IELTS Writing Task 1 comparison language: phrases for comparing data accurately
Useful IELTS Task 1 phrases for comparing figures—comparatives, multiples, fractions and contrast linkers—with example sentences.
By English Grader study guides · AI-assisted educational content · Official sources linked below
The short answer
The task says 'make comparisons where relevant'—reports that only list numbers rarely go above Band 6 for Task Achievement.
Why comparison matters
Every Academic Task 1 question asks you to make comparisons. Examiners reward reports that show relationships between figures, not a list of values.
Related guide: See comparisons in a table report
Comparison phrases
Use a mix of these structures.
- X was considerably higher than Y
- X was twice / three times as high as Y
- almost half, roughly a quarter, just over a third
- X, whereas / while Y…
- In contrast, … / By comparison, …
- the highest / the second lowest figure
Listing → comparing
The second version shows the relationship.
Try a comparison task →Rewrite
Listing: Japan had 80%. Brazil had 40%. Comparing: At 80%, the figure for Japan was twice as high as that for Brazil.
Keep building range
Topic vocabulary helps when charts are about energy, transport or spending.
Study topic vocabulary →Put this into practice
Choose a table or bar chart from the Task 1 bank, write a report, and see whether the feedback says your comparisons are clear.
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Official sources and further reading
Practice examples and study routines are illustrative advice, not official band-scored answers or predictions of exam questions.