Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Trends in UK daily commuting methods from 1970 to 2030

The graph below shows the average number of UK commuters traveling each day by car, bus, or train between 1970 and 2030.

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

Average number of UK commuters traveling each day by car, bus, or train between 1970 and 2030 (millions)

Car
Bus
Train

View the data

	1970	1980	1990	2000	2010	2020	2030
Car	5.2	5.3	6.1	6.9	6.9	7.5	8.9
Bus	4	4	3.8	3.7	3.4	3.3	2.9
Train	2.1	2.2	2.5	3	3	3.9	4.9

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 daily number of commuters in the UK using cars, buses, and trains between 1970 and 2030. Overall, car travel remained the dominant mode of transport throughout the period, showing a consistent upward trend. Conversely, bus usage gradually declined, while train travel experienced a notable surge, particularly in the latter half of the timeframe.

In 1970, 5.2 million people commuted by car, a figure that grew steadily to reach 6.9 million by 2000. After remaining stable until 2010, car usage accelerated, projected to reach 8.9 million by 2030. In contrast, bus travel started at 4.0 million in 1970 and remained unchanged for a decade before beginning a long-term decline, falling to 2.9 million by 2030.

Train travel, which was the least popular method in 1970 at 2.1 million, saw gradual growth to 3.0 million by 2000. Following a period of stagnation until 2010, the number of train commuters rose sharply, overtaking bus travel around 2015 and reaching a projected 4.9 million by 2030. By the end of the period, train travel had become significantly more popular than bus travel, though it remained well below the figures for car commuters.

193 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.

dominant: having the most influence or being most common
surge: a sudden and powerful upward movement or increase
stagnation: a state of not flowing or moving forward
accelerated: increased in speed or rate of development
overtaking: catching up with and passing while in motion
projected: estimated or predicted based on current trends

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While car travel has consistently been the most popular mode of commuting, train usage has seen a significant rise, whereas bus travel has experienced a steady decline over the period.

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.