Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Global usage trends of five communication services from 1998 to 2008: 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.
  • 185 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The line graph gives data about the number of users of five different communication services worldwide from 1998 to 2008.

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

Number of users of five communication services worldwide (1998-2008)
020406080100199820002002200420062008
  • Landline service
  • Internet service
  • Mobile broadband
  • Cellular phone service
  • Fixed broadband
View the data
199820002002200420062008
Landline service151617192019
Internet service358111921
Mobile broadband000013
Cellular phone service41117304265
Fixed broadband000124

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 8185 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the global number of users for five distinct communication services between 1998 and 2008. Overall, it is clear that cellular phone service witnessed the most dramatic growth, whereas landline service remained the most consistent throughout the period. Other technologies, such as internet and broadband services, showed gradual upward trends.

In 1998, cellular phone service started at 4 units, but it surged significantly to reach 65 by 2008. Conversely, landline service began at 15 in 1998, peaked at 20 in 2006, and slightly declined to 19 by the end of the period. Internet service also saw a steady rise, growing from 3 in 1998 to 21 in 2008, eventually overtaking landline usage.

Regarding the remaining services, fixed broadband and mobile broadband were virtually non-existent at the start of the period. Fixed broadband usage remained negligible until 2004, after which it climbed to 4 by 2008. Similarly, mobile broadband only began to register on the chart in 2006 at 1, reaching 3 by 2008. In summary, the decade was marked by a massive shift towards mobile cellular technology, while traditional landline usage plateaued.

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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.
  • exponential

    becoming more and more rapid over time

  • surged

    increased suddenly and by a large amount

  • plateaued

    reached a state of little or no change

  • negligible

    so small or unimportant as to be ignored

  • overtaking

    becoming greater in number than something else

  • witnessed

    seen or experienced a particular trend occur

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While cellular phone service experienced exponential growth to become the most popular medium, landline usage remained relatively stable, and other services saw only modest increases.

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

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