Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Average monthly price fluctuations for copper, nickel and zinc in 2014

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

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

Average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel and zinc (2014) (%)

Copper
Nickel
Zinc

View the data

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Copper	2	1	0.5	0.5	-0.5	-0.5	1	1	1	0.5	0.5	1.5
Nickel	6	4	1	1	0.5	-3	-1	-1	-1	-2	1	1
Zinc	1	3	2	1.5	1	-1	-0.5	-0.5	-0.5	-1	1.5	2

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 monthly percentage change in the prices of copper, nickel, and zinc throughout 2014. Overall, nickel experienced the most significant volatility throughout the year, while copper and zinc showed more moderate fluctuations in their monthly price changes.

Nickel began the year with the highest growth at 6% in January, followed by a steady decline to 1% by March. After remaining stable at 1% in April and 0.5% in May, nickel prices plummeted to a low of -3% in June. Although there was a slight recovery to -1% between July and September, prices dipped further to -2% in October before rebounding to 1% in November and December.

In contrast, copper started at 2% in January and gradually decreased to -0.5% by May and June. From July to September, copper prices stabilised at 1% growth, before experiencing minor fluctuations between 0.5% and 1.5% for the remainder of the year. Zinc followed a similar pattern to copper, peaking at 3% in February. It then trended downwards, reaching a low of -1% in June and October, before finishing the year with a strong recovery to 2% in December.

189 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.

volatility: the tendency of prices to change very rapidly
fluctuations: irregular rising and falling in number or amount
plummeted: decreased rapidly and suddenly to a lower level
rebounded: rose again after having fallen in value
stabilised: became unlikely to change or fluctuate significantly
trended: developed or changed in a general direction

Write your own report and get a band

Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS Academic writing

On your phone? Get the BandLadder app.

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, nickel experienced the most significant volatility throughout the year, while copper and zinc showed more moderate fluctuations in their monthly price changes.

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.