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IELTS
 JOURNAL 
 
15 
29. 
The introduction 
of 
DVDs led to a decline 
of
20% 
in 
video sales. 
30.
The figures show a drop 
of
5% 
in
student numbers.
31. 
The health service program spent a total 
of 
$2.5 billion on staffing 
in 
April 2002. 
32. 
The survey hopes to track trends 
in 
consumer spending. 
33. 
In 2009, the rate of unemployment fell 
by 
2% (from 10% to 8%). 
34. 
He won the election 
with 
52% of the vote. 
35. 
Unemployment reached its highest level 
in 
the year 2008 
at 
10%. 
36. In 
2002, the cost of an average house in the UK was around £130,000. 
In 
2007, the 
average house price had risen 
to 
almost £190,000, but it fell back 
to 
just under 
£150,000 
in 
2008. 
37. 
Japan 
with 
two gold medals and a silver one stood ahead of the US 
with 
one gold and 
one bronze medal 
in 
1968. 

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IELTS
 JOURNAL 
 
16 
Describing numbers, percentages & fractions 
In some graphs, esp. tables, there are some especial numbers, fractions e.g. 1/3 (one third) and percentages e.g. 
50%. Look at the following table which shows a number in different years, 1990-1995: 
A. You could describe the table using 
numbers
, 
fractions
 or 
percentages
: 
1990 
1995 
1,200 
1,800 
1. The number went up by 
600 
from 1,200 to 1,800. (Number) 
2. The number went up by 
one third 
from 1,200 to 1,800. (Fraction) 
3. The number went up by 
50% 
from 1,200 to 1,800. (Percentage)