Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Trends in international student enrolment at Sheffield University from 2005 to 2009: 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.
  • 189 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The line graph gives information about the number of Iranian, Greek and Turkish students who enrolled at Sheffield University between 2005 and 2009.

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

International student enrolment (Number of students)
0408012016020020052006200720082009
  • Iran
  • Greece
  • Turkey
View the data
20052006200720082009
Iran37607088158
Greece178153707046
Turkey225087105123

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 8189 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the changes in the number of students from Iran, Greece, and Turkey enrolling at Sheffield University between 2005 and 2009.

Overall, it is clear that while the popularity of the university among Greek students plummeted, there was a marked increase in the number of enrolments from Iran and Turkey. By the end of the period, Iranian students became the largest group among the three nationalities.

In 2005, Greece had the highest enrolment with 178 students, compared to 37 from Iran and 22 from Turkey. However, the number of Greek students fell sharply to 70 by 2007 and continued to decline to 46 by 2009. Conversely, Turkish student numbers rose steadily from 22 in 2005 to 87 in 2007, eventually reaching 123 by the end of the period.

Iranian student numbers also grew, starting at 37 in 2005 and reaching 70 by 2007, matching the figure for Greek students that year. Following a period of stability for Greek students between 2007 and 2008, Iranian enrolment accelerated significantly, rising from 88 in 2008 to a peak of 158 in 2009, surpassing both Turkish and Greek student numbers.

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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.
  • plummeted

    fell very quickly and by a large amount

  • upward trend

    a general direction of increasing values over time

  • steadily

    in a regular and even manner without fluctuations

  • accelerated

    increased in speed or rate of growth

  • surpassing

    becoming greater in number than another group

  • conversely

    used to introduce a statement that is opposite

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While the number of Greek students experienced a significant decline over the period, enrolment figures for Iranian and Turkish students showed a consistent upward trend.

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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