Academic Task 1: Line Graph Masterclass

Welcome, students, to another clear guide. In this session, we'll focus on how to easily analyze simple graphs such as Bar Charts, Pie Charts, and Tables in the Academic IELTS Writing Task 1. This guide is designed to give you all the important skills to do well in this part of the exam. Let's begin.

Understanding Task Format

The first step is to understand the format of Task 1. No matter the graph type, IELTS Task 1 follows a clear three-part structure. The first part describes what the graph shows, the second part tells you what to do, and the third part shows the graph itself.

• Graph + Instructions

Note that while the first and third parts change depending on the graph, the second part is always the same. In any type of graph, your task is to find and report the key features, and make relevant comparisons. Therefore, our first step is to know what 'main features' are.

Main Features

The main features of a graph are its most important parts. These are the features of a graph that you must choose and report for a good score. In the case of a line graph, the following features are the most important:

• Starting Points
• Big Changes
• Peaks (when something hits the 'highest' point)
• Intersections (when one line crosses another)
• Ending Points

Let’s make this practical. Here is a regular IELTS line graph:

The graph shows the percentage of four different types of fuels in use between the years 1800 and 2000.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where needed.

1. Starting Point:
2. Big Change:
3. Peaks:
4. Intersections:
5. Ending Points:

Ideal Paragraphing Structure

Now, let's focus on paragraphing. The best way to organize paragraphs when writing about a graph mostly depends on the graph you're discussing. However, for most line graphs, a structure with four paragraphs is best. This approach helps organize your analysis clearly and effectively.

Introduction - Tells what the graph is about

Overview - two sentences showing general trends in the graph Detail Paragraph 1 and 2- about 6 sentences giving a detailed description of the graph

To understand this better, let’s take the same line graph and do it step-by-step.

Introductions

Just like any other graph, the introduction of a line graph should also explain what the graph is about. It is, in other words, a rephrasing of the statement at the top of all line graphs.

”The graph shows the percentage of four different types of fuels in use between the years 1800 and 2000.”

You can change it as:

The given line graph provides information about the amount of four different types of fuels used in a two-century period, starting in 1800.

The parts that have been changed are highlighted with underlines. You can compare it to the original statement.

Keep in mind, when rewording a sentence or a topic, a small change can be effective. Often, just changing around 3 words is enough.

For more examples of rephrasing, go here: []

For now, let’s move to the next part.

Overview

As said before, the overview paragraph gives a broad summary of the graph. But what does that mean? Think of the overview like a newspaper headline. In a newspaper, the headline gives you a general idea ('overview') of the event, while the following news article goes into the details ('detail paragraphs').

For line graphs, luckily, the two sentences can be mostly the same for all line graphs:

Highest (sentence 1). Overall trend (sentence 2)

Again let’s understand this concept through our line graphs. Here is how I would write the overview paragraph:

In general, wood stayed the main energy source until around 1875, when coal became the most important contributor. Additionally, aside from wood, all other energy sources saw an overall increase during this time.

Note: It may seem that the use of coal has gone down, but the key word 'overall' suggests that its use ultimately ended higher than its starting point.

Also, remember the phrase 'In general.' It's a good idea to start your overview with this expression.

A key point to remember for overview paragraphs is to avoid mentioning specific numbers (like 70 percent). The only time you can include a number in the overview is when it represents the total of all figures, which is quite rare in line graphs.

Detail Paragraphs

The detail paragraphs, as their name suggests, serve as the section for a deeper analysis of the graph. This is the part where it's important to 'select and report' the main ideas and make 'relevant comparisons'.

This usually follows this order:

• Starting points
• Main events: big changes, peaks, and intersections.
• Ending Points

Planning your sentences beforehand is always helpful before you start writing. Here's the outline I would follow for the detail paragraphs in this line graph:

Here is the detail paragraph 1 based on the above plan:

Looking closely at the graph, we see that in 1800, wood was the only energy source used, with coal just starting to appear. By 1875, energy production was equally shared between wood and coal. Coal then surpassed wood, peaking at around 70% around 1900. In contrast, wood usage steadily went down, eventually stopping by 2000.

Here is the detail paragraph 2:

Additionally, the start of gas and oil around 1900 marked a new time. Both saw similar growth, reaching about 33% usage by the end of the period. During this time, coal's usage dropped, falling to a similar 33% usage level.

Final Sample Answer

The given line graph provides information about the amount of four different types of fuels used in a two-century period, starting in 1800.

In general, wood stayed the main energy source until around 1875, when coal became the most important contributor. Additionally, aside from wood, all other energy sources saw an overall increase during this time.

Looking closely at the graph, we see that in 1800, wood was the only energy source used, with coal just starting to appear. By 1875, energy production was equally shared between wood and coal. Coal then surpassed wood, peaking at around 70% around 1900. In contrast, wood usage steadily went down, eventually stopping by 2000.

Additionally, the start of gas and oil around 1900 marked a new time. Both saw similar growth, reaching about 33% usage by the end of the period. During this time, coal's usage dropped, falling to a similar 33% usage level.

154 Words

The Language For Line Graphs

Describing Trends

Sentence Starters:

• There was a steady increase in…
• The data shows a gradual decline of…
• A sharp peak in… can be seen.
• There is a clear fluctuation in…

Examples:

• There was a steady increase in the use of gas from 1950 to 1970.
• The data shows a gradual decline of wood as a fuel after 1850.
• A sharp peak in the use of coal is seen around 1900.

Comparing Data Points

Sentence Starters:

• Compared to…, …showed a…
• While… stayed stable, …experienced…
• In contrast to…, …showed a…

Examples:

• Compared to oil, coal showed a bigger fall in usage after 1950.
• While gas usage stayed stable throughout the 1980s, oil saw a decline.

Indicating Time Frames

Sentence Starters:

• Between… and…, there was…
• From… to…, one can see…
• Over the period of…, …went through…

Examples:

• Between 1850 and 1900, there was a big rise in coal usage.
• From 1900 to 1950, one can see a crossover in the usage of wood and coal.
• Over the period of two centuries, oil went through various ups and downs.

Highlighting Extremes

Sentence Starters:

• The highest point reached in…
• The lowest level of… was seen in…
• …peaked at… before…

Examples:

• The highest point reached in coal usage was in the year 1900.
• The lowest level of wood usage was seen in the late 20th century.
• Gas usage peaked at around 40% before leveling off.

Describing Specific Changes

Sentence Starters:

• There was a surge of…
• A decline was seen in…
• …had a small recovery in…

Examples:

• There was a surge of oil usage starting in the 1950s.
• A decline was seen in coal usage during the late 20th century.
• Wood had a small recovery in usage during the 1940s.

Mini Exercise: Crafting Sentences

Task: Use the sentence starters provided to describe the changes in fuel usage from 1800 to 2000. Write one sentence for each type of structure.

1. Describing Trends:
   • "..."
2. Comparing Data Points:
   • "..."
3. Indicating Time Frames:
   • "..."
4. Highlighting Extremes:
   • "..."
5. Describing Specific Changes:
   • "..."

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Using Synonyms and Variations

Synonyms for Increase:

• Surge
• Climb
• Jump
• Rise

Synonyms for Decrease:

• Drop
• Fall
• Decline
• Decrease

Synonyms for Stability:

• Stay the same
• Stabilize
• Keep steady
• Level off

Mini Exercise: Synonym Replacement

Task: Replace the words in bold with synonyms from the list above to change your sentence structures.

1. There was a steady increase in the use of gas...
2. The data shows a gradual decline of wood...
3. While gas usage stayed stable, oil...

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Structuring Complex Sentences

To show a high level of English skill, combine different parts to form complex sentences.

Examples:

• While the use of wood as a fuel steadily went down after reaching its peak in the mid-19th century, coal usage saw a big rise until the early 20th century.
• Oil, which became more popular as a fuel from the 1950s, eventually surpassed coal in terms of percentage used by the 1960s.

Mini Exercise: Combine Sentences

Task: Combine the following sentences using the complex sentence structures introduced.

1. Coal usage increased until 1900. It then began to go down.
2. Wood was the main source of fuel in 1800. By 2000, its usage had become very low.

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Remember, the key to doing well in IELTS Writing Task 1 is to change your sentence structures while accurately giving information. Practice often with different graphs and datasets to become skilled.

Describing Small/Slight Changes

Sentence Starters:

• There was a slight increase in…
• A small decrease in… was noted around…
• …had a small rise during…

Examples:

• There was a slight increase in gas usage in the early 1990s.
• A small decrease in coal usage was noted around the late 1960s.
• Oil had a small rise during the late 1990s.

Describing Medium/Moderate Changes

Sentence Starters:

• There was a moderate rise in…
• A clear decrease in… happened between…
• …had a steady rise throughout…

Examples:

• There was a moderate rise in the use of natural gas after 1970.
• A clear decrease in wood usage happened between 1900 and 1950.
• Coal had a steady rise during the first half of the 19th century.

Describing Big/Sharp Changes

Sentence Starters:

• There was a big jump in…
• A big drop in… was clear in…
• …had a large decrease during…

Examples:

• There was a big jump in oil usage in the 1950s.
• A big drop in wood as a fuel source was clear in the early 1800s.
• Coal had a large drop during the late 20th century.

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But What About Future Line Graphs?

Good question!

Here are some sample sentences that should help you. Notice the parts in bold for future specific language:

• By 2050, usage of paper books will probably decline.
• The visitors to the sports stadium are expected to decrease in the coming seasons due to changing weather patterns.
• It is estimated that the population of monarch butterflies will rise.
• The use of artificial intelligence in medicine is expected to change healthcare in the next decade.
• The demand for online courses is set to rise as technology advances.
• Attendance at virtual events is forecast to rise after recent innovations.
• It is predicted that interest in remote work will drop after the development of new office spaces.
• It is expected that demand for urban housing will show a big drop due to telecommuting trends.
• According to experts, renewable energy use is likely to show a big increase compared with fossil fuels.
• In contrast, job opportunities in renewable energy will show a big rise compared to traditional sectors.

Here is a full sample Answer:

The line graph shows the number of cars sold, in thousands, by three major car manufacturers, and the future predictions until the year 2040. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where needed.

The line graph compares the sales numbers of three leading car manufacturers over a period from 1990 to 2040, with predictions for the future.

Overall, Chevrolet led the market until 2010 when Suzuki took over its sales. Looking ahead, Suzuki is expected to strengthen its leading position, while Chevrolet's sales are predicted to fall behind Honda's.

In 1990, Chevrolet led the market with sales of 60,000 units, which was more than the total sales of Honda and Suzuki, at 22,000 and 12,000 units respectively. By 2020, this trend changed; Suzuki's sales peaked at 49,000 units, surpassing Chevrolet, which dropped to 20,000 units. Honda also saw growth, reaching 23,000 units sold.

Future predictions show that Suzuki's sales will continue to rise, reaching a predicted 74,000 units by 2040. It is predicted that Honda's sales will rise to 55,000 units. In contrast, Chevrolet's sales are forecast to drop significantly, with an estimated 3,000 units sold in 2040.

Summary

Let me summarize everything that we have learned today:

1. Understand the Task Format: Know the clear three-part structure of IELTS Task 1: description of the graph, specific task, and the graph itself. Your main task is to find and report key features and make comparisons.
2. Identify Main Features: Focus on starting points, big changes, peaks, intersections, and ending points of the line graph.
3. Structure Your Answer: Organize your response into four paragraphs: Introduction, Overview, Detail Paragraph 1, and Detail Paragraph 2. This structure helps in presenting a clear and logical analysis.
4. Craft the Introduction: Rephrase the graph description well, changing a few words to show language skill.
5. Write the Overview: Summarize general trends and important points without using specific numbers, like a newspaper headline.
6. Detail Paragraphs: Give a detailed analysis, reporting on the main ideas and relevant comparisons. Order your description from starting points to main events and ending points.
7. Use Language Effectively: Use different sentence starters and structures to describe trends, compare data points, indicate time frames, highlight extremes, and describe specific changes. Improve your answer with synonyms and complex sentences for skill.
8. Handle Future Predictions: For future-oriented line graphs, use specific language indicating predictions, expectations, and estimates.

By following these steps and practicing with different graphs, you'll be well-prepared to analyze line graphs in the IELTS Writing Task 1 section.