Above and Below
Above and below are simple words, but they are often used in unnatural ways in IELTS writing. This lesson shows clear, safe patterns you can trust.
What these words mean
Above means at a higher level. Below means at a lower level. In normal IELTS Task 2 writing, you often do not need these words for reference.
In reports or long documents, writers use phrases like the figure above or the table below. In IELTS essays, it is usually better to repeat the idea clearly instead of saying as mentioned above.
Use in reports
The chart below shows a clear increase in costs.
Use in essays
As discussed earlier, online study helps many workers.
Useful patterns
| Pattern | Meaning / Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| above + noun | higher than something | Temperatures stayed above 30°C all week. |
| below + noun | lower than something | Income was below the national average. |
| as discussed earlier | refer back in essays | As discussed earlier, public transport reduces traffic. |
Why this matters for IELTS
Clear repetition is better than unclear referencing. The examiner should understand your point in one reading.
Common mistakes
Practice
- Rewrite: As mentioned above, this issue is serious.
- Rewrite: The number is above than last year.
- Rewrite with below: The score is lower than 6.0.
Mini-quiz
- Which is better in Task 2? A) As mentioned above B) Repeat the point clearly
- Fix: “The cost was above than expected.”
Answer key
- B. Clear repetition is usually better.
- ”The cost was above expectations.” or “The cost was higher than expected.”
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