Why Describing Trends Matters
In Writing Task 1, describing trends accurately shows examiners your ability to interpret data clearly. It’s not just about numbers but it's also about patterns.
1. Trend Vocabulary
- Increase: rise, grow, climb, soar, surge
- Decrease: fall, drop, decline, dip, plummet
- No change: remain steady, plateau, stabilize
- Fluctuate: vary, oscillate, show ups and downs
- Peak/Lowest: reach a peak, hit a low point, bottom out
🎯 Tip: Mix these words to avoid repetition and show range in your writing.
2. Linking Trends
Connect your ideas using phrases to make your description smoother:
- “From 2000 to 2010, X increased steadily, whereas Y declined slightly.”
- “Overall, the number of students rose dramatically, while teacher numbers remained stable.”
- “In contrast to a gradual increase in X, Y fluctuated during the same period.”
Tip: Use contrast and comparison phrases to highlight trends effectively.
3. Practice Drill
Look at any graph or chart and try describing trends using:
- 2–3 verbs for increase/decrease
- 2 linking phrases to compare trends
- 1 sentence summarizing the overall pattern
Tip: Try writing 3–4 sentences first, then expand as you get comfortable.
Mini Challenge
“Which sentence best describes a steady upward trend?”
🌿 Great Job!
Congratulations, you’ve completed Lesson 2 of Summage Academy’s IELTS Writing course.
Next up:
Lesson 3: Comparing Data