Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Internet usage trends in the USA, Canada, and Mexico 1999-2009

The line graph shows the Internet users as a percentage of the population from 1999 to 2009 for the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

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

Internet Users as Percentage of Population (%)

USA
Canada
Mexico

View the data

	1999	2001	2003	2005	2007	2009
USA	25	40	50	60	68	72
Canada	15	30	55	60	75	85
Mexico	5	10	20	30	35	40

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 proportion of the population using the internet in the USA, Canada, and Mexico between 1999 and 2009. Overall, it is clear that internet usage grew steadily in all three countries, with Canada showing the most dramatic increase, surpassing the USA by the end of the decade.

In 1999, the USA led with 25% of its population using the internet, followed by Canada at 15% and Mexico at just 5%. By 2003, Canada experienced a sharp rise to 55%, overtaking the USA, which stood at 50%. This upward trajectory for Canada continued, reaching 85% by 2009, whereas the USA's growth slowed, finishing at 72%.

Conversely, Mexico maintained the lowest percentage of internet users throughout the ten-year period. Starting at 5% in 1999, the figure doubled to 10% by 2001 and reached 20% by 2003. Growth remained steady thereafter, with the proportion of users rising to 30% in 2005 and finally reaching 40% in 2009. Despite this consistent growth, Mexico's internet penetration remained less than half that of Canada's by the end of the observed period.

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.

proportion: a part or share of a whole number
upward trend: a general direction in which something is developing
surpassing: to be greater than or exceed a value
trajectory: the path followed by a development or trend
penetration: the extent to which a product is used
conversely: introducing a statement that reverses a previous one

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, all three nations experienced a consistent upward trend in internet penetration, with Canada overtaking the USA to become the highest user nation, while Mexico remained significantly behind throughout 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.