Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Unemployment rate trends in the UK, Europe and Japan 1993-2007

The graph below shows the unemployment rates in the UK, the rest of Europe and Japan from 1993 to 2007.

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

The unemployment rates in the UK, the rest of Europe and Japan, 1993 - 2007 (%)

UK
EU
Japan

View the data

	1993	1995	1997	1999	2001	2003	2005	2007
UK	11	9	8	6.8	5	5.1	5.1	6
EU	9	11	11.5	10	9	8.4	8.5	7.7
Japan	2	3	3	3	5	6	5.1	4

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 changes in unemployment rates across the UK, the rest of Europe (EU), and Japan between 1993 and 2007. Overall, the UK and EU saw their unemployment figures decline over the fourteen-year period, whereas Japan experienced a notable increase in joblessness, despite some volatility towards the end of the timeframe.

In 1993, the UK had the highest unemployment rate at 11%, followed by the EU at 9%, and Japan at 2%. The UK’s rate fell steadily to 6.8% by 1999 and reached a low of 5% in 2001, before rising slightly to finish at 6% in 2007. Conversely, the EU rate climbed to a peak of 11.5% in 1997, after which it followed a downward trajectory, ending the period at 7.7%.

Japan’s unemployment rate remained relatively stable at 3% between 1995 and 1999, having risen from 2% in 1993. However, it surged to 6% by 2003, marking its highest point on the graph. Following this peak, the Japanese rate declined to 5.1% in 2005 and concluded at 4% in 2007, remaining the lowest among the three regions throughout the entire period.

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.

downward trajectory: a steady movement or trend towards a lower level
fluctuating: rising and falling irregularly in number or amount
volatility: the quality of being subject to frequent unpredictable changes
surged: increased suddenly and powerfully in a short time
concluded: brought to an end or finished at a point
notable: worthy of attention or striking in its significance

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While the UK and EU experienced a general downward trend in unemployment over the period, Japan saw its rate rise significantly before fluctuating in the final years.

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.