IELTS Writing
Task 1: line graphs
Line graphs show change over time. Your overview should say what happened overall: which lines rose or fell, and which was highest or lowest across the period.
In the body, group lines that move in the same way, and describe the start, the end and any big turning points with figures. Use past tenses for past dates and careful language for forecasts.
A simple structure
- Introduction (1 sentence): paraphrase what the visual shows, with the time period and units.
- Overview (2 sentences): the two or three most important features. No figures needed here; this is what examiners look for first.
- Body paragraph 1: the first group of key features, with figures and comparisons.
- Body paragraph 2: the second group, again with figures. No conclusion or opinion needed.
Example question
The graph below shows the number of visitors to three attractions in one city between 2010 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Science museumBotanical gardenArt gallery
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How to answer
Reading Line Charts
- Compare the first and last values to find the chart’s overall direction.
- Look for peaks, lows, and places where the line changes direction. These are turning points.
- Separate the main trend from short fluctuations. A line can rise overall despite a brief fall.
- Describe a turning point with its period and value when these details are clear.
Example: Task 1: line graph of two services’ users, 2010–2020 (thousands). Overall, use of Service A increased, despite a brief fall after 2016, and peaked at 80,000 in 2019 before slipping slightly. Service B declined throughout the period.
Describing Increases and Decreases
- Use “rise” or “increase” for upward movement and “fall” or “decrease” for downward movement.
- “Climb” suggests a clear rise; “drop” suggests a clear fall.
- Use “surge” or “plunge” only for a very large, rapid change.
- Check the figures before adding words such as “slightly”, “gradually” or “sharply” to describe a change.
Example: Task 1: a line graph showing the number of daily calls, in thousands, in 2000, 2010 and 2020. The number of calls fell sharply from 90,000 in 2000 to 55,000 in 2010. It then decreased slightly to 50,000 in 2020.
Describing Stable Trends
- A stable figure changes little over a period. It may stay at the same level or vary slightly.
- Use phrases such as "remained stable", "stayed roughly the same" and "showed little change".
- A fluctuating figure moves up and down repeatedly. Use "fluctuated" only when the data shows this pattern.
- Check the whole period: one small change does not make an otherwise stable figure fluctuate.
Example: Task 1: a line graph showing a figure of 42, 43, 42 and 44 units at four dates. The figure remained broadly stable at about 43 units throughout, with only minor variation.
Using Tenses for Dates
- Use the past simple for data from dates that have finished: “The figure rose from 2000 to 2010.”
- Use “will” or “is expected to” for values shown as forecasts after the actual data.
- If a visual includes actual and forecast periods, change tense when you move from one period to the other.
- Check each date before choosing a verb. Keep the tense consistent for events within the same time period.
Example: Task 1: a line graph showing actual figures from 2000 to 2020 and a forecast for 2030. The figure rose from 20 in 2000 to 50 in 2020. It is then projected to reach 65 by 2030.
Practise
Short items from the ielts.coach lessons. Answer them, then check to see why each answer is right.
1A line chart shows a figure of 20 in 2000, 45 in 2005 and 70 in 2010. What is its main direction?
2A line chart shows values of 30 in 2012, 55 in 2014, 40 in 2016 and 65 in 2018. What happened after the 2014 turning point?
3A figure rises from 42 to 44. Which sentence describes this accurately?
4A figure increases from 20 to 90 in one year. Which verb best describes this large, rapid rise?
5A figure is 20, 21, 20 and 19 at four dates. Which description best fits the whole period?
6A chart shows values of 75, 74, 76 and 75. Which sentence describes this pattern most accurately?
7A chart shows actual sales figures from 2010 to 2020. Which sentence uses the correct tense?
8A chart gives actual figures up to 2025 and forecasts a rise by 2035. Which sentence describes the forecast correctly?
Test hacks
Answer every part of Task 2
Underline each question in the prompt. A two-part question needs two clear answers.
Why it works: Missing part of the task limits your Task Response score, however good your English is.
Never go under the word minimum
Count your lines early: if you write about 10 words a line, Task 2 needs at least 25 lines.
Why it works: Answers under the minimum lose marks: under Task Achievement in Task 1 and Task Response in Task 2.
No bullet points or notes
Write everything in full sentences and paragraphs. Bullet points and note-style answers are not appropriate.
Why it works: Your grammar and coherence can only be assessed in connected writing.
Practise with feedback on every answer
ielts.coach builds daily lessons and practice around your interests and level, marks Writing and Speaking like an examiner in seconds, and plans your weeks to test day.