IELTS Writing Task 1

Synonyms

Let us begin with the synonyms for the word ‘synonym’. A word is a synonym of another word if is
‘equivalent’ of that word. Therefore, the word ‘equivalent’ is a synonym of ‘synonym’. Moreover, a word
is equivalent of another word if is the same. Then, ‘same’ is a synonym of ‘synonym’. However, there are
words not strictly related to the word we want a synonyms. In other words, there are words used as
synonyms of ‘synonyms’ but that are not exactly the same. However, by definition a synonym has the
same meaning of its synonyms. For instance, the word ‘similar’ could be used as a synonym of ‘synonym’
but if synonym is ‘synonym’ of ‘equivalent’, then ‘similar’ should also be a synonym of ‘equivalent’ – but
the words ‘similar’ and ‘equivalent’ do not have the same meaning.

The word ‘graph’ is used for IELTS Writing Task 1. In order to show (this is another word of which we need
synonyms) lexical resource we must use synonyms of both the words the task has and the ones we use.
The only synonym of ‘graph’ we have on http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/graph?s=t is ‘chart’, which
is related to ‘diagram’. As we could have several different visual information we must we able to recognise
what synonym best suites the meaning of the word we want to change.

We could have a diagram, a map, a chart (pie or bar), a table and a graph. We have already seen that the
word ‘graph’ could be used as a synonym for the word ‘chart’, even if they describe two different visual
information. Again, by definition a synonym has the same meaning of its synonyms – but the words ‘graph’
and ‘chart’ do not have the same meaning.

Furthermore, a synonym of ‘diagram’ is ‘description’ or ‘representation’. These two words best describe
the meaning of ‘diagram’. However, as they are not the names of specific visual information, I suggest not
to use them because the IELTS evaluators do not evaluate if a synonym is correct but merely if you have
followed specific instructions. Therefore, the only word that could best illustrate the meaning of ‘diagram’
is ‘plan’. In addition, ‘map’ is a synonym of ‘plan’ but not strictly of ‘diagram’. This happens because there
is a logical limit in the comprehension of the concepts. The word ‘diagram’ is broader than the word ‘map’
or ‘plan’. For example, ‘map’ or ‘plan’ are diagrams, but diagrams are not necessarily maps or plans. In
addition, in some case you could use the word ‘table’ as a synonym of ‘graph’ or ‘chart’.

Finally, if you find the words ‘map’ or ‘plan’ use the word ‘diagram’, and vice versa. If you find the word
‘graph’ use ‘chart’ or ‘table’, and vice versa.

Describing trends

a. Ascending b. Descending c. Steady

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Any information we describe are only and can only be one of the three written above or the sum of two
or more of them. Therefore, learning how to explain them would boost your score, either in IELTS or in
academic writing. The tense used is either past simple or present perfect. Now, let us assume that we
want to track the meat consumption from 1986 to 2018.

a. Ascending arrows.

1. The consumption of meat went up from 2 kg. in 1986 to 3 kg. in 2018. The consumption has gone up by
33%.
Or
2. The consumption of meat increased from 2. Kg. in 1986 to 3 kg. in 2018. The consumption has increased
by 33%.
Or
3. The consumption of meat rose from 2 kg. in 1986 to 3 kg. in 2018. The consumption has risen by 33%.
Or
4. The consumption of meat grew from 2kg. in 1986 to 3 kg. in 2018. The consumption has grown by 33%.
Or
5. Any other match of previous examples (1-4).

b. Descenting arrows.

1. The consumption of meat went down from 3 kg. in 1986 to 2 kg. in 2018. The consumption has gone
down by 33%.
Or
2. The consumption of meat decreased from 3 Kg. in 1986 to 2 kg. in 2018. The consumption has decreased
by 33%.
Or
3. The consumption of meat fell from 3 kg. in 1986 to 2 kg. in 2018. The consumption has fallen by 33%.
Or
4. The consumption of meat dropped from 3 kg. in 1986 to 2 kg. in 2018. The consumption has dropped
by 33%.
Or
5. Any other match of previous examples (1-4).

c. Steady arrows.

1. The consumption of meat remained 3 kg. from 1986 to 2018. The consumption stayed the same.
Or
2. The consumption of meat continued to be 3 kg. from 1986 to 2018. The consumption persisted the
same.
Or
3. The consumption of meat went on 3 kg. from 1986 to 2018. The consumption stopped at the same level.

4. Any other match of previous examples (1-3).

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 Changing of the ascending or descending

The ‘ascending’ or ‘descending’ can happen in various ways. If the consumption of meat has increased or
decreased ‘not much’, we would say ‘slightly’ or ‘marginally’. Those adverbs are to be put after the verb.
For example, ‘the consumption of meat fell slightly from 3 kg. in 1986 to 2 kg. in 2018. The consumption
has fallen by 33%’. If the consumption of meat has gone up or down ‘very much’, we would say ‘sharply’
or ‘dramatically’. If the consumption of meat has risen or fallen ‘just step by step’, we would say ‘gradually’
or ‘constantly’.

Introducing the topic

If the graph shows the consumption of meat from 1986 to 2018, we have several manners of introduction.

1. The table/graph/chart/diagram/map/plan…shows/describes/illustrates/outlines/discusses the

consumption of meat from 1986 to 2018.

Two different trends in the same graph

If the consumption of meat has been different over the period, then we have to introduce and explain the
different trends with separated introductions and paragraphs. Let us assume than from 1986 to 2000 the
consumption of meat has grown and that from 2000 to 2018 has dropped.

With the first set of data, we would say either:

1. Beginning with the…the consumption of meat from 1986 to 2000 has risen.
2. To begin with, the… the consumption of meat from 1986 to 2000 has increased.
3. Initially, it can be seen (observed/noticed) that… the consumption of meat from 1986 to 2000 has gone
up.

With the second set of data, we would say either:

1. As for the…consumption of meat from 2000 to 2018, it shows that has dropped/fallen/decreased/gone
down.
2. Turning to the consumption of meat from 2000 to 2018, it can be seen (observed/noticed) that went
down/fell/dropped.
3. By contrast, the consumption of meat from 2000 to 2018…etc.
4. Meanwhile, the consumption of meat from 2000 to 2018…etc.
5. The result for the consumption of meat from 2000 to 2018, however, reveal a markedly/slightly
different trend.

Introducing the conclusion (overall statement)

1. Overall, it is clear that the

2. Most noticeably of all, it can be seen that…
3. The key trend to point out in this diagram is that…
4. To sum up/In summary/In short/On the whole…
5. The main trend that can be observed in this data is that…

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 IELTS Writing Task 2

IETLS Writing Task 2 is more complicated that IELTS Writing Task 1. It is more difficult not only because of
the length of the essay, 280 words against 180 words of Writing Task 1, but also because the structure
changes according to the question given.

The questions could be of four types. Each kind of question has its peculiarity, its specific structure. We
could have to give an opinion (agree or disagree), discuss advantages and drawbacks of a topic, write a
solution to a problem or, finally, argue about pros and cons and give a personal opinion of a given
argument. To simplify, we could talk of two broad categories, opinion and discussion. In the former goes
agreement or disagreement and solution. In the latter goes advantages and disadvantages (plus an
opinion, when applicable).