Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Overseas visitors to the UK for different purposes between 1989 and 2009

The graph below shows the number of overseas visitors who came to the UK for different purposes between 1989 and 2009.

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

Overseas visitors to the UK by purpose (1989-2009) (millions)

Business
Holiday
Meeting Friends and relatives

View the data

	1989	1991	1994	1996	1999	2001	2004	2006	2009	2011
Business	5	4	4.5	6	6.5	6.5	7	7.5	8	7
Holiday	6.5	6.5	8	9	8	7	6.5	7	8	9
Meeting Friends and relatives	3.5	4	4.3	4.5	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	6.2

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 overseas visitors arriving in the UK for three distinct purposes—holiday, business, and visiting friends or relatives—between 1989 and 2009. Overall, it is clear that all three categories experienced growth throughout the period, although holiday travel remained the most popular choice for the majority of the timeframe.

In 1989, holiday travel began at 6.5 million, which was the highest figure among the three. This number climbed significantly to reach a peak of 9 million in 1996, before experiencing a period of fluctuation and dipping to 6.5 million in 2004. Subsequently, it recovered to reach 9 million again by 2011. In contrast, business travel started at 5 million in 1989, dropped to 4 million by 1991, and then followed a steady upward trajectory, peaking at 8 million in 2009 before declining to 7 million.

Visiting friends and relatives was the least common reason for travel throughout the period. Starting at 3.5 million in 1989, this category saw consistent growth, reaching 7 million by 2009, before experiencing a slight decline to 6.2 million by the end of the period.

183 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.

fluctuation: irregular rising and falling in number or amount
upward trajectory: a steady path of increasing over time
distinct: clearly different or of a different kind
peak: the highest point reached by a value
dipping: a brief or temporary fall in amount
consistent: acting or done in the same way over time

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, all three categories of visitors showed an upward trend over the period, with holiday travel remaining the most popular purpose for the majority of the time.

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.