Look at the graph above, from the IELTS preparation text "Insight into IELTS" by Vanessa Jakeman and Clare McDowell, Cambridge University Press.

The graph shows the fluctuation in the number of people at a London underground station over the course of a day.

The busiest time of the day is in the morning. There is a sharp increase between 06:00 and 08:00, with 400 people using the station at 8 o'clock. After this the numbers drop quickly to less than 200 at 10 o'clock. Between 11 am and 3 pm the number rises, with a plateau of just under 300 people using the station.

In the afternoon, numbers decline, with less than 100 using the station at 4 pm. There is then a rapid rise to a peak of 380 at 6pm. After 7 pm, numbers fall significantly, with only a slight increase again at 8pm, tailing off after 9 pm.

Overall, the graph shows that the station is most crowded in the early morning and early evening periods.

Vocabulary Tips

• Don't repeat verbs
• Before you start to write, make a list of synonyms (words with the same meaning)
• See how many ways you can rephrase the title of the graph. Use one in the intorduction and another in the conclusion
same meaning)
• Be careful with prepositions. They can make a big difference in meaning. For example, "rose by" is very different from "rose to." Learn your verbs with the preposition that goes with them.