26 14 VOCABULARY Graphs, charts, trends 1. Choose the answer (A, B, C or D) that best fits each space. The bar chart (1) subjects at Northland College, New Zealand (3} P, me rerosona tent New Zealand and International students, 2006-8 the number of male and female students (2) science three years, and also (4) whether they were New Zealanders or international students. (6) of New Zealanders, the number of international students was (6) Nevertheless, there was clear statistical growth in the (7) to the number smaller ‘group from 2007-2009. Furthermore, the number af female students from New Zealand evertually (8) a high of 35 students in 2009, the number of males from the same county, (9) 2008 (10) the most dramatic developments, (11) New Zealanders dropping from just (12) female New Zealanders increasing from 23 to 34, There was also (13) in the number of male students trom overseas, climbing from15 in 2007 to 27 in 2009, trend in the nuriber of students at the college, D> D> bebo eee eee | Overall, we can see a(n} (14) points study during indicates Compared slightly last outweighed getting met and under noticed upward B B B B B Comparing B B B B B B B B B draws studies tells really least overtook. aiming existed with less noticing general aaanaaanao0enAA examines studying through regards ‘Comparison significantly latter extended finding happened for minus notable irregular D D D D D D D D D D D D D D the number of male 30 students to 17, and the number of growth illustrates studied underlines Comparative marginally later upturned reaching but before noted stableVOCABULARY 14 GRAPHS, CHARTS, TRENDS 2. Add synonyms to each verb in 1-7 below. goup dive be unpredictable climb stay constant drop plunge shoot uphold steady reach a high point slump rise grow rocket. = fall, jump Naunene to increase AER to decrease to remain stable to fluctuate to soar to plummet to reach a peak 3 Underline the two adverbs that have a similar meaning. 1 2 6 Sales figures dropped sharply/suddenly/gradually in April of 2007, The amount of time spent on leisure activities was exactly/approximately/roughly 20%, Membership rose steeply/slightly/significantly during the summer months. ‘The number of accidents fell rapidly/steadily/progressively during 2009, The percentage was relatively/comparatively/marginally higher in the following year. The figure in 1997 was vastly/somewhat/rather lower compared to the 1996 figure. 4 Rewrite the first sentence by changing the verb in italics into a noun, any adverb in italics into an adjective, and making any other necessary changes. I The number of people owning mobile phones rose dramatically between 1990 and 1995, There 45.4, dramatic, between 1990 and 1995. Migration from rural regions to urban centres has levelled out over the last ten years. Over the last ten years there J csnmesnennimeunn Migration from rural regions to urban centres. The amount of time spent on leisure activites fll slightly in 2008, 2008 saw ~. the amount of time spent on leisure activities. Newspaper circulation during the 1990s fluctuated considerably. There onn-nmniesnnnnm REWSpaper circulation during the 1990s, The rate of applications for the nursing profession plateaued between 2001 to 2007. ‘The rate of applications for the nursing profession .. between 2001 to 2007, tw. the number of people ‘owning mobile phones 27IELTS LANGUAGE PRACTICE 28 5. Choose the answer (A, B, C or D) that best fits each space to complete the information about the pie chart. Percentage of students by subject | The pie chart ilustrates the (1) .... of foundation-year students following diferent subjects in 2009 . We can See that (2) uu the greatest (3)... of students were taking business-related courses, The (4) mn. highest group were students taking Ars subjects, and these (5) 23% of the total. Science-programme students made (6)... 1346, ad the smallest group, the Engineering students, (7) enone 10%. See eee 1A proportion B sector € size D variety 2 A asfor B by far © much more —_D about 3. A amount B part © fraction D percentage 4 A following B less C after D second 5 A added up B worked out C accounted for _D counted towards 6 A with B up C by D from 7 A contained B composed € comprised consisted 6 Underline the two or three linking words in italics which make sense. 1 Whereas/Although/While the number of students taking Business subjects remained approximately the same, the number taking Arts subjects rose from the previous year. 2. Comparing/Compared/In comparison with the previous year, the number of Engineering students fell slightly, from 10 to 6%. 3. The number of female students slowly declined while/but/whilst the number of ‘male students went up sharply. 4 Regarding/Concerning/As for the number of international students, the trend was “unpredictable throughout the period 1995-2005. 5 In total/Ail in all/Overall, there was a generally downward trend in the number of students enrolling for Social Sciences.VOCABULARY 14 GRAPHS, CHARTS, TRENDS 7 Look at the language for describing a trend in bold in the first sentence. Choose the correct meaning in italics in the second sentence. 1 In the 1960s, we began to see a swing away from the traditional view that women should be homemakers. People were holding on to/beginning to reject their traditional view. 2 There has been a backlash against the government response to the flu pandemic. The public are generally supportive/critical of the government’ response. 3. Critics of biometric data collection suggest it is a move towards the loss of personal freedom, The loss of personal freedom is becoming more likely/will now occur, 4. Figures continued to rise steadily throughout the 1990s, An exception to this trend was a brief dip in the first quarter of 1994 The first quarter of 1994 was a good example of!not included in this trend. 5. Over the last few years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Gothic literature People have gradually become less /suddenly become more interested. 6 It remains to be seen whether this new approach to weight loss will catch on. This approach may become popular/disappear rapidly. 7 There is a tendency amongst men in this age group to neglect their health The pattern of behaviour of men in this age group is predictable/unpredictable 8 The long-term outlook for this species is still uncertain, The possible future/past situation regarding the species is not known, 9 In some countries, long-term partners are choosing not to have children. What is behind this development? How can we explain this change?/What will the result be? 10 Since the 1970s, there has been a gradual drift away from the practice of the eldest son taking over the family farm. It is becoming increasingly common/rare for the eldest son to take over the farm. 2816 VOCABULARY Linking words and phrases for academic essays 1 Complete the essay by writing a linker from the box in each space. consequently yet asfor —sothat provided suchas in the case of despite even though however __in terms of Genetic engineering is a dangerous trend. It should be limited. To what extent do you agree? Over the last few decades, remarkable advances have been made in the fiald of genetic engineering. (1) Samseatently..., scientists now have the abilty to manipulate genes {or a range of purposes, from making improvements in agriculture to experimentation with human genes. The question, (2) - i$ whether there should be any limitations on this development. Is this €s5ay, | shall examine both sides of the argument. Firstly itis clear that genetic engineering has brought about certain benefts (8) eer Crop production. Now plants, for example, can produce more fruit more Quick. This achievement mean that greater harvests are guaranteed, (4) More people can be fed. (8) .r.mnimns the impact Of genetic engineering on healthcare, advocates claim it could be used to cure a range of health-related problems, 6... cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer’s. Children and adults with these diseases endure terrible suffering, a with gene therapy, there is a possibilty of a better quailty of le. 6) these advantages, there are some aspects of genetic engineering which Tequire ongoing consideration. Critics claim that genetically modified plants have little Dutritional value and that they wil lead to the eradication of weeds, which many insect species depend on. (9) gene therapy, itis stil uncertain how the alteration of one gene, (10) ... it may be fauity, could affect the functions of the human body in the long term. 'n my opinion, the benefits of genetic engineering can outweigh the drawbacks, (ay ~~». governments and scientists consider the consequences carefully, and Put people before prof. in addition to 1 Poor nutrition can lead to obesity, heart disease, cu... death, 2 obesity and heart disease, poor nutrition can lead to death. Bn - Can poor nutrition lead to obesity and heart disease... death too. 4 Poor nutrition can lead to obesity, heart disease and .. death 233IELTS LANGUAGE PRACTICE 234 3. Meaning: add linkers from the box to the correct category. in spite of imaddition to not only/but concerning even while moreover finally furthermore on the other hand having said that to begin with nevertheless regarding secondly | Ordering ideas | Introducingan idea | Addition Contrast Concession | first of all | in terms of also but despite | as for however even though in the ease of yet | 4 Complete each sentence using a linker from the box. Two answers are possible for each gap. nevertheless in spite of having said this despite while even though 1 As we have seen, there are many advantages of home schooling. Nevertnelees it does not work well for all kinds of learner, 2 ee the many advantages of home schooling, it does not work well for every kind of learner. 3 J - there are many advantages of home schooling, it does not work well for every kind of learner. ker from the box. Two or more answers are 5 Complete the paragraph u: Possible for each gap. Bsr as for in the case of furthermore moreover to begin with regarding in terms of Raising taxes on imports may have both a positive and negative impact on the economy and employment. In this essay, | shall examine both types of effect. (1) ..Flrst.of al, @).. “ven the economy, it May encourage people to buy domestically-produced goods. The profits would then remain within the country, (3)... ve @mployment, greater demand for domestic products would create more job opportunities for the workforce. (4) : these new employees would then be able to afford to ‘spend more on domestic consumer goods themselves.VOCABULARY 16 LINKING WORDS AND PHRASES FOR ACADEMIC ESSAYS 6 Meaning: add linkers from the box to the correct category. like aslongas —inorderto for instance. —asa result therefore hence 0 as to subsequently so if [ Showing condi ion _| Showingresult | showing purpose | Exemplification ~~] | provided consequentiy so that | ‘for example | such as | L | | | 7 Structure: underline the correct linker in each sentence. Then answer the question, 1 a Many adolescents enjoy taking risks, so/hence/therefore the greater likelihood of accidents amongst teenagers. b Many adolescents enjoy taking risks. So/Hence/Therefore teenagers are more likely to have accidents, € Many adolescents enjoy taking risks so/hence/therefore teenagers are more likely to have accidents. In which ofthe examples above can you use consequently or asa result, followed by a comma? 2a There are many reasons why we need to be careful with Internet research, A frequent lack of accuracy, such as/for example, is a common problem with online texts, b There are many reasons why we need to be careful with Internet research, such as/for example, a frequent lack of accuracy in online texts ¢ There are many reasons why we need to be careful with Internet research. Such 4s/For example, there is often a lack of accuracy in online texts, In which of the examples above can you use for instance? 3a The influence of foreign television will not transform our culture as long as/in order to we take steps to protect our own traditions, » So that/In order to protect our culture, we must limit the influence of forcign television. © We must limit the influence of foreign television so that/as long as we can protect our culture. {In which of the examples can we use so as fo? In which can you use if 235FT IELTS LANGUAGE PRACTICE 236 on the other hand i “is used to compare two situations, activities, groups, ete and to lookat the differences, 2 ‘mmnone! i§ used to compare advantages and disadvantages, or to introduce the other side of the argument. 3): is used to say that the previous statement or claim is untrue 4 Itisa common belief that the world is unable to produce enough food to feed eVEFYONE, wn » much of the food we produce is actually wasted and thrown away 5. Itis certainly a good idea to grow biofuel plants on this land. vy the land could also be used to grow crops to feed the poor. 6 .. the land used to be fertile and produce good harvests, itis now barren and dry, Structure: underline the correct linking expression in italics indicating ‘reason'in each sentence, More than one answer may be possible. There are numerous reasons (1) about/why/for more people are suftering from allergies. First of all, we can lay the blame partly on pollution. Cases of asthma, for ‘example, have risen dramatically (2) because/because of/due to poor air quality The local environment may also be contaminated with pesticides, and (3) for this reason/the cause of this/because of this, certain people may be suffering from skin allergies or breathing difficulties. ‘Secondly, we can probably attribute the rise in allergies to particular products that are sold on supermarket shelves, Many people clean their kitchens with antiseptios (4) since/as/because of they believe they must kil al forms of germ. However, this action may actually increase the risk of alleray (5) since/awing to/on account of the fact that young children in these households are never exposed to the bacteria that will later provide them with immunity.