Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Percentage of good quality river water in four countries 1995-2018: 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.
  • 182 words
  • Line graphs
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The diagram below shows the percentage of good-quality river water in four countries from 1995 to 2010. It also shows the prediction for 2018. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

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

Percentage of good quality river water in four countries (%)
0204060801001995200020052008201020132018
  • Country A
  • Country B
  • Country C
  • Country D
View the data
1995200020052008201020132018
Country A969797.597.8989796
Country B94959696.5979897
Country C94918887909396
Country D8492888486.58584

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 8182 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the percentage of good-quality river water in four distinct countries between 1995 and 2010, with projections extending to 2018. Overall, countries A and B consistently maintained high water quality standards, whereas countries C and D showed greater volatility.

Countries A and B began the period with high percentages of 96% and 94% respectively. Both countries saw a gradual upward trend, with Country A peaking at 98% in 2010 before dipping slightly to 96% by 2018. Country B followed a similar trajectory, reaching a peak of 98% in 2013, before ending the period at 97%.

In contrast, Country C experienced a decline from 94% in 1995 to a low of 87% in 2008, followed by a steady recovery to 96% by 2018. Country D exhibited the most erratic performance; after an initial rise from 84% to 92% between 1995 and 2000, the quality fluctuated significantly, dropping to 84% in 2008, rising to 86.5% in 2010, and finally declining back to 84% by 2018. By the end of the period, Country D remained the lowest performer among the four nations.

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

  • volatility

    tendency to change rapidly and unpredictably in state

  • trajectory

    the path followed by a development over time

  • erratic

    not even or regular in pattern or movement

  • peaking

    reaching the highest point of a numerical value

  • projections

    estimates of future situations based on current trends

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While countries A and B maintained consistently high levels of water quality, countries C and D experienced more significant fluctuations throughout the period.

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