Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Oil production and consumption trends in China from 1982 to 2006

The line graph below shows the oil production and consumption in China between 1982 and 2006.

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

Oil production and consumption in China between 1982 and 2006 (Millions of oil barrels per day)

Consumption
Production

View the data

	1982	1986	1990	1994	1998	2002	2006
Consumption	1.9	1.9	2	3.5	4	5	6.3
Production	2.1	3	3	3	3.3	3.4	3.5

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 changes in oil production and consumption in China over a 24-year period, from 1982 to 2006. Overall, it is clear that China’s reliance on oil grew significantly, as consumption levels climbed sharply while production grew at a much more modest pace.

In 1982, oil production stood at 2.1 million barrels per day, slightly higher than the consumption figure of 1.9 million. Production rose to 3.0 million by 1986 and remained stagnant at this level until 1994. Thereafter, it experienced a gradual upward trend, reaching 3.5 million barrels per day by the end of the period in 2006.

Conversely, oil consumption remained relatively stable between 1982 and 1990, hovering around 1.9 to 2.0 million barrels per day. From 1990 onwards, consumption increased rapidly, overtaking production by 1994. This upward trajectory continued unabated, with consumption reaching 4.0 million in 1998, 5.0 million in 2002, and culminating at 6.3 million barrels per day in 2006. By the end of the timeframe, the gap between consumption and production had widened significantly, highlighting China's increasing demand for oil.

178 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.

Stagnant: Showing no activity or growth over a period
Surge: A sudden and powerful upward movement or increase
Trajectory: The path followed by a trend over time
Culminating: Reaching a climax or the highest point
Widened: Becoming broader or increasing in the gap
Modest: Relatively moderate or limited in size or amount

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While oil production experienced a slow and steady increase throughout the period, oil consumption saw a dramatic surge, particularly after 1990, eventually far exceeding production levels.

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.