Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Weekly consumption of potatoes, pasta and rice in a European country

The graph below shows the amount in grams of potatoes, pasta and rice eaten in a European country between 1976 and 2006.

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

Weekly consumption of potatoes, pasta and rice (1976-2006) (grams per person per week)

Potatoes
Pasta
Rice

View the data

	1976	1981	1986	1991	1996	2001	2006
Potatoes	410	450	400	380	300	180	110
Pasta	260	350	400	450	500	500	500
Rice	300	250	220	180	175	180	210

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 weekly consumption of three staple foods—potatoes, pasta, and rice—in a European country over a thirty-year period from 1976 to 2006.

Overall, it is clear that pasta became the most consumed food item by the end of the period, whereas potato consumption saw a dramatic decline. Rice remained the least popular option, showing only minor fluctuations.

In 1976, potatoes were the most popular choice at 410 grams per person per week, peaking at 450 grams in 1981. However, this figure subsequently plummeted, falling steadily to just 110 grams by 2006. Conversely, pasta consumption started at 260 grams in 1976 and rose consistently. By 1986, it equalled potato consumption at 400 grams, before overtaking it to reach a plateau of 500 grams from 1996 onwards.

Rice consumption followed a different pattern, starting at 300 grams in 1976 and declining to a low of 175 grams in 1996. Following this, there was a slight recovery, with consumption rising to 210 grams by the end of the period in 2006, remaining significantly lower than both pasta and potatoes.

179 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 high speed
plateau: a state of little or no change after activity
consistently: in every case or on every occasion without fail
fluctuations: irregular rising and falling in number or amount
staple: a main or important food item in a diet
overtaking: to catch up with and pass while in motion

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While pasta consumption experienced a significant upward trend to become the most popular staple, potato intake declined sharply, and rice consumption remained relatively low 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.