This glossary can help you prepare for the IELTS writing tasks related to the Rail in Transport.
approximately
adverb
Used to show that something is almost, but not completely, accurate or exact; roughly.
Example: The number of passengers on London Underground and the national rail network were very similar throughout the remaining period, rising to approximately 1.1 billion in 2004/5.
at that time
adverbial phrase
During a specific time in the past.
Example: At that time, the London Underground was carrying around 750 million passengers and they fell to 500 million in 1980 compared to 600 million on the national rail network.
dramatically
adverb
By a strikingly large amount or to a strikingly large extent; greatly.
Example: Overall, the number of passenger journeys made on the three systems increased, but on London Underground it increased dramatically.
rail network
noun phrase
All railways in a given area.
Example: At that time, the London Underground was carrying around 750 million passengers and they fell to 500 million in 1980 compared to 600 million on the national rail network.
railway journey
noun phrase
A journey made by railway train.
Example: The graph below shows the number of passenger railway journeys made in Great Britain.
rapidly
adverb
Very quickly; at a great rate.
Example: The number of passenger journeys on all three main ways of transport rose rapidly.
striking
adjective
Attracting attention by reason of being unusual, extreme, or prominent.
Example: The most striking figure was that one billion journeys were made a year on the national rail network in the 1950s.
throughout
adverb
In every part of a place or object.
Example: The number of passengers on London Underground and the national rail network were very similar throughout the remaining period, rising to approximately 1.1 billion in 2004/5.
transport
noun
A system or means of conveying people or goods from place to place.
Example: The number of passenger journeys on all three main ways of transport rose rapidly.
underground
noun
An underground railway, especially the one in London.
Example: At that time, the London Underground was carrying around 750 million passengers and they fell to 500 million in 1980 compared to 600 million on the national rail network.
