Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Vehicle theft rates in four different countries from 1990 to 1999: 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.
  • 196 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The line graph shows thefts per thousand vehicles in four countries between 1990 and 1999.

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

Thefts per 1,000 vehicles in four countries (1990-1999) (Thefts per 1,000 vehicles)
0481216201990199119921993199419951996199719981999
  • Great Britain
  • Sweden
  • France
  • Canada
View the data
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Great Britain17181920161718201816
Sweden8788.591012121214
France6775.567.26.86.566
Canada7665.55665.556

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 8196 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the number of vehicle thefts per 1,000 vehicles in Great Britain, Sweden, France, and Canada over a ten-year period from 1990 to 1999.

Overall, Great Britain consistently recorded the highest theft rates throughout the decade, despite fluctuations. In contrast, Sweden experienced a significant upward trend, while France and Canada maintained relatively stable and lower theft rates.

Great Britain began the period at 17 thefts per 1,000 vehicles, peaking at 20 in both 1993 and 1997, before finishing at 16 in 1999. Sweden, which started at 8 thefts, saw a gradual increase, particularly after 1994, eventually reaching a period high of 14 thefts by the end of the decade. This growth made Sweden the second-highest country for vehicle thefts by 1999.

Conversely, France and Canada exhibited similar patterns, both starting with theft rates between 6 and 7 per 1,000 vehicles. Throughout the decade, their figures remained largely between 5 and 7. By 1999, both countries converged at 6 thefts per 1,000 vehicles, representing a minor change from their 1990 levels. Overall, the data highlights a clear divergence between the rising theft rates in Sweden and the stable, lower rates in France and Canada.

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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

  • upward trend

    a general direction of increasing over time

  • converged

    moved towards the same point or value

  • divergence

    the process of becoming different or separate

  • consistently

    acting or occurring in the same way

  • period high

    the maximum value reached during the timeframe

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Great Britain consistently recorded the highest theft rates throughout the period, while Sweden experienced a significant upward trend, contrasting with the relative stability observed in France and Canada.

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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