IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Line Graphs

 

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Line Graphs

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Useful Tips

1.      Analyze the graph carefully: Identify trends, changes, highest/lowest points, etc.

2.      Understand the time period: Use correct tenses (usually past simple).

3.      Group similar data: Don’t describe every point individually.

4.      Use a variety of vocabulary: Avoid repetition.

5.      Avoid opinions: Just describe the data.

6.      Write at least 150 words, but not too long (170–190 is ideal).

7.      Paraphrase the question in the introduction.

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Linking Words & Phrases

➤ Introduction & Overview

• The line graph illustrates...
• The graph compares...
• Overall,...
• In general,...
• It can be seen that...

➤ Describing Trends

• increased / rose / climbed / grew
• decreased / declined / dropped / fell
• remained steady / stable
• fluctuated
• peaked / reached a peak
• hit a low / bottomed out

➤ Time Connectors

• In 2000 / Between 1990 and 2000
• Over the next ten years
• During the period shown
• By 2010 / From 2000 onwards

➤ Comparative Phrases

• was higher than / lower than
• overtook / surpassed
• similar to / the same as
• in contrast / whereas / while / however

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Structure

1. Introduction (1-2 sentences)

• Paraphrase the task question.

2. Overview (2 sentences)

• Summarize main trends (not specific data).

3. Body Paragraph 1

• Describe key features or trends (with data).

4. Body Paragraph 2

• Compare, contrast, or describe changes (with data).

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Sample Line Graph Question

Question:
The graph below shows the number of international tourists who visited three different regions from 2000 to 2020.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph illustrates the number of international tourists (in millions) who visited France, the USA, and Japan between 2000 and 2020.

Overall, France consistently remained the most visited country throughout the period, despite some fluctuations. The USA, on the other hand, experienced a steady decline in tourist arrivals, while Japan showed remarkable growth, surpassing the USA by the end of the period.

In 2000, France welcomed the highest number of international visitors at 75 million, followed by the USA with 60 million and Japan with just 15 million. Over the following decade, France’s figures fluctuated, reaching a peak of 90 million in 2010 before experiencing a slight fall. The USA, however, recorded a gradual decline, with arrivals falling to 50 million by 2010. Meanwhile, Japan’s tourism industry showed modest growth, doubling to 30 million during the same period.

From 2010 onwards, France’s tourist numbers remained relatively stable, finishing at 85 million in 2020. In contrast, the USA continued to lose visitors, with figures dropping sharply to 40 million by 2020. Japan, however, experienced a dramatic upturn, with international arrivals soaring to 55 million, overtaking the USA for the first time.

In summary, France maintained its position as the leading tourist destination, Japan achieved the most rapid and significant growth, and the USA faced a consistent downward trend over the two decades.

Sample 2

The line graph shows the number of players in four different sports (badminton, tennis, basketball, rugby) in a particular European country between 1985 and 2005.

The line graph illustrates the number of players participating in different types of sports between 1985 and 2005.

Overall, rugby and tennis were the most popular sports throughout most of the period, except in 2005 when the number of rugby players declined sharply. By contrast, basketball and badminton remained relatively stable, showing no significant changes over the two decades.

In 1985, rugby recorded the highest number of players at about 250, followed by tennis with approximately 150 participants. Over the years, the number of tennis players rose considerably, reaching 200 in 1995, where it equaled rugby, and eventually surpassing it with over 200 players by 2005. Rugby, on the other hand, experienced a steep decline after 1995, plummeting to just 50 players by the end of the period.

As for the other sports, basketball maintained a steady participation rate of around 70 players, while badminton consistently attracted about 50 players throughout the 20-year span.

In summary, while rugby initially dominated, its popularity fell dramatically, allowing tennis to become the leading sport by 2005. Meanwhile, basketball and badminton saw little to no change in participation.