IELTS Writing Task 1: singular or plural?

Students often make simple mistakes with singular and plural forms, especially in Writing Task 1. The problem is that the words used on graphs, charts and tables are usually singular.

So, the labels on a chart could be:

• single parent
• graduate
• only child
• laptop computer

But when you write a sentence, you might need to use a plural:

• The number of single parents increased.
• In 1999 nearly 55% of graduates were female.
• The UK has the highest number of only children.
• More laptop computers were sold in the UK than any other country.

Don't just copy the words from the graph or chart. Think first about how to use them correctly.

Comments

[Otabek]

hi simon
i read your daily ans useful lesson eveyday.and i enjoy reading it. nowadays my band score is about 5-6 (speaking is the poorest one)but i want to acheive higher 7-8 / i am practising cambridge books. could you recommend me something . for example books or strategies?. what should i do?
i hope to you answer and it is very important to me.
Regards.

[Simon]

Hi Otabek,

You just need to keep practising and working hard. Try to follow the daily lessons on this site, use the Cambridge IELTS books for test practice, and try to find a teacher or native speaker who can check your work, correct your mistakes, and help you to improve.

[Martin]

Thanks Simon!

This is also one of the common mistakes that my students make! I hope they can read this lesson and avoid making such mistakes over and over again!

Cheers,
Martin

[Simon]

No problem Martin!

[hussain]

how to practice english speaking part alone sir?

[murali]

Dear Simon,

whether we can use "Figures for" for chart showing some million number also? or we can use for only charts showing %?

[Dan]

Murali, you can use it for both. Simon mentioned this in one of his lessons.

[murali]

Thanks Dan