Writing Task 1: charts and trends

Words for describing graphs, tables and processes: rise, fluctuate, proportion…

25 words

fluctuateC2verbto change often between higher and lower levels or amounts
fluctuationC2nouna frequent change in amount, level or value, up and down
plummetC1verbto fall suddenly and very quickly in value, amount or height
soarB2verbto rise quickly to a very high level; (of a bird or plane) to fly high in the air
surgeB2nouna sudden large increase in something, or a sudden strong movement of water or electricity
declineB1nouna gradual decrease in the amount, quality or importance of something
dipB2verbto put something into a liquid quickly and take it out again; also to go down a little
peakB2nounthe pointed top of a mountain; also the time when something is highest, best or busiest
plateauB2nouna period when a figure stops rising or falling and stays level; also a large area of high flat land
steadyB1adjectivedeveloping or happening at a regular, even pace; also firm and not shaking
steadilyB1adverbin a regular, continuous way, without sudden changes
gradualB2adjectivehappening slowly, in small steps, over a long time
graduallyB1adverbslowly, over a period of time, in small steps rather than all at once
sharplyB2adverbsuddenly and by a large amount; also in a strong, critical or very clear way
dramaticallyB2adverbsuddenly and by a very large amount; also in an exciting or theatrical way
marginallyC1adverbby a very small amount; only slightly
slightlyB1adverba little; not very much
considerablyB2adverbby a large amount; much
significantlyB2adverbin a way that is large or important enough to be noticed or to have an effect
proportionB2nouna part of a whole, or the size or amount of one thing compared with another
percentageB2nounan amount shown as a part of 100
majorityB1nounmore than half of a group of people or things
approximatelyB1adverbclose to an exact number or amount, but maybe a little more or less
respectivelyB2adverbin the same order as the people or things you have just mentioned
overallB2adjectiveincluding everything or everyone; considering the whole thing