Writing - Lesson 1

Writing
Materials
Task 1

ielts-fighter.com
 01
Materials
Structures to describe trends
Structures to make comparisons
Table of
02
contents Strategy
General Structure
Introduction

03
Practice
Practice tasks
ielts-fighter.com
 ielts-fighter.com

MATERIALS
Lesson Preparation In-class
1. Exam information • Structures to describe trends
2. Dynamic vs Static • Structures to make comparisons
3. Language for trends vs Language for
comparison
111111a. Language for trends
111111b. Use of prepositions
111111c. Language for comparison
111111d. Chú ý về: the number/ amount/
111111proportion/ percentage/ figure
01
Materials
Structures to describe trends
Structures to make comparisons

ielts-fighter.com
 ielts-fighter.com

Lesson
Preparation
Dynamic vs Static
Exercise 1.

a. b.

dynamic chart / static chart dynamic chart / static chart

ielts-fighter.com
Language for trends
Exercise 2.
Trend Description

AB Remained unchanged

BF Fluctuated

F Reached a peak

FG Decreased sharply

GH Rose slowly

HI Increased dramatically

IJ Fell considerably

J Hit the lowest point

JK Rose slightly

KL Decreased gradually
*There are other possible descriptions ielts-fighter.com
Use of prepositions
Exercise 3.

from
The monthly expenditure on children’s sports saw a rise 1. …………….. 20 pounds to
between 2008 and 2014. In overall, all three sports showed
over 30 pounds 2. …………….
during
increases 3. ……………. the whole period.
at
Figures for participation in athletics started 4. ……………. around 1 million children 5.
in to
……………. 2008. This remained constant until 2010. However, from 2010 6. …………….
of to
2012 the proportion 7. ……………. children taking part in Athletics rose 8. ……………. 5
million before a slight fall by the end of the period.

ielts-fighter.com
Use of prepositions
Exercise 3.

of at
The number 9. ……………. children taking part in swimming began 10. ……………. a
at
little less than 2.5 million in 2008 and saw a steady increase ending 11. …………….
at
around 4 million. The figure for youngsters participating in football stood 12. …………….
in From
just over 7.5 million 13. ……………. 2008. 14. ……………. 2010 to 2014, it increased 15.
by
……………. approximately 1 million.

ielts-fighter.com
Use of prepositions

o N + OF/ TO
o V + BY/ TO/ AT
o FROM - TO

* To: to a change to an exact point

*By/Of: the amount of change between two points
*At: describe a state (not movement)
*In + Noun (NOT figure) ielts-fighter.com
Language for comparison
Exercise 4.

1. Summerville had a smaller/ largest/ higher population in 2005 than 2000.

2. Average house prices were the lowest/ highest/ tallest in 2010.
3. Average house prices were lower/ higher/ fewer in 2000 than in 2005
4. In 2000 the population was the higher/ greatest/ lowest
5. The number of houses built / sports centres/ entertainment complexes was higher in 2010 than in 2005.
6. The number of houses built in 2000 was lower/ higher/ the largest than that in 2010
7. The number of sport centres in 2005 was as many as/ higher than/ lower than that in 2010
8. The number of entertainment complexes in 2000 was as many as that in 2005
9. The population in Summerville in 2000 was lower than that in 2010
10. The number of sport centers in 2010 was higher than that in 2000

ielts-fighter.com
Lesson Preparation
Exercise 5.

1. Số lượng nhân viên nam giảm nhanh đáng kể xuống còn 100 người trong năm 2016.

The number of male employees fell dramatically to 100 in 2016.

2. Có một sự tăng mạnh thêm 200 người trong số lượng nhân viên nữ năm 2015.

There was a sharp increase of 200 in the figure for female employees in 2015.

3. Năm 2018 chứng kiến một sự tăng rõ rệt thêm 300 người trong số lượng nhân viên nữ.

2018 witnessed a considerable increase of 300 in the number of female employees.

ielts-fighter.com
Lesson Preparation
Exercise 5.

4. Trường X đã có tỷ lệ phần trăm sinh viên nữ cao nhất trong ba trường.

School X had the highest proportion of female students among the three schools.

5. Các Tiểu vương quốc Ả Rập Thống nhất đã sản xuất lượng dầu giống với nước Ả Rập Xê Út.

The UAE produced the same amount of oil as Saudi Arabia

6. Lượng rác thải sinh hoạt ở chung cư A cao hơn lượng rác thải sinh hoạt của chung cư B năm lần.

The amount of household waste in Apartment A was five times higher than that in Apartment B.

ielts-fighter.com
the number/ amount/ proportion/
percentage/ figure
Common cases:
The number of + plural noun
Ex: The number of books, the number of students.
The amount of + uncountable noun
Ex: The amount of water, the amount of money.

However, there are cases:

Ex: The average amount of bread that a Vietnamese person eats per year is 10 pounds.
Ex: The average number of bread that a Vietnamese person eats per year is 10 slices.
→ The use “the number” or “the amount” depends on the units of the noun, not the
noun itself.

ielts-fighter.com
 ielts-fighter.com

Structures to
describe
trends
the number/ amount/ proportion/
percentage/ figure
The amount of + uncountable noun

BUT amount is a countable noun

Look at the examples to determine if they are grammatically correct or not

A huge amount of money

The amount of oil produced by Company A
The amounts of oil produced by Company A, Company B, Company C

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to describe trends
Look at the sentences to find out the common structures to describe trends

1. Số lượng nhân viên nam giảm nhanh đáng kể xuống còn 100 người trong năm 2016.
The number of male employees fell dramatically to 100 in 2016.
S + V + adv + giới từ + số liệu + time
Lead-in

2. Có một sự tăng mạnh thêm 200 người trong số lượng nhân viên nữ năm 2015.
There was a sharp increase of 200 in the figure for female employees in 2015.
There be + a/an + adj + N + giới từ + số liệu + in + chủ thể + time

3. Năm 2018 chứng kiến một sự tăng rõ rệt thêm 300 người trong số lượng nhân viên nữ.
2018 witnessed a considerable increase of 300 in the number of female employees.
Year + witnessed/saw + a/an + adj + N + giới từ + số liệu + in + chủ thể

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to describe trends

1 S + .......... + .......... + giới từ + số liệu + time

Exam skill

2 There be + ..........+ .......... + .......... + giới từ + số liệu + .......... + chủ thể + time

3 Year + .......... + a/an + adj + N + giới từ + số liệu + in + ..........

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to describe trends

1 S + V + adv + giới từ + số liệu + time

Exam skill

2 There be + a/an + adj + N + giới từ + số liệu + in + chủ thể + time

3 Year + witnessed/saw + a/an + adj + N + giới từ + số liệu + in + chủ thể

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to describe trends
Activity 1. The following graph shows the number of visitors to France between
2005 and 2008. In groups, use 4 structures to describe the trend from 2007 to 2008 in
as many ways as possible.
Suggestion: Structure 1

S V adv giới từ + số liệu time

Check-up

The number increased sharply to 6 million from 2007 to

of visitors to rose dramatically by 3 million 2008
France grow considerably
between 2007
The figure and 2008
for visitors to
France

Note: 6 million 6 millions

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to describe trends
Activity 1. The following graph shows the number of visitors to France between
2005 and 2008. In groups, use 4 structures to describe the trend from 2007 to 2008 in
as many ways as possible.
Suggestion: Structure 2

There be adj noun giới từ + số in + chủ time

Check-up

a/an liệu thể

There was sharp increase to 6 million in the from
a dramatic rise number 2007 to
considera growth of 3 million of visitors 2008
ble to France
between
in the 2007 and
figure 2008
for visitor
s to
France

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to describe trends
Activity 1. The following graph shows the number of visitors to France between
2005 and 2008. In groups, use 4 structures to describe the trend from 2007 to 2008 in
as many ways as possible.
Suggestion: Structure 3

Year witnessed/ adj noun giới từ in time

Check-up

saw a/an + số liệu + chủ thể

(The year) 2008 sharp increase to 6 million in the from
witnessed/ saw dramatic rise number of 2007 to
a considerable growth of 3 million visitors to 2008
France
betwee
in the n 2007
figure and
for visitors 2008
to France

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to describe trends
Activity 1. The following graph shows the number of visitors to France between
2005 and 2008. In groups, use 4 structures to describe the trend from 2007 to 2008 in
as many ways as possible.
Suggestion: Special
In 2008, the number/figure for visitors to France reached a peak of
6 million.
Check-up

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to make
comparisons
Look at the sentences to find out the common structures to make comparisons

4. Trường X đã có tỷ lệ phần trăm sinh viên nữ cao nhất trong ba trường.

School X had the highest proportion of female students among the three schools.
Superlative comparison
Lead-in

5. Các Tiểu vương quốc Ả Rập Thống nhất đã sản xuất lượng dầu giống với nước Ả Rập Xê Út.
The UAE produced the same amount of oil as Saudi Arabia
Comparison of equality
6. Lượng rác thải sinh hoạt ở chung cư A cao hơn lượng rác thải sinh hoạt của chung cư B năm lần.
The amount of household waste in Apartment A was five times higher than that in Apartment B.
Comparative comparison

ielts-fighter.com
 ielts-fighter.com

Structures to
make
comparisons
 Structures to make
comparisons
Comparison of equality
Structure Example
(________ noun) America holds over 8,000 tons of gold, three times as much
... times + as much as ... as Switzerland.
Exam skill

(________ noun) By 2050 the world will have about 2 billion people aged over
... times + as many as ... 60, three times as many as today.

(________ , ________ ) The divorce proportion for women in the military is three times
... times + as high as .... as high as that for men.
X + V + the same + _____ + as + Y The company A produced the same amount of oil as company B.

X + _____ + the same as + Y The percentage of people who studied at university in 2017 was
almost exactly the same as in 2012.
ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to make
comparisons
Comparison of equality
Structure Example
(uncountable noun) America holds over 8,000 tons of gold, three times as much
... times + as much as ... as Switzerland.
Exam skill

(plural noun) By 2050 the world will have about 2 billion people aged over
... times + as many as ... 60, three times as many as today.

(percentage, proportion) The divorce proportion for women in the military is three times
... times + as high as .... as high as that for men.
X + V + the same + Noun + as + Y The company A produced the same amount of oil as company B.

X + be + the same as + Y The percentage of people who studied at university in 2017 was
almost exactly the same as in 2012.
ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to make
comparisons
Comparative Comparison
Structure Example
X + be + ___________+ higher/lower than + Y The average figure for company A was 10% higher
than that of company B.
Exam skill

The average figure for company A was slightly

higher than that of company B.

The average figure for company D was three times

lower than that of company B.
more + ___________ + than University X had more students than University Y.
less + ___________ + than University X produced less oil than University Y.
fewer + ___________ + than University X had fewer boys than University Y.

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to make
comparisons
Comparative Comparison
Structure Example
X + be + tỉ lệ/con số/ adv + higher/lower than + Y The average figure for company A was 10% higher
than that of company B.
Exam skill

The average figure for company A was slightly

higher than that of company B.

The average figure for company D was three times

lower than that of company B.
more + plural noun/uncountable noun+ than University X had more students than University Y.
less + uncountable noun+ than University X produced less oil than University Y.
fewer +plural noun+ than University X had fewer boys than University Y.

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to make
comparisons
Superlative Comparison
Structure Example
Short adjectives The number of female students in University X was
S + be + the + adj+ est the highest.
Exam skill

S + V + the + adj+ est + N City A had the lowest proportion of individuals

who have access to clean drinking water.

Long adjectives Beef was the most popular of the four types of
S + be + the most/least + adj meat.

S + V + the most/least + adj + N Going to the cinema was the least popular form of
entertainment in the UK.

ielts-fighter.com
 Structures to make
comparisons
Activity 2. The pie charts below show the comparison of different kinds of energy production in
France in 2005. Write complete sentences using given clues and the aforementioned structures to
make comparisons. You can make as many descriptions as possible.

Comparison of Energy Production

2005 1. 31%/ coal/ highest
Check-up

At 31%, coal production had the highest proportion.

Gas Coal
30% 31%
2. proportion/ gas production/ coal
The percentage of gas production was almost the
Petrol
20%
same as that of coal production.
Other
9%
Nuclear 3. Petro production/ nuclear production.
10%
The figure for petrol production was twice as high
as that for nuclear production.
ielts-fighter.com
02
Strategy
General Structure
Introduction

ielts-fighter.com
 ielts-fighter.com

General
Structure
 General Structure
Activity 3. Look at the essay by Simon below and identify the structure of an IELTS Task 1 essay.
The table below shows the amount of waste production (in millions of tonnes) in six different countries over a
twenty-year period.

The chart compares the amounts of waste that were produced in six countries in the years 1980, 1990 and
2000.

Overall, in each of these years, the US produced more waste than Ireland, Japan, Korea, Poland and Portugal
combined. It is also noticeable that Korea was the only country that managed to reduce its waste output by
the year 2000.

In 1970, around 5 million UK commuters travelled by car on a daily basis, while the bus and train were used by
about 4 million and 2 million people respectively. In the year 2000, the number of those driving to work rose
to 7 million and the number of commuting rail passengers reached 3
million. However, there was a small drop of approximately 0.5 million in the number of bus users.
Lead-in

By 2030, the number of people who commute by car is expected to reach almost 9 million. Similarly, the
number of train users is also predicted to rise, to nearly 5 million. By contrast, buses are predicted to become
a less popular choice, with only 3 million daily users.

ielts-fighter.com
 General Structure
The chart compares the amounts of waste that were produced in six countries in the Introduction
years 1980, 1990 and 2000. (1 sentence)

Overall, in each of these years, the US produced more waste than Ireland, Japan,
Korea, Poland and Portugal combined. It is also noticeable that Korea was the only Overview
country that managed to reduce its waste output by the year 2000. (1-2 sentences)
Lead-in

In 1970, around 5 million UK commuters travelled by car on a daily basis, while the
bus and train were used by about 4 million and 2 million people respectively. In the
year 2000, the number of those driving to work rose to 7 million and the number of Body 1
commuting rail passengers reached 3 million. However, there was a small drop of (3-4 sentences)
approximately 0.5 million in the number of bus users.

By 2030, the number of people who commute by car is expected to reach almost 9
million. Similarly, the number of train users is also predicted to rise, to nearly 5 Body 2
million. By contrast, buses are predicted to become a less popular choice, with only (3-4 sentences)
3 million daily users.

ielts-fighter.com
 General Structure
Introduction Overview Body paragraphs

1 sentence 1-2 sentences 3-4 sentences

Exam skill

Paraphrase Report data

question Overview

Describe
trends/changes
“1-2-3-4”
Make
comparisons
ielts-fighter.com
 General Structure
Activity 4. Rearrange the paragraphs to make a complete essay.
a. In 1940, around 9% of Americans were aged 65 or over, compared to about 7% of Swedish people
and 5% of Japanese people. The proportions of elderly people in the USA and Sweden rose
gradually over the next 50 years, reaching just under 15% in 1990. By contrast, the figures for Japan
remained below 5% until the early 2000s.
b. It is clear that the proportion of elderly people increases in each country between 1940 and 2040.
Check-up

Japan is expected to see the most dramatic changes in its elderly population.
c. Looking into the future, a sudden increase in the percentage of elderly people is predicted for
Japan, with a jump of over 15% in just 10 years from 2030 to 2040. By 2040, it is thought that around
27% of the Japanese population will be 65 years old or more, while the figures for Sweden and the
USA will be slightly lower, at about 25% and 23% respectively.
d. The line graph compares the percentage of people aged 65 or more in three countries over a
period of 100 years.

d Overview: ___,
Correct order: Introduction: ___, b Body 1: ___,
a Body 2: ___
c
ielts-fighter.com
 ielts-fighter.com

Introduction
 Introduction
Activity 5. Analyze the question based on What/ Where/ When, then choose the suitable introduction
and explain why you choose it.

The graph shows Internet users as percentage of population in USA, Canada and Mexico
What Where
from 1999 to 2009.
Lead-in

When

A. The line graph expresses the proportion of people using the Internet between 1999 and 2009.
B. The line graph provides information about the percentage of people using the Internet in three
countries.
C. The line graph compares the percentage of people using the Internet in three countries between
1999 and 2009.

ielts-fighter.com
 Introduction
one
In IELTS writing Task 1, the introduction should be written in ........ sentence in about 2
minutes at most. You should not copy the question for your introduction.
Exam skill

Strategy to write an introduction:

Step 1. Underline what/ when/ where in the question
Step 2. Paraphrase these parts in the question
Step 3. Double check the grammar and spelling

ielts-fighter.com
 NOTES – Paraphrasing
Following is how you can paraphrases the question

Words in the question Paraphrases

the graph below shows ...................................................................................
Exam skill

What the number of ...................................................................................

the amount of ...................................................................................

the percentage of ...................................................................................

ielts-fighter.com
 NOTES – Paraphrasing
Following is how you can paraphrases the question

Words in the question Paraphrases

the graph below shows the + (given) + (bar, line, pie, table, diagram,...) +
Exam skill

illustrates/ compares/ gives information about......

What the number of the figure for
how many S + V (active/passive)

the amount of the figure for

how much S +V (active/passive)

the percentage of the figure for

the proportion of

ielts-fighter.com
 NOTES – Paraphrasing
Following is how you can paraphrases the question

Words in the question Paraphrases

Where in America, Australia, Korea, and ..........................................................
Exam skill

Sweden

When from 2010 to 2020 ..........................................................

in 1996, 2000 and 2010 ..........................................................

until 2050 ..........................................................

ielts-fighter.com
 NOTES – Paraphrasing
Following is how you can paraphrases the question

Words in the question Paraphrases

Where in America, Australia, Korea, And in four different countries
Exam skill

Sweden

When from 2010 to 2020 between 2010 and 2020

during/over a 20-year period

in 1996, 2000 and 2010 in three different years

until 2050 up to 2050

ielts-fighter.com
 NOTES – Paraphrasing
Besides, you can look at common paraphrases

Words in the question Paraphrases

men ..........................................................
Exam skill

women ..........................................................
every day, every week, every month ..........................................................
every year ..........................................................
expenditure ..........................................................
income ..........................................................
consumption ..........................................................

ielts-fighter.com
 NOTES – Paraphrasing
Besides, you can look at common paraphrases

Words in the question Paraphrases

men males
Exam skill

women females
every day, every week, every month daily, weekly, monthly
every year yearly/ annually
expenditure expense/ spending
income earnings
consumption The use of/
The amount of something consumed

ielts-fighter.com
 Introduction
Activity 6. Write the introductions.
Check-up

a. The graph below shows the amounts of waste produced by company A, company B, and company C over
a period of 15 years.

The line graph provides information how much waste was produced by three different
on businesses
between 2000 and
2015.
ielts-fighter.com
 Introduction
Activity 6. Write the introductions.
Check-up

b. The graph below shows US consumers' average annual expenditures on cell phone and residential
between 2001 and 2010.
The line graph average yearly spending by Americans on mobile and landline phone services
illustrates
from 2001 to
ielts-fighter.com
2010.
03
Practice
Practice Task

ielts-fighter.com
 Practice
Activity 7. Write introductions for the following questions.
Practice

a. The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over between 1940 and 2040
in Japan, Sweden, and USA.

The line graph compares the percentage of people aged 65 or more in three countries over a
100-year period.
ielts-fighter.com
 Practice
Activity 7. Write introductions for the following questions.
Practice

b. The graph shows data about the annual earnings of Bernie’s Buns, Lovely Leaves, and
Robbie’s Bakery in London, 2000-2010.

The line graph illustrates the yearly income of three different bakeries in London between 2000
and 2010.
ielts-fighter.com
 Practice
Activity 7. Write introductions for the following questions.
Practice

c. The pie charts below compare water usage in San Diego, California and the rest of the world.

The pie charts give information about the water used for residential, industrial and agricultural
purposes in San Diego County, California, and the world as a whole.
ielts-fighter.com
 Practice
Activity 7. Write introductions for the following questions.
Practice

d. The tables below give information about sales of Fairtrade-labelled coffee and bananas in
1999 and 2004 in five European countries.

The tables show the amount of money spent on Fairtrade coffee and bananas in two separate
years in the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium and Sweden.
ielts-fighter.com
 Practice
Activity 8. Fill in the blanks with words and prepositions.

The graph below shows the amounts of waste produced by three companies over a period of 15 years.

The line graph provides information on how much waste was produced by
three different
businesses between 2000 and 2015.
Practice

It is clear that there were significant changes in the (1)............. of waste

produced by all three companies shown on the graph. While companies A
and B (2)............. a fall (3)............. waste production over the 15-year
period, the amount of waste produced by company C increased
(4)............. . In 2000, company A produced 12 tonnes of waste, while
companies B and C produced around 8 tonnes and 4 tonnes of waste
material respectively. Over the following 5 years, the waste output of
companies B and C rose (5)............. around 2 tonnes, but the figure for
company A (6)............. by approximately 1 tonnes.

ielts-fighter.com
 Practice
Activity 8. Fill in the blanks with words and prepositions.

The graph below shows the amounts of waste produced by three companies over a period of 15 years.

(7)............. 2005 (8)............. 2015, company A cut waste production by

roughly 3 tonnes, and company B reduced its waste by around 7 tonnes.
By contrast, company C saw an (9)............. (10)............. approximately 4
tonnes in waste production of (11)............. the same 10-year period. By
Practice

2015, company C’s waste output had risen (12)............. 10 tonnes, while
the respective amounts of waste from companies A and B had dropped
(13)............. 8 tonnes and only 3 tonnes.

ielts-fighter.com
Lesson
Summary
1. Exam information
2. Dynamic vs Static 02
3. Language for trends vs Language for
Strategy General Structure

01 comparison
a. Language for trends
Introduction

Materials b. Use of prepositions

c. Language for comparison
d. Chú ý về: the number/ amount/ proportion/
percentage/ figure
03
Practice Practice tasks
Structures to describe trends
Structures to make comparisons

ielts-fighter.com
Homework

• Lesson preparation

• Homework (Workbook)
Thanks!
Do you have any
questions?

ielts-fighter.com

IELTS Fighter – Chiến binh IELTS

IELTS Fighter – Hỗ trợ học tập