Nguyen Thuy Minh©/ IELTS writing course

CHART/GRAPH AND TABLE DESCRIPTION

1. Referring to a diagram, chart, table, etc:

The table/ chart/ graph/ diagram shows (that) ...

The figures/ statistics describes (how)
illustrates (how)
OR
According to the table/ chart/ graph
As shown in the diagram
As can be seen from the figures
OR
It can be seen from the table/ chart/ graph
We can see from the diagram that
It is clear/ apparent from the figures

2. Presenting statistics and percentages

had the largest percentage/ number

Thailand accounted for 10 % of the students
hold

almost/ nearly a/ one quarter

approximately/ about a/ one half of the total number of the
School A has just over/ over a/ one third students
three quarters

Almost/ nearly a quarter/ half

School A Approximately three quarters as many students as school B
has About/ just over/ over three times/ as much space
twice

School A about/ approximately the number/ proportion of students as school B

has exactly/ precisely same

2. Expressing changes in data

twice
They made three times the profit percentage in May than in March
four times

doubled/ increased three-fold/ four-fold

picked up to/ by 2%
increased rapidly from March to May
The profit jumped suddenly
percentage rose significantly between March and
went up dramatically May
decreased sharply
dropped steadily
fell gradually
declined slowly
fluctuated slightly

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Nguyen Thuy Minh©/ IELTS writing course

OR
sudden increase from ... to
rapid jump between ... and
There was a (very) dramatic rise
significant decrease
sharp drop in the number
There has been a steady fall of cars since 1990
gradual reduction from 1990 onwards
marked decline over the last 30 years
slight fluctuation for the last 30 years
There has been an upward trend

peaked at 20%
reached a peak/ a high of 25%
levelled off at 4%
The annual profit bottomed out at 3%
reached the bottom/ a low of 1%
stayed the same from ... to
remained between ... and ...

3. Verb tenses and voice in chart/ graph description

 If the writing task is a process or procedure, use the present tense and the passive voice
to describe steps and stages. You can also use the gerund form of a verb and the infinitive
with “to”: it is necessary that, it is important that...
 When asked to describe information given in a chart or table that shows the present
situation, use the present simple or present continuous tense, and the passive voice
where necessary.
 When asked to describe information shown in a graph, table or chart that is either fixed in
time or that changed over time, use the past simple or past continuous tense.