A About the task

1 Read the information about the task.

Task 1 tests your ability to look at visual information in a graph, chart, table or diagram, and identify and report
the most important information in your own words.
One common way to present visual information is in the form of a line graph. On the question paper, you see a
line graph with a title. The instructions for writing your response appear in a box above the graph. There is also
a brief description of the information in the line graph in the box. There is usually a key (legend) which helps you
to distinguish the lines on the graph and tells you what each line represents. You r job is to look at the graph and
select, summarise and describe the most important information.
Line graphs typically show trends. A trend is a movement of data in a general direction over time. On a line
graph, trends are represented by the direction of the lines. Trends can be upward or downward or they can
remain at the same level. An important part of your response is to describe trends and to compare them.
The horizontal axis usually involves units of time: days, months, years, and so on. Usually the time represented
in the task is in the past, but some graphs include projections about the future. The vertical axis can show almost
any kind of data: costs, temperatures, rainfall, amounts of some commodity, population figures, and so on.
It's important to examine the graph before you write your answer, and to think about what the graph is telling
you. You have to look and think carefully and choose what information to include so that your response reports
only the key information.
Here are the basic rules for writing about a line graph:
• Look at the graph carefully and decide what the most important information and striking features are.
• Write a well-organised overview.
• Include data to support the key points.
• Use an academic register or style.
• Write at least 150 words.
• Complete the task in about 20 minutes.
II Include only the key points. Minor details or irrelevant data can be leh out.
a Don't do any calculations or give your opinion about the information.

184 /\CADEMIC WRITING

 14jiii!§¥M
2 Work in pairs. Complete the sentences ( 1 -9) with the correct ending (A-1).
1 Your overall task is to identify and write about
2 You should write
3 You aren't required to write
4 The graph usually has
5 The text box above the graph includes
6 The numbers on the horizontal axis usually represent
7 The key on a line graph provides
8 The direction of the lines on a line graph shows
9 You have about

A information about what each line represents.

j
B units of time.
C over 1 50 words.
D trends, which can be rising, falling, or level.
E an explanation or analysis of the information on the graph.
F the most important i nformation shown in the line graph.
G 20 minutes to complete the task.
H a title above it.
I instructions and some information about the graph.

B Sample question
3 Read the instructions and answer the question. Use the rules about the task from
Section A to help you. Then look at the sample answer on page 334. Which aspects of
the task did you find difficult?

IELTS PRACTICE TASK

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below gives information about the technology that households in one US city used for
watching television between 2004 and 2014.
Summarise tl1e information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

200,000 �------. · ·
· · ·
· ·
··
·
·

..
1 60,000 -+--- ---1 --- Satellite
. ..
.
•'
.
.
... .
. . .. - - - - Cable
- - - - - - - .... ... . ·
-
- .
. . . . . . . . · I nternet

Broadcast
...
===

QJ
.0
E
:i
2
0 ,-- , I ,-- , ,-- ,-- ,--
2004 2006 2008 2010 201 2 20 1 4
Year

ACADEMIC WRITING 185

 TASK 1 Line Graphs

C Tips and tactics

4 Work i n pairs. Read the tips and tactics and discuss these questions.
a Which tips and tactics do you think are the most useful?
b Did you use any of these tips and tactics when you answered the sample question
i n Section B?
c Which tips will you use in the future?
The first step is to look carefully at the information in the l i ne graph. Don't rush through
this step. Make sure you understand the graph before you start to write.
2 Underline important words in the question and circle important points on the graph.
3 Identify what key information is being presented in the graph and which important dates,
figures or striking features you'll need to write about.
4 Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs: introduction, first main
paragraph and second main paragraph.
5 If the line graph has more than two lines, try to arrange the data into two or three groups.
For example, you could divide the data into rising trends and falling trends.
6 Look carefully at the timeframe that the graph covers and work out what tenses you
need to use (past, present, present perfect or future).
7 Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the graph in general terms, but don't
repeat the exact wording of the question.
8 Then describe one or two general trends shown in the graph. Don't go into detail; just
report the most important trends you see when you look at the graph.
9 In the first main paragraph, select and write about the features that are most important
and interesting, for example, rising or falling trends, or where lines intersect, and include
relevant data to support the points you make.
10 Focus on the general direction o f a trend; don't write about each change in direction o f a
line.
11 Don't try t o write about all the data i n the line graph and don't include details that are
irrelevant to the main trends.
12 Remember, don't try to analyse o r explain the information i n the graph, o r d o any
calculations; just describe and report it.
13 Keep track o f the time. Don't spend more than 2 0 minutes o n Task 1 .
14 Make sure your handwriting i s clear and legible.
15 Keep i n mind the criteria that the examiners use to mark your response. (For marking
criteria, see About the Academic Writing Test, page 1 80.)

D Ski lls-b uilding exercises

INTRODUCTORY VERBS

indicate The graph indicates the growth in the service sector and the decline in the
manufacturing sector.
show This graph shows how two programs performed over a ten-year period.
compare The graph compares changes in the annual rainfall in four cities.
provide/give information Information is provided/is given in this graph about the gradual
growth of productivity for several firms.
provide data This graph provides data about three trends: . . . , . . . , and . . . .

186 ACADEMIC WRITING

 1fa1iliffiMf!IM
Q FOCUS 5 Look at the title and the graph about average temperatures in Paris, Dubai and
Melbourne. Write four introductory sentences about the graph using introductory
Writing introductory
verbs from the box on page 186. Try to use different sentence structures and
sentences to
vocabulary in each sentence.
describe the graph
1 Thi�graph �how� the average temperature� in three citie� over a two-month period.
in general terms

Average temperatures - Paris, Dubai and Melbourne

35

30
�

(.)
0

c: �
------ _ Paris

.........
25
Q)
::l 20
� -- Dubai
Q) 15
Q.
E 10 -
�
5 - M e l b o u rn e

0 I
April May J une
Month

DESCRIBING TRENDS

UP .71
rise (v) Production costs rose to their highest level of the year in July.
rise (n) There was a rise in production costs to the highest level of the year in July.
go up (v) Between 1900 and 2000, the population went up by over a million people.
grow (grew, grown) (v) The number of first-time users grew rapidly in 2015.
growth (n) There was a rapid growth in the number of first-time users in 2015.
increase (v) The numbers of cyclists increased between 2005 and 2010.
increase ( n ) There was an increase in the number of cyclists between 2005 and 2010.

DOWN �
decline (v) The construction of new homes declined for ten years in succession.
decline (n) There was a decline in the number of new homes for ten years in succession.
go down (v) After a brie f rise, imports went down again.
decrease (v) Average test scores decreased at three of the schools.
decrease ( n ) There was a decrease in test scores at three of the schools.
drop (v) In 2008, foreign investment dropped by over 20%.
drop (n) In 2008, there was a drop in foreign investment of over 20%.
fall (fell, fallen) (v) The number of overseas students fell in 2073.
fall (n) There was a fall in the number of international students in 2013.

SAME �
stay the same The company's market share stayed the same.
remain constant For three months, the percentage remained constant.

UP AND DOWN � .71 �

fluctuate (v) The number of seasonal workers employed by the company fluctuates each
year.
fluctuation (n) There have been fluctuations in the number of seasonal workers employed
by the company.
go up and down (v) Fares have gone up and down over the last few months.

ACADEMIC WRITING 187

 PREPOSITIONS OFTIME

at (+ time of day) at noon; at 8 a.m.

on (+ date/day of the week) on 1st October; on Mondays
in (+ month/season/year/decade/century) in June; in the summer; in 2014; in the 1990s; in
the 2 1 s t century
for (a period of time) for ten years; for the next several months
by (before or at a specific point in time) by 10th April; by the end of 2016
until (up to a certain point) until December 31; until 2020; until the beginning of 2014
from . . . to/between . . . and (starting points and ending points) from 2001 to 2015;
between 1st January and 3 1 s t June
before/after (+ point in time) before 5:00 p.m.; after the 19th century
around (+ period of time or point in time) around 1997; for around six months
during (for the duration of a period of time) during the 1980s; during the winter; during
April

Q FOCUS 6 Look at the graph about the number of u niversity applications. Write sentences with
the words in brackets. Write about main trends or important points.
Describing general
trends and main (rise I from . . . to)
features The number of cipplication� received byA1hetion Univer�ityro�e from 1C!<50 1o 2005.
2 (climb to I by)
3 (fall to I in)
4 (a decline in I during)
5 (fluctuate I between . . . and)
6 (level off I around)
7 (reach a peak I around)
8 (drop I after)
9 (stay the same I from . . . to)

Number of applications received by four universities

7,000

6,000

(/)
....,
5,000
c
Q)
"C
:I
...., 4,000
(/)

0
-

Q) 3,000
...

.c
E
:I
2 2,000

1,000

0
1 980 1 985 1 990 1 995 2000 2005 2010
Year

Atherton University - T he University of Lakewood

Alstead University - Lindslade College

188 ACADEMIC WRITING

 1fa1\ll!&M
ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES

UP OR DOWN QUICKLY 1' -!t

rapidly (adv) The number of smartphones in use has risen rapidly over the last ten years.
rapid (adj) In this decade, there was a rapid increase in smartphone use.
suddenly (adv) Employment figures dropped suddenly during the following ten years.
sudden (adj) The next decade saw a sudden decrease in employment figures.
sharply (adv) The price of textbooks rose sharply.
sharp (adj) There was a sharp rise in the price of textbooks.
dramatically (adv) Exports fell dramatically last year.
dramatic (adj) There was a dramatic fall in exports last year.
significantly (adv) Property taxes rose significantly in 2014.
significant (adj) There was a significant rise in property taxes in 2014.
steeply (adv) The number of people attending the event increased steeply in 2013.
steep (adj) The year 2013 saw a steep increase in the number of people attending the event.
major (adj) A major expansion of the company's marketing department is expected in the
next few years.

UP OR DOWN MORE SLOWLY .71 �

steadily (adv) The number o f tourists visiting the park rose steadily.
steady (adj) The park experienced a steady increase in the number of tourists.
gradually (adv) The population of the province gradually declined.
gradual (adj) There was a gradual decline in the population of the province.
slightly (adv) Bus fares may go up slightly.
slight (adj) A slight increase in bus fares is expected.
minor (adj) There were minor fluctuations in the value of raw materials.

ACADEMIC WRITING 189

 TASK 1 Line Graphs

7 Look at the graph about students studying languages at u niversity. Write two
sentences about each language. Use vocabulary from any of the language boxes on
pages 186-189 to help you. Try to write about main trends or significant features.
French
The number of �tudent� �tudying French increci�ed �omewhcit from 1qqo to 1qqs.

Number of students studying languages at one university in the UK

450

400 French

350 Spanish

(/)
+' German
c 300
QI
"C
:::l Chinese
+'
(/) 250
0
....
Polish
QI
...

.0
200
Arabic
E
:::l
2 1 50

1 00

50

0
1 990 1 995 2000 2005 2010 20 1 5
Year

DESCRIBING PROJECTIONS

Some line graphs make predictions about the future. When you are describing a projection,
you should use language that indicates that these activities take place in the future and that
the data is uncertain.
might + infinitive The costs of doing business in Country B might rise next year.
may+ infinitive Government revenues may go down again during the next quarter.
will + probably + infinitive According to the graph, the number of websites
will probably double over the next few years.
is + probably + going to + infinitive There is probably going to be an increase in the
number of television dramas this autumn.
noun + is predicted A sudden increase in tourism is predicted.
is predicted + to + infinitive The number of tourists is predicted to rise.
noun + is expected A decline in the average age is expected.
noun + is expected + to + infinitive The average age is expected to go down.
It is expected that+ clause It is expected that the average age will decrease.

190 ACADEMIC WRITING

 1§1$ifMMM
Q FOCUS 8 Look at the graph showing worldwide rice consumption. Write sentences about the
four projections. Remember to use language from the box on page 190 to indicate that
Using the right
the data is uncertain.
tense to describe
projections Accordingto Projection 1. rice con�wnption �round the world i� expected togrow to over
520 metric tonne�.

Four estimates of worldwide rice consumption

600

����
en

� :::::: ;;
;;:; ����;���
Cl)

�; ;;
c:

ii--------
500

�
....
0
.
c:

- Pro jection 1
·c: 400
CJ

� - Projection 2
E 300 -+-���������������������---;
Cl)
Projection 3
200
CJ
'C:

0
.... .
-
4
1 00 -+-���������������������---;
- Projection
c:
:I
0 0
E I I I I I
<( 1 990 2000 201 0 2020 2030 2040
Year

9 Work in pairs. Look at the line graph below and answer the questions.
Q FOCUS
Understanding the
task The graph below gives information about marriage and divorce in the United
Kingdom from 1956 to 2006.

"C
en Marriage and divorce
c:
� 500
g - All marriages

-;
.s:.

.::.
1./1
400 +""--��-��---...._-=..._....
_ ...,. _
_____
- First marriages
Cl)
�
300 +---------
,,_ _..;.:=
: ....,.'-""
. -1 Divorces
.�
"C
_
__
_
____

.......
1./1
Remarriages
Cl)
O'l
(I)
'E
(I)
E
0
.. 0 ------
Cl)

1 956 1 966 1 976 1 986 1 996 2006

.c
E
:I
2 Year

1 What basic information does the graph provide?

2 What do the four lines on the graph indicate?
3 What is measu red on the vertical axis? What unit of measurement is used?
4 What is measured on the horizontal axis?
5 What trends do you see in the graph?
6 What are some of the most important features of this graph?
7 Should you try to report on all the changes in direction that you see in the graph?
Why?(Why not?

ACADEMIC WRITING 191

 TASK 1 Line Graphs

Q FOCUS 1 0 Look at the graph about marriage and divorce on page 1 9 1 again. Answer the questions.
Writing an Which of these statements about the graph (A or B) do you think is the best introductory
introductory sentence? Why is it better?
sentence and A This graph provides information about marriage and divorce in the United
describing the main Kingdom from 1 956 to 2006.
trends
B This graph indicates the changing nature of marriage, divorce and remarriage
over a period of five decades.
2 Which of these statements best describes the main trends of the graph? Why is it better?
A In general, we see that the number of marriages declined dramatically over this
period, while the number of divorces and remarriages slightly increased.
B Overall, the marriage rate went from about 405,000 per year to less than 300,000
a year, while the number of divorces went from about 30,000 a year to about
1 50,000.

Q FOCUS 1 1 Look carefully at the graph below and answer the questions. (3-5 m i nutes)
Identifying the 1 What is the overall purpose of the graph?
important points 2 What are one or two important points about the population in:
and key features in a the United States? b Nigeria? c Japan?
a graph 3 What points of comparison can you make about changes in population in these three
countries?

The graph below gives historical information and projections about changes in
population in the United States, Nigeria and Japan.

Population changes in three countries

600
QI
Q. 500
0
QI
c. 400
0
.....

IJI 300
g 200
c:

:E .J a pa n
1 00
0
1 950 1 975 2000 2025 2050
Yea r

12 Now write your answer. (10-15 minutes)

Write an introductory statement (based on the information in the text box above the graph)
and describe the main trends shown in the graph in paragraph 1.
2 Give details about changes in population in the three countries in the next paragraph.
Remember to use the appropriate tenses (past and future for predictions).
3 Compare the population changes in the third paragraph.

1 3 Check your work. Look for mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Make sure
that you have used the correct tenses, and used a good variety of language for describing
graphs. (3-5 minutes)

1 4 Work in pairs. After you have finished, look at the model answer on the DVD-ROM.
Compare your a nswers with the model answer and think about the marking criteria. (See
page 180 for marking criteria.)

192 ACADEMIC WRITING

IELTS PRACTIC E TASK
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below gives information about how teenagers (aged 12-19) in one state in the
United States communicated with each other.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting tl1e main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 1 50 words.

How teenagers in one US state communicated

60
..
. ..
... 50 .
. .. .
(/)

....
...
Q)

40 . . . . . . ... ....
Cl
(1J
c: - ...... . .. ..-
-
-

. . . ..
Q)
·······
- -
30
-
....
- -
Q)

.... 20
(1J

0
�
0
10 ·
=-�

0 I I

Nov 2006 Nov 2007 Feb 2008 Sep 2009

Year

. . . . . . . . . . . . · Text mes sag es

---- Calls on c e l l p h o n es

- Talk face-to-face

· Ema i l

Which statement best describes how you feel about Task 1 Line Graphs tasks?

I feel confident about writing responses for Task 1 Line Graphs.

I did OK, but I still need to do more work on writing responses for Task 1 Line Graphs.
I need more practice with writing responses for Task 1 Line Graphs. I need to focus on . . .

ACADEMIC WRITING 193