Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Total and selected export values for a country from 2000 to 2005

The graph below shows the total value of exports and the value of fuel, food, and manufactured goods exported by one country from 2000 to 2005.

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

Value of fuel exports (million dollars)

View the data

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Total	300,000	270,000	250,000	350,000	385,000	425,000

Value of selected exports (million dollars)

Fuel
Food
Manufactured goods

View the data

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Fuel	45,000	39,000	29,000	25,000	21,000	20,000
Food	4,000	3,000	4,000	4,500	4,000	4,000
Manufactured goods	17,000	24,000	25,000	19,500	22,000	23,000

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 graphs illustrate the total export value and the specific values for fuel, food, and manufactured goods in a single country between 2000 and 2005. Overall, the total export value followed a downward trend until 2002 before rising sharply to reach a peak of 425,000 million dollars by 2005. In contrast, the selected export categories showed varied performance, with fuel exports declining steadily throughout the period.

In 2000, the total export value stood at 300,000 million dollars, dipping to a low of 250,000 million dollars in 2002. Subsequently, it climbed consistently, reaching 350,000 million dollars in 2003 and finishing at 425,000 million dollars in 2005.

Regarding selected exports, fuel began as the highest category at 45,000 million dollars in 2000 but plummeted to 20,000 million dollars by 2005. Conversely, manufactured goods rose from 17,000 million dollars to 25,000 million dollars in 2002, before fluctuating and ending at 23,000 million dollars. Food exports remained the lowest throughout the period, starting at 4,000 million dollars, dipping slightly in 2001, and remaining relatively stable around 4,000 to 4,500 million dollars for the remainder of the timeframe.

184 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.

plummeted: to fall or drop straight down at speed
fluctuating: rising and falling irregularly in number or amount
steadily: in a regular and even manner without interruption
dipping: a slight or temporary decrease in a value
conversely: introducing a statement that reverses a previous one
subsequently: happening or coming after something else in time

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While the total value of exports experienced a significant overall increase despite an initial decline, the value of selected exports showed mixed trends, with fuel exports falling sharply and manufactured goods fluctuating.

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.