Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Urban population trends in four Asian countries from 1970 to 2040

The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

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

Percentage of the population living in cities (%)

Philippines
Malaysia
Thailand
Indonesia

View the data

	1970	1980	1990	2000	2010	2020	2030	2040
Philippines	32	34	48	45	43	45	50	56
Malaysia	30	40	45	60	70	75	81	83
Thailand	18	23	30	30	32	33	40	50
Indonesia	14	17	25	30	43	52	60	64

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 percentage of the population residing in urban areas across four Asian countries—the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia—between 1970 and 2020, with projections extending to 2040.

Overall, all four nations are projected to experience an increase in urbanisation, with Malaysia consistently maintaining the highest proportion of city dwellers throughout the period. While the Philippines began with the highest urban population in 1970, it was overtaken by Malaysia by 1980 and subsequently showed more volatile growth.

In 1970, the Philippines led at 32%, closely followed by Malaysia at 30%. By 1990, the Philippines peaked at 48% before experiencing a decline to 43% in 2010, after which it is expected to rise steadily to 56% by 2040. Conversely, Malaysia saw rapid growth, climbing from 30% in 1970 to 70% by 2010, and is predicted to reach 83% by 2040.

Indonesia and Thailand started with the lowest urbanisation rates at 14% and 18% respectively in 1970. Indonesia experienced significant growth, particularly after 2000, rising from 30% to a projected 64% by 2040. Thailand’s urbanisation remained more gradual, increasing from 18% in 1970 to 33% in 2020, with a final forecast of 50% by 2040.

195 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.

Urbanisation: The process of more people living in cities
Projections: Estimates or forecasts of future trends or values
Overtaken: To catch up with and surpass in progress
Volatile: Subject to frequent or unpredictable changes in trend
Gradual: Taking place or progressing slowly and steadily
Proportion: A part or share relative to the whole

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, all four nations are projected to experience an increase in urbanisation, with Malaysia consistently maintaining the highest proportion of city dwellers throughout 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.