Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Employment rates for women aged 15-64 in five countries 2003-2009

The line graph below gives information about the percentage of women aged 15-64 in employment between 2003 and 2009.

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

Percentage of women aged 15-64 in employment (2003-2009) (%)

Iceland
Canada
Germany
Chile
Turkey

View the data

	2003	2005	2007	2009
Iceland	81	81	80	78
Canada	69	69	70	70
Germany	59	60	61	63
Chile	35	39	40	41
Turkey	25	21	22	24

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 percentage of women aged 15-64 in employment across five different nations between 2003 and 2009. Overall, it is clear that Iceland consistently reported the highest female employment rates, whereas Turkey recorded the lowest figures throughout the six-year period. While most countries experienced a gradual increase in employment, Iceland saw a slight decline.

Iceland began the period with 81% of women in employment, a figure that remained stable until 2005 before dipping slightly to 80% in 2007 and ending at 78% in 2009. Canada followed a more stable trajectory, starting at 69% in 2003 and rising marginally to reach 70% by 2009. Germany also showed consistent growth, climbing steadily from 59% in 2003 to 63% by the end of the period.

In contrast, Chile and Turkey occupied the lower end of the spectrum. Chile experienced a notable upward trend, with its employment rate rising from 35% in 2003 to 41% in 2009. Turkey, however, saw its rate fluctuate, dropping from 25% in 2003 to a low of 21% in 2005, before recovering to 24% by 2009, remaining significantly below the other nations.

186 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.

fluctuate: to rise and fall irregularly in number
trajectory: the path or direction something follows over time
marginally: by a very small or insignificant amount
spectrum: a range of different values or positions
consistently: acting or occurring in the same way
notable: worthy of attention or striking in nature

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, Iceland consistently maintained the highest employment rate for women, while Turkey remained at the lowest level throughout the period, with most countries showing a gradual upward trend except for Iceland.

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.