Remember:
ADJECTIVE + NOUN
VERB + ADVERB
In task 1, you will be mostly using two different sentence structures. The examples here are written in the past simple as most often you are referring to changes that have already happened in the past, as in the example above.
1 There was an increase in computer ownership.
THERE WAS + A/ AN + NOUN + IN + NOUN
2 The percentage of computer ownership increased.
NOUN + OF + NOUN + VERB
In order to increase your word count and increase the level of detail and vocabulary, you can add time phrases, adjectives and adverbs.
1 There was a steady increase in computer ownership between 2002 and 2010.
THERE WAS + A/ AN + ADJECTIVE + NOUN + TIME PHRASE
2 The percentage of computer ownership increased steadily between 2002 and 2010.
NOUN + OF + NOUN + VERB + ADVERB + TIME PHRASE
If you want to create a more complex sentence and add some data, then you can remember the following structures:
1 Between 2002 and 2010, there was a steady increase in computer ownership, rising from 50% to 70%.
TIME PHRASE, + THERE WAS + A/AN + ADJECTIVE + NOUN +IN + NOUN, SYNONYM OF EARLIER VERB IN -ING FORM + FROM + START NUMBER + TO + END NUMBER
2 Between 2002 and 2010, the percentage of computer ownership increased steadily, rising by 20%.
TIME PHRASE, NOUN + OF + NOUN + VERB + ADVERB, SYNONYM OF EARLIER VERB IN -ING FORM + BY + AMOUNT OF CHANGE FROM START TO END DATE.
These sentence structures give you a variety and a good amount of complexity in order to score high in your Grammatical Range and Accuracy section. Also, they allow you to use a range of vocabulary and word classes, thus giving you a good score in your Lexical Resource section.
Keeping the above rules in mind, can you identify the mistakes in the sentences below?
*There was a steadily rise in the percentage.
*The percentage gradual rose.
*Between 2002 and 2010, there was increased in percentage.
*The percentage was gradual rose between 2002 and 2010.
*There was a rise steadily in percentage.
*Computer ownership was steady increased between 2002 and 2010.
Here are the answers and explanations for the incorrect sentences above.
*There was a steadily rise in the percentage.
There was a steady rise in the percentage.
'Steadily' is an adverb and so it should be used with a verb. It is true that 'rise' can be a verb but here it is a noun because it is used with the construct 'there was a'. 'A/ an' comes before a noun, unless an adjective is added, in which case it is a/an + adjective + noun. This is sentence structure number 1 from the explanation above.
*The percentage gradual rose.
The percentage rose gradually.
'Rose' is the past simple form of the verb 'rise'. With the verb we use an adverb, which would be 'gradually'. Remember adverbs are usually the adjective form +ly (gradual+ly = gradually). The adverb in these examples sounds more natural after the verb but they can also go before. This is sentence structure 2 from the explanation above.
*Between 2002 and 2010, there was increased in percentage.
Between 2002 and 2010, there was an increase in percentage.
After the construct 'there was' you need 'a/an + noun'. This is sentence structure number 1 from the explanation above.
*The percentage was gradual rose between 2002 and 2010.
The percentage rose gradually between 2002 and 2010.
When you use the past simple you only need the noun and the verb (you do NOT need 'was' - this is for the passive). Also, 'gradual' is the adjective but here you need the adverb form to describe the verb. This is sentence structure 2 from the explanation above.
*There was a rise steadily in percentage.
There was a steady rise in percentage.
'Rise' here is a noun, NOT a verb. You know this because a noun should be used after 'there was /an'. The adjective usually comes before the noun and after 'a/an/. This is sentence structure number 1 from the explanation above.
*Computer ownership was steady increased between 2002 and 2010.
Computer ownership increased steadily between 2002 and 2010.
When you use the past simple you do not need to use 'was' with the main verb. You only need the noun (computer ownership) and the verb (increased). If you want to add extra information in this sentence you need an adverb to describe the verb. 'Steadily' is the adverb form of 'steady' and usually comes after the verb. This is sentence structure 2 from the explanation above.
Vocabulary:
common (adj) = typical, usual
structure (n) = form
refer to (v) = talk about, make reference to
create (v) = make
complexity (n) = difficulty
keep something in mind = remember, keep thinking about something
identify (v) = find, see
below (adv) = underneath