IELTS line graph vocabulary is the key to scoring Band 7+ in Writing Task 1. If you’ve ever looked at a line graph and wondered how to describe it academically and precisely, you’re not alone.
Using the right verbs, adverbs, and connectors will help you describe line graphs effectively, avoid repetition, and impress the examiner with formal academic writing.
If you want a complete guide for all Task 1 charts, explore our IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary: The Complete Guide to Graphs, Charts, and Diagrams — it’s the pillar resource that links to all specific vocabulary guides, including line graphs.
Why Vocabulary Matters in Line Graphs
In IELTS Writing Task 1, one of the four scoring criteria is Lexical Resource — which simply means your range and accuracy of vocabulary.
Examiners want to see:
- Precision: Are you using the right word to match the trend?
- Variety: Are you repeating “increase” over and over?
- Formality: Are your words academic enough?
In short, if you want to score Band 7+, you need to describe line graphs with words that are:
- Specific
- Varied
- Academic
Let’s break down the vocabulary into five easy-to-learn categories.
IELTS Line Graph Vocabulary: The 25 Essentials
1. Verbs for Describing Trends
These verbs describe what is happening in the graph — rising, falling, staying the same, or fluctuating.
| Basic Verb | Band 7+ Alternative |
|---|---|
| increase | rise, grow, climb |
| decrease | fall, drop, decline |
| go up | surge, soar |
| go down | dip, plummet, sink |
| stay the same | level off, remain stable, plateau |
| change a lot | fluctuate |
Examples:
- The number of car users rose steadily from 2000 to 2010.
- Unemployment plummeted after 2012.
- Figures fluctuated significantly between 2010 and 2020.
2. Adverbs & Adjectives for Degree of Change
These describe how much or how fast the change happens.
Adverbs (used with verbs):
- sharply, dramatically, significantly
- steadily, slightly, gradually
Adjectives (used with nouns):
- rapid, steep, moderate
- slight, noticeable, minimal
Examples:
- Sales increased dramatically in 2015.
- There was a gradual rise in population.
- Energy consumption fell slightly after the peak year.
3. Phrases for Comparison
IELTS Task 1 often requires comparing trends over time or between categories.
Useful phrases:
- compared to / in comparison with
- more than / less than
- the same as / as high as
- nearly doubled / halved
- slightly higher / much lower
Examples:
- In 2010, the figure for exports was twice as high as in 2005.
- The number of users in the UK was significantly lower than in Germany.
4. Time Phrases & Connectors
Time references structure your answer and show when events occurred.
Common time phrases:
- from 2000 to 2020 / between 2005 and 2015
- over the next five years / during the period
- in the first/second half of the decade / by 2010
Examples:
- Between 2005 and 2010, internet usage grew steadily.
- By 2015, the unemployment rate had dropped below 5%.
5. Band 7+ Alternatives (High-Level Vocabulary)
Instead of basic verbs like go up and go down, try these more academic options:
| Basic Word | High-Level Word |
|---|---|
| go up | soar, surge |
| go down | plummet, decline |
| change | shift, transform |
| no change | stabilise, plateau |
Examples:
- The number of tourists soared after visa restrictions were removed.
- CO₂ emissions stabilised between 2015 and 2020.
- The chart shows a surge in online purchases after 2018.
Example Sentences Using the Vocabulary
- The percentage of renewable energy usage rose steadily from 2000 to 2015.
- After peaking in 2011, mobile phone sales declined sharply over the next three years.
- There was a slight increase in the number of students enrolling in science courses.
- The figures for Country A fluctuated throughout the entire period.
- By 2020, exports in Country B had surged to over 90%, nearly doubling since 2005.
Mini Line Graph Practice
Practice Task:
The line graph shows the number of people using three types of public transport in London from 2000 to 2020.
Your Task:
Write a sentence about the train usage, which increased sharply from 2005 to 2015 and then levelled off.
Sample Sentence:
Train usage soared between 2005 and 2015 before levelling off in the final five years.
Bonus Tip:
Try describing the bus and underground trends using 3–4 vocabulary items from this post!
Final Tips to Learn & Use Vocabulary
Let’s face it — memorising 25 words and phrases can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to make it stick:
- Spaced repetition: Review the vocabulary in short daily sessions.
- Writing drills: Rewrite sample answers using different vocabulary each time.
- Vocabulary charts: Link each verb with matching adverbs (e.g. soar sharply).
- Say it out loud: Practice speaking full Task 1 sentences with these terms to boost fluency.
The more often you use these words, the faster they’ll become second nature on test day.
Want to Master IELTS Writing?
Ready to turn your vocabulary into a Band 7+ writing score?
- Download our free PDF worksheet with all 25 IELTS line graph vocabulary items, examples, and a mini practice task.
- Explore our full guide: IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary: The Complete Guide to Graphs, Charts, and Diagrams for all chart types.
- Enroll in our Task 1 course to get real teacher feedback and Band 7+ model answers.
Join thousands of learners at IELTSzone.org and take the next step in your IELTS journey!
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