Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Average carbon dioxide emissions per person in four European countries 1967-2007

The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

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

Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person, 1967-2007 (metric tonnes)

United Kingdom
Sweden
Italy
Portugal

View the data

	1967	1977	1987	1997	2007
United Kingdom	10.8	10.7	10	9.5	8.7
Sweden	8.6	10.3	7	6.2	5.4
Italy	4.2	6.3	6.8	7.7	7.7
Portugal	1.2	2.2	3.2	5.2	5.4

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 carbon dioxide emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007, measured in metric tonnes.

Overall, the United Kingdom and Sweden recorded a downward trend in emissions, whereas Italy and Portugal showed a consistent increase. By the end of the period, the emission levels for all four nations converged within a narrower range compared to 1967.

In 1967, the United Kingdom had the highest emissions at 10.8 tonnes, followed by Sweden at 8.6 tonnes. Both countries saw their figures fluctuate; the UK experienced a steady decline to 8.7 tonnes by 2007. Sweden’s emissions peaked at 10.3 tonnes in 1977 before dropping sharply to 5.4 tonnes by 2007.

Conversely, Italy and Portugal started with much lower emissions. Italy began at 4.2 tonnes and rose steadily to reach a plateau of 7.7 tonnes in 1997, where it remained until 2007. Portugal, which started at the lowest level of 1.2 tonnes, experienced the most consistent growth, climbing to 5.4 tonnes by 2007, effectively matching Sweden’s final emission level.

177 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.

converged: moved towards the same point or value
fluctuate: change irregularly between high and low levels
plateau: reach a state of little or no change
downward trend: a general movement towards a lower level
upward trend: a general movement towards a higher level
consistently: continuing to happen in the same way

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While the United Kingdom and Sweden experienced a general decline in CO2 emissions over the period, Italy and Portugal saw a significant upward trend.

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.