Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Telephone call volumes in Denmark by category from 1995 to 2004: 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.
  • 181 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart below shows the total volume of telephone calls (in million minutes) in Denmark, divided into three categories, from 1995- 2004.

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

Total volume of telephone calls in Denmark (1995-2004) (million minutes)
0481216201995199619971998199920002001200220032004
  • National landline
  • International landline
  • Mobile
View the data
1995199619971998199920002001200220032004
National landline1213141515.5161615129
International landline66.26.46.66.877.27.47.67.8
Mobile11.522.533.55.57.5912

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 8181 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the changes in the volume of telephone calls in Denmark across three categories—national landline, international landline, and mobile—between 1995 and 2004, measured in million minutes.

Overall, it is clear that mobile phone usage grew substantially over the decade, eventually overtaking national landline calls. Conversely, national landline traffic peaked before declining sharply, while international landline calls showed a slow but steady increase.

In 1995, national landline calls were the most popular, starting at 12 million minutes and climbing steadily to a peak of 16 million minutes in 2000 and 2001. However, this figure dropped significantly thereafter, falling to 9 million minutes by 2004. In contrast, mobile phone usage began at a low of 1 million minutes in 1995. It grew gradually until 2000, followed by a steeper acceleration, ultimately reaching 12 million minutes by 2004, surpassing national landlines.

International landline calls remained the least used category throughout the period. Starting at 6 million minutes in 1995, this category experienced a consistent, modest growth of approximately 0.2 million minutes annually, finishing the period at 7.8 million minutes in 2004.

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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.
  • Substantially

    by a large or significant amount

  • Conversely

    introducing a statement that contrasts with the previous

  • Accelerated

    increased in speed or rate of growth

  • Surpassing

    becoming greater than or exceeding something else

  • Modest

    relatively moderate or limited in size

  • Fluctuation

    an irregular rising and falling in number

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While national landline calls experienced a significant decline after 2001, mobile phone usage saw a dramatic and consistent upward trend throughout the period.

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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