3 Describing Graphs using Comparative Forms

IELTS Task 1 questions typically require candidates to compare data within, and/or between graphs and charts. Thus the use of comparative forms is required.

We will focus here on comparative and superlative adjectives , and on logical connectors of comparison and contrast .

3.1 Explanation: Comparative & Superlative Adjectives

  richer than the richest more expensive than the most expensive

Rule 1: Add ‘er'/‘est' for one-syllable adjectives: longer, smaller, the highest

Rule 2: Add ‘more' / ‘less' or ‘the most' / ‘the least' for three syllable adjectives or longer: less expensive, the most dangerous

Rule 3: Most two-syllable adjectives require ‘more' / ‘less' / ‘the most' / ‘the least': more stressful

Rule 4: Two-syllable adjectives ending in ‘y' require ‘ier' / ‘iest' : noisier, noisy

Rule 5: Adjectives ending in a single vowel and a single consonant require the final consonant to be doubled: big , the biggest, fat, fatter

3.2 Explanation: Logical Connectors of Comparison & Contrast

Simple Comparison: while [difference is not seen as surprising / unusual]

- There was 10% unemployment in London , while in Manchester there was 9%.

Contrast: but, although, while, however [difference is seen as surprising / unusual]

- Although most cities had unemployment rates of 8-11%, in Liverpool it was 15%.

- Most cities had unemployment rates of 8-11%, although / while / but in Liverpool it was 15%.

- Most cities had unemployment rates of 8-11%. However in Liverpool it was 15%.

 

3.3 Task: Graph Description using Comparative Forms

Look at Graph D below, which illustrates data relating to education and homelessness in the USA.

Fill in the gaps in the text which follows, using the correct form (superlative or comparative) of these words:

successful (x1), good (x1), bad (x2), while (x2), high (x1), low (x2)

More than one answer may be possible in some cases.

Graph D

The chart shows the educational achievements of homeless people in America (divided into those in families and single homeless people) compared to those of all US adults, for the year 1997. The (i) _ worst __ ___ educational attainment was for homeless people in families (53% with less than a high-school diploma), (ii) _________ the (iii) ________ results were for all US adults (45% or more with a high-school diploma). Single homeless people were (iv) ___________ than those in families: the percentage of single homeless without a high-school diploma was much (v) _________ than for homeless people in families (37% compared to 53%), (vi) ________ the percentage having only high-school diplomas was much (vii) _________ (36% compared to 21%). Having said this, similar percentages of homeless people in families and single homeless people had more than a high-school diploma: 27% and 28% respectively. In sum, it is clear that homeless people had (viii) _______ educational attainments than US adults as a whole, and that homeless people in families had (ix) ________ levels of achievement than single homeless.