IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Line Graph

                                                                             

Here is the 5 steps process I recommend for planning and writing IELTS line graph essays:

1)  Analyse the question

2)  Identify the main features

3)  Write an introduction

4)  Write an overview

5)  Write the details paragraphs

Step 1 – Analyse the question

Every question consists of:

• Sentence 1 – A brief description of the graphic

• Sentence 2 – The instructions

• The graphic –line graph

Sentence 2 tells you what you have to do.

You must do 3 things:

1. Select the main features.
2. Write about the main features.
3. Compare the main features.

All three tasks refer to the ‘main features’ of the graphic. You do not have to write about everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty to write about.

Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

The graphic in IELTS line graph questions should not be difficult to interpret. Each question has been created to test your language skills, not your mathematics ability.

All you are looking for are the main features. These will usually be the easiest things to spot. There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you identify them.

Here are some useful questions to ask?

• What information do the axes give?
• What are the units of measurements?

• What are the time periods?

• What can you learn from the title and any labels?

• What is the most obvious trend?

• Are there any notable similarities?

Ideally, your essay should have 4 paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

Paragraph 2 – Overview

Paragraph 3 – 1^st main feature

Paragraph 4 – 2^nd main feature

Step 3 – Write an Introduction 

In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a different way. You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure.

Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you can see in the graph, giving only general information. The detail comes later in the essay. You should also make any clear comparisons you spot. This is where we write about the general trends.

Step 5 – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS line graph essay are where you include more detailed information about the data in the graphic. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first key feature. Don’t forget to make comparisons when relevant.

Step 6 – Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your second key feature.

Final tips on describing a pie chart

• Avoid listing every single data point by grouping the data together.

• Give data for each year shown on the chart.
• After you have successfully written out your description with all of the information you wanted to include, go over it and replace some simpler words into more academic ones – this will get you more marks. For example, change “big” to “the most significant”.
• Check that the whole text is free of errors and mistakes.
• Practice with different line graphs to improve.
• Review the superlatives -these are essential if you want to effectively describe the graph.
• The fastest way to improve is to get feedback on your work.
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