IELTS vocabulary
IELTS trends vocabulary
Words for describing change, increase, decline and fluctuation: essential for Writing Task 1 charts.
Each entry has the typical band it's useful for, a plain meaning, an example sentence and the words it most often goes with. Learn the collocations along with the word: that's what makes vocabulary sound natural.
Band 6 words
a quarter noun phrase
one of four equal parts; 25 per cent.
A quarter of the surveyed households had no access to a private garden.
Collocations: a quarter of... · just over a quarter · roughly a quarter
account for phrasal verb · academic
make up or form a particular part of a total.
Food and housing account for the largest share of household spending.
Collocations: account for a share · account for the majority · account for... per cent
approximately adverb · academic
Close to a particular number or amount, but not exactly.
The figure stood at approximately 4,500 at the end of the period.
Collocations: approximately 10 per cent · approximately equal · approximately the same
be the same as phrase
To have an identical value, amount, or feature to something else.
The proportion of people using public transport in 2020 was almost the same as in 2010.
Collocations: be the same as before · be exactly the same as · be roughly the same as
climb verb
To increase gradually or steadily.
Housing costs continue to climb, placing pressure on younger residents.
Collocations: climb steadily · climb to a peak · climb in value
compared with linking phrase · academic
used to show how one thing differs from another.
Compared with the initial figure, the final total was substantially higher.
Collocations: compared with the previous year · compared with... · higher compared with...
decrease verb · academic
To become or make smaller in number, amount, or degree.
Improved insulation can decrease the amount of energy households use.
Collocations: decrease gradually · decrease the risk · decrease to
dip verb · academic
fall briefly or slightly before rising or stabilising.
The proportion of commuters using buses dipped slightly in the middle of the period.
Collocations: dip slightly · dip to... · dip below...
double verb
become twice as large or make something twice as large.
The number of households with internet access is projected to double by 2040.
Collocations: double in size · double to... · double the number of...
downward trend noun phrase · academic
A general pattern of decreasing values over time.
There was a downward trend in the amount of waste produced per household.
Collocations: clear downward trend · overall downward trend · downward trend in
drop verb
To decrease suddenly or noticeably.
The number of car journeys could drop if reliable buses are available.
Collocations: drop sharply · drop to · drop below
fall noun · academic
A decrease in amount, level, or number.
A fall in public transport fares could make commuting more affordable.
Collocations: a fall in · a significant fall · fall in demand
figure noun · academic
A number that represents an amount or measurement.
The figure for weekly library visits peaked at around 1,200 in July.
Collocations: figure for · estimated figure · overall figure
gradual adjective · academic
Happening slowly over a period of time.
The proportion of households with internet access showed a gradual increase.
Collocations: gradual increase · gradual decline · gradual change
grow verb · academic
To increase in size, amount, or importance over time.
The demand for affordable housing continues to grow in major cities.
Collocations: grow rapidly · grow in popularity · grow the economy
increase verb · academic
To become or make greater in number, amount, or degree.
The use of bicycles tends to increase when cities provide safe cycle lanes.
Collocations: increase significantly · increase the number · increase by 10 per cent
just over phrase
Slightly more than a particular number or amount.
Just over half of those surveyed said they exercised regularly.
Collocations: just over 50 per cent · just over half · just over a million
just under phrase
Slightly less than a particular number or amount.
The average journey took just under 30 minutes in the final year.
Collocations: just under 50 per cent · just under half · just under a million
moderate adjective · academic
Neither very large nor very small in amount or degree.
The graph shows a moderate increase in average weekly exercise time.
Collocations: moderate increase · moderate growth · moderate decline
overall adjective · academic
Considering the whole situation or all the information together.
The overall trend shows that the number of visitors increased over the period.
Collocations: overall trend · overall increase · overall figure
percentage noun · academic
a rate or amount expressed as a number out of one hundred.
The percentage of residents who cycled to work rose steadily over the period.
Collocations: percentage of... · a small percentage · percentage points
proportion noun · academic
a part or share of a whole, usually expressed as a percentage.
A larger proportion of older adults used public transport than younger people.
Collocations: proportion of... · a high proportion · the proportion of...
rapid adjective · academic
Happening quickly or within a short time.
The data indicates rapid growth in online purchases over the decade.
Collocations: rapid growth · rapid increase · rapid decline
represent verb · academic
form or be an example of a particular amount or group.
These figures represent nearly one third of all recorded journeys.
Collocations: represent a proportion · represent a share · represent... per cent
rise noun · academic
An increase in amount, level, or number.
There has been a steady rise in the number of people working from home.
Collocations: a rise in · a sharp rise · rise in prices
roughly adverb
Approximately, but not exactly.
Roughly one-third of respondents chose public transport as their preferred option.
Collocations: roughly equal · roughly half · roughly the same
sharp adjective · academic
Sudden and large in degree or amount.
The chart records a sharp drop in attendance between May and June.
Collocations: sharp increase · sharp decline · sharp rise
slight adjective · academic
Small in amount or degree.
There was a slight fall in sales during the final quarter.
Collocations: slight increase · slight decline · slight fluctuation
steady adjective · academic
Continuing at a regular rate without major changes.
The number of people using public transport experienced steady growth throughout the period.
Collocations: steady increase · steady growth · steady decline
the highest point noun phrase · academic
The largest value or level shown during a period.
The proportion of people working from home reached the highest point in 2020.
Collocations: reach the highest point · rise to the highest point · the highest point in
the lowest point noun phrase · academic
The smallest value or level shown during a period.
The number of visitors reached the lowest point in February.
Collocations: reach the lowest point · fall to the lowest point · the lowest point in
the majority noun phrase
more than half of a group or amount.
The majority of respondents preferred online lessons to face-to-face classes.
Collocations: the majority of... · the vast majority · the majority agree
the period noun phrase
A particular length of time being discussed or measured.
The figures remained stable throughout the period shown in the chart.
Collocations: during the period · over the period · throughout the period
upward trend noun phrase · academic
A general pattern of increasing values over time.
The chart reveals an upward trend in the use of renewable energy.
Collocations: clear upward trend · overall upward trend · upward trend in
Band 7 words
a fraction noun phrase · academic
a small part or proportion of a whole.
Only a fraction of the total budget was allocated to public parks.
Collocations: a fraction of... · a tiny fraction · a fraction remains
consecutive adjective · formal
Following one after another without interruption.
The number of visitors increased for three consecutive years.
Collocations: consecutive years · consecutive months · for consecutive days
constitute verb · academic
form or make up a particular part or whole.
Part-time workers constitute approximately 18% of the total workforce.
Collocations: constitute a majority · constitute a proportion · constitute... per cent
decline verb · academic
To become smaller, fewer, or less important.
The number of people using the service may decline if fares rise.
Collocations: decline steadily · decline in number · decline in popularity
dramatic adjective · academic
Very great or sudden, and easy to notice.
The graph illustrates a dramatic rise in demand after the new service was introduced.
Collocations: dramatic rise · dramatic fall · dramatic change
exceed verb · academic
be greater than a number, amount or limit.
By the end of the period, annual sales are expected to exceed 50,000 units.
Collocations: exceed expectations · exceed the limit · exceed... per cent
fluctuate verb · academic
To change frequently between higher and lower levels.
Energy prices tend to fluctuate, making household budgeting more difficult.
Collocations: fluctuate considerably · fluctuate between levels · fluctuate over time
halve verb · academic
reduce something by half or become half as large.
The proportion of people relying on coal is forecast to halve by 2050.
Collocations: halve the number of... · halve in size · halve to...
in contrast linking phrase · formal
used to introduce a different or opposing fact.
The use of cars increased throughout the period; in contrast, cycling became less popular.
Collocations: in contrast to... · in contrast with... · in contrast, ...
level off phrasal verb · academic
To stop rising or falling and remain at a similar level.
After several years of growth, the city's population is expected to level off.
Collocations: level off gradually · level off at · begin to level off
marginal adjective · academic
Very small and unlikely to be important.
The chart shows a marginal increase in the proportion of people cycling to work.
Collocations: marginal increase · marginal change · marginal decline
outnumber verb · academic
be greater in number than another group.
In the final year, passengers travelling by rail outnumbered those using coaches.
Collocations: outnumber their rivals · outnumber the alternatives · outnumber... by two to one
peak verb · academic
To reach the highest point or level.
The number of visitors usually peaks during the school holidays.
Collocations: peak at · peak during the summer · peak in demand
plunge verb · formal
To fall suddenly and significantly.
Local air quality can plunge during periods of heavy traffic.
Collocations: plunge dramatically · plunge into decline · plunge to a low
rank verb · formal
To place something in a particular position compared with others.
The survey ranked health as the most important concern among respondents.
Collocations: rank first · rank highly · rank something as
reach a low phrase · academic
fall to the lowest point recorded during a period.
After several years of decline, the figure is expected to reach a low of 12%.
Collocations: reach a low of... · reach a record low · reach a new low
rebound verb · academic
rise again after a fall or period of difficulty.
Following a sharp decline, participation is predicted to rebound to its previous level.
Collocations: rebound sharply · rebound to... · rebound from...
remain steady phrase · academic
To stay at roughly the same level without changing much.
If public funding remains steady, the library should be able to maintain its services.
Collocations: remain steady at · remain relatively steady · remain steady over time
soar verb · formal
To rise quickly to a very high level.
The cost of renting can soar in neighbourhoods close to major transport hubs.
Collocations: soar dramatically · soar to a record · soar in price
stabilise verb · academic
To stop changing and become steady at a particular level.
The number of new homes built each year may stabilise once demand is met.
Collocations: stabilise prices · stabilise at a level · stabilise the market
stand at verb phrase · academic
To have a particular value or level at a specific time.
The unemployment rate is projected to stand at 5 per cent by the end of the period.
Collocations: stand at 5 per cent · stand at a level · stand at around
steep adjective · academic
Very large or rapid, especially when describing a change.
The cost of the service saw a steep rise in the final year.
Collocations: steep rise · steep decline · steep increase
surge verb · formal
To increase suddenly and by a large amount.
Visitor numbers often surge during the summer months.
Collocations: surge dramatically · surge past · surge to a record
triple verb
become three times as large or make something three times as large.
If this trend continues, demand for renewable energy could triple over the next decade.
Collocations: triple in size · triple to... · triple the amount of...
Band 8+ words
comprise verb · academic
consist of particular parts or members.
The survey sample comprised 600 adults from a range of age groups.
Collocations: comprise a total of... · comprise several groups · comprise the majority
plummet verb · formal
To fall suddenly and by a large amount.
The number of passengers may plummet if the railway service becomes unreliable.
Collocations: plummet sharply · plummet to a low · plummet in value
respectively adverb · academic
in the same order as the people or things just mentioned.
The figures for public and private transport were 35% and 65%, respectively.
Collocations: A and B, respectively · amounts of... and..., respectively · ranked first and second, respectively
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