Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Percentage of good quality river water in four countries 1995-2018

The diagram below shows the percentage of good-quality river water in four countries from 1995 to 2010. It also shows the prediction for 2018. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

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

Percentage of good quality river water in four countries (%)

Country A
Country B
Country C
Country D

View the data

	1995	2000	2005	2008	2010	2013	2018
Country A	96	97	97.5	97.8	98	97	96
Country B	94	95	96	96.5	97	98	97
Country C	94	91	88	87	90	93	96
Country D	84	92	88	84	86.5	85	84

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 percentage of good-quality river water in four distinct countries between 1995 and 2010, with projections extending to 2018. Overall, countries A and B consistently maintained high water quality standards, whereas countries C and D showed greater volatility.

Countries A and B began the period with high percentages of 96% and 94% respectively. Both countries saw a gradual upward trend, with Country A peaking at 98% in 2010 before dipping slightly to 96% by 2018. Country B followed a similar trajectory, reaching a peak of 98% in 2013, before ending the period at 97%.

In contrast, Country C experienced a decline from 94% in 1995 to a low of 87% in 2008, followed by a steady recovery to 96% by 2018. Country D exhibited the most erratic performance; after an initial rise from 84% to 92% between 1995 and 2000, the quality fluctuated significantly, dropping to 84% in 2008, rising to 86.5% in 2010, and finally declining back to 84% by 2018. By the end of the period, Country D remained the lowest performer among the four nations.

182 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.

fluctuations: irregular rising and falling in number or amount
volatility: tendency to change rapidly and unpredictably in state
trajectory: the path followed by a development over time
erratic: not even or regular in pattern or movement
peaking: reaching the highest point of a numerical value
projections: estimates of future situations based on current trends

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While countries A and B maintained consistently high levels of water quality, countries C and D experienced more significant fluctuations 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.