Describing Trends in IELTS Writing - Review

Choose the correct description.

• Imports increased steadily until July, then declined gradually for the rest of the year. Exports fell sharply at the beginning of the year, but recovered and from June onwards were reasonably stable.

• Imports fell slightly at the beginning of the year, but then began to rise dramatically, not slowing down until the final quarter of the year. Exports were stable until July, then entered a period of fluctuation which lasted for the rest of the year.

• After a slow start, imports began to rise dramatically reaching a peak in July. From then onwards, they declined steadily. Exports fluctuated throughout the year, but the general trend was downwards.

• Exports were stable throughout the first half of the year, then declined gradually until November, when they began to recover slightly. Imports increased until late July, levelled off, then rose very slightly at the end of the year.

Choose the correct description.

• Imports rose steadily during the first half of the year, while exports declined slightly. From July onwards, both imports and exports remained reasonably steady, although exports fluctuated slightly towards the end of the year

• Imports rose sharply from January until the end of June, while exports increased only slightly. In the second half of the year, exports declined but imports continued to rise, not levelling off until the end of the year.

• After a short period of fluctuation, imports rose steadily throughout the year. Exports, on the other hand, declined dramatically, although they recovered slightly towards the end of the year.

• Both imports and exports fluctuated in the first half of the year. From July onwards, imports rose steadily while exports continued to fluctuate until October, when they suddenly began to fall.

Which verb is an example of an upward trend?

• level off

• soar

• vary

• deteriorate

Choose the correct description.

• Imports rose steadily during the first half of the year, while exports declined slightly. From July onwards, both imports and exports remained reasonably steady, although exports fluctuated slightly towards the end of the year

• Imports rose sharply from January until the end of June, while exports increased only slightly. In the second half of the year, exports declined but imports continued to rise, not levelling off until the end of the year.

• After a short period of fluctuation, imports rose steadily throughout the year. Exports, on the other hand, declined dramatically, although they recovered slightly towards the end of the year.

• Both imports and exports fluctuated in the first half of the year. From July onwards, imports rose steadily while exports continued to fluctuate until October, when they suddenly began to fall.

Choose the correct description.

• Imports rose steadily during the first half of the year, while exports declined slightly. From July onwards, both imports and exports remained reasonably steady, although exports fluctuated slightly towards the end of the year

• Imports rose sharply from January until the end of June, while exports increased only slightly. In the second half of the year, exports declined but imports continued to rise, not levelling off until the end of the year.

• After a short period of fluctuation, imports rose steadily throughout the year. Exports, on the other hand, declined dramatically, although they recovered slightly towards the end of the year.

• Both imports and exports fluctuated in the first half of the year. From July onwards, imports rose steadily while exports continued to fluctuate until October, when they suddenly began to fall.

Which verb is an example of a downward trend?

• level off

• soar

• vary

• deteriorate

Choose the correct description.

• Exports fell dramatically in the first half of the year, but recovered slightly and remained stable from late October onwards. Imports fluctuated especially in the first three months of the year, but the general trend was upwards.

• Imports increased slightly during the first six months of the year, then fluctuated before starting to fall sharply in October. Exports, however, remained reasonably stable throughout the year.

• Imports rose steadily until the end of June, then levelled off. Exports fell dramatically throughout the first half of the year. They recovered in July, but started to fall again towards the end of the year.

• Imports rose sharply, fell back slightly, then reached a new peak in July. From then onwards they declined steadily. Exports remained stable for most of the year, but declined slightly from November onwards.

Choose the correct description.

• Exports fell dramatically in the first half of the year, but recovered slightly and remained stable from late October onwards. Imports fluctuated especially in the first three months of the year, but the general trend was upwards.

• Imports increased slightly during the first six months of the year, then fluctuated before starting to fall sharply in October. Exports, however, remained reasonably stable throughout the year.

• Imports rose steadily until the end of June, then levelled off. Exports fell dramatically throughout the first half of the year. They recovered in July, but started to fall again towards the end of the year.

• Imports rose sharply, fell back slightly, then reached a new peak in July. From then onwards they declined steadily. Exports remained stable for most of the year, but declined slightly from November onwards.

Which pair is most important in IELTS Writing task 1?

• verb + adverb

• adjective + noun

• verb + time phrases

• none of the above

Answer explanation

All are equally important in IELTS Writing Task 1.

Choose the correct description.

• After a short period of fluctuation, imports rose steadily throughout the year. Exports, on the other hand, declined dramatically, although they recovered slightly towards the end of the year.

• Imports increased slightly during the first six months of the year, then fluctuated before starting to fall sharply in October. Exports, however, remained reasonably stable throughout the year.

• Exports were stable throughout the first half of the year, then declined gradually until November, when they began to recover slightly. Imports increased until late July, levelled off, then rose very slightly at the end of the year.

• Imports fell slightly at the beginning of the year, but then began to rise dramatically, not slowing down until the final quarter of the year. Exports were stable until July, then entered a period of fluctuation which lasted for the rest of the year.