Why these words matter
In Task 1, you often repeat the same idea: a number goes up, or a number
goes down. If you write "go up" and "go down" every time, your Lexical
Resource score stays low.
This post gives you eleven precise verbs to replace them. Each one has a
slightly different meaning, so read the usage notes carefully. Use a verb
only when it truly fits the data.
Words for an increase (going up)
1rise
To go up. A neutral, all-purpose verb for any upward movement. Safe to use when no stronger word is needed.
Example: The number of visitors rose steadily from 2010 to 2015.
2climb
To go up gradually and steadily, often over a long period. Suggests a slow, continuous rise.
Example: Sales climbed slowly throughout the decade.
3surge
To increase suddenly and by a large amount. Use it only for a sharp, strong rise, not a gentle one.
Example: Online orders surged in the final quarter of the year.
4soar
To rise very quickly to a high level. Stronger than "rise". Best for a dramatic, steep increase.
Example: House prices soared between 2018 and 2020.
5rocket
To increase extremely fast and by a very large amount. The most dramatic option. Use it rarely, only for the steepest lines.
Example: Demand for electric cars rocketed after 2019.
6jump
To increase quickly by a clear amount, often from one point to the next. Good for a sudden step up between two years.
Example: Membership jumped from 2,000 to 5,000 in a single year.
Words for a decrease (going down)
1fall
To go down. The neutral, all-purpose verb for any downward movement, like "rise" but in the opposite direction.
Example: Unemployment fell gradually over the five-year period.
2decline
To go down slowly and steadily, often over a long time. A formal, academic word that examiners like.
Example: The use of landline phones declined steadily after 2005.
3drop
To go down, often quite quickly or by a clear amount. A little less formal than "decline" but very common and safe.
Example: Visitor numbers dropped sharply during the winter months.
4plummet
To fall suddenly and by a very large amount. A strong word. Use it only for a steep, dramatic drop.
Example: Newspaper sales plummeted between 2010 and 2020.
5dip
To fall by a small amount and then often recover. Use it for a short, slight drop, never a large one.
Example: Profits dipped slightly in March before rising again.
Add a speed word
A trend verb becomes more powerful with an adverb that shows speed.
For a fast, big change, use sharply, steeply, or dramatically.
For a slow, smooth change, use gradually, steadily, or slowly.
For a very small change, use slightly or marginally.
For example: "Sales rose sharply" or "Prices fell gradually."
How to use these words well
✓Match the word to the data. Do not write "rocket" for a small rise.
✓Do not use a strong word like "plummet" more than once or twice.
✓Put the verb in the past tense for past dates (rose, fell, surged).
✓A precise verb plus a speed adverb is a Band 7+ habit.
Keep building your vocabulary
These verbs work for line graphs and bar charts. For the whole structure of
a Task 1 answer, read
How to write IELTS Writing Task 1.
Then practice on VoyaLang: write a real Task 1 answer and see which words
help your band score go up.
