Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Noise complaints reported to Environmental Health authorities in Newtown 1980-1996

The graph below shows the number of complaints made about noise to Environmental Health authorities in the city of Newtown between 1980 and 1996.

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

Number of complaints about noise in Newtown (1980-1996) (Number of complaints)

Road Works
factories
Traffic Noise
Domestic/household

View the data

	1980	1982	1984	1986	1988	1990	1992	1994	1996
Road Works	500	500	500	400	400	800	1,000	1,200	1,230
factories	400	600	650	700	700	750	700	690	680
Traffic Noise	300	300	300	200	200	350	500	580	600
Domestic/household	650	600	400	350	250	250	200	100	80

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 noise-related complaints filed with Environmental Health authorities in Newtown between 1980 and 1996. Overall, it is clear that road works and traffic noise became increasingly problematic, whereas domestic complaints experienced a sharp decline.

In 1980, domestic noise was the primary source of complaints at 650, followed by road works at 500. However, domestic complaints fell steadily throughout the period, dropping to just 80 by 1996. Conversely, road works remained stable at 500 until 1984, before dipping to 400 in 1986 and 1988. From 1990 onwards, this category surged, reaching a peak of 1230 complaints by 1996.

Regarding other sources, factory-related complaints rose from 400 in 1980 to a peak of 750 in 1990, before experiencing a slight decline to 680 by the end of the period. Traffic noise remained relatively low, starting at 300 and dipping to 200 between 1986 and 1988. Following this, it climbed consistently, ending the period at 600 complaints. By 1996, road works had become the most significant source of noise complaints, while domestic issues had become the least frequent.

181 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
surged: increased very quickly and by a large amount
dipping: a slight or temporary decrease in a value
conversely: used to introduce a statement that is opposite
steadily: happening in a regular and continuous way
primary: the most important or main source of something

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While complaints regarding road works and traffic noise saw significant upward trends over the period, reports concerning domestic issues and factories followed a downward or relatively stable 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.