Using the right vocabulary to present data in IELTS writing task 1 is essential if you are aiming for a high score. The video tutorial below explains why it is important to give accurate data when describing a chart in and provides a range of flexible vocabulary to help you achieve a better score.
Writing Task 1 Vocabulary for Data
Make sure you describe data accurately using a range of vocabulary. Lack of accuracy will lower your score for IELTS writing task 1. This video will help you understand more about this.
🎯 Why Accuracy Matters
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Any inaccurate data will lower your Task Achievement band score.
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The examiner checks if what you write matches the data exactly — not just generally.
✅ How to Give Accurate Data
1. If the exact number is unclear
Use these expressions to describe values that are close to a certain number, but not exact:
📉 When the value is under a number (e.g. < 30%):
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Under 30%
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Less than 30%
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Below 30%
👉 For slight difference:
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Just under 30%
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Slightly under 30%
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Almost 30%
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Nearly 30%
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Close to 30%
👉 For large difference:
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Well under 30%
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Considerably less than 30%
2. If the value is close but you're not sure if it’s over or under
Use neutral phrases:
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About 20%
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Around 20%
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Approximately 20%
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More or less 20%
📝 Use this when it's hard to judge whether the number is a bit over or under.
3. If the value is above a number (e.g. > 20%)
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Over 20%
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Above 20%
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More than 20%
👉 For slight difference:
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Just over 20%
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Slightly over 20%
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Marginally above 20%
👉 For large difference:
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Well over 20%
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Considerably more than 20%
🧠 Example Fix
❌ Incorrect sentence:
In the age group 20–30, 28% of men smoked compared to 30% of women.
✅ Improved and accurate:
In the age group 20–30, just under 30% of men smoked compared to 30% of women.
(We can't write "28%" unless it's clearly shown in the chart.)
📚 Tips for a High Band Score
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Don’t guess specific numbers that are not labeled.
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Use flexible vocabulary to show range and precision.
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Mix up phrases — don't repeat “about” or “just under” too often.
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Use data language like approximately, considerably, marginally, etc., to show advanced vocabulary.
Summary
It’s very important that all the information you give is accurate the examiner will check and any mistakes will lower your band score.
Looking at the video, you will see this sentence is possible: In the age group 20 to 30, 28% of men smoked compared to 30% of women. What is the problem? Can you see any mistake? The problem is that the data for women is correct 30% but for men we can see it is under 30. We cannot see that it is 28%, but we can write it is about 30% or just under 30% or slightly less than 30%. We need to do is we need to use flexible language to give the accurate information let’s have a look.
Below I have listed useful language to help you present data more accurately and flexibly to avoid repeated words.
Under
- under
- below
- less than
- just under
- slightly under
- nearly
- almost
- close to
- well under
- considerably less than
About
- about
- approximately
- around
Over
- over
- above
- more than
- just over
- slightly over
- marginally above
- well over
- considerably more than