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101 Helpful <strong>Hints</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>IELTS</strong><br />
Little or no change can be expressed in the following way:<br />
The number<br />
of (cars sold)<br />
There was<br />
remained<br />
stayed the same<br />
little<br />
hardly any<br />
no<br />
steady<br />
stable<br />
change<br />
from (June) to (December).<br />
between (June) and (December).<br />
in the number<br />
of (cars sold)<br />
from ... to ... .<br />
between... and<br />
Notice how the words and phrases <strong>for</strong> expressing data changing with time apply to a graph:<br />
O Look at the following graphical detail taken from Task 1 of Writing Test Four:<br />
(<strong>for</strong> Acme Sports<br />
Cars)<br />
sharp rise<br />
peak<br />
steady drop<br />
dramatic fall /<br />
sharp drop<br />
(to) bottom out<br />
trough<br />
(to) reach a plateau /<br />
(to) remain steady<br />
(to) reach the bottom<br />
gradual<br />
increase<br />
The situation at the highest and lowest points of a graph can be expressed in the following way:<br />
The monthly profit<br />
The figures<br />
The situation<br />
peaked<br />
reached<br />
bottomed out<br />
reached<br />
hit a trough<br />
apeak<br />
a high (point)<br />
rock<br />
the<br />
bottom<br />
a low (point)<br />
in (December).<br />
at (20%).<br />
USE THE CORRECT TENSE/VOICE<br />
It is important to use the correct grammatical tense or voice each time you use a verb. If the Writing<br />
Task is a process or procedure, use the present tense and the passive voice to describe the steps or<br />
stages. You can also use the gerund <strong>for</strong>m of a verb (the "-ing" <strong>for</strong>m used as a noun), and the infinitive<br />
with "to" construction after "it is necessary" and "it is important" etc.<br />
O Look at the following examples from the model answer <strong>for</strong> Task 1 of Writing Test Two:<br />
The second stage involves conducting suitable research.<br />
Notes are taken from available literature at the library, and data (are) collected from<br />
questionnaires...<br />
Writing the first draft is the third stage.<br />
First, it is necessary to organise the content of the essay, and (to) produce a brief outline.<br />
Use similar constructions with the present tense and the passive voice, the gerund <strong>for</strong>m, and the<br />
infinitive with "to", when you are describing how something works.<br />
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