Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

The number of passengers at a London underground station throughout the day

The graph shows the number of underground station passengers in London.

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

London Underground Station passengers (Number of Passengers)

View the data

	6.00	7.00	8.00	9.00	10.00	11.00	12.00	13.00	14.00	15.00	16.00	17.00	18.00	19.00	20.00	21.00	22.00
Passengers	100	200	400	300	185	205	280	290	300	225	100	200	380	300	125	170	140

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 passengers using a London underground station over the course of a single day, from 6.00 to 22.00.

Overall, the data reveals significant fluctuations in passenger numbers throughout the day, with two distinct peak periods occurring during the morning and evening rush hours. The lowest levels of activity are recorded at the start of the day and during the mid-afternoon.

Starting at 100 passengers at 6.00, the figure rises sharply to reach a morning peak of 400 at 8.00. Following this, numbers decline to 300 by 9.00 and drop further to a low of 185 at 10.00. Between 11.00 and 14.00, there is a steady recovery, with passenger numbers climbing from 205 to 300. However, this is followed by a sharp decrease to 100 passengers by 16.00.

In the evening, the trend reverses, with a dramatic surge to 380 passengers at 18.00. After this second peak, the number of passengers declines steadily to 300 at 19.00, followed by a sharp drop to 125 at 20.00. The day concludes with a minor recovery to 170 at 21.00, before falling to 140 at 22.00.

188 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
peak: the highest point or level of something
sharp: a sudden and significant change in direction
steady: a gradual and consistent change over time
surge: a sudden powerful forward or upward movement
decline: a gradual decrease in the number or amount

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The graph illustrates significant fluctuations in passenger numbers throughout the day, with two distinct peak periods occurring during the morning and evening rush hours.

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.