Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Employment patterns across five sectors in the USA from 1930 to 2010

The graph below presents the employment patterns in the USA between 1930 and 2010.

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

USA labour force employment 1930-2010 (%)

Industrial
Farming, fishing and Foresting
Technical
Sales and Office
Other Services

View the data

	1930	1940	1950	1960	1970	1980	1990	2000	2010
Industrial	75	70	67	65	60	40	30	10	2
Farming, fishing and Foresting	0	2	2	2	10	20	30	35	34
Technical	2	3	5	8	10	13	19	23	25
Sales and Office	10	15	10	7	10	13	15	20	20
Other Services	10	2	5	12	10	10	10	10	10

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 changes in the percentage of the USA labour force employed across five distinct sectors between 1930 and 2010. Overall, the industrial sector underwent a massive contraction, whereas the farming, fishing, and foresting sector saw a steady rise, eventually becoming the most prominent employer by the end of the period.

In 1930, the industrial sector dominated the labour market, accounting for 75% of employment. However, this figure plummeted consistently over the following decades, reaching 40% by 1980 and falling to a negligible 2% by 2010. Conversely, the farming, fishing, and foresting sector started at 0% in 1930 and remained stagnant until 1960. Thereafter, it grew rapidly, peaking at 35% in 2000 before settling at 34% in 2010.

Regarding the remaining sectors, technical employment showed a gradual upward trend, rising from 2% in 1930 to 25% by 2010. Sales and office employment fluctuated, starting at 10%, peaking at 20% in 2000, and remaining stable thereafter. Finally, other services experienced volatility, initially dropping from 10% to 2% in 1940, before recovering and plateauing at 10% from 1970 onwards.

179 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.

contraction: a process of becoming smaller in size or amount
plummeted: decreased rapidly in value or amount
stagnant: showing no activity or current development
fluctuated: rose and fell irregularly in number or amount
plateauing: reaching a state of little or no change
prominent: important, noticeable, or standing out clearly

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The most significant trend is the dramatic decline of the industrial sector, while the farming, fishing, and foresting sector experienced the most substantial growth over the 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.