Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Gross Domestic Product of four countries between 2010 and 2015: 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.
  • 191 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The line graph below compares the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in four countries in billions of US dollar.

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

Gross Domestic Product, billions of U.S. dollars (billions of U.S. dollars)
0100200300400500201020112012201320142015
  • Bangladesh
  • Pakistan
  • Nepal
  • Malaysia
View the data
201020112012201320142015
Bangladesh115130135150175195
Pakistan180215225230245270
Nepal152020202025
Malaysia255300315325340300

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 8191 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Malaysia measured in billions of US dollars from 2010 to 2015.

Overall, all four nations experienced a general upward trend in GDP over the period, with Malaysia consistently recording the highest figures despite a decline in the final year, while Nepal remained significantly lower than the others.

Malaysia started the period at 255 billion dollars, rising steadily to a peak of 340 billion in 2014 before falling to 300 billion in 2015. Pakistan also showed consistent growth, beginning at 180 billion and climbing to 270 billion by the end of the period. Both countries maintained a substantial lead over the other two nations throughout the six years.

Bangladesh showed a more gradual but steady increase, starting at 115 billion and reaching 195 billion by 2015. In contrast, Nepal’s GDP remained relatively stagnant, starting at 15 billion in 2010 and experiencing only marginal growth to reach 25 billion by 2015. While the three larger economies saw significant fluctuations and growth, Nepal’s economic output remained consistently low, representing a fraction of the GDP recorded by the other three countries.

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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.
  • upward trend

    a general movement or development in a higher direction

  • consistently

    in every case or on every occasion without change

  • stagnant

    showing no activity or growth over a period

  • marginal

    relating to or situated at the edge or limit

  • fluctuations

    irregular rising and falling in number or amount

  • substantial

    of considerable importance, size, or worth

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Overall, all four nations experienced a general upward trend in GDP over the period, with Malaysia consistently recording the highest figures despite a decline in the final year, while Nepal remained significantly lower than the others.

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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