. (when?).

2. Overview statement:

Write a general statement (without any data, numbers represented)

Overall,/ In general,/ Generally speaking,/ From an overall perspective,/ Taking a general overview,/ E.g: Overall, there are a number of significant differences in the percentage/ proportion/ number of Generally, there are two main trends: upward and downward.
3. Detailed description: (write specific statements)

Identify main features and make comparisons where relevant. Ask questions to find the information you need. Where did the most significant change occur over the period? Which category show the greatest decrease/ increase/ changes and by how much?

 Which stays the same? Etc. Comparing data:

When you interpret graphs, tables and charts, you will find that you have to compare and contrast some of the details. Your examiner will be checking that you can structure your answer well and connect your ideas appropriately. The following table may help you do this. To contrast While/ whilst Despite( + noun) Although Whereas However On the other hand In contrast to Conversely Even so Nevertheless Lessthan Morethan Different from Differ(ence) compared to/ with (be) dissimilar to (be)unlike To compare Likewise Similarly Asas Just as In the same way To reflect To mirror To have in common And Bothand Be similar to (be) the same as (be) the same (be) alike To compare to/ with Not onlybut also Like (+ noun) Just like (+ noun)

Other structure Com

Comparative:

More + Noun + than E.g.: More males than females chose to study English. Fewer + Noun + than E.g.: Fewer females than males chose to study English. More/less + Adj + than E.g.: The TV was more popular among males than females. The TV was less popular than any other invention. Superlative: The most/ least + adjective E.g.: The most popular/ important form of communication was the Internet.

Using as many as when numbers are very close, OR using not as manyas. E.g.: As many female as males chose the computer. Not as many females as males chose the radio.

Using passive/ active form of the verb. E.g.: More females than males selected the bicycle. = = Fewer males than females selected the bicycle. The bicycle was chosen by more females than males.

Adverbs in comparisons Almost: nearly, practically E.g.:

Nearly as many children as adults watch programmes about ancient history.

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A lot: considerably, may, substantially, significantly, far, much E.g.: Substantially less time is now spent doing housework than before. Just a few: slightly E.g.: Slightly more women than men voted for the bicycle.

Introductory Expressions It is clear from the graph/ table It can be seen from the graph/ table As the graph/ table shows, As can be seen from the graph/ table, As is shown by the graph/ table, As is illustrated by the graph/ table, From the graph/ table, it is clear that

LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE TRENDS

1. Vocabulary: 1.1. Increasing trend: 1.1.1 Verbs: Increase Rise Go up Soar Jump Rocket Shoot up Recover Reach a plateau Reach a peak

1.1.2 Nouns: Increase Rise Jump

1.1.3 Adjectives: Upward Increasing Rising Growing Soaring

1.1.4 Others: To be on an increase 1.2. Decreasing trend: 1.2.1 Verbs: Decrease Fall Decline Drop Dip Plummet Plunge Hit a trough Reach the bottom

1.2.2 Nouns: Decrease Fall Decline 1.2.3 Adjectives: Decreasing Declining 1.3. Unchanged trend: Remain stable/ unchanged/ constant Stay the same/ stay at the same level Level off 1.4. Fluctuation: Fluctuate Remain erratic Fluctuate wildly/ upwards/ downwards/ horizontally Have/ show a(n) upward/ downward fluctuation 2. Sentence structures 2.1 There + be+ (a/an) + Adjective + Noun+ in the percentage of number amount 2.2 There + be+ (a/ an) + number + Noun+ in the percentage of number amount Falling Downward Drop Plunge

2.3 The percentage/ proportion/ number/ amount of+ Adv + Verb

2,4 The percentage/ proportion/ number/ amount of+ experience / witness/ undergo + (a/an) + Adj + Noun