Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

U.S. government expenditure on various research sectors from 1980 to 2008

The graph below gives information about U.S. government spending on research between 1980 and 2008.

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

U.S. government spending on research between 1980 and 2008 ($ billions)

Health
Space
Energy
General Science
Other

View the data

	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008
Health	8	7	10	13	15	16.5	22	18
Space	6	5	5	5.8	7.5	7.8	8	9.3
Energy	5	5	5	5.2	8	5	5.2	7.5
General Science	2.6	2.7	3.8	2.9	3.5	5	5.1	5.2
Other	7.5	5	5.2	6.5	7.5	8	7.3	5.2

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 changes in U.S. government research funding across five distinct sectors between 1980 and 2008. Overall, health research expenditure saw a substantial upward trend, whereas the other categories experienced more modest growth or periodic fluctuations.

In 1980, health research started at $8 billion, the highest among all categories. Despite a slight dip to $7 billion in 1984, it grew consistently, peaking at $22 billion in 2004 before declining to $18 billion by 2008. In contrast, general science remained the lowest-funded sector throughout the period, starting at $2.6 billion and gradually rising to $5.2 billion by the end of the timeframe.

Space research funding followed a steady upward trajectory, beginning at $6 billion and finishing at $9.3 billion in 2008. Energy research and 'other' categories showed more volatility. Energy spending peaked at $8 billion in 1996 before dropping to $5 billion in 2000, eventually recovering to $7.5 billion. Meanwhile, 'other' research spending fluctuated between $5 billion and $8 billion, ultimately falling back to $5.2 billion in 2008, matching its 1984 level.

174 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.

substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth
upward trajectory: a path or trend that is moving higher
volatility: the tendency of something to change rapidly
modest: relatively moderate or limited in amount
fluctuated: to rise and fall irregularly in number
dominant: most important, powerful, or influential

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While spending on health research experienced significant growth to become the dominant category, expenditure in other sectors remained relatively stable or fluctuated within a much narrower range.

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.