Word graph in a sentence

Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 question requires you to use several vocabularies to present the data given in a pie/ bar/ line/ mixed graph or to describe a process or a flow chart. Being able to use appropriate vocabularies, presenting the main trend, comparing & contrasting data and presenting the logical flow of the graph ensure a high band score in your Academic IELTS writing task 1. This vocabulary section aims to help you learn all the vocabularies, phrases and words you need to know and use in your Academic writing task 1 to achieve a higher band score. The examiner will use four criteria to score your response: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, & grammatical range and accuracy. Since lexical resource will determine 25% of your score in Task 1, you have to enrich your vocabulary to hit a high band score. To demonstrate that you have a great lexical resource, you need to:

» Use correct synonyms in your writing.
» Use a range of vocabulary.
» Do not repeat words and phrases from the exam question unless there is no alternative.
» Use less common vocabulary.
» Do not use the same word more than once/twice.
» Use precise and accurate words in a sentence.

It is advisable that you learn synonyms and use them accurately in your writing in order to give an impression that you can use a good range of vocabulary.

Graph Writing Vocabulary Index:

The general format for writing academic writing task 1 is as follows:

Introduction + Basic/ General Trends + Details Description + Summary (optional).

Each part has a specific format and therefore being equipped with the necessary vocabulary will help you answer the task 1 efficiently and will save a great deal of time.

Vocabulary for the Introduction Part:

Starting:The/ the given / the supplied / the presented / the shown / the provided

Presentation Type:diagram / table / figure / illustration / graph / chart / flow chart / picture/ presentation/ pie chart / bar graph/ column graph / line graph / table data/ data / information / pictorial/ process diagram/ map/ pie chart and table/ bar graph and pie chart …

Verb:shows / represents / depicts / enumerates / illustrates / presents/ gives / provides / delineates/ outlines/ describes / delineates/ expresses/ denotes/ compares/ shows contrast / indicates / figures / gives data on / gives information on/ presents information about/ shows data about/ demonstrates/ sketch out/ summarises…

Description:

the comparison of…
the differences…
the changes…
the number of…
information on…
data on…
the proportion of…
the amount of…
information on…
data about…
comparative data…
the trend of…
the percentages of…
the ratio of…
how the…

Example : 

1. The diagram shows employment rates among adults in four European countries from 1925 to 1985.
2. The given pie charts represent the proportion of male and female employees in 6 broad categories, dividing into manual and non-manual occupations in Australia, between 2010 and 2015. 
3. The chart gives information about consumer expenditures on six products in four countries namely Germany, Italy, Britain and France.
4. The supplied bar graph compares the number of male and female graduates in three developing countries while the table data presents the overall literacy rate in these countries. 
5. The bar graph and the table data depict the water consumption in different sectors in five regions.
6. The bar graph enumerates the money spent on different research projects while the column graph demonstrates the fund sources over a decade, commencing from 1981.
7. The line graph delineates the proportion of male and female employees in three different sectors in Australia between 2010 and 2015.

Note that, some teachers prefer “The line graph demonstrates…” format instead of “The given line graph demonstrates…”. However, if you write “The given/ provided/ presented….” it would be correct as well.  

Tips:

1. For a single graph use ‘s’ after the verb, like – gives data on, shows/ presents etc. However, if there are multiple graphs, DO NOT use ‘s’ after the verb.

2. If there are multiple graphs and each one presents a different type of data, you can write which graph presents what type of data and use ‘while’ to show a connection. For example -‘The given bar graph shows the amount spent on fast food items in 2009 in the UK while the pie chart presents a comparison of people’s ages who spent more on fast food. 

3. Your introduction should be quite impressive as it makes the first impression to the examiner. It either makes or breaks your overall score.

4. For multiple graphs and/ or table(s), you can write what they present in combination instead of saying which each graph depicts. For example, “The two pie charts and the column graph in combination depicts a picture of the crime in Australia from 2005 to 2015 and the percentages of young offenders during this period.” 

Caution:
Never copy word for word from the question. If you do do, you would be penalised. always paraphrase the introduction in your own words.

General Statement Part:

The General statement is the first sentence (or two) you write in your reporting. It should always deal with:

What + Where + When.

Example: The diagram presents information on the percentages of teachers who have expressed their views about different problems they face when dealing with children in three Australian schools from 2001 to 2005.

What = the percentages of teachers…
Where = three Australian schools….
When  = from 2001 to 2005…

A good General statement should always have these parts.

Vocabulary for the General Trend Part:

In general, In common, Generally speaking, Overall, It is obvious, As is observed, As a general trend, As can be seen, As an overall trend,  As is presented, It can be clearly seen that, At the first glance, it is clear, At the onset, it is clear that, A glance at the graphs reveals that…

Example:

1. In general, the employment opportunities increased till 1970 and then declined throughout the next decade.
2. As is observed, the figures for imprisonment in the five mentioned countries show no overall pattern, rather shows the considerable fluctuations from country to country.
3. Generally speaking, citizens in the USA had a far better life standard than that of remaining countries. 
4. As can be seen, the highest number of passengers used the London Underground station at 8:00 in the morning and at 6:00 in the evening.
5. Generally speaking, more men were engaged in managerial positions in 1987 than that of women in New York in this year.
6. As an overall trend, the number of crimes reported increased fairly rapidly until the mid-seventies, remained constant for five years and finally, dropped to 20 cases a week after 1982.
7. At a first glance, it is clear that more percentages of native university pupils violated regulations and rules than the foreign students did during this period.
8. At the onset, it is clear that drinking in public and drink driving were the most common reasons for the US citizens to be arrested in 2014.
9. Overall, the leisure hours enjoyed by males, regardless of their employment status, was much higher than that of women

The structure of the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (Report Writing):

Introduction:

Introduction (never copy word for word from the question) + Overview/ General trend (what the diagrams indicate at a first glance).

Reporting Details:

Main features in the Details
+ Comparison and Contrast of the data. (Do not give all the figures.)
+ Most striking features of the graph.

Conclusion:

Conclusion (General statement + Implications, significant comments)
[The conclusion part is optional.]

Tips:
1. Write introduction and General trend in the same paragraph. Some students prefer to write the ‘General Trend’ in a separate paragraph and many teachers suggest the both to be written in a single paragraph. Unless you have a really good reason to write the general trend in the second paragraph, try to write them both in the first paragraph. However, this is just a suggestion, not a requirement.

2. Your ‘Introduction (general statement + overall trend/ general trend) should have 75 – 80 words.

3. DO NOT give numbers, percentages or quantity in your general trend. Rather give the most striking feature of the graph that could be easily understood at a glance. Thus it is suggested to AVOID –

“A glance at the graphs reveals that 70% male were employed in 2001 while 40 thousand women in this year had jobs.”

And use a format /comparison like the following:

“A glance at the graphs reveals that more men were employed than their female counterpart in 2001 and almost two-third females were jobless in the same year. “

You will often need to use ‘adjectives’ and ‘adverbs’ to indicate the speed of changes in the trend (called ‘Degree of Speed) in your answer. Following is a list of vocabularies that will help you present the quick changes quite effectively.

Adjectives:
» Rapid, Quick, Sharp, Swift, Sudden, Wild.
» Steady, Gradual, Moderate
» Slow, Gentle.

Adverbs:
» Rapidly, Quickly, Sharply, Swiftly, Suddenly, Wildly.
» Steadily, Gradually, Moderately
» Slowly, Gently.

A different set of vocabulary to represent the ‘Degree of Trend’ would also be handy to summarise data presented in a graph. Both ‘adjective’ and ‘adverb’ form of this vocabulary list is given below. Use ‘adjectives’ to modify a ‘Noun’, while ‘adverbs’ should be used to modify a ‘verb’.

Adjectives:
» Significant, Huge, Enormous, Steep, Substantial, Considerable, Marked, Dramatic, Abrupt.
» Moderate, Slight.
» Minimum (singular), Minima (plural)

Adverbs:
» Significantly, Hugely, Enormously, Steeply, Substantially, Considerably, Markedly, Dramatically, Abruptly.
» Moderately, Slightly.
» Minimally

Vocabulary to describe a Map:

IELTS Map Example 1:
The map below is of the town of Garlsdon. A new supermarket (S) is planned for the town. The map shows two possible sites for the supermarket.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

IELTS Map Example 2:
The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities. 
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

» Horizontal, Vertical.
» Circle, Square, Rectangle.
» Across, Across from.
» Under, Over, Inside, Beside, On top of, Adjacent, Opposite, Next to.
» Along, Through, As far as.
» Midpoint, Halfway, In the middle.
» Intersection, Overlapping.
» Exterior.
» Parallel to, Parallel, Perpendicular to.
» Edge, Diagonal.
» In front of the, Behind the.
» To the right, To the left.
» On the right-hand side, On the left-hand side.
» North, South, East, West.
» Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western.
» To the north, To the East…
» Where.
» In which, To which, From which.

» Built, Erected, Replaced.
» Situated, Located.
» Changed to/ Converted/ Gave way to/ Became.
» While in 2001, it was ……, later, it was converted to ……

Vocabulary to describe a Process Diagram:

In Introduction:
The diagram/ picture/ flow chart depicts/ illustrates/ describes the proces of/ how….

While Describing the Process:
A) First/ Firstly, Second/ Secondly, Third/Thirdly …… Next/ After that/ Then,  Following that/Followed by,  Subsequently/ Subsequent to that, Finally/ Lastly…
B) Where/ From where/ After which/ After that/ Afterward…
C) When/ As soon as/ Immediately, Just after that…
D) At the beginning, In the end, Just after the beginning, Just before the end…

To denote the end of a step:
A) After this step/ stage/ process…
B) Once this stage/ step is completed…

To donate what a Step involves:
A) The phase/ step/ stage involved…

To denote the repetition of a cycle/ process:
A) The cycle/ process then repeat itself.
B) The cycle/ process is then repeated.

Vocabulary to describe Predictions:

Some graphs and diagrams not only list down the data that represent something from the past or the present time but also gives a prediction of the future. For instance, a line graph might present the population of a country from 1950 to 2050, over a hundred years. If you are taking the IELTS exam in 2017, you need to describe the population of this country till 2016 using the past tense. For the population figure in 2017, you will use the present tense. Finally, the population from 2018 till 2050 is a prediction and hence you should be using the future tense while describing it in your writing. Moreover, you need to use certain vocabularies to represent such future data/ predictions. Following is a list of such vocabularies to help you accurately describe any predicted data —

It is predicted/ estimated/ projected/ forecasted/ expected/ anticipated that……… will ………..

Is /are predicted/ estimated/ projected/ forecasted/ expected/ anticipated to …………

It gives prediction/ estimation/ projection/ forecast of ……….

It …… will ………

……. Will have ……. by ……. (year/month/decade)…….

Vocabulary to show the value/ Incorporate data/ figure:

You should not write down every piece of data/figure that is given in the diagram in your report writing and doing so would actually hurt your band score. You are expected to mainly show the following in your report writing: —

• Comparison of data/trend
• Contrast of data/trend
• Most significant figures/data/information/ trend (typically 4-6)
• The highest point
• The lowest point
• The overall scenario.

However, to compare/contrast data or to show a significant change/trend you will need to show a figure that you will use as the base. For example, The British spent over eighty thousand Pounds on average which was twice than the spending of Americans and approximately quadruple than that of Irish. Here, over 80 thousand pounds is the base figure.

Following is a list of vocabulary to use to show such figures in your report writing:

Is/ was/ were: The percentage of foreign students was exactly ten in 2001 in this university and it rose three times in ten years.

Stand at/ Stood at: The percentages of males and females who opined that they should be allowed to get married at 21 stood at 14 and 16 in 1990 but witnessed a noticeable decline in 2010.

Exactly &  As high as: The sale in March was exactly 400 and went up as high as 1100 in June.

Using (): In summer, the number of refrigerators sold (154) was far greater than the refrigerators sold (63) in winter.

Which:
1. From January to March the death case rose three times which was only 23 between October and December.
2. The temperature, which was 21 degrees C in March, climbed to 39 degrees C in mid-July.

Makes up: In the first decade, the population remained steady, which made up 2.8 million approximately, but it doubled in the next 30 years.

Constitutes: The initial expenditure, which constituted 280 USD, climbed rapidly and reached the peak during 2014.

Accounts for:
1. In June 2016. the number of Asian students enrolment in this university accounted for 45 which is estimated to be almost double in the next year.
2. The number of infected people, which accounts for nine, is markedly lower than the number of infected patients in the last month, which accounted for forty.

Vocabulary to write the Conclusion part:

To draw the conclusion:  In conclusion / To conclude / On the whole.
To Summarize:  In short / In brief / To sum up / In summary.

However, according to some teachers and examiners, a more appropriate ways of drawing the conclusion of your graph writing should start with the words/ phrases:

Generally,
Generally speaking,
All in all,
From the graphs, it is quite evident that.

Examples:
1. In conclusion, third world countries have improved their production sectors like garments, over the last 10 years whereas the first world countries have improved their technology and research sectors during the same period.

2. In brief, the overall sale of the company has improved in the last 5 years except 2005 when the sale reduced significantly due to retrenchment.

3. All in all, the process of building an IC is a complex one and involves more than eight steps to complete including the testing phase.

4. It is quite evident that the women employment progressed remarkably in the last decade and in some employment sectors women are well ahead of men.

5. To conclude, weather forecasting is a complex process and a great deal of technology is used to prepare and broadcast the reliable weather forecasting.

Tip: ‘In a nutshell‘ is not a formal expression and this is why you should not use it in your IELTS Writing.

Everybody uses some common vocabularies to describe a diagram and to write a report. For instance, there would be hardly anyone who does not use the words ‘increase, decrease, fall, higher, fluctuate, climb, decline, quickly increase, sharply decrease, and those are really obvious words used by most of the IETLS candidates. If you too use these overused words and phrases, you would not be able to give an impression that your range of vocabulary is stronger and richer than others.

» Illustration: can replace – “diagram, chart.”
» As the diagrams suggest: can replace – “As can be seen, According to the diagrams.
» Illustrate: can replace – “describe, show, present data on.”
» Trifling: can replace – “small, insignificant.”
» Delineate: can replace – “show, present, describe.”
» From this graph, it is quite evident that: can replace – “In conclusion, In summary, In general.”
» The most possible ground: can replace – “the most common reason.”
» Elaborate: can replace – “describe, explain.”
» Nadir: can replace – “the lowest point.”
» Apex/ Vertex: can replace – “the highest point.”
» Soared: can replace – ” sharply increased.”
» Skyrocketed: can replace – ” very quickly increased.
» Frantically: can replace – “very quickly, very rapidly.”
» Slumped: can replace – “quickly dropped.”
» Plummeted: can replace – “quickly dropped.”
» Surged: can replace – “went up, climbed, increased.”
» Deteriorate: can replace – “fall.”
» Dip: can replace – “fall, decline.”
» Dive: can replace – “fall, drop.”
» Go into free-fall: can replace – “fall, drop, decline, decrease.”
» Plummet, plunge, slum: can replace – “fall, drop, decline.”
» Take a nosedive: can replace – “reduce, drop, fall, decline.”
» Slide: can replace – “drop, fall.”
» Decade: can replace – “ten years.”
» Projected: can replace – “predicted, forecasted, estimated.”
» Overwhelmingly: can replace – “greatly, significantly.”
» Hardly: can replace – “barely, merely,
» At the onset it is clear: can replace – “As can be seen from the graph.”
» Indicate: can replace – “point out.”
» All in all: can replace – “In summary, in conclusion.”
» Obtain: can replace – “get.”
» Commence: can replace – “start”.
» In the interim: can replace – “in the meantime.”
» Correct: can replace – “right”.
» Inexpensive: can replace – “cheap.”
» Depict: can replace – “show.”
» Plateaued: can replace – “remained the same.”
» Oscillate/ Vacillate/ Palpipate: can replace – “fluctuate.”
» Declivity: can replace – “drop, fall, decrease”.
» Acclivity: can replace – “An upward slope, an upward trend, increase.”
» A steep fall: can replace – “A quick fall”.

Vocabulary to ensure high band score in IELTS Graph writing:

Few more useful vocabulary to ensure high band score in IELTS Graph writing:

• Plateau

Meaning: Reach a state of little or no change after a period of activity or progress, levelled out.
Example: The share price of the ACME company have plateaued out.

• Dip

Meaning: Submerge, lower plunge, sink.
Example: The employee satisfaction score then dipped in 2005 and remained at this level for the next three years.

• Slump

Meaning: Decrease, decline, deteriorate.
Example: The number of passengers then slumped and reached to only 2500 compared to four thousand in the previous year.

• Steep

Meaning: Sheer, sharp, abrupt, perpendicular.
Example: The steep decline of the heavy drinkers contributed to the enhanced life expectancy in this country.

• Substantial

Meaning: Notable, considerable, significant, marked
Example: A substantial number of these diploma holders did not finish their tertiary education.

• Dramatic

Meaning: Significant, notable, noteworthy, remarkable, considerable, substantial.
Example: The dramatic rise of the car use has polluted the air.

• Gradual

Meaning: Step by step, slow but continuous, uniform, successive, progressive, steady, regular, even, consistent.
Example: The participation of women in these sectors gradually improved and in 2015, more than 38% women were employed in these job sectors.

• Decline

Meaning: Reduce, decrease, plummet, plunge, slump, shrink, fall off, lessen.
Example: Investment in clean energy declined in the third world countries in 2005 while it actually doubled in most of the first world countries.

• An upward trend

Meaning: The tendency of being higher, something that goes upward.
Example: An upward trend in the number of club members was visible from 2005 to 2007 after which it actually dropped.

• Respectively

Meaning: Consecutively, sequentially.
Example: Car theft cases in Denmark, Sweden, UK and Japan were respectively 240, 210, 354 and 189 in January 2018.

• Consecutively

Meaning: Sequentially, progressively.
Example: While the daily fast food consumption per person in the UK was 50 grams, it was 61, 32 and 25 grams in the USA, Sweden and China consecutively.

• Apex

Meaning: The highest point, peak, vertex, pinnacle, summit, top.
Example: The price then increased noticeably and reached the apex in 2017.

• Acclivity

Meaning: Ascent, climb, rise.
Example: The activity of the car ownership in Europe further developed and reached to 57% in 2011.

• Declivity

Meaning: A downward slope, decline, decrease.
Example: The declivity on the number of female members in 2011 was almost double than that of the previous year.

• Remained stable

Meaning: Remained constant, did not change.
Example: The ratio of highly skilled professionals in the former country increased significantly but remained stable in the later one.

• Plummet

Meaning: Plunge, fall, decline, slump, nosedive, drop, decrease.
Example: The ratio of unemployed youth, who have vocational education, plummeted in 2005 than that of two years earlier.

• Prevalent

Meaning: Common, general, usual, prevailing, widespread, endemic, rampant.
Example: The prevalence of the trend could be better understood if we compare the data with that of the last twenty years.

• Stood at

Meaning: To remain stable/ intact,  to come to a stop.
Example: The old hospital stood at the same position as it was five decades earlier but the free-space in front of it was converted to a car parking area.

• Enumerate

Meaning: Identify, itemise, list, summarise, recite, specify, quote, relate.
Example: The illustration enumerates how Australian Bureau of Meteorology collects up-to-the-minute information on the weather.

• Radically

Meaning: Completely, hurriedly, abruptly.
Example: The technological advancement has radically changed the way employees used to work in their offices.

• Positive development

Meaning: Improvement, progress, stay forward, increase, grow, rise.
Example: The increasing number of female executives in the company is considered a positive development.

• Subsequent

Meaning: Following, next, successive, succeeding.
Example: Despite a hike at the beginning of the year, the oil price steadily declined in the subsequent months until June 2017.

• Commence

Meaning: Start, begin, set in motion, open, initiate, inauguarate.
Example: The construction of the road was commenced at the beginning of 2001 and ended in 2003.

• Plunge

Meaning: Slump, plummet, shrink, fall off, decline, decrease, drop, reduce.
Example: Employers’ contribution to the fee for skill development courses has plunged to a great extent in the last decade, as the graph suggests.

• Surge

Meaning: Increase, went higher, jump.
Example: Duration of watching TV as a leisure activity surged among the elder people in Australia after 1998.

• To dive

Meaning: Fall, descent, plummet, plunge, nosedive, drop.
Example: Consumption of word resources in some Asian countries, on the contrary, has dived after 2014.

• Abrupt

Meaning: Swift, sudden, instantaneous, hurried, startling, unanticipated, unexpected, rapid, speedy.
Example: The abrupt rise of the population in the early 21st century is contrasting to that of the beginning of the 18th century, as the data suggests.

• Relative

Meaning: Correlative, corresponding, parallel, reciprocal.
Example: The academic performance and professional efficiency are somewhat relative to each other despite the presence of many other variables, according to the survey outcome.

• Modest

Meaning: Tolerable, adequate, moderate, fair, satisfactory, acceptable.
Example: The wheat export then witnessed a modest decline and it affected the revenue earned in 2015.

• Variation

Meaning: Disparity, inequality, dissimilarity, difference, variety, diversification.
Example: It can be inferred from the given data that variations in the pH values are sometimes detrimental.

• Elucidate

Meaning: Explain, make clear, clarify, throw/shed light on, explicate, annotate.
Example: The line chart elucidates how much waste was recycled in the UK between 1990 and 2015.

• Unravel

Meaning: Untangle, clear up, disentangle, explain, straighten out, separate out.
Example: The data unravel the fact that the crime rate increases in the later decades despite some stringent initiatives from the law-enforcers.

»» Make sure you know all of these words/ phrases and can use them while writing a report/ describing a graph.

This guide covers important IELTS line graph examples including questions of IELTS Academic writing task 1. Let’s start preparation with Benchmark IELTS!

1. IELTS Line Graph Overview

Line graphs are a very common IELTS writing task 1 question type. You will be given a line graph (or sometimes two) with multiple lines that illustrate a change over time.

The line graph(s) will have two axes; the X-axis (horizontal) will typically show the time period and the Y-axis (vertical) will show the measurement.

You should spend 20 minutes completing this task and write at least 150 words (aim for around 160-190) – you can read this guide on suggested Academic Writing Task 1 word length.

1.1 Objective

The main aim of this task is to produce a formal report that summarises and compares the main features of the IELTS line graph(s). Here are some examples of formal language you could use in your report:

1.2 Skills Used

You are being tested on your ability to select the key features from the graph and present the main trends in a summary in a formal report. You also need to compare the data when it’s appropriate.

2. IELTS Task 1 Line Graph Questions

You may be given one or two line graphs that illustrate changes in different categories over a period of time. The time period could occur in the past, or range from the past to the predicted future.

Here are some IELTS Line Graph examples: 

2.1 Line Graph in the Past

The graph gives information about the visitors to Cardiff and Dublin from 2010 to 2020.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write a minimum of 150 words

2.2 Line Graph from the Past to Predicted Future

The graph gives information about the actual and predicted number of visitors to Cardiff and Dublin from 2018 to 2040.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant

Write a minimum of 150 words

3. Structure for Line Graph Task 1 Questions

When you are producing an IELTS writing task 1 report, you should always include:

The above IELTS report writing structure can be followed on other Academic Task 1 types including bar graph, process diagram, maps and pie chart.

Whether you are taking the paper or computer-based IELTS test, you should leave a line between each paragraph so it is clear for the examiner.

Read on for more detail on what to include in each paragraph…

3.1 Introduction

Your introduction should always paraphrase the given statement. Paraphrasing is a key skill that is useful in all parts of the IELTS academic exam, especially writing. You are showing the examiner that you have understood the statement by putting it in your own words. This might be by using synonyms or what are sometimes called parallel expressions (phrases with the same meaning). You can also change the word order in the statement or the class of a word (e.g. change a verb to a noun).

You should not try to memorise an answer, but you can learn some useful expressions to start your introduction. Here are some you can use for line graphs:

Look at the example paraphrased statement for a line graph:

Example of paraphrasing

Original statement:
The graph gives information about visitors to Cardiff and Dublin from 2010 to 2020.

Paraphrased statement:
The graph shows information about how many people visited Cardiff and Dublin over a ten-year period between 2010 and 2020.

Changes:
The graph gives information about…

The graph shows…

…visitors to Cardiff and Dublin…

…how many people visited Cardiff and Dublin…

from 2010 to 2020

over a ten-year period between 2010 and 2020

3.2 Overview

Your overview is probably the most important part of your IELTS writing task 1 report. In fact, without it you will struggle to score above a band score 5 in task achievement (see our section on IELTS Band Descriptors Explained for more details).

An overview should be one paragraph that summarises the key trends shown in the line graph(s). The key trends are the main increase and decreases in the graph, in other words, the most noticeable features. Do not go into too much detail by referring to specific figures, save the detail for your main body paragraphs.

The best way to start your overview paragraph is with ‘Overall…’ as this clearly shows the examiner where to find your overview. You can also use phrases such as ‘In summary…’ or ‘to summarise’.

You do not need to write a separate conclusion (you will need one for writing task 2).

3.3 Main Body Paragraphs

Your body paragraphs should go into more detail about the key information in the line graph(s). You need to make your paragraphs clear and organise them logically. Here’s a possible example:

Main Body Paragraph 1– Describe the changes in one category (e.g., travellers to Cardiff)

Main body paragraph 2– Describe the changes in another category (e.g., travellers to Dublin) and make comparisons with the first category

The content of your body paragraphs will depend on the line graph(s) but here are some general points to consider:

4. IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors Explained

Here’s a link to our guide to IELTS Writing Band Descriptors  with all you need to know about each section.

5. Vocabulary for IELTS Line Graph

5.1 Language to Describe Trends

A line graph will illustrate different trends that you need to describe. This could be an upward trend, a downward trend or other noticeable trends. Here are some useful nouns and verbs to help you describe each type:

5.2 Verbs and Adjectives to Describe Change

You can use a combination of a verb + adverb to describe the trends more accurately and avoid repetition.

Remember, if the data in your line graph occurred in the past, you will need to use the past simple form of the verb. If the data is from the present, you should use the present form of the verb

Here are some examples of verbs + adverbs to describes changes in a line graph:

These verbs do not require an adverb (their meaning already implies a big change):

5.3 Adjectives and Nouns to Describe Change

You can also describe changes in a line graph using an adjective + noun phrase.

For example:

5.4 Linking Words

You should use linking words in Academic IELTS writing task 1 as they will help to organise your report and they will improve your score in Coherence and Cohesion. Here are some useful words to use in writing task 1:

5.5 Time Expressions

Writing about a line graph will require you to describe the passing of time. Here are some expressions to help you avoid repetition when talking about time:

Using a range of grammatical structures will increase your score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Here are some example structures that you can use in your own writing:

6.1 After + -ing + adverb

Example:
After falling considerably to 2.5 million in 2015, the numbers then rose dramatically to 5 million in 2020.

6.2 Having + past participle + adverb

Example:
Having fallen considerably to 2.5 million in 2015, the numbers then rose dramatically to 5 million in 2020.

6.3 After which/at which point

You can join two changes together by adding after which or which point and an additional clause.

Examples:
The number of visitors to Cardiff dropped slightly to 1.5 million in 2015, after which point there was a sharp rise to 4 million in 2018.

The number of visitors to Dublin increased slightly to 6 million in 2015, at which point there was a considerable decrease to 4 million in 2018.

7. IELTS Writing Task 1 Line Graph Sample Answer

The graph gives information about the visitors to Cardiff and Dublin from 2010 to 2020.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write a minimum of 150 words

Sample

The graph shows information about how many people visited Cardiff and Dublin over a 10-year period between 2010 and 2020.

Overall, what stands out from the graph is that there was an upward trend in the number of visitors to Cardiff, but the number of visitors to Dublin saw a significant decrease over the period. A further additional point is that Dublin had more visitors in 2010, but in 2020, Cardiff was much more popular than Dublin.

In detail, the number of visitors to Cardiff started at around 1.5 million (m) in 2010 and then the figure rose steadily to about 2.3m in 2013. After that, the figure levelled off and stayed at 2.3m until 2014. Having fallen slightly to about 1.7m in 2017, the number of visitors then soared, rising sharply to just under 4m in 2018. Lastly, there was a gradual increase, with the final figure finishing at 5m in 2020.

However, if we look at the number of visitors to Dublin, the trend was very different. The number of visitors started at around 4.9 m in 2010, after which there was a to approximately 2.3m in 2013. After a slight increase to 2.5m in 2015, the figure then declined steadily to just over 2m before finishing at 2m.

7.1 Sample Answer Commentary

The report above would receive an estimated 9.0 overall in the IELTS writing task 1 Academic paper.

It has been organised into four logical paragraphs that are clearly divided into an introduction, overview, and two separate body paragraphs. The minimum 150 word count has been exceeded. The report is written in a formal style (the writer has not included their opinion and has not used informal language).

The overview paragraph has been clearly signposted using ‘overall’ and the introductory phrase ‘what stands out from the graph is that…’ The overview describes the main trends of the line graph and does not include any specific figures.

The dates of the graph have been referred to accurately and the past tense has been used throughout the report.

A range of past simple verb + adverb constructions have been used to describe changes in the data e.g., ‘rose steadily’. Other language to describe change has been used, such as ‘levelled off’, ‘rising sharply’, ‘gradual increase’, ‘considerable fall’ and ‘declined steadily ‘.

A range of grammatical constructions have been used, for example, ‘having fallen slightly’ (having + past participle) ‘…after which there was a considerable fall’ (after which/at which point).

8. Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Problem 1
Trying to describe every detail of the line graph.

Solution 1
You need to demonstrate your ability to select the key features from the graph. You will not lose marks for leaving out any data points. You do not have the time to write about every feature in 20 minutes. Instead, focus your time and energy on the figures in the graph that are the highest, the lowest, and the most interesting figures.

Problem 2
Not referring to the figures when describing the data.

Solution 2
You should always refer to the figures (e.g., number of visitors) in your main body paragraphs. By doing this, you are fulfilling the Task Achievement criteria and demonstrating to the examiner that you have understood the graph. See the examples below:

Incorrect
The number of visitors to Cardiff dropped slightly in 2015, after which point there was a sharp rise in 2018.

Correct
The number of visitors to Cardiff dropped slightly to 1.5 million in 2015, after which point there was a sharp rise to 4 million in 2018.

9. Quiz- Check Your Understanding

Take this short quiz to test your understanding of writing task 1 and line graphs: