Confusing words in IELTS writing task 1

Question

Recently, I have read advice for writing task 1 from AlpheccaStars.
"Figure is a diagram, graph, chart, or table in a scientific article. In this context, "figure" is very very rarely used to mean a data value. It is frequently used in business reporting articles (newspapers) to refer to sales or profits. And in that context, it is usually plural."
However, according to Simon, an ex-IELTS examiner, figure is usable in most cases. (https://www.ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/12/ielts-grammar-number-amount-proportion-figure.html)
Next, Alphecca also advise people not to use "It is clear that", "It is obvious that...",... since they are subjective, while Simon uses it frequently.
Finally, "see","witness", "experience" are accepted by Simon (https://www.ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/11/ielts-grammar-using-see-in-writing-task-1.html) while they are considered as inappropriate words for writing task 1.
I am really confused about the two experts' viewpoint. Please help me to clarify!
Thanks in advance!

Teechr · Accepted Answer

ldt0931117093"Figure is a diagram, graph, chart, or table in a scientific article. In this context, "figure" is very very rarely used to mean a data value. It is frequently used in business reporting articles (newspapers) to refer to sales or profits. And in that context, it is usually plural."However, according to Simon, an ex-IELTS examiner, figure is usable in most cases. (https://www.ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/12/ielts-grammar-number-amount-proportion-figure.html)

I don't have a problem with the use of "figure" to represent some number/data.

https://www.lexico.com/definition/figure

ldt0931117093Next, Alphecca also advise people not to use "It is clear that", "It is obvious that...",... since they are subjective, while Simon uses it frequently.

It's not the matter of being subjective (it might or might not be). The problem I have with those expressions is that they are fillers and can even be considered waffle. They add no major value to the text, and since Task 1 is a summary task, you should avoid using them.

ldt0931117093Finally, "see","witness", "experience" are accepted by Simon (https://www.ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/11/ielts-grammar-using-see-in-writing-task-1.html) while they are considered as inappropriate words for writing task 1.

Those may or may not be appropriate; it depends on the context and how they're being used.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Simon is a very good teacher, but I am convinced that his background is in language and liberal arts, not in engineering, science and math.

There are two tasks in IELTS. One is to show your skills for liberal arts, and the other is for mathematics and science.

If you are writing for a university professor or lecturer in science or mathematics, it is important to use math and science vocabulary and style, not journalism or creative writing as in an English literature course.

"Figure" is used for data in certain contexts, mainly business performance reporting. I advise to avoid "figure" for describing charts and graphs unless you are as adept as a native speaker to know when it is natural to use.

Next, the human-action verbs (see, witness and experience), are wonderful for creative writing - journalism, blogs and novels. They bring vivid imagery to your writing. However, that is not the purpose of Task 1. In Task 1, you are describing information on a chart or graph. The best way for that is to use math and science style of writing. Use precise, accurate and objective language.

Confusing words in IELTS writing task 1

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