Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Average Annual Expenditure on Cell and Residential Phone Services 2001-2010

The graph shows average annual expenditures on cell phone and residential phone services between 2001 and 2010.

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

Average annual expenditures on phone services (dollars)

Cell phone services
Residential phone services

View the data

	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Cell phone services	210	295	315	380	450	520	605	645	700	760
Residential phone services	690	640	620	595	575	550	480	465	435	400

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.

Band 8 sample answer

The line graph illustrates the average annual spending on cell phone and residential phone services in the United States between 2001 and 2010. Overall, it is clear that there was a marked shift in consumer preference, with cell phone expenditure rising steadily while residential phone spending decreased consistently throughout the decade.

In 2001, residential phone services were the dominant expense, with an average annual cost of $690, compared to just $210 for cell phone services. However, the gap between the two narrowed rapidly. By 2006, the figures intersected at approximately $535, marking the point where cell phone expenditure overtook residential costs. Following this, cell phone spending continued to climb, reaching a peak of $760 by 2010.

Conversely, expenditure on residential phone services followed a downward trajectory. After starting at $690 in 2001, the figure dropped to $550 by 2006. This decline continued at a relatively steady pace, with spending falling to $480 in 2007 and eventually reaching a low of $400 by the end of the period in 2010. By the final year, the expenditure on cell phone services was nearly double that of residential phone services.

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

How to write about 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.

upward trend: a general direction in which something is increasing
steady decline: a gradual and continuous decrease in value
intersected: when two lines cross at a specific point
overtook: to become greater in amount than something else
downward trajectory: a path that shows a consistent decreasing trend
marked shift: a noticeable and significant change in a pattern

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Over the ten-year period, expenditure on cell phone services experienced a significant upward trend, while spending on residential phone services saw a steady decline.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

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 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.