IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Graph Description Example

Pay attention to the overall structure of your answer and paragraphs order; keep an eye on the main ideas and how they are supported by examples.

To understand the format of the exam, it’s useful to go through the examples of successful answers.

You DEFINITELY should study examples of all types of graphs (tables, maps, diagrams) in Part 1: https://yourielts.ru/prepare-for-ielts/ielts-writing/graphs-ielts-writing-academic-part-one

Pay attention to the overall structure of your answer and paragraphs order; keep an eye on the main ideas and how they are supported by examples.

So, let's take a look at one example of a graph description in IELTS Writing Task 1.

We will analyze the examples from official materials made by the creators of IELTS.

• Graph 1. Bar chart
  

The chart below shows the total number of minutes (in billions) of telephone calls in the UK, divided into three categories, from 1995-2002.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

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The chart shows the time spent by UK residents on different types of telephone calls between 1995 and 2002.
Local fixed line calls were the highest throughout the period, rising from 72 billion minutes in 1995 to just under 90 billion in 1988. After peaking at 90 billion the following year, these calls had fallen back to the 1995 figure by 2002.
National and international fixed line calls grew steadily from 38 billion to 61 billion at the end of the period in question, though the growth slowed over the last two years.
There was a dramatic increase in mobile calls from 2 billion to 46 billion minutes. This rise was particularly noticeable between 1999 and 2002, during which time the use of mobile phones tripled.
To sum up, although local fixed line calls were still the most popular in 2002, the gap between the three categories had narrowed considerably over the second half of the period in question

Below is our breakdown of this graph with comments:

The chart shows the time spent by UK residents on different types of telephone calls between 1995 and 2002. (Great rephrase of the task using synonyms, 1 sentence)

Local fixed line calls were the highest throughout the period (we write about the most popular ones), rising from 72 billion minutes in 1995 to just under 90 billion in 1988 (Exact numbers from the graph and the year when it was). After peaking at 90 billion the following year, these calls had fallen back to the 1995 figure by 2002 (Past perfect!!! Excellent! Why? Because we have everything in the past tense and there is a preposition "by 2002").

National and international fixed line calls grew steadily (We write about this trend and how it was going - steadily) - from 38 billion to 61 billion (fidures) at the end of the period in question (Great expression - when it was), though the growth slowed over the last two years (Comparison and again we say when phrasing it in other words - yes!).

There was a dramatic increase in mobile calls from 2 billion to 46 billion minutes (Check out this structure - There was a ...). This rise was particularly noticeable between 1999 and 2002, during which time the use of mobile phones tripled (Awesome word - tripled).

To sum up, although (Comparison) local fixed line calls were still the most popular in 2002, the gap between the three categories had narrowed (Yes! Past Perfect) considerably over the second half of the period in question. (Make sure to write an overall statement or overview where you include general trends or what happened at the beginning and what happened at the end)

This beautiful and perfectly correct answer contains 159 words, which corresponds with the task (write at least 150 words).

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When you study sample answers of graph description, pay attention to:

- The structure. The graph description has a structure which the examiner expects from you. You obviously can write as you want and mix up the paragraphs, but you’ll hardly get a decent score for this. So study the structure and format very thoroughly.

- Connectivity + words or expressions for linking your ideas and contrast.

- Grammar constructions

- Words, phrases and synonyms