Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Weekly consumption of fish and various meats in a European country: 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.
  • 183 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The graph below shows the consumption of fish and some different kinds of meat in a European country between 1979 and 2004.

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

Fish and meat consumption (Grams per person per week)
050100150200250197919841989199419992004
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Fish
View the data
197919841989199419992004
Chicken140175200225225245
Beef220230190190130105
Lamb150115125806055
Fish604545403535

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 8183 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates changes in the weekly consumption of chicken, beef, lamb, and fish per person in a European country between 1979 and 2004. Overall, it is clear that chicken became the most popular meat, whereas the consumption of all other types of meat and fish decreased significantly.

In 1979, beef was the most consumed meat at 220 grams per week, followed by lamb at 150 grams, chicken at 140 grams, and fish at 60 grams. Chicken consumption rose steadily throughout the period, overtaking beef around 1989. By 2004, chicken reached a peak of approximately 245 grams per week. Conversely, beef consumption fluctuated before entering a sharp decline after 1994, finishing at roughly 105 grams by 2004.

Lamb consumption also saw a downward trend, dropping from 150 grams in 1979 to 55 grams by the end of the period. Fish consumption remained the lowest throughout the entire timeframe, starting at 60 grams and gradually decreasing to 35 grams per week by 2004. In summary, the dietary habits shifted dramatically, with chicken replacing beef as the primary source of meat for the population.

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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.
  • upward trend

    a general direction in which something is increasing

  • declined

    to become smaller, fewer, or less in amount

  • fluctuated

    to rise and fall irregularly in number or amount

  • overtaking

    to catch up with and pass while travelling

  • sharp decline

    a very sudden and significant decrease in value

  • period

    a particular length of time in the past

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While chicken consumption experienced a significant upward trend, the consumption of beef, lamb, and fish all declined over the 25-year 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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