Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

The incidence of X virus diseases in Australia from 1960 to 1995

The line graph below shows the cases of diseases caused by the X virus in Australia from 1960 to 1995.

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

Cases of X virus diseases in Australia (number of cases)

View the data

	1960	1965	1970	1975	1980	1985	1990	1995
Incidence of X virus diseases	50	100	200	500	500	410	0	0

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 cases of diseases caused by the X virus in Australia over a 35-year period, starting from 1960 and ending in 1995.

Overall, the incidence of the virus experienced a substantial upward trend during the first fifteen years, reaching a plateau before plummeting to zero by 1990. The virus was most prevalent between 1975 and 1980.

In 1960, there were 50 reported cases of the X virus. This figure doubled to 100 by 1965 and continued to climb, reaching 200 cases by 1970. The most rapid growth occurred in the following five-year period, with cases surging to 500 by 1975. This peak level was maintained until 1980, representing the highest recorded incidence in the timeframe.

Following this period of stability, the number of cases began to fall. By 1985, the figure had decreased to 410. Subsequently, there was a dramatic decline, as the number of reported cases dropped to zero by 1990. This absence of cases persisted through 1995, indicating that the virus had been effectively eradicated in Australia by the end of the observed period.

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.

incidence: the frequency or rate of occurrence of something
plateau: a state of little or no change after growth
plummeting: falling or dropping straight down at high speed
prevalent: widespread in a particular area at a time
surging: increasing suddenly and powerfully in a short time
eradicated: completely destroyed or put an end to something

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The number of X virus cases rose significantly to a peak in the mid-1970s before declining sharply and disappearing entirely by 1990.

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.