Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Telephone subscriber trends in Africa between 1994 and 2004

The line graph compares the percentage of people in Africa from 1994 to 2004.

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

Telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants, Africa 1995-2004 (subscribers per 100 inhabitants)

Fixed
Mobile

View the data

	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Fixed	1.7	1.8	2	2.1	2.2	2.5	2.5	2.8	2.8	3	3.1
Mobile	0.06	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.7	1	2	3	4.5	6	8.8

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 the number of fixed and mobile telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants in Africa over an eleven-year period from 1994 to 2004.

Overall, it is clear that mobile phone subscriptions witnessed a significant upward trend, particularly after 2000, whereas fixed-line connections grew at a much slower and more consistent pace. By the end of the period, mobile technology had become the dominant form of telecommunication in the region.

In 1994, fixed-line subscriptions stood at 1.7 per 100 inhabitants, while mobile usage was negligible at just 0.06. Over the next six years, fixed-line numbers climbed steadily to reach 2.5 by 2000. During the same timeframe, mobile subscriptions also rose, albeit gradually, reaching 2.0 per 100 inhabitants by 2000.

A pivotal shift occurred in 2001, when mobile subscriptions reached 3.0, surpassing the 2.8 recorded for fixed lines. From this point onwards, mobile growth accelerated sharply, climbing to 4.5 in 2002 and reaching a peak of 8.8 by 2004. In contrast, fixed-line growth remained sluggish, ending the period at 3.1 subscribers per 100 inhabitants, which was significantly lower than the mobile figure.

185 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.

negligible: so small or unimportant as to be disregarded
pivotal: of crucial importance in relation to a development
accelerated: increased in rate, amount, or extent
sluggish: lacking energy or showing very slow growth
surpassing: exceeding or going beyond a certain level
dominant: most important, powerful, or influential

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While fixed-line subscriptions experienced modest, steady growth throughout the period, mobile phone usage saw a dramatic, exponential increase, overtaking fixed lines by 2001.

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.