Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Line graph showing the number of international conferences in three cities: 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.
  • 193 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The line graph gives information about the number of international conferences in three cities.

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

The number of international conferences in three cities (number of conferences)
01020304050196519751985199520052010
  • City A
  • City B
  • City C
View the data
196519751985199520052010
City A352030273020
City B312829262825
City C01020282429

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 8193 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the number of international conferences held in three different cities between 1965 and 2010. Overall, City C experienced the most significant growth over the period, while City A and City B showed more volatile trends with no clear long-term upward trajectory.

In 1965, City A hosted the highest number of conferences at 35, followed by City B with 31, while City C held none. By 1975, City A saw a sharp decline to 20, whereas City B remained relatively stable at 28. Conversely, City C began its upward trend, reaching 10 conferences. By 1985, City A recovered to 30, City B stood at 29, and City C continued its steady rise to 20.

From 1995 to 2010, the trends diverged further. City C overtook the others by 2010, reaching a peak of 29 conferences. In contrast, City A experienced a significant drop to 20 by 2010, matching its 1975 low. City B maintained a moderate level of activity throughout this period, ending at 25 conferences in 2010. While City A and B fluctuated throughout the four decades, City C demonstrated a consistent, albeit non-linear, increase in hosting international events.

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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.
  • volatile

    subject to frequent and unpredictable changes in value

  • trajectory

    the path followed by a development or trend

  • diverged

    developed in different directions from a common point

  • fluctuated

    rose and fell irregularly in number or amount

  • steady rise

    a consistent and gradual increase over some time

  • non-linear

    not progressing in a straight or direct line

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Overall, City C experienced the most significant growth over the period, while City A and City B showed more volatile trends with no clear long-term upward trajectory.

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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