Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Average monthly temperatures in Paris, Dubai, and Sydney throughout the year: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 line graph question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about line graphs.
  • 191 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The line graph below shows the average monthly temperatures in three major cities.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Average monthly temperatures in three major cities (Celsius)
01020304050JanMarMayJulSepNov
  • Paris
  • Dubai
  • Sydney
View the data
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Paris56911151620201612.575
Dubai192023263133353633.5292521.5
Sydney2423.522191614131416172023

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8191 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the average monthly temperatures in Paris, Dubai, and Sydney over the course of a year. Overall, it is clear that Dubai remains the hottest city throughout the period, whereas Paris and Sydney exhibit opposing temperature trends, reflecting their respective positions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Dubai starts the year at 19°C and experiences a steady climb, peaking at 36°C in August before declining to 21.5°C by December. In contrast, Paris follows a typical Northern Hemisphere pattern, beginning at a cool 5°C in January. Temperatures in Paris rise gradually to reach a plateau of 20°C in July and August, before falling back to 5°C by the end of the year.

Sydney, located in the Southern Hemisphere, displays a mirror image of the Parisian trend. It begins the year at a warm 24°C in January, which is its peak. Temperatures then decline steadily to a low of 13°C in July, which corresponds to the winter season. Following this, the city experiences a gradual warming trend, rising back to 23°C by December. Notably, the temperature profiles of Paris and Sydney intersect twice, once in March and again in September.

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Line graphs

How to write about line graphs: tips and vocabulary

  • →Overview first: the overall direction of each line and which was highest.
  • →Group lines that move together instead of describing each one in turn.
  • →Give the start and end figures plus the peak or low point, not every value.
  • inverse

    having a position or order that is reversed

  • plateau

    a state of little or no change

  • mirror image

    something that is exactly like another thing reversed

  • intersect

    to divide something by passing across it

  • steady

    regular, even, and continuous in development

  • respective

    relating to each of several people or things

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Dubai consistently experiences the highest temperatures throughout the year, while Paris and Sydney show inverse seasonal patterns due to their locations in different hemispheres.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe line graphs?+

Overview first: the overall direction of each line and which was highest. Group lines that move together instead of describing each one in turn. Give the start and end figures plus the peak or low point, not every value.

Keep practising

More line graphs

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