Task 1 Academic requires precise language to compare data points — not just "more" and "less." Examiners look for a range of comparison structures, accurate proportional language, and correct use of prepositions with numbers.
Examples
Weak
AvoidIn 2000 the UK used more energy than France. In 2020 the UK still used more energy. France used less energy than the UK.
Stronger
BetterThe UK consumed roughly twice as much energy as France in 2000, and this gap widened further by 2020, when UK consumption exceeded France's by approximately 40%.
The strong version uses a ratio (twice as much), a trend verb (widened), and a precise approximation (approximately 40%) — all in two sentences instead of three repetitive ones.
How It Works
Comparison toolkit
- Ratio: twice/three times as much as, half the level of
- Margin: exceeded X by 20%, higher than X by a factor of two
- Approximation: approximately, roughly, just under/over, nearly
- Trend: the gap widened/narrowed, X overtook Y, X converged with Y
Which structure to use when
- Gap is a round multiple: use ratio language (twice as much).
- Gap is a percentage: use "exceeded by" or "higher by".
- Trend changes direction: use overtook, surpassed, converged.
Key patterns
Quick rules
- Never write "more higher" or "more faster" — use the comparative alone.
- Use "than" not "then" in comparisons.
- Approximate numbers honestly: "approximately 45%" not "45% exactly" unless the chart shows an exact figure.
Common Mistakes
Repeating "more than" for every comparison
Avoid"China used more energy than India. China produced more steel than India. China had more factories than India."
Better"China led India in energy use, steel production, and industrial output across all years shown."
Fix: Consolidate parallel comparisons into one sentence with a list.
Wrong preposition after figures
Avoid"Sales increased of 20% in Q3."
Better"Sales increased by 20% in Q3."
Fix: Use "by" for change amounts; "to" for new levels; "at" for rates.
Practice Lab
Self-mark each task. Retry until every answer is correct.
Score: 0/3
1. Quick pick
Which sentence uses comparison language most effectively?
2. Build it
Put the sentence in the correct order.
Tap a chunk to move it between the bank and answer area.
3. Sort it
Sort each item into the correct category.
Germany produced twice as much renewable energy as Poland in 2015.
Germany made more energy than Poland.
The gap between the two countries narrowed by 2020.
The numbers became more similar later.
Why It Matters
Lexical Resource accounts for 25% of your Task 1 score. Using only "more than" and "less than" signals a limited range and caps Lexical Resource at Band 5. A varied comparison toolkit — ratios, margins, trend verbs — demonstrates the range examiners need to award Band 7.
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