Essential vocabulary to describe an IELTS writing task 1 line graph. To get a good band score you must show the examiner a range of different words to show upward and downward trends as well as key features. IELTS line graphs show change over a period of time and you must vary your language and vocabulary when you write your report.
Important: This page is about line graphs. But it is possible to use some of this language with bar charts that show change over time as well as tables or pie charts that show change over time.
This page contains:
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- VERBS & NOUNS WITH PRACTICE LESSON
- ADVERBS & ADJECTIVES with PRACTICE LESSONS
- TIME PHRASES
- LINK TO MODEL LINE GRAPH
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1. IELTS Line Graph Verbs & Nouns
Below are lists of verbs and nouns that can be used to describe a line graph in IELTS writing task 1. You should alter your sentences to use the noun form of the word and the verb form of the word.
Upward Trend Words
- to rise / a rise
- to increase / an increase
- to climb / a climb
- to grow / a growth
- to go up
Past Tense Verbs:
- to rise / rose
- to increase / increased
- to climb / climbed
- to grow / grew
- to go up / went up
Downward Trend Words
- to decrease / a decrease
- to drop / a drop
- to fall / a fall
- to decline / a decline
- to go down
Past Tense Verbs:
- to decrease / decreased
- to drop / dropped
- to fall / fell
- to decline / declined
- to go down / went down
- Question: Can you use the verb “increase” and the noun “an increase” in the same writing or is it considered repetition of words?
- Answer: You can definitely use the verb and noun form of the same word. This shows great flexibility that you can change word form. Your task is to show the examiner this flexibility. You will use these verbs and nouns in all line graphs because all line graphs show upward and downward trends.
Other Vocabulary
- to fluctuate / a fluctuation
- to dip / a dip
- to remain steady
- to remain stable
- to remain unchanged
- to level off
- to rocket / to soar
Peaks & Lows
- to peak at
- (reach) a peak of
- hit a high of
- hit a low of
- bottom out
- plateau
Tips: You will use the above words according to what is shown in the line graph you are given. Fluctuations are when a line goes up and down repeatedly. A dip is when the line goes down but then returns to its previous point. Nearly all line graphs will have a peak, which means the highest point. Each line only has one peak, which is good to highlight in your report. To rocket and soar are both verbs that describe extremely dramatic increases. Never use these two verbs unless the increase truly is dramatic.
Mistakes when using words will affect your band score. This includes spelling.
- Band 6 = some vocabulary errors.
- Band 7 = few vocabulary errors.
2. Practice with Nouns and Verbs
Fill in the gaps using the vocabulary above. Look at the graph below and then fill in the gaps in the sentences 1-5 below.
- IELTS Line graphs never have one line, except occasionally in a multiple task. So, this isn’t a line graph to practice with for a full model answer. For sample charts, click here: Sample Practice Charts
QUESTIONS: 1-5
Fill in the gaps with the correct nouns and verbs. You should use no more than two words for each gap.
The number of reported cases of influenza began at 40 in 1985 after which the figure (1). …………………… steadily to reach about 55 in 1987. In 1988, there was a (2) …………. in the number to below 50 before (3) ……………. to reach a (4) ………… (5) ……….. approximately 75 in 1991. After that date, the figure dropped to about 55 in the final year.
ANSWERS
Click below to reveal the answers:
Answers- rose / increased / climbed / grew / went up
- a fall / a decline / a drop / a dip / a decrease
- climbing / increasing / rising / going up / growing
- peak
- of
NOTICE: to peak at / a peak of (the preposition changes when you use the verb or noun)
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3. Line Graph Adverbs & Adjectives
Below are useful adverbs and adjectives to describe change.
Adverbs for Line Graphs
- steadily / gradually / eventually
- slightly / marginally
- rapidly / dramatically
- significantly / considerably
- relatively
Adjectives for Line Graphs
- steady / gradual
- slight / marginal
- rapid / steep / dramatic
- considerable / significant
Adjective Definition Exercise:
What is the real meaning of these adjectives and adverbs? Below you will find a table with adjectives and meanings. Match the adjectives with the correct meaning.
| 1) rapid / steep / dramatic | A) the change took a long time |
| 2) marginal / minimal | B) a change that went from very low to very high |
| 3) steady / gradual | C) a change that went from about 50 to 100 out of 1,000 |
| 4) considerable / significant | D) a big change that happened over a very short period of time |
ANSWERS
Click below to reveal answers:
Answers- D
- C
- A
- B
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4. Time Expressions for Periods of Change
IELTS line graphs show change over a period of time. Below are some expressions to help you describe the passing of time without too much repetition.
Time phrases:
steady / gradual = these words do not show how much change, but rather that it took a long time for the change
- over the next three days
- three days later
- after three days
- over the following three days
- the next three days show
- from…to… / between … and…
- the last year / the final year
- the first year / initially
- over the period / given period / period given
- at the beginning of the period
- at the end of the period
- over a ten-year period
- you must have an article (a/the)
- the word year has no s
- ten-year has a hyphen
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU:
Multiple Task: Line Graph & Bar Chart Model
ALL MODEL ANSWERS & TIPS FOR WRITING TASK 1
I hope you found this page useful. All the best, Liz
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Hi Liz,
Can “to leap” or “to jump” be used to indicate an upward trend? Are they informal for academic writing?
They are not suitable to use. You already have enough vocabulary to indicate increases as you can see on the page above. You have both a range of nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Use those that are suitable and it is enough for band 9.
Thank you! You’re truly my online tutor.
Hi Liz,
Greetings to you : )
Does this sound ok?
‘The line graph gives information about the reported influenza cases in people above 65 years old in a particular village in the United Kingdom over a 10 years period (from 1985 to 1995).’
Spot on!
Thank you Liz : )!
This line graph shows in some village of UK, the incidence of influenza virus in people elder than age of 65 year from 1985 to 1995.
initially in 1984 the 1St case of influenza seen in age of 40,and cause went up till 1987 in age above 40 year, however a fluctuation in cases occur from 1986 to 1989.Moreover the the reported cases of influenza climbed up in 1990 in age group of 50-70 year and it hit a high of in 1995 in age slightly above 70 year.
from then a dip of cases sewn in age of 60 in 1992 and attain a plataeu from 1992-1993.
after that a variability in cases observed in later years.
Dear life please go through from my report, I will be very thankful to you for this act of kindness
Although I don’t offer a feedback or marking service, I will just point out that this graph doesn’t show ages. It shows how many people got flu each year. Also, this is a single line graph and I’ve put a note under the graph to say that you won’t get one line on it’s own as a complete task in writing task 1. See other model line graphs on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/
Thank-you liz
thanku so much mam for giving wonderful information
Hi, Liz. I would like to kindly ask for your permission to use some of your materials in my lessons. I find your materials really easy to understand and I believe by adding them to my lessons will help my student a lot. Thank you.
Unfortunately, all my materials on this website are copyrighted and cannot be used or distributed in public or to other people. All my materials are to be used directly on my website. My recommendation is to use the IELTS Cambridge test books as sources for your lessons and direct your students to my website as homework so that they can come and learn directly on my website as a way to consolidate what you have taught. I really hope that one day I’ll have materials that teachers can download for use in the classroom. As soon as my health recovers and I’ve caught up with my massive work load, I’ll turn my eye to doing that.
Hi liz
I am trying to work on paraprasing my introduction , for the example given : The line graph illustrates the accumulated cases of influenza diagnosed in the elderly in a village in UK between 1985 to 1995 .
I thinks the repetitive use of *in * is bad?
Very good. Repetition of words is about vocabulary. In this case, the word “in” is a preposition which forms part of essential grammar in the English language and is 100% crucial for the sentence to be grammatically correct. So, it is 100% fine and perfectly good. Even a band score 9 will need to use this preposition in this way. When you look at repeated vocabulary, it is about repeating words like “celebrity” which could easily be altered to “famous person” or “people in the limelight” or “people often in the media” or “stars”. Some words, often nouns or verbs, can easily be paraphrased, other nouns and verbs are not often paraphrased. But prepositions form part of grammar, not vocabulary.
If you ever find a sentence that does feel a bit uncomfortable, it is possible to alter the grammar structure of the sentence to avoid problems with the structure and wording. However, in this case, it is actually acceptable.
Noted Liz, thank you.
thank you so much, Liz! I think they removed the words to grow and to go up in acad writing usage and to go down and something. Right?
On that is not true at all. It is 100% acceptable and in fact very appropriate to use the words – grow, go up, go down and fall in relation to numbers.
hi liz greeting from Egypt , does this work
The graph illustrates the number of the reported influenza cases for people over 65 from period 1985 to 1995 in a certain village of the UK.
Greetings 🙂 All good, except check your prepositions – “in the UK”.
Hi Liz, is this ok for an introduction?
The graph gives information about a group of people, more than 65 years of age who had flu in a particular village in the UK over the course of 10 years (1985-1995).
Well done, but these are reported cases rather than just a group of people. So, you can either use the same words “reported cases” or write “cases that were reported”.
Hi Liz, can I say add adver/adjective in (fluctuate) term, like it fluctuated continously or it experienced a steady fluctuation for the remainder of the period?
Thank uuu Lizz..
Yes, it is possible to use an adjective before the word “fluctuation” or an adverb with the verb “fluctuate”. However, you need to be careful which ones you use. To say it “fluctuated continuously” isn’t very meaningful when fluctuations are movements that are continuous anyway. But you can highlight if the fluctuation is minimal or significant – highlighting the degree of fluctuation.
Peace be upon you
Felt like an avatar came down for us.
Take love
Is this a good introduction?
The graph underneath illustrates the number of elderly, influenced by influenza in a specific village in the UK between 1985 and 1965
“underneath” = you will be writing on paper or on a blank screen. There will be nothing underneath your writing.
I am very poor student. I don’t have enough money to enroll. help me
This website contains a lot of pages of model answers, tips, topics, practice lessons etc – all free. Go to the HOME page to learn how to use it.
The line graph describes data about those aged 65 and above who had flu over a 10-year period between 1985 and 1995 in a British village.
Overall, it can be clearly seen that the quantity of cases had grown from 1985 to the final year with the highest number of sick people reported in 1991.
During the first 5-year period, the number of cases climbed by around 80%: from 40 in 1985 to 70 in 1990. Over the first 2 years, the figure was constantly growing to its first peak at nearly 55 in 1987, which was followed by a gradual drop by approximately 10 cases one year later. Further marginal growth to roughly 48 by 1988 ended up with a dramatic jump to 70 cases in 1990.
For the following 5-year period, the figure experienced some fluctuation. Between 1990 and 1991, the trajectory was inclining to its highest point at nearly 75 cases, which was almost 2 times more than in 1985. Followed by a decline to about 61 cases in 1992, there was a last peak at about 64 reported cases in 1994. By the final year, 60 people had influenza, which was by 40 cases more than 10 years before.
Good one!
I’m very glad to read your lessons
Thanks alot for this
God bless you 😇🙏🏻
You’re welcome 🙂
mam why you don’t post videos on YouTube now ?😞
Due to a serious long-term health problem.
Get well soon. All the prayers for you.
May you recover soon, your blog really helps me a lot.
I’m really sorry to hear about this. You’re in my thoughts and prayers
Hy liz! can we write our test with lead pencil so if we make any mistake we erase it or we need to use pens or ballpoints?
And secondly in writing can we write task 2 first and then task 1. or we need to go in sequence means first write task 1 and then task 2?
See this page for your answers: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-help-faq/. Always take time to read all pages on this website to learn about IELTS.
you are Great mam
Could you explain straightly the meanings of “dip “&”hit a high of “&”hit a low of”? I search these phrases on the Internet, but I cannot find their exact meanings. Hope to receive your response soon:)
“To hit a high of x” means to reach a peak and this is the highest point on the graph. “To hit a low of x” is the opposite. It means to reach the lowest point on the graph. “To dip” means the number drops and then returns back to its original number (or close to) – this is similar to a dip in the road when you are driving.
Wonderful insight. I am new here n it’s been so helpful. Keep the good work. Thank you.
I’m glad it’s useful.
hello Liz. my name is Oysha. I’m uzbek 🇺🇿 Thank you very much for your useful information about line graph. I have a question for you. Is it possible to increase from 3.5 degrees to 7.5 degrees in 2 months?
Are you cold? Try putting on a sweater. Just kidding. You mean to increase from 3.5 band score to 7.5 band score. It would depend on the reason you only got 3.5 in your test. If the reason is that you didn’t understand the test, ran out of time, got confused by the types of questions and didn’t prepare the topics, then it’s possible to quick address all those issues and increase your score. But if the reason you got band 3.5 is because your English language is very limited, you make frequent errors, you can’t understand words etc, then it would take a lot of time to improve your English to a level which is similar to 7.5.
The line chart illustrates the number of cases of influenza among people above 65 years in the countryside in the United Kingdom between 1985 to 1995. Units measured in years and number of people.
Looking from the overall perspective, during the decade, the graph fluctuated. In the beginning year, it had the least amount of cases and after 6 years it was at its peak.
In 1985, 40 people were infected and then it gradually increased till 1987 with nearly 55 persons. For the next 2 years, 5 cases were decreased compared to 1987. For the next couple of years, it was rapidly raised to one-quarter of humans and it was the highest number of cases registered in a decade.
From 1991 to 1993, cases dropped by approximately 15. For the last 2 years, there were ups and downs with 10 cases in 1994 and 1995 respectively and ending with 60 cases in the year 1995.
How is your health now?
Come back soon 🙂
Thanks. I’m just in the middle of moving house which shatters my health. Hopefully once I move and rest, I can start gaining strength again.
I love you Liz, keep being strong.
Thank you. I appreciate your comment
Liz are you live?
Why don’t you make new YouTube videos?
Of course I’m alive. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/determination-my-story/
Hi, Liz
Please help me for below my task,
The graph illustrates the number of people over 65 who were infected by influenza, in a particular village. Th data described the survey period start from 1985 to till the end of 1995.
Overall, the graph shows how, within a decade many people are suffered by flue in every years.
In the beginning of the year 1985, total 40 people have infected by the flu. The disease was steeply increased to 55 in 1987. In 1988 the virous spread rate slightly dope to 48 but not last long till 1989, the flu hit to 50 people. Since than, the virous spread rate sharply increase to 70. The report from the graph, in the 1991, 75 people have been infected by influenza which is the highest cause rate in this decade.(1985 to 1995)
The effected rate was gradually drop to 62 in 1992. The following year of 1993 to end of 1995, the number of people are slightly up and down. The flu rate was end up as over 65 people are suffered in this ten years.
The graph demonstrates the reported number of people over the age of 65 who were infected by influenza in a particular village in the period from 1985 to 1995. In particular, the graph shows how many people are affected by the flu every year.
Firstly, in the year 1985, about 40 people over the age of 65 were attacked by the virus. The number went up gradually to around 45 in 1986 and reached a peak at 55 in 1987. Then, a significant decrease in the number of cases was observed in the consecutive year. Again, there was a slight increment in cases identified between 1988 and 1989. From 1989 onwards, there was a drastic improvement in cases touching 70 in 1990 and reaching around 75 in 1991. From then onwards, the number of people suffering from the flu decreased gradually in between the years 1991 and 1992 and then a slight drop off till 1993.
60 people were infected in the years 1993 and 1995 and around 65 in the middle year. Although 40 is not a small number, it was the least number which was recorded in the 10 years and it was in 1985. In 1991, the highest number of cases was reported as 75.
Thanks a lot Liz. Biggest support and inspiration 🙂
Each word i read i ask God to bless you. You are doing an incredible job by helping poor students gain knowledge for free .
Such a lovely comment. I’m so glad you like my lessons 🙂
Hi I got useful insights
Thank you 😊 💓
hi do you have a telegraph channels
No, I don’t. I have this website, my Youtube channel, my online store and one Facebook page only. Anything else you see online is fake. I’m glad you contacted me to confirm this.
Great thanks mam 💖
Hi dear Liz.
No word to appreciate your free help. Your expressions are wonderful and informative.
You are amazing Liz.
Thanks alot
Shima
You’re welcome 🙂
you are a wonderful lady ….. thanks to you for providing best material
Thanks mam ,ur teaching method is great
Hi Liz,
Can I write “in the penultimate year”? I mean is it only used in graduation years or can I use it in a graph too?
It’s fine to use.
Thnk uh very much mam
Thank you for all of your lessons they are staggering! Just I can say wonderful! I found it very interesting.
You’re welcome 🙂
You are the best of the best
I really want to appreciate your method of teachings. They have been very insightful and easy to understand. Keep up your good job madam! . I have now developed confidence for the exam. May God bless you richly.
Glad the lessons are helping you 🙂
I think I’m determined not to leave a work unread in your fascinating website for it seems you have prepared everything appropriately for your guests. I wonder if you could provide actual written answers for writing task 1 and 2 so that we can estimate our writings.
Thanks
You can find everything on the main pages of this website. The model answers for task 1 are in the writing task 1 section of this site. You can find each section accessed either through the RED MENU BAR at the top of the site or on the HOME PAGE 🙂
thank you very much. your lessons are enriching my knowledge. they are incomparable.
This website is a blessing especially in times like these. Thank you so much for providing such amazing information and that too for free. You are such an amazing teacher. God bless you. 🙂
I’m glad you are finding my site useful. Good luck with your test 🙂
Exactly!
Dear Liz,
Thank you so much for your excellent support for my IELTS preparation. From the couple of days, I am following your tips and lectures which are available here.
I am so much pleased as I have found my confidence to sit for the exam recently.
Wish you all the best.
Thank you again.
I’m glad you’ve found my site useful 🙂
I see lot of foreinger use icon ” 🙂 ” when replied someone’s comment. Idk, if it’s normal to your country when responed like that. But in VietNam, that icon deemed not serious about the reply. Btw, I love your video. It’s free but more qualified than several courses in my country.
Again thank youuu <3
To give someone a smile is normal online 🙂
Hi mam..!
I’m new here and my elder brother given your link.Because Once he followed..!
And now i following you..!
thanks for everything..!
and you pray for me so that i can improve myself.. “
Good luck!! 🙂
Dear madam! You are doing great job.thank you very much for that
In the answer sheet task 1,,,there is a word rose,i think it should be rise
Good bless you
I don’t understand. There is no answer sheet on the page above. I don’t know which word you are referring to. Can you explain more?
I guess what Prabash said was the word “rose”. he thought it should be “rise”, however in my opinion, he is wrong, “rose” is the correct one.
Is he referring to question 1? It is passed tense: rose / increased etc. You can’t use a present tense when past tense is required. You are correct, Peter 🙂
You are so kindhearted Liz ma’am 😊 and thanks for this
In writing task 1,you should maintain the use of one tense throughout.For example,if your explanation is in ‘past tense’ you should only use past tense throughout.
Thatswhy,Madam Liz used ‘rose’ instead of ‘rise’ in her graph explanation.
Sorry I didn’t see your comment before. Exactly correct 🙂
Thanks Liz.
Hi Liz,
I was wondering whether all line graphs have trend or not
thanks
Yes, they all have trends. They show change over a period of time and that is the trend you are reporting as well as any other significant key feature.
That is great
This helps a lot.
Thanks. It is helpful for me.
Yes definitely
Thank u Mam God bless u
Thank you Liz, I have my IELTS on the 30th of August and your website is very helpful and useful.
Mimi
Good luck 🙂
Interesting website, lots of helpful materials in an organized manner, and the videos are very clear and informative.
Thanks a lot!
Thank you Liz.your help and useful advises .
Hi Liz,
Your teaching lesson skills and tips are outstanding that’s helping me for IELTS preparation well.
Thank you and appreciate for your kind support.
Regards,
Raju
dear liz
tremandous job you are doing, carving us towards acheiving higher band scores mile stone.
i appreciate for your great work
Hi dear Master. Well done. I really appreciate it. Many thxs
Nice and greate work ….ieltsliz.com
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From ludhiana-machhiwara 😊
Actually you have a great experience mam i also agree with jass ..so really thanks a lot.
thanks roop 🙂
Dear ,you are doing a good job….👍👍
It is very helpful to me.
It’s really very fruitfull for me
Thanks mam your website very propitious for us
Thank u mam you helped me a lot.
Hii Liz I’ve just started IELTS . Thank you for all information given! I think there is a wrong word in the other vocabulary that is a drip. It should be a dip. Have a nice day 🙂
Well spotted! Good proof reading skills 🙂
Hey Liz i just want to ask you if i scored 5 on my ielts are there any college that would accept me?
You would have to ask each individual college if they would accept you.
Thank you very much ma,Nigerian nurses are also proud of you.
Thanks 🙂
Hi liz if by chance you read this please do write a comment, I am still not confident in doing task 1. Anyway, I see this as a great help to me , thank you.
Here is my sample report for the line graph above , please correct me especially on my grammar since I am mostly doing a self review and I am thankful I found this because you freely give suggestions.
The line graph gives information about the number of people above 65 with reported cases of influenza in some village of UK starting 1985 up to 1995. The data is measured according to the number of people affected by the flu in the given time frame.
Overall, there is a fluctuation in the statistics throughout the period. Observably, its lowest cases is in the beginning while the highest occurs in the middle years (1991 to 1992) of the decade.
For over 3 years , starting from 1985 until 1987 there is a gradual increase of influenza cases, specifically from 40 going up to 50 respectively. In the following years on the other hand, it starts to fluctuate , it moves downward from the stated latter period above , afterwards the number of people with reported cases continuously rise reaching its peak data of more than 70 in 1991.
Meanwhile , in the next 4 years including the end of the period the number of people with influenza steadily decrease . Consequently, from above 70 it then decline to exactly 60 (1991 to 1995).
This is well written! But do check the last line where, I think you have got a grammatical mistake. Instead of using ‘declined’, you used the word ‘decline’.
Really appreciate your help ,May God bless you with good health and blessings.Thanks for being so generous.
thanks for your lesson, my teacher. it is very useful
Excellent tech mam
Thanks mam 😊 😊 😊 😊
I wish I could talk with Liz.🙄
Rubie expressed what i am feeling just right now. Dear Liz, you are so generous and I would like you to understand how much do I appreciate your free help.
Right words – God bless you:)
hugs and kisses,
Marija
Thanks 🙂
Yes, off course.. Their is no doubt 😊
You are very generous to share these ideas, tips, examples and teach those struggling examiners for their IELTS test. I am one of those people who’s very thankful when I found your website. It was very helpful for me.
Godbless your good heart Ms. Liz!
love lots,
Rubie
Thanks liz that was very informative
as regard of my experience ietlsliz website has such a good materials for preparing ielts exam .
Hi Liz.
I’ve started studying for IELTS for two months. My teacher taught me the way to practice for writing that I want to ask your opinion about that. She told us that, for beginners of course, we should spend for example one or two days on one sample of writing, study about topic and learn new words or collocations then try to write a good essay. What do you think? Is it a good way?
Why don’t you try it and see if it works. There is no one way to prepare for IELTS or to learn English. You need to decide which way works most effectively for yourself.
It worked for me!
Thank you a lot teacher for such fruitful initiative.
Thank you so much for your helpful material and tips.
Very good speak 👍
Thank you miss, this is really help me to study about english and ielts.. good job miss, hope you keep health
Thank you so much
Good job.
Thank you so much for such a useful materials. No words to appreciate your hardworking.
Thanks so much ma’am, your lesson has always being wonderful.
This is good
Thank you very much Liz for a nice organised writing about task1 .
Thank you so much, I think it would help me to get good score next time. Thank you Mam.
Thank you so much, I think it would help me to get good score next time, thank you Mam
Thanks Liz that was very informative
thankyou teacher , that was really helpful , so if just used these phrases in my exam i will det a high score or at least 5.5 ?
Vocabulary counts for 25% of your marks.
ThankQ so much for your wonderful work you have given us.
Wow awesome tips. Many thanks for your boundless generosity and kindness.