Writing Task 1 - R eport

DYNAMIC CHARTS
Line Chart
IELTS Writing Task 1 requires you to write at least 150 words in response
to processes, dynamic charts, static charts or maps.
You will be presented with factual information and asked to select and
report the main features of the data in under 20 minutes.

Timing Score No. of words Question types

20 account for minimum: 1) Dynamic chart
minutes 1/3 of the 150 words 2) Static chart
total score 3) Mixed chart
4) Process
5) Map

Marking Criteria for Writing Task 1 are as follows:

● Task Achievement
● Coherence and cohesion
● Lexical Resource
● Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Match the diagrams with their names. Which describe changes to numbers over time?

1 and 4: dynamic charts

2 and 3: static charts
Understand Task Achievement

Analyse Compare
● Identify all subjects/categories ● Compare the subjects themselves in

● Select & report the main features of different periods

the subjects/categories ● Compare the subjects to one another

Structure for a full report
Paragraph 1 INTRODUCTION (1-2 sentences): explain in your own words what the graph is showing

OVERVIEW (2 sentences): in general terms, tell what 2 main/ interesting features are
Paragraph 2 1 - overall trends (increase/decrease/steadiness/fluctuation)
2 - highlights (the highest, the lowest/ significant difference from the general trend)

Paragraph 3 BODY 1 (3 - 4 sentences) - describe the data using subject/category-based approach*

Paragraph 4 BODY 2 (3 - 4 sentences) - describe the data using subject/category-based approach*

*Use the subject/category-based approach to organize the data into 2 body paragraphs.
You can arrange information from highest to lowest counts or from increasing to
decreasing trends. If there are 2 charts, dedicate each paragraph to one chart.
How to write an Introduction
➢ Step 1: Identify the elements in the questions

Key elements Elements in the question

Chart type line graph

What consumers’ average annual expenditures

on books, technology and clothes

Where in Someland

When between 2011 and 2020

Category ● books The graph shows consumers' average annual

● technology expenditures on books, technology and clothes in
● clothes Someland between 2011 and 2020.

Measurement US dollars Summarize the information by selecting and reporting

the main features and make comparisons where
Tense past tense (2011 - 2020) relevant. Write at least 150 words.
 Structures for Introduction

Graph name Verb What Where (if any) When

The line graph(s) show information/ in … from … to …

describe data about … between … and ….
illustrate in the last … years
present over the past … years
demonstrate over a period of …. years from … to …
highlight over the …-year period from … to …
over the period from … to …
How to write an Introduction
➢ Step 2: Write the introduction following the structure

Graph type Verb What Where When

Question The line shows consumers’ average annual in Someland between 2011 and
graph expenditures on books,
2020.
technology and clothes

Introduction The line describes/ the average yearly amount in Someland over the period
(paraphrase with graph illustrates/ of money spent on books,
from 2011 to 2020.
synonyms) presents/ technology and clothes
demonstrates
How to write an Overview
➢ Sentence 1: Overall trends

Overall, while the annual spending on books witnessed an

upward trend, the opposite was true for that of technology.

Upward trend If the final time point has a higher value

than the initial time point.

Downward trend If the final time point has a lower value

than the initial time point.

Steadiness If the values remain relatively constant over

time, showing little to no change, indicating
minimal variation or consistent stability. The graph shows consumers' average annual
expenditures on books, technology and clothes in
Fluctuation If the values show significant variations Someland between 2011 and 2020.
over time, with frequent and irregular ups
and downs and no clear upward or Summarize the information by selecting and reporting
downward trend. the main features and make comparisons where
relevant. Write at least 150 words.
How to write an Overview
➢ Sentence 2: Highlights

Additionally, during most of the period, the lowest

figure can be seen in clothes’ spending.

● The highest/ lowest

● The significant difference from the general trend
● The most significant increase/ decrease
The graph shows consumers' average annual
expenditures on books, technology and clothes in
Someland between 2011 and 2020.
=> OVERVIEW: Overall, while the annual spending on
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting
books witnessed an upward trend, the opposite was true the main features and make comparisons where
for that of technology. Additionally, during most of the relevant. Write at least 150 words.
period, the lowest figure can be seen in clothes’ spending.
 Structures for Overview

Sentence 1 (Overall trends):

● Overall,
● In general,
● What stands out from the chart is that …
● The most striking feature from the graph is that ….
Sentence 2 (Highlights):
● Another interesting point is that …
● In addition/ Additionally/ Furthermore, [highlight] + was seen/ recorded in + [category]
How to write the Body Paragraphs
➢ Step 1: Organize the data into 2 body paragraphs using
the subject/category-based approach.

With this approach, you focus on categories that have

increased in one body paragraph and those that have decreased
in the other, or by placing the highest-count categories in one
paragraph and the lower-categories in the other.

*If there are two charts, dedicate each paragraph to one chart.

The graph shows consumers' average annual

expenditures on books, technology and clothes in
Someland between 2011 and 2020.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting

the main features and make comparisons where
relevant. Write at least 150 words.
How to write the Body Paragraphs
➢ Step 2: Think of some of the following structures to describe the trends

Structures for 1 Subject - 2 Points in Time

1 S + V + ADV + [data] + (time)

Ex. Music streams (S) grew (V) significantly (ADV) from 5% in 2011 to 40% in 2018.

2 There + be + a/an + ADJ + N + [data] + in S + (time)

Ex. There was a significant (ADJ) growth (N) to 40% in music streams between 2011 and 2018.

3 S + witnessed/ experienced/ saw + a/an + ADJ + N + [data] + (time)

Ex. Music streams (S) witnessed a significant (ADJ) growth (N) to 40% in 2018.
How to write the Body Paragraphs
➢ Step 2: Think of some of the following structures to describe the trends

Structures for 2 Subjects - 1 Point in Time

1 There be + [data] + S1, while the figure for/ percentage of + S2 + stood at + [data]

Ex. There were 75% of students with very good qualifications (S1), while the
percentage of students with excellent qualifications (S2) stood at 22%.

2 S1 + stood at + [data], compared to + [data] + S2

Ex. The percentage of students with very good qualifications (S2) stood at 75%,
compared to only 22% of students with excellent qualifications (S2).

3 S1 + stood at + [data], multiple numbers + as much as that of S2

Ex. The percentage of students with very good qualifications (S1) stood at 75%,
about three times as much as that of students with excellent qualifications (S2).

4 S1 + stood at + [data], difference + higher than that of S2

Ex. The percentage of students with very good qualifications (S1) stood at over 75%,
53% higher than that of students with excellent qualifications (S2).
How to write the Body Paragraphs
➢ Step 2: Think of some of the following structures to describe the trends

Structures for 1 Subject - 3 Points in Time

1 Before/After + V-ing/N + (time), S + V + ADV

Ex. After reaching a peak of 1000 in 2015, the number of tourists (S) declined (V) minimally (ADV)
to 900 two years later.

2 S + V, but later/then + (it) + V

Ex. The unemployment rate (S) increased (V) gradually from 20% to 25% in the early years, but then/ later it
quickly decreased to 18%.

3 There + be + a/an + ADJ + N, followed by + a/an + ADJ + N

Ex. Ten years later, there was a moderate increase (ADJ + N) to 90 million in the number of tourists,
followed by a slight decline (ADJ + N) of approximately 3 million until 2010.
How to write the Body Paragraphs
➢ Step 3: Create an outline for the paragraphs
Việc lập dàn ý trước khi viết rất quan trọng, sẽ giúp ta tiết kiệm thời gian làm bài, đảm bảo sự thống nhất trong
cách trình bày số liệu, cũng như hạn chế rủi ro bị "quên" những thông tin quan trọng trong bài.
Ta nên dành khoảng 2-5 phút để lập một dàn ý có thể đáp ứng đầy đủ các yếu tố sau:
● Nhắc đến đầy đủ các hạng mục trong bài
● Ghi lại những từ vựng sẽ sử dụng trong bài
● Tóm tắt thông tin một cách dễ hiểu và nhanh gọn

The graph shows consumers' average annual

expenditures on books, technology and clothes in
Someland between 2011 and 2020.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting
the main features and make comparisons where
relevant. Write at least 150 words.
How to write the Body Paragraphs
➢ Step 4: Write the full report

The graph shows consumers' average annual

expenditures on books, technology and clothes in
Someland between 2011 and 2020.
Summarize the information by selecting and
reporting the main features and make comparisons
where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Vocabulary to show the changes
TREND VERB FORM NOUN FORM
rise / increase / go up / rocket / climb / upsurge /
a rise / an increase / an upward trend / a
Increase soar/ shot up/ improve/ jump/ leap/ move upward/
growth / a leap / a jump / an improvement
skyrocket/ soar/ surge

a fall / a decrease / a reduction / a

fall / decrease / decline / plummet / plunge / drop /
Decrease downward trend /a downward tendency /
reduce / deteriorate/ dip / dive / go down
a decline/ a drop/ a collapse / a downfall

remain unchanged/ the same/ constant/ steady/ stable a steadiness/ a plateau / a stability/
Steadiness
stabilize / level out / plateau a static / no change

an upward trend / an upward tendency / a

Gradual increase
ceiling trend
a downward trend / a downward tendency
Gradual decrease
/ a descending trend
fluctuations / wave/ oscillations /
Rapid changes fluctuate / wave / oscillate / vacillate / palpitate
vacillations / palpitations
Vocabulary to show the changes

GREAT CHANGE / HUGE DIFFERENCE: MEDIUM CHANGE / MODERATE DIFFERENCE:

Adjectives Adverbs Adjectives Adverbs

Overwhelming Overwhelmingly
Somewhat Somewhat
Substantial Substantially
Enormous Enormously
Moderate Moderately
Dramatical Dramatically

BIG CHANGE/ BIG DIFFERENCE: MINOR CHANGE / SMALL DIFFERENCE:

Adjectives Adverbs Adjectives Adverbs

Significant Significantly Fractional Fractionally
Considerable Considerably
Marginal Marginally
Sharp Sharply
Steep Steeply
Slight Slightly
Verbs that go with ( ADJ) + N

See Saw

Experience Experienced

Witness Witnessed

Undergo Underwent

Predict Predicted

Expect Expected

Forecast Forecasted
Important Prepositions

from … to …
• Income of Global Growth rose from $50 million to $190 million.
• Income of OptiQuest declined from $160 million to $50 milhon.
increase/
decrease by/ of
• Income of Global Growth rose by $140 million.
• Income of OptiQuest recorded a reduction of $110 million.

between … and …
• Income of OptiQuest fluctuated between $120 million and $140 million.
fluctuate
around
• Income of OptiQuest fluctuated around $140 million.
Important Prepositions

at/ of
• Income of OptiQuest bottomed at $50 million.
peak/
. Income of Global Growth peaked at $190 million.
bottom
• Income of BrightStar hit a low of $80 million.
• Income of TechV reached a high of $120 million.

at
remain unchanged/
• Income of BrightStar remained unchanged at $80 million.
stabilize
• Income of BrightStar stabilized at $80 million.
FILL IN THE GAPS WITH A SUITABLE PREPOSITION

1. The income of A rose_______$60 million_______$180 million.

2. The income of B reduced________$140 million______$40 million.

3. The income of A rose _______$120 million (from $60 million_____$180 million).

4. The income of C recorded a reduction________$200 million______$100 million.

5. The income of D remained unchanged________$80 million.

6. The income of E fluctuated________$120 million________$170 million.

7. The income of E bottomed_________$40 million.

8. The income of F peaked_________$190 million.

9. The income of F hit a low________$80 million.

10. The income of G reached a high________$120 million.

FILL IN THE GAPS TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH

The average amount of money on cell phone services

increased (1)________ $200 (2) _________ around
$500 per year (3) ________ 2001 (4) _________
2006. After that, this figure continued to increase. It rose
(5) _______ nearly $800 in 2010. In contrast, the
average expenditures on residential phone decreased
significantly (6) _________ $650 in 2001 (7)
________ only $400 in 2010.
Words/ Phrases of Approximation

» Approximately » Just over

» Nearly » Just under

» Roughly » Just around

» Almost » Just about

» About » Just below

» Around » A little more than

» More or less » A little less than

 WRITE SENTENCES DESCRIBING THE GRAPH BELOW

Example: Describe the figures for Bears from 2021 to 2022.

Method 1: The number of bears in the wild increased significantly from 140 million to 182 million between 2021 and 2022.
Method 2: There was an increase in the number of bears from 140 million to 182 million between 2021 and 2022.