Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

The number of male and female university graduates in Canada 1992-2007

The graph below shows the number of university graduates in Canada from 1992 to 2007.

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

University graduates, Canada, 1992-2007 (number of graduates)

females
males

View the data

	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
females	98,000	100,000	102,000	104,000	102,000	101,000	100,000	101,000	102,000	105,000	110,000	117,000	125,000	128,000	132,000	147,000
males	71,000	73,000	75,000	76,000	75,000	74,000	73,000	72,000	74,000	73,000	76,000	81,000	85,000	87,000	89,000	95,000

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 male and female university graduates in Canada between 1992 and 2007. Overall, it is clear that the number of graduates for both genders followed an upward trend, with females consistently representing a larger proportion of the total graduate population throughout the fifteen-year period.

In 1992, there were 98,000 female graduates compared to 71,000 males. While the number of female graduates experienced a slight fluctuation, peaking at 104,000 in 1995 before dipping to 100,000 in 1998, it began a more pronounced upward trajectory from 2000 onwards. By 2007, the number of female graduates had climbed significantly to reach 147,000.

Similarly, the number of male graduates showed a modest increase over the period. Starting at 71,000 in 1992, the figure rose to 76,000 in 1995, followed by a period of relative stability where numbers hovered between 72,000 and 74,000 until 2001. From 2002, the growth accelerated, with male graduates reaching 95,000 by 2007. Despite this growth, the gap between the two groups widened over time, as female graduates increased at a faster rate than their male counterparts.

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.

upward trend: a general direction in which something is developing
fluctuation: an irregular rising and falling in number
trajectory: the path followed by a development or trend
outnumbering: being more numerous than the other group
accelerated: increased in rate, amount, or extent
counterparts: people or things that correspond to another

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, the number of university graduates in Canada increased for both genders throughout the period, with females consistently outnumbering males by a significant margin.

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.