How to Describe an IELTS Line Graph
Line graphs test your ability to describe trends over time — not just individual data points. The key skill is selecting and grouping the most significant changes.
About this chart type
A line graph shows how one or more quantities change over a time period. Your job is not to describe every data point — it is to identify the overall trends, compare the lines, and highlight the most significant features such as peaks, troughs, crossover points, and diverging or converging patterns.
Structure
How to structure your response
Introduction
30–45 wordsParaphrase the graph title and describe what the graph shows — what is being measured, over what time period, and for which groups or categories. Do not copy the title word for word.
Overview
35–50 wordsIdentify the two or three most striking overall trends — which line was highest overall, whether things rose or fell in general, any dramatic changes or crossover points. No specific figures here.
Body Paragraph 1
60–80 wordsDescribe the trends for one or two lines in detail, with specific figures and time references. Group related lines together.
Body Paragraph 2
60–80 wordsDescribe the remaining lines with the same level of detail. Always include numbers and time references to support your statements.
Real Examples
Sample overview paragraphs compared
Sample task
The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting three different countries between 2000 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
✗ Band 5–6
“The graph shows that tourists increased in some countries and decreased in others. There were many changes over the twenty year period.”
Weak: extremely vague, no specific trends mentioned, 'some' and 'many' avoid all commitment to what actually happened, no comparison between countries.
✓ Band 7+
“Overall, tourist numbers rose in all three countries over the period, though the rate of growth varied considerably. Country A consistently attracted the highest number of visitors, while Country C saw the most dramatic increase, particularly after 2010.”
Strong: clear overall trend stated, comparison made, the most distinctive feature (Country C's dramatic rise) is highlighted, no specific figures needed here — those go in the body paragraphs.
Vocabulary
Essential language for line graphs
Verbs for upward movement
Verbs for downward movement
Verbs for stable/flat trends
Nouns for trends
Describing speed and scale
Time references
Mistakes to avoid
Common line graph errors
Describing every single data point in order
Group data by trend, not by year. Describe the overall movement first, then support with key figures. A list of numbers without trend language reads like a table, not an analysis.
No overview paragraph
The overview is the most important paragraph for Task Achievement. Without it, the maximum band for TA is 5. Always write an overview after the introduction — before the detail paragraphs.
Using the same verb repeatedly ('increased, increased, increased')
Vary your language: 'rose sharply', 'climbed steadily', 'surged to a peak'. Use both verb and noun forms: 'there was a significant rise in...'.
Forgetting units and time references
Every figure must have a unit (%, million, dollars) and a time reference (in 2005, by 2010, between 1990 and 2000). Bare numbers without context score below Band 6.
Examiner tip
Write your overview immediately after the introduction — not at the end. Examiners mark Task Achievement first, and a missing or misplaced overview is the single most common reason candidates drop below Band 6 on TA.
FAQ
Common questions about line graphs
Should I write about every line in a line graph?
Yes, but not equally. Give more detail to lines that show the most significant changes. You can mention a stable line briefly: 'Country B remained relatively stable throughout, hovering around 2 million visitors.'
Can I give my opinion in a line graph description?
No. Task 1 is purely descriptive — report what the data shows, do not add opinions or explanations for why trends occurred. 'This may be because...' is not appropriate.
What is the difference between the overview and the introduction?
The introduction says what the graph is about (what is being measured, when, where). The overview says what the most important findings are — the big-picture trends. These are two separate paragraphs.
How many data points should I include?
Include specific figures for your most important statements — typically 3–5 data points per body paragraph. Avoid including every number on the graph; select the most significant.
Band 7.5 Model Answer
See a full annotated line graph response with paragraph-by-paragraph examiner notes.
Other Task 1 chart types