Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Spending on renewable energy research in four countries from 1975 to 2000

The graph below shows the spending on research into renewable sources of energy in four countries between 1975 and 2000.

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

Dollars per person spent on Research into Renewable Energy (Dollars)

Switzerland
Denmark
Spain
UK

View the data

	1980	1985	1990	1995	2000
Switzerland	2	3	3.5	4.5	5
Denmark	1.3	1.2	1.2	2.8	3.5
Spain	1.2	1	0.3	0.9	0.6
UK	1.1	0.5	0.8	0.5	0.2

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 per capita expenditure on renewable energy research in Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, and the UK between 1975 and 2000.

Overall, Switzerland demonstrated a significant and steady increase in spending, ultimately becoming the highest investor by a considerable margin. Conversely, the UK and Spain saw their research funding decline significantly by the end of the period, while Denmark experienced a notable surge after 1990.

Switzerland began at zero in 1975 and rose steadily to reach $2 per person by 1980. This growth continued throughout the following two decades, peaking at $5 per person in 2000. Denmark followed a similar initial trajectory, reaching $1.3 in 1980, but remained relatively stagnant at approximately $1.2 until 1990. Thereafter, Danish investment climbed sharply to reach $3.5 by 2000.

In contrast, the UK and Spain showed more volatile patterns. The UK peaked early at $1.1 in 1980 before fluctuating and eventually dropping to a low of $0.2 by 2000. Spain also peaked at $1.2 in 1980, but experienced a sharp decline to $0.3 in 1990. Although Spanish spending recovered slightly to $0.9 in 1995, it fell back to $0.6 by the end of the period.

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.

Expenditure: The total amount of money spent by someone
Per capita: For each person in a specific population group
Stagnant: Showing no activity or growth over a period
Volatile: Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably in nature
Trajectory: The path or direction followed by a trend
Conversely: Introducing a statement that contrasts with previous information

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Switzerland experienced a consistent upward trend throughout the period, while the other three nations saw fluctuations and generally lower levels of investment by the end of the century.

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.