IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Vocabulary & Examples (2025)

 

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Vocabulary: Task-Wise Words, Phrases, and Example Sentences

The IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 can seem challenging at first glance. You’re presented with a chart, graph, diagram, or process — and you need to summarize the information accurately, clearly, and formally in about 150 words.

While grammar and structure are important, what truly separates a Band 6 essay from a Band 8+ is vocabulary — the precise words and expressions you use to describe trends, comparisons, and changes.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the most effective vocabulary for every IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 type — with examples and ready-to-use sentence patterns.

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Now, let’s explore the vocabulary toolkit that can transform your Writing Task 1 from average to outstanding.

1. Vocabulary for Line Graphs (Trends and Changes)

Line graphs test your ability to describe data over time. You’ll need words that describe increase, decrease, fluctuation, and stability.

Describing Increase

Verbs: rise, grow, increase, climb, soar, surge, escalate
Nouns: a rise, an increase, growth, an upward trend

Example Sentences:

• “The number of smartphone users rose steadily between 2010 and 2015.”

• “Sales of electric cars soared dramatically in 2020.”

• “There was a significant increase in the population of urban areas.”

Describing Decrease

Verbs: fall, decline, drop, decrease, plunge, plummet, reduce
Nouns: a fall, a drop, a reduction, a downward trend

Example Sentences:

• “The unemployment rate fell sharply after 2018.”

• “There was a gradual decline in the use of landlines.”

• “Oil prices plummeted due to global economic instability.”

Describing Fluctuations and Stability

Verbs: fluctuate, remain stable, stay constant, level off, stabilize
Nouns: fluctuation, stability, plateau

Example Sentences:

• “The data fluctuated mildly between 2012 and 2016.”

• “Production levels remained stable during the first half of the decade.”

• “After 2015, the rate leveled off, showing no major change.”

Describing Speed and Degree of Change

Use adverbs to show how quickly or how much something changed:
Adverbs: slightly, gradually, steadily, sharply, rapidly, dramatically, significantly

Example Sentences:

• “The population increased gradually over the next ten years.”

• “Exports fell dramatically due to the trade ban.”

2. Vocabulary for Bar Charts

Bar charts test comparison vocabulary — you describe similarities, differences, and proportions between categories.

Comparison Vocabulary

Verbs: compare, exceed, surpass, account for, represent
Adjectives: higher, lower, equal, similar, marginal, significant

Example Sentences:

• “Male employees outnumbered female employees in all sectors.”

• “The percentage of online shoppers was higher in 2022 than in 2019.”

• “Among all countries, Japan had the lowest rate of obesity.”

Useful Linking Phrases

• “In contrast to…”

• “While X showed an increase, Y remained constant.”

• “Similarly, both A and B experienced moderate growth.”

Example Sentence:
“While the number of car owners increased in the UK, the opposite trend was observed in Germany.”

3. Vocabulary for Pie Charts (Proportions and Percentages)

Pie charts focus on proportions, percentages, and distribution.

Percentage Vocabulary

Words and Phrases:

• a minority (less than 25%)

• a majority (more than 50%)

• a small/large proportion

• one-third, two-fifths, a quarter

Example Sentences:

• “A large majority of respondents preferred online education.”

• “Only a small proportion of income was spent on entertainment.”

• “Over half of the total budget was allocated to healthcare.”

Comparison Vocabulary for Pie Charts

• “The proportion of X was twice as high as that of Y.”

• “The share of renewable energy increased slightly over the period.”

Example Sentence:
“In 2020, twice as many people used renewable sources compared to 2010.”

4. Vocabulary for Tables (Detailed Data and Comparison)

Tables often require you to compare exact figures and describe small differences.

Quantitative Vocabulary

• “exactly,” “approximately,” “just under,” “nearly,” “roughly,” “slightly more/less than”

Example Sentences:

• “The literacy rate was just under 80% in 2010.”

• “Company B produced approximately twice as many goods as Company A.”

• “The number of foreign students was slightly higher in Canada than in the UK.”

Useful Patterns

• “The figure for X was …, compared to … for Y.”

• “X accounted for a higher percentage than Y.”

Example Sentence:
“In comparison, rural areas recorded fewer hospital admissions than urban regions.”

5. Vocabulary for Process Diagrams

In process diagrams, the task is to explain how something works or is made. Use passive voice and sequence connectors.

Sequence Connectors

firstly, subsequently, afterwards, then, next, after that, finally, at the final stage

Example Sentences:

• “Firstly, raw materials are collected and stored.”

• “Next, the mixture is heated until it reaches a high temperature.”

• “Finally, the finished product is packaged and distributed.”

Passive Verbs for Processes

is produced, is processed, is manufactured, is filtered, is transported, is transformed

Example Sentences:

• “The liquid is filtered before being transferred to the next stage.”

• “Energy is generated through the combustion of fuel.”

6. Vocabulary for Maps (Changes in Places Over Time)

Map tasks test your ability to describe locations and transformations over time.

Prepositions of Place

north of, adjacent to, in the centre of, along, beside, opposite, at the corner of

Example Sentence:
“The school was built to the north of the residential area.”

Verbs for Map Changes

was constructed, was replaced, was demolished, expanded, converted, redeveloped

Example Sentences:

• “The park was replaced by a shopping mall in 2010.”

• “The residential area was expanded to include new apartments.”

• “Several new roads were constructed to improve traffic flow.”

Useful Phrases

• “Over the period, the town underwent significant development.”

• “The industrial zone was transformed into a commercial area.”

7. Linking Words and Phrases for Task 1

Cohesion is key in IELTS Writing Task 1. Use linking words to create a smooth, academic flow.

For introducing data:

• The chart illustrates…

• The table provides information about…

• The graph shows how…

For describing trends:

• It can be observed that…

• There was a noticeable increase in…

• The data reveals that…

For comparing:

• In comparison, whereas, while, on the other hand

For concluding:

• Overall, it is clear that…

• In summary, the data highlights that…

Example Sentences:

• “Overall, there was a steady increase in renewable energy usage.”

• “It can be observed that younger people spent more time online than older groups.”

Tips to Use Vocabulary Effectively

1. Avoid repetition – Don’t use “increase” 10 times. Use “rise,” “grow,” “climb,” or “soar.”

2. Use correct collocations – Say a sharp rise, not a strong rise.

3. Maintain formal tone – Avoid informal words like “a lot,” “huge,” or “big.”

4. Combine data with precision – e.g., “Sales rose by 10%” not “Sales rose to 10%.”

5. Practice with real exam tasks – Apply this vocabulary using authentic IELTS-style charts.

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Final Thoughts

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 isn’t about writing creatively — it’s about being precise, formal, and clear. The right vocabulary allows you to describe complex visuals effortlessly while sounding professional and coherent.

So, don’t just memorize words — understand their usage, practice them in sentences, and apply them in your mock tests.

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