IELTS Line Graph: Band 9 Model Answer, Structure and Vocabulary
Key Takeaways
- An IELTS line graph question asks you to describe change over time in at least 150 words, in about 20 minutes, in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
- Use four paragraphs: a paraphrase of the question, an overview of the main trends, and two paragraphs of detail grouped by time or by line.
- The overview matters most: the band descriptors ask for a clear overview at Band 7 and at least an attempted one at Band 6.
- Select and compare the key figures, such as starting points, peaks, lowest points and crossovers, instead of listing every number.
- Vary your trend verbs and adverbs, and use prepositions precisely: rise to a level, rise by an amount, stand at a figure.
Table of Contents
An IELTS line graph question asks you to describe how one or more figures change over time, in at least 150 words, in about 20 minutes. The answer that scores highest has four short paragraphs: a paraphrase of the question, an overview of the main trends, and two paragraphs of detail that select and compare the key figures rather than listing every number.
This guide shows you that structure, walks through a sample line graph question with a full model answer written to the Band 9 descriptors, explains why the answer meets each of the four marking criteria, and gives you the trend vocabulary you need. All of it applies to IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
What is a line graph question in IELTS Writing Task 1?
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 you describe visual information in your own words: a graph, table, chart or diagram. According to the official IELTS Academic Writing format page, you must write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes, in full sentences, not notes or bullet points. Task 1 is worth one third of your Writing band; Task 2 is worth two thirds.
A line graph shows change over a period of time, usually with years, months or hours along the horizontal axis and one to four lines plotted against it. Your job is to report the main trends and compare the lines. You do not explain why the figures changed or give your opinion: everything you need is in the graph.
How do you structure a line graph answer?
Use four paragraphs. This layout makes your answer easy to follow, which is part of the Coherence and Cohesion score.
- Introduction (one sentence). Paraphrase the question: what the graph shows, for which groups, in which place and over what period. Do not copy the question word for word.
- Overview (one or two sentences). State the two or three biggest features: the overall direction of each line, the highest and lowest, and any line that crossed another. No numbers are needed here. The band descriptors ask for a clear overview at Band 7 and at least an attempted one at Band 6.
- Detail paragraph 1. Describe the first part of the period, or the first group of lines, with the figures that support your overview.
- Detail paragraph 2. Describe the rest of the period, or the remaining lines, and compare them.
Group the information sensibly. With three lines over twenty years, splitting the detail by time (the first decade, then the second) usually reads better than writing one paragraph per line, because it lets you compare the lines at the same point in time.
Sample IELTS line graph question
The question below is an original practice task written by Galvanize. The figures are invented for practice.
The graph below shows the number of visitors to three museums in a European city between 2000 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
The graph plots three lines. The data behind it are:
| Visitors (thousands) | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art museum | 120 | 150 | 210 | 260 | 300 |
| Science museum | 200 | 190 | 170 | 180 | 240 |
| History museum | 80 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 60 |
Before you write, spend two or three minutes finding the story. Here it is: the art museum rose every year and overtook the science museum around 2008; the science museum dipped and then recovered strongly at the end; the history museum was flat, then fell, and is the only one to finish lower than it started.
Band 9 model answer: line graph
This model answer was written to meet the Band 9 descriptors. It is 185 words. No one can guarantee an examiner’s score, but every feature that the top band asks for is here.
The line graph compares the number of annual visitors to three museums in a European city – an art museum, a science museum and a history museum – between 2000 and 2020.
Overall, the art museum saw by far the strongest growth and became the most visited of the three, while the history museum was the only one to end the period with fewer visitors than it had at the start.
In 2000, the science museum was the most popular, attracting 200,000 visitors, compared with 120,000 for the art museum and just 80,000 for the history museum. Over the following decade, attendance at the art museum climbed steadily to 210,000, overtaking the science museum, whose figures slipped gradually to 170,000 by 2010.
From 2010 onwards, the art museum continued its upward trend, peaking at 300,000 in 2020. The science museum, by contrast, recovered, edging up to 180,000 in 2015 before rising sharply to 240,000 by the end of the period. Visitor numbers at the history museum increased to 100,000 by 2005 and remained stable until 2010, but then declined, falling to only 60,000 in 2020.
Why does this answer meet the Band 9 descriptors?
Examiners mark Task 1 on four criteria, each worth a quarter of the task score. The table below sets the answer against the Band 9 wording in the official IELTS Writing band descriptors (updated May 2023).
| Criterion | What Band 9 asks for | Where the answer shows it |
|---|---|---|
| Task Achievement | All requirements of the task fully and appropriately satisfied | A clear overview in paragraph 2; every line is covered; key figures selected, not every number listed; no opinion or explanation |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Message followed effortlessly; cohesion rarely attracts attention; paragraphing skilfully managed | Four paragraphs split by time; linkers such as “over the following decade”, “from 2010 onwards” and “by contrast” are varied and unobtrusive |
| Lexical Resource | Wide range of vocabulary used accurately, with natural and sophisticated control | Precise trend verbs (climbed, slipped, edged up, peaked, declined) and adverbs (steadily, gradually, sharply) without repetition |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Wide range of structures with full flexibility and control; errors extremely rare | Relative clauses (“whose figures slipped”), participle clauses (“overtaking the science museum”), correct past tenses and number forms |
To see how your four criterion scores turn into a Writing band, and how Writing combines with the other sections, read our guide to IELTS band scores.
What vocabulary do you need for a line graph?
Line graphs are about change, so you need words for direction, speed and size of change. Using the same verb twice is the most common reason a good answer loses Lexical Resource marks.
| Trend | Verbs | Nouns |
|---|---|---|
| Going up | rise, increase, climb, grow, edge up, surge, soar | a rise, an increase, growth, an upward trend |
| Going down | fall, decrease, decline, drop, slip, dip, plummet | a fall, a decrease, a decline, a downward trend |
| No change | remain stable, level off, stay constant, plateau | a plateau, a period of stability |
| Up and down | fluctuate, vary | fluctuations, volatility |
| Highest and lowest point | peak at, reach a high of, hit a low of, bottom out at | a peak, a high, a low |
Describe the speed and size of a change with an adverb or adjective:
- Large or fast: sharply, dramatically, rapidly, significantly (a sharp rise, a dramatic fall)
- Moderate: steadily, considerably, noticeably (a steady increase)
- Small or slow: slightly, gradually, marginally, modestly (a slight dip, a gradual decline)
Prepositions with numbers are easy to get wrong. A figure rises to 300,000 (the new level), rises by 90,000 (the size of the change), stands at 120,000 (a level at one point), and goes from 120,000 to 300,000. For time, use in 2010, between 2000 and 2010, by 2020 (at or before that point) and over the period.
For a wider word list beyond Task 1, see our IELTS vocabulary guide.
Which mistakes lower a line graph score?
- No overview. Band 6 for Task Achievement needs a relevant overview to be attempted, and Band 7 needs a clear one. Without a sentence that sums up the main trends, you stay below Band 6.
- Listing every number. The task says “selecting and reporting the main features”. Twenty figures in a row is not selection.
- Giving reasons or opinions. Saying the art museum became popular “because of new exhibitions” adds information that is not in the graph.
- Copying the question. Copied words are not counted towards your 150 and do not show your vocabulary.
- Writing under 150 words. A short answer loses Task Achievement marks. Aim for 160 to 190 words; much longer usually means you are listing data.
- Wrong tense. Use the past for past years and the future forms (“is expected to”, “is projected to”) for projections shown on the graph.
Pie charts follow the same four-paragraph structure but compare proportions instead of change over time; see our guide to IELTS pie charts. When you can write a line graph answer in 20 minutes, test yourself on a full paper with our free IELTS mock test, and work out your overall band with the IELTS band score calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words should an IELTS line graph answer be?
At least 150 words. Aim for 160 to 190 words: enough to cover the main features, short enough to finish in about 20 minutes and leave time for Task 2.
How long should I spend on a line graph in IELTS?
About 20 minutes. Spend two or three minutes finding the main trends, about 15 minutes writing and two minutes checking.
What is an overview in IELTS Writing Task 1?
One or two sentences that sum up the most important features of the graph, such as which line rose most and which ended lowest, without detailed figures.
Where should the overview go?
Straight after the introduction, as the second paragraph. Some candidates put it at the end; either works, but placing it second makes sure you do not run out of time before writing it.
Do I need to mention every number on the graph?
No. The task asks you to select and report the main features. Choose the figures that support your overview, such as starting points, peaks and end points.
Should I give reasons for the trends?
No. Describe only what the graph shows. Explanations and opinions add information that is not in the task and can lower your Task Achievement score.
Can I copy words from the question?
Copied wording is not counted towards your 150 words and does not show your vocabulary, so paraphrase the question in your introduction.
Which tense should I use for a line graph?
Use the past simple for past years, the present for current figures and future forms such as is expected to or is projected to for projections shown on the graph.
How should I group the lines in my answer?
Group them in the way that lets you compare. With several lines over a long period, splitting the detail by time usually works better than one paragraph per line.
Is a line graph the same in IELTS General Training?
No. General Training Writing Task 1 is a letter. Line graphs and other charts appear only in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
