Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

The price of bananas in four countries between 1994 and 2004

The graph below gives information about the price of bananas in four countries between 1994 and 2004.

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

Price of bananas in four countries (1994-2004) (US $ per kilogram)

JAPAN
FRANCE
GERMANY
USA

View the data

	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
JAPAN	1.9	2.9	2	1.9	2	2.2	2.1	1.6	2.1	2.15	2.5
FRANCE	1.7	1.7	1.7	1.7	1.6	1.75	1.3	1.75	1.7	1	1.6
GERMANY	1.4	1.3	1.5	1.45	1.35	1.5	1.25	1.4	1.2	1.2	1.2
USA	0.9	1.2	1.2	1.1	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1

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 fluctuations in the price of bananas per kilogram across four nations—Japan, France, Germany, and the USA—over an eleven-year period from 1994 to 2004.

Overall, Japan consistently recorded the highest banana prices throughout the period, while the USA maintained the lowest and most stable figures. While most countries experienced moderate price volatility, Japan saw the most dramatic shifts, particularly a sharp peak in 1995.

Japan began the period at 1.9 US dollars, surging to a peak of 2.9 US dollars in 1995 before declining to 1.6 US dollars by 2001. Subsequently, prices recovered, ending the period at 2.5 US dollars. In contrast, the USA started at 0.9 US dollars, rose to 1.2 US dollars in 1995, and remained remarkably stable at approximately 1.1 US dollars for the remainder of the decade.

France and Germany followed similar trends, generally fluctuating between 1.2 and 1.75 US dollars. France experienced a notable dip to 1.0 US dollars in 2003, though it recovered to 1.6 US dollars by 2004. Germany’s prices were relatively consistent, peaking at 1.5 US dollars in 1996 and 1999, before stabilising at 1.2 US dollars from 2002 onwards.

192 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
surging: a sudden and powerful upward movement or increase
volatility: the tendency of something to change rapidly
remarkably stable: showing very little change over a long time
notable dip: a significant but temporary decrease in value
stabilising: becoming unlikely to change or fail again

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, Japan consistently recorded the highest banana prices throughout the period, while the USA maintained the lowest and most stable figures.

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.