IELTS Writing
task 1
IELTS Writing
task 1
Writing task 1: Line graph and model answer
Line graphs are very common in IELTS academic task 1 writing. In this lesson we will look at a Model Answer and an analysis.

This line graph comes from Cambridge IELTS 11 academic.. you can find this book on Amazon. Use only official TELTS material when doing practice tests: there is a lot of fake IELTS material out there on the web.
Line graphs are very common in IELTS academic task 1 writing. In this lesson we will look at a Model Answer and an analysis.

This line graph comes from Cambridge IELTS 11 academic.. you can find this book on Amazon. Use only official TELTS material when doing practice tests: there is a lot of fake IELTS material out there on the web.
You should send about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant

Write at least 150 words.
Model Answer
The graph illustrates the average output of carbon dioxide in metric tones for each individual in four European countries (Sweden, the UK, Portugal and Italy) over a forty year period.

Overall, the United Kingdom and Sweden, which initially showed a high CO2 output, saw a decline in emissions by the end of the forty year period. Italy and Portugal on the other hand, which started with relatively low emissions, saw a dramatic increase in CO2 output by the end of the period.

In 1967 The UK showed the highest amount of carbon emissions at 11 metric tonnes per person. Sweden started at around 9 metric tonnes per person rising to a peak in output in 1977. With regards to the UK, there was a steady decline in CO2 output over the forty years in question, ending at around 9 metric tonnes for each individual. Sweden followed a similar trend and saw a sharp decline to only 5 metric tonnes of CO2 output by 2007.

Conversely, Portugal in 1967 had the lowest CO2 output of the 4 European countries at just over 1 metric tonne per person. Over the next 40 years, this increased sharply ending at over 5 tonnes. Italy demonstrated a similar pattern, almost doubling carbon dioxide emissions, beginning at 4 metric tonnes and ending at nearly 8 metric tonnes of Carbon dioxide for each person by 2007.
Analysis

First of all you are probably thinking that this is quite a long answer. Yes it is, but I wanted to demonstrate the vocabulary, grammar and structure effectively. For task 1 academic you should aim for about 170 words. Do not go below the minimum which is 150 words. By the way, you don't get a higher band score for writing more words.
It is important to understand how the task is marked to give the examiner what they need for a higher band score.

Writing Task 1 is marked on 4 criteria:

  • Task Achievement (accurately write about the information presented)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (easy to understand, clear and logical)
  • Grammatical range and accuracy (using the correct grammar to describe the trends, numbers, comparisons)
  • Lexical Resource (accurate clear vocabulary that is relevant to the task, good paraphrasing skills)
The Introduction
I have paraphrased the task question which is very important in this kind of task. You can use synonyms or you can change the grammatical structure of the sentences so that it retains the same meaning. Paraphrasing is not just about synonyms, you can restructure the grammar, this is a very important skill to practice.

'The graph illustrates the average output of carbon dioxide in metric tonnes for each individual in four European countries (Sweden, the UK, Portugal and Italy) over a forty year period.'

  • shows = illustrates
  • average carbon dioxide emissions = the average output of carbon dioxide
  • per person = for each individual
  • I also added the phrase '... in four European countries which are ...'
I didn't paraphrase the word 'graph' because a graph is always a graph, you can't really paraphrase this word. I put the four countries in brackets, using brackets is a good way to group information in task 1.
The Overview
The overview is also an important feature in task 1 academic and your report must have one. The overview should not include any numbers, statistics or dates. Leave those details for the body paragraphs. You will need to look at the main trends of the graph and write briefly about those. Pick out two main trends and give a summary.

'Overall, the United Kingdom and Sweden, which initially showed a high CO2 output, saw a decline in emissions by the end of the forty year period. Italy and Portugal on the other hand, which started with relatively low emissions, saw a dramatic increase in CO2 output by the end of the period.'

I start with the word 'Overall' this is a good way to introduce the overview. I have picked out the two main trends here which are:
  • The UK and Sweden = started high ended much lower.
  • Italy and Portugal = started low ended much higher.

Key vocabulary:

  • initially showed
  • saw a decline
  • the forty year period
  • on the other hand (shows contrast)
  • relatively low
  • a dramatic increase
Note that a conclusion in not necessary so I do not recommend writing a conclusion. For writing task 1 academic never include an opinion, you must write factually.
Body Paragraphs
Now we can write in more detail about the graph and the trends. Also remember to be selective and do not write about everything in the graph. Grouping the information is very important in this part of the task. Take the 2 main trends and separate them into 2 body paragraphs as below.

'In 1967 The UK showed the highest amount of carbon emissions at 11 metric tonnes per person. Sweden started at around 9 metric tonnes per person rising to a peak in output in 1977. With regards to the UK, there was a steady decline in CO2 output over the forty years in question, ending at around 9 metric tonnes for each individual. Sweden followed a similar trend and saw a sharp decline to only 5 metric tonnes of CO2 output by 2007.'

In this body paragraph I wrote about the 2 highest CO2 outputs, which are The UK and Sweden, and described how they declined in the 40 year period. I added more detail and numbers here, notice how I have used prepositions also (at, around, over, to, by)

Key vocabulary:
  • the highest amount
  • rising to a peak
  • output = emissions
  • with regards to...
  • steady decline
  • ending at...
  • individual = person
  • followed a similar trend
  • sharp decline
In the next paragraph I have written about the 2 lowest CO2 outputs, which are Italy and Portugal, and described how they increased in the 40 year time-frame.

'Conversely, Portugal in 1967 had the lowest CO2 output of the 4 European countries at just over 1 metric tonne per person. Over the next 40 years, this increased sharply ending at over 5 tonnes. Italy demonstrated a similar pattern, almost doubling carbon dioxide emissions, beginning at 4 metric tonnes and ending at nearly 8 metric tonnes of Carbon dioxide for each person by 2007.'

Key vocabulary:
  • conversely (shows contrast)
  • the lowest (superlative)
  • must over..
  • increased sharply
  • ending at
  • demonstrated a similar pattern
  • doubling (gerund)
  • beginning at ... ending at
Using the language of comparisons is important in this kind of task; make sure you know how to use comparatives and superlatives, especially if you get a graph or bar chart with 2 or 3 trends.

It is not necessary to write a conclusion for writing task 1 academic. In fact you could lose points if you do this.
One more example
The chart below shows the changes in three different areas of crime in Manchester city centre from 2003-2012.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.
Introduction:
Changes in three different areas of crime (Burglary, car theft and robbery) in Manchester City Centre, from 2003 to 2012 are portrayed in the given line graph.

Overview: 2-4 key features

Overall, it is clear that the number of crimes reported in these areas fluctuated, and had not exhibited a similar pattern over the given period.

As can be seen in the chart, burglary was the worst reported crime in the city in 2003. The reported cases of burglary were about 3400 in this year, which spiked to 3750 in the next year.

Car theft stood as the second worst crime in the city, but the numbers stood almost 1000 less than the former crime reported in 2003. Robbery was the least reported crime in the year (around 500).

After 2004, there was a decline in the burglary cases until 2008, and this was from 3750 to 1100. It did not cross 1500 since then. Car theft too Buralary Car Theft Robbery showed a decline, but in a varying proportion, and this was from 2400 in 2004 to around 2000 in 2006. From this lowest point, the number rose erratically to reach 2800 by 2012. In case of robbery, despite a spike in 2005, the numbers hovered around 500.
Homework
Fill in the gaps
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