Writing · Unit 3: Core strategies
W28: The language of trends and comparisons
Target band 6.5 to 7
Task 1 has its own vocabulary. If you only know "increase" and "decrease", your report will be repetitive. If you know a range of verbs, nouns, adverbs and comparison structures, you can describe any chart with variety and precision. This lesson is your Task 1 language toolkit.
Why this matters
Lexical Resource in Task 1 rewards a range of vocabulary used accurately. Using the same verb ten times keeps you at band 6. Using varied, precise trend and comparison language helps you reach 7.
1. Verbs and nouns for change
| Verb | Noun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| rise / increase / grow | a rise / an increase / growth | Sales rose. / There was a rise in sales. |
| fall / decrease / drop / decline | a fall / a decrease / a drop / a decline | Prices fell. / There was a fall in prices. |
| peak | a peak | It peaked at 80%. / It reached a peak of 80%. |
| fluctuate | a fluctuation | Numbers fluctuated between 20 and 30. |
| remain stable / level off | It remained stable at 40%. |
Using both forms gives you variety:
- Sales rose sharply.
- There was a sharp rise in sales.
2. Describing speed and size
| Adverb (with verbs) | Adjective (with nouns) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| sharply, dramatically, rapidly | sharp, dramatic, rapid | big and fast |
| significantly, considerably, substantially | significant, considerable, substantial | big |
| steadily, gradually | steady, gradual | slow and regular |
| slightly, marginally | slight, marginal | small |
3. Prepositions (very common errors)
- rose by 10% (the size of the change)
- rose to 50% (the end point)
- rose from 40% to 50%
- a rise of 10%
- in 2010, between 2010 and 2020, over the period, by 2025 (meaning "no later than")
Wrong: "increased with 10%", "rose till 50%". Right: "increased by 10%", "rose to 50%".
4. Comparisons
- X was higher than Y.
- X was twice as high as Y. / X was three times higher than Y.
- X was slightly / considerably / far higher than Y.
- X was the highest. / Y was the second lowest.
- X and Y were similar, at around 30%.
- X, while Y... (contrast in one sentence)
5. Approximations
- roughly, approximately, about, around
- just over, just under, nearly, almost
- well over, well below
6. Common Task 1 word mistakes
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| the percent of students | the percentage of students |
| 20 percents | 20 percent / 20% |
| the number of water | the amount of water (uncountable) |
| the amount of people | the number of people (countable) |
| it was increased (for numbers rising) | it increased |
That last one is common: The number increased, not The number was increased. Use the passive only when someone does the action, like in process diagrams.
Try it yourself
Rewrite each sentence in a different way.
- Unemployment fell slightly in 2015.
- There was a dramatic increase in car sales.
- Coffee sales were 300. Tea sales were 150.
Sample answers:
- There was a slight fall in unemployment in 2015.
- Car sales increased dramatically.
- Coffee sales were twice as high as tea sales.
Honest note
Variety is good, but accuracy matters more. Don't use "plummeted" for a 2% drop. Choose the word that matches the size of the change.
Your task today
Write ten sentences about one Task 1 chart, using ten different structures from this lesson.