IELTS TASK-1

Ielts line graph band 9 (task 1)

        The line graph compares the percentage of people in three countries who used the Internet between 1999 and 2009.

     

      It is clear that the proportion of the population who used the Internet increased in each country over the period shown. Overall, a much larger percentage of Canadians and Americans had access to the Internet in comparison with Mexicans, and Canada experienced the fastest growth in Internet usage.

      

       In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA was about 20%. The figures for Canada and Mexico were lower, at about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2005, Internet usage in both the USA and Canada rose to around 70% of the population, while the figure for Mexico reached just over 25%.

      

       By 2009, the percentage of Internet users was highest in Canada. Almost 100% of Canadians used the Internet, compared to about 80% of Americans and only 40% of Mexicans.

TIPS TO WRITE LINE GRAPH BAND 9

Line graphs always show changes over time. Here's some advice about how to describe them:

Ø Try to write 4 paragraphs - introduction, summary of main points, 2 detail paragraphs.

Ø For your summary paragraph, look at the "big picture" - what changes happened to all of the lines from the beginning to the end of the period shown (i.e. from the first year to the last). Is there a trend that all of the lines follow (e.g. an overall increase)?

Ø You don't need to give numbers in your summary paragraph. Numbers are specific details. Just mention general things like 'overall change', 'highest' and 'lowest', without giving specific figures.

Ø Never describe each line separately. The examiner wants to see comparisons.

Ø If the graph shows years, you won't have time to mention all of them. The key years to describe are the first year and the last year. You should also mention any 'special' years (e.g. a peak or a significant rise/fall).

Ø Start describing details (paragraph 3) with a comparison of the lines for the first year shown on the graph (e.g. in 1990, the number of...).

Ø Use the past simple (increased, fell) for past years, and 'will' or 'is expected/predicted to' for future years.

Ø  Don't use the passive (e.g. the number was increased), continuous (e.g. the number was increasing), or perfect tenses (e.g. the number has increased).

Tips for table

Tables seem difficult when they contain a lot of numbers. Here's some advice:

· Try to write 4 paragraphs - introduction, summary of main points, 2 detail paragraphs.

· Before you start writing, highlight some key numbers. Choose the biggest number in  each category in the table (i.e. in each column and row). If the table shows years, look for the biggest changes in numbers over the time period. You could also mention the   smallest numbers, but you can ignore 'middle' numbers (neither biggest nor smallest).

· For your summary paragraph, try to compare whole categories (columns or rows) rather than individual 'cells' in the table. If you can't compare whole categories,compare the biggest and smallest number. Write 2 sentences for the summary.

· In your two 'details' paragraphs, never describe each category (column or row) separately. The examiner wants to see comparisons. Try to organize the numbers you  highlighted into 2 groups - one for each paragraph (e.g. highest numbers for all  categories together, and lowest numbers together).

· Describe / compare the numbers you highlighted - include at least 3 numbers in each  paragraph.

· Use the past simple for past years, and 'will' or 'is expected/predicted to' for future  years. If no time is shown, use the present simple.

EXAMPLE:

The table below gives information about the underground railway systems in six cities.

Full essay (band 9):

The table shows data about the underground rail networks in six major cities.

The table compares the six networks in terms of their age, size and the number of people who use them each year. It is clear that the three oldest underground systems are larger and serve significantly more passengers than the newer systems.

The London underground is the oldest system, having opened in 1863. It is also the largest system, with 394 kilometers of route. The second largest system, in Paris, is only about half the size of the London underground, with 199 kilometers of route. However, it serves more people per year. While only third in terms of size, the Tokyo system is easily the most used, with 1927 million passengers per year.

Of the three newer networks, the Washington DC underground is the most extensive, with 126 kilometers of route, compared to only 11 kilometers and 28 kilometers for the Kyoto and LosAngels systems. The LosAngels network is the newest, having opened in 2001, while the Kyoto network is the smallest and serves only 45 million passengers per year.

(185 words)