Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

The number of passengers at a London underground station throughout the day: 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.
  • 188 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The graph shows the number of underground station passengers in London.

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

London Underground Station passengers (Number of Passengers)
01002003004005006.008.0010.0012.0014.0016.0018.0020.0022.00
View the data
6.007.008.009.0010.0011.0012.0013.0014.0015.0016.0017.0018.0019.0020.0021.0022.00
Passengers100200400300185205280290300225100200380300125170140

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 8188 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the number of passengers using a London underground station over the course of a single day, from 6.00 to 22.00.

Overall, the data reveals significant fluctuations in passenger numbers throughout the day, with two distinct peak periods occurring during the morning and evening rush hours. The lowest levels of activity are recorded at the start of the day and during the mid-afternoon.

Starting at 100 passengers at 6.00, the figure rises sharply to reach a morning peak of 400 at 8.00. Following this, numbers decline to 300 by 9.00 and drop further to a low of 185 at 10.00. Between 11.00 and 14.00, there is a steady recovery, with passenger numbers climbing from 205 to 300. However, this is followed by a sharp decrease to 100 passengers by 16.00.

In the evening, the trend reverses, with a dramatic surge to 380 passengers at 18.00. After this second peak, the number of passengers declines steadily to 300 at 19.00, followed by a sharp drop to 125 at 20.00. The day concludes with a minor recovery to 170 at 21.00, before falling to 140 at 22.00.

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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.
  • fluctuations

    irregular rising and falling in number or amount

  • peak

    the highest point or level of something

  • sharp

    a sudden and significant change in direction

  • steady

    a gradual and consistent change over time

  • surge

    a sudden powerful forward or upward movement

  • decline

    a gradual decrease in the number or amount

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The graph illustrates significant fluctuations in passenger numbers throughout the day, with two distinct peak periods occurring during the morning and evening rush hours.

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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