Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Changes in weekly food consumption per person in China 1985-2010

The graph below shows the changes in food consumption by Chinese people between 1985 and 2010.

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

Food Consumption in China, 1985-2010 (grams/person/week)

Meat
Salt
Fish

View the data

	1985	1990	1995	2000	2005	2010
Meat	110	140	160	180	200	200
Salt	480	430	350	300	250	200
Fish	610	700	600	700	750	850

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 weekly consumption of meat, salt, and fish per person in China between 1985 and 2010. Overall, it is clear that fish remained the most consumed food item throughout the period, while salt intake dropped significantly, and meat consumption showed a gradual increase.

In 1985, fish consumption stood at 610 grams per person per week. Despite a fluctuation in 1995 when it dipped to 600 grams, it followed a general upward trajectory, reaching a peak of 850 grams by 2010. Conversely, salt consumption began at 480 grams in 1985 and experienced a steady decline throughout the entire period. By 2010, the weekly intake of salt had fallen to 200 grams, matching the level of meat consumption.

Regarding meat, the consumption started at a relatively low 110 grams per week in 1985. This figure rose consistently over the following two decades, reaching 200 grams by 2005. Between 2005 and 2010, meat consumption plateaued, remaining stable at 200 grams. By the end of the period, meat and salt consumption levels converged, while fish remained the dominant food source in the Chinese diet.

184 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.

trajectory: the path or direction something follows over time
fluctuation: an irregular rise and fall in numerical values
plateaued: reached a state of little or no change
converged: moved towards the same point or value
dominant: having the most influence or the highest proportion
upward: moving or pointing towards a higher position

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While fish consumption experienced an overall upward trend and meat intake rose steadily, salt consumption saw a significant and consistent decline over the 25-year period.

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.