Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

A line graph illustrating the monthly gold sales in Dubai during 2002: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 line graph question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about line graphs.
  • 183 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The graph below gives information about Dubai's gold sales in 2002.

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

Dubai Gold Sales 2002 (Millions of Dirhams)
0100200300400500JanMarMayJulSepNov
View the data
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Gold Sales200225350250200160120210120180180190

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.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8183 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the monthly gold sales in Dubai throughout 2002, measured in millions of Dirhams. Overall, the data reveals a volatile trend, with sales reaching a notable peak in the first quarter before experiencing several sharp declines and recoveries for the remainder of the year.

In January, sales stood at 200 million Dirhams, rising steadily to 225 million in February. This was followed by a dramatic surge to a yearly high of 350 million Dirhams in March. Subsequently, sales figures began a downward trajectory, falling to 250 million in April, 200 million in May, and 160 million in June. The downward trend continued into July, where sales reached a low of 120 million Dirhams.

August saw a sudden recovery, with sales climbing back to 210 million Dirhams, before plummeting again to 120 million in September, matching the July low. From October onwards, the market stabilised somewhat, with sales rising to 180 million Dirhams, remaining flat through November, and ending the year at 190 million Dirhams in December. Despite the volatility, the final month's figures remained slightly below the initial January levels.

Write your own report and get a band

Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Write a report, get a band free →

Line graphs

How to write about line graphs: tips and vocabulary

  • →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.
  • fluctuations

    irregular rising and falling in number or amount

  • peaking

    reaching the highest point of a value

  • downward trajectory

    a path or trend that is moving downwards

  • plummeting

    falling or dropping straight down at high speed

  • stabilised

    becoming unlikely to change or fluctuate significantly

  • volatility

    tendency to change rapidly and unpredictably in value

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Overall, gold sales in Dubai experienced significant fluctuations throughout the year, peaking in March and hitting their lowest points in July and September.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

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 is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

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.

Keep practising

More line graphs

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Write a report, get a band free