Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Line graph showing the number of international conferences in three cities

The line graph gives information about the number of international conferences in three cities.

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

The number of international conferences in three cities (number of conferences)

City A
City B
City C

View the data

	1965	1975	1985	1995	2005	2010
City A	35	20	30	27	30	20
City B	31	28	29	26	28	25
City C	0	10	20	28	24	29

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 number of international conferences held in three different cities between 1965 and 2010. Overall, City C experienced the most significant growth over the period, while City A and City B showed more volatile trends with no clear long-term upward trajectory.

In 1965, City A hosted the highest number of conferences at 35, followed by City B with 31, while City C held none. By 1975, City A saw a sharp decline to 20, whereas City B remained relatively stable at 28. Conversely, City C began its upward trend, reaching 10 conferences. By 1985, City A recovered to 30, City B stood at 29, and City C continued its steady rise to 20.

From 1995 to 2010, the trends diverged further. City C overtook the others by 2010, reaching a peak of 29 conferences. In contrast, City A experienced a significant drop to 20 by 2010, matching its 1975 low. City B maintained a moderate level of activity throughout this period, ending at 25 conferences in 2010. While City A and B fluctuated throughout the four decades, City C demonstrated a consistent, albeit non-linear, increase in hosting international events.

193 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.

volatile: subject to frequent and unpredictable changes in value
trajectory: the path followed by a development or trend
diverged: developed in different directions from a common point
fluctuated: rose and fell irregularly in number or amount
steady rise: a consistent and gradual increase over some time
non-linear: not progressing in a straight or direct line

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, City C experienced the most significant growth over the period, while City A and City B showed more volatile trends with no clear long-term upward trajectory.

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.