Line Graphs: Useful Language (British Council Academic IELTS: Writing): Study Material

Line graphs: describing change

• When describing change in a line graph, try to use a range of verbs and nouns to show how figures go up, down or stay stable. Here are some you can use:

• To increase/decrease (from … to …)

  • Example: The number of visitors increased from 5,000 to 8,000.

• To rise/fall

  • Example: Profits rose gradually between 2010 and 2013.

• An increase in/a decrease in

  • Example: There was an increase in the number of tourists.

• A rise in/a fall in

  • Example: The graph shows a dramatic fall in house prices.

• To double/triple

  • Example: The figure for phone use doubled over the period.

• To drop

  • Example: The number of users dropped after 2018.

• To remain stable

  • Example: The rate remained stable from 2012 to 2014.

• To stand at

  • Example: In 2015, the figure for France stood at 20%.

• To see/experience

  • Example: The UK saw a significant rise in exports.

• To increase/decrease by

  •  Example: The price increased by $300.

Line graphs: using adverbs & adjectives

Adverbs and adjectives help you show the speed or degree of change. Try to use a variety of them. Remember that adverbs usually go after a verb, while adjectives come before a noun.

• Gradually

  • Example: The unemployment rate fell gradually in the final year.

• Dramatically

  • Example: The number of cars rose dramatically after 2010.

• Considerably / significantly

  • Example: The demand for smartphones increased significantly.

• Gradual

  • Example: The graph shows a gradual fall in spending.

• Dramatic

  • Example: There was a dramatic drop in the figure for water consumption.

• Considerable/significant

  • Example: Asia experienced a significant growth in the figure for coal.

• Approximately

  • Example: In 2018, the figure was approximately 30%.

• Slightly/sharply

  • Example: Sales fell slightly at first, then rose sharply.

Line graphs: making comparisons

It is not enough to describe single lines. You need to make clear comparisons between them. Here are some words and expressions to do that.

• While/whereas

  • Example: The number of men increased from 20% to 35%, while the figure for women fell from 30% to 25%.

• More than/ less than

  • Example: In 2012, Brazil produced 90 units, more than India, which produced 70.

• However

  • Example: Car sales rose from 50 to 80 units. However, in the same period, bike sales fell from 60 to 40 units.

• By contrast/In contrast

  • Example: Spain saw an increase from 10% to 25%. By contrast, Italy experienced a fall from 20% to 15%.

• Both

  • Example: The figures for tea and coffee both increased, from 40 to 55 and from 30 to 45 respectively.

• Compared to 

  • Example: Compared with France, Germany's exports rose by 35%

• Respectively

  • Example: In 2014, the figures for Italy and Spain were 20% and 25% respectively.

• The most/the least

  • Example: Canada had the highest number of visitors, with 120,000, whereas Australia had the lowest, with 45,000.

• Far more/far higher

  • Example: In 2010, spending in the US was far higher at $500 million, compared with $180 million in Mexico.

• All/each/every

  • Example: All countries saw an increase. The figure for Germany rose from 40% to 55%, while the figures for France and Italy increased from 35% to 50% and from 25% to 30% respectively.

• Similarly

  • Example: The rate fell in France from 25% to 15%. Similarly, it declined in Germany from 30% to 20%.

• Similar figures/proportions

  • Example: The two countries had similar figures at the end of the period, at 48% and 50%.