IELTS Writing Task 1 Line Graph — Band 8 Sample Answer With Examiner Comments
Full Band 8 line graph sample answer with detailed examiner comments showing exactly why it scores so highly.
Line graphs are an extremely common question type in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. A line graph shows how data changes over time. Your task is to summarize the main trends, highlight significant points, and make clear comparisons. To achieve a Band 8, you need to use a wide variety of verbs, nouns, and adjectives to describe these changes precisely.
Essential Vocabulary for Trends
To avoid repeating the words "increase" and "decrease," study and use these highly expressive synonyms:
| Direction | Verbs | Nouns |
|---|---|---|
| Upward Trend | rise, climb, rocket, soar, surge | an upward trend, a growth, a surge |
| Downward Trend | fall, drop, plummet, plunge, decline | a drop, a decline, a slump |
| No Change | level off, remain stable, plateau | a plateau, stability |
Band 8 Sample Response
Prompt: The line graph shows the number of international visitors (in millions) to three cities—Paris, London, and New York—between 2010 and 2020.
"The line graph compares the volume of overseas travelers visiting Paris, London, and New York over a decade starting in 2010.
Overall, tourist arrivals in London and New York followed a steady upward trajectory, whereas visitor numbers in Paris experienced a slight decline toward the end of the period. Throughout the decade, London consistently attracted the highest volume of international travelers.
In 2010, London welcomed 12 million visitors, a figure that climbed progressively to reach 19 million in 2018, before plateauing for the remaining two years. Similarly, arrivals in New York began at 8 million and saw a moderate increase of 4 million, finishing the period at 12 million visitors in 2020.
In contrast, Paris started as the second most visited city with 10 million arrivals in 2010. While this figure rose to a peak of 11.5 million in 2015, it subsequently plummeted to 9 million by 2020, representing the only overall decline among the three destinations."
Examiner Comments
This is a Band 8.0 response because it is structured logically, makes excellent comparisons (e.g. "whereas visitor numbers...", "representing the only overall decline"), uses precise measurements, and displays an advanced range of vocabulary ("steady upward trajectory," "plateauing," "climbed progressively").
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