Level 4

IELTS Writing Task 1

Task 1 – Temporal Graphs Review

Task 1 on the IELTS exam requires you to transfer information from a chart into a written report. You need to be able to give a clear interpretation of the data in the chart. You need to produce a report that gives an introduction and a body paragraph for each of the data sources.

Steps to writing a report

1. Select information- Before you write think of what to include

2. Look at the main features- tops/bottoms, beginning/ends, common patterns,

changes, identify the important trends.

3. Compare- similarities and differences

4. Report- Write what you see- No opinion, not an essay

5. Summarize information- need to leave out some information, don’t give too much

information.

To get a band 5 in IELTS, you need to:-

• write an overview

• describe the main information in the chart(s) correctly

• make some comparisons

• organise your writing in a clear and logical way

• use some good linking words

• use suitable vocabulary with good range, spelling and correct word forms

• have some simple sentences, some compound sentences (using linking words like and &

but), some complex sentences (e.g. …., which was the highest figure in the period, …,

after which…)

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Task 1 Temporal Graph Analysis

Look at the following graphs/charts. Is the information the same or different?

Banana production in 3 countries (in tonnes)

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

India 5000 5000 5000 15000 22000 27000 30000 25000 20000 20000

Malaysia 2000 7000 10000 5000 10000 14000 20000 20000 15000 13000

Thailand 30000 27000 25000 20000 18000 4000 10000 9000 8000 6000

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Task 1 Temporal Graph Analysis

Look at the graph and answer the questions.

1) What type of graph is it and what does it show?

Write the first sentence of the introduction in the box below.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Is the number for banana production in India in 2000 higher or lower than the number in 2009?

3) What is the overall trend for banana production in India?

4) Is the number for banana production in Malaysia in 2000 higher or lower than the number in 2009?

5) What is the overall trend for banana production in Malaysia?

6) Is the number for banana production in Thailand in 2000 higher or lower than the number in 2009?

7) What is the overall trend for Thailand?

8) How many paragraphs will you write for this report?

9) What is the topic of the last paragraph in your report? Why?

3

Task 1 Temporal Graph Comparisons

Look at the graph. Write the overview sentence of the introduction in the box below.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Look at the graph. Write the first sentence of each body paragraph in the boxes below.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction - overview

Body 1 – general trend sentence

Body 2 – comparison & general trend sentence

Body 3 – comparison & general trend sentence

4

Task 1 Temporal Graph Vocabulary

Verbs and nouns of change Look at the verbs in the box below. Write the past tense form of each verb and the noun form of each verb (when possible) in the right place in the table.

begin rise fall fluctuate climb decline start go up remain constant plateau increase does not change stand drop go down stays the same peak decrease

Nouns Past tense verbs

Nouns Past tense verbs

START POINT

SAME

UP

DOWN

UP and DOWN

Adjectives and adverbs of change Look at the adjectives in the box below. Write each adjective and its adverb form in the right place in the table.

gradual rapid upward moderate slight dramatic slow sharp steady downward

Adjective Adverb Adjective Adverb

BIG CHANGE MIDDLE CHANGE

SMALL CHANGE

TREND UP or TREND DOWN

5

Task 1 Temporal Graph Descriptions

The line chart below illustrates the production of bananas in three countries over a ten year period.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

Look at the graph. Write the description part of each body paragraph in the boxes below.

Looking at the amount of bananas grown in India, it is clear to see that it went up over the period. __

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Body 1 Description – start – changes - end

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Similarly, the amount of bananas produced in Malaysia climbed during the same 10 years. _________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Unlike in India and Malaysia, there was an overall drop in the amount of bananas grown in Thailand.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Body 2 Description – start – changes - end

Body 3 Description – start – changes - end

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Using different linkers for showing the order

Look at the underlined linkers in the example sentences below.

Which ones can go in the middle of a sentence?

Which one is followed by different grammar from the others?

Then, it remained constant from 2000 to 2002, after which it rose dramatically to a peak of 30,000 tonnes in 2006. Following this, the amount increased moderately to 10,000 tonnes in 2006. After that, there was a sharp fall in 2005 to approximately 4,000 tonnes Next, between 2006 and 2008, there was a moderate fall in the amount to 20,000 tonnes. It began at about 2,000 tonnes in 2000, before fluctuating upwards to 15,000 tonnes in 2005. Finally, it dropped gradually to around 13,000 tonnes in 2009. Go back and check that you have used all of them at least once in your descriptions.

Using different sentence structure

Look at the structure of the example sentences below.

Then, between 1980 and 2000, the amount rose dramatically from 500 kg to 2,400 kg.

Subject + Verb + Adverb

Then, between 1980 and 2000, there was a dramatic rise from 500 kg to 2,400 kg.

there was a + Adjective + Noun

Go back and check that you have used both structures at least once in your descriptions.

Using some relative clauses for complex grammar

Look at the relative clauses in the example sentences below.

Next, in 1960, it fell sharply to about 1,300 kg, which was the lowest figure in the period.

Next, in 1980, there was a sharp rise to 2,400 kg, which was the highest in the period.

Go back and check that you have used a relative clause for the lowest point for Thailand and the highest

point for either India or Malaysia in your descriptions.

8

Task 1 Temporal Graph Model Answer

The line graph shows the amount of bananas produced in three countries, which were India, Malaysia

and Thailand, from 2000 to 2009 in tonnes. As an overall trend, the amount of bananas produced in both

India and Malaysia increased, while in Thailand it decreased over the ten year period.

Looking at the amount of bananas grown in India, it is clear to see that it went up over the

period. It stood at 5,000 tonnes in 2000. Then, it remained constant from 2000 to 2002, after which it

rose dramatically to a peak of 30,000 tonnes in 2006. Next, between 2006 and 2008, there was a

moderate fall to 20,000 tonnes. Finally, the figure stayed the same to 2009.

Similarly, the amount of bananas produced in Malaysia climbed during the same 10 years. It

began at about 2,000 tonnes in 2000, before fluctuating upwards to 15,000 tonnes in 2005. Following

this, between 2006 and 2007, there was a plateau at 20,000 tonnes, which was the highest figure in the

period. Finally, it dropped gradually to around 13,000 tonnes in 2009.

Unlike in India and Malaysia, there was an overall drop in the amount of bananas grown in Thailand. It

started at 30,000 tonnes in 2000, after which it fell steadily to about 17,000 tonnes in 2004. After that, there

was a sharp fall in 2005 to approximately 4,000 tonnes, which was the lowest in the 10 years. Following this,

the amount increased moderately to 10,000 tonnes in 2006, before declining steadily to just over 5,000 tonnes

in 2009.

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Task 1 Temporal Graph Analysis

Look at the graph and answer the questions.

1) What type of graph is it and what does it show?

Write the first sentence of the introduction in the box below.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

2) What is the overall trend for banana production in India?

3) What is the overall trend for banana production in Malaysia?

4) What is the overall trend for Thailand?

5) What is the overall trend for Ecuador?

6) What are the similarities and differences in these trends?

7) How many paragraphs will you write for this report?

8) Will you start with two paragraphs with similar overall trends or different overall trends?

10

Task 1 Temporal Graph Comparisons

Look at the graph. Write the overview sentence of the introduction in the box below.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Look at the graph. Write the first sentence of each body paragraph in the boxes below.

Looking at______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Similarly,_______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Unlike_________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Similar to______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction - overview

Body 1 – general trend sentence

Body 2 – comparison & general trend sentence

Body 3 – comparison & general trend sentence

Body 4 – comparison & general trend sentence

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Task 1 Temporal Graph Model Answer

The line graph shows the amount of bananas produced in four countries, which were India, Malaysia,

Thailand and Ecuador, from 2000 to 2009 in tonnes. As an overall trend, the amount of bananas produced in

both India and Malaysia increased, while in Thailand and Ecuador it decreased over the ten year period.

Looking at the amount of bananas grown in India, it is clear to see that it went up over the

period. It stood at 5,000 tonnes from 2000 to 2002, after which it peaked at 30,000 tonnes in 2006.

Next, between 2006 and 2008, there was a moderate fall to 20,000 tonnes. Finally, the figure stayed the

same to 2009.

Similarly, the amount of bananas produced in Malaysia climbed during the same 10 years. It

began at about 2,000 tonnes in 2000, before fluctuating upwards to 15,000 tonnes in 2005. Between

2006 and 2007, it plateaued at 20,000 tonnes, which was the highest figure in the period. Finally, it

dropped gradually to around 13,000 tonnes in 2009.

Unlike in India and Malaysia, there was an overall drop in the amount of bananas grown in Thailand. It

started at 30,000 tonnes in 2000, after which there was a sharp fall to 2005 to approximately 4,000 tonnes,

which was the lowest in the 10 years. Following this, the amount increased moderately to 10,000 tonnes in

2006, before declining steadily to just over 5,000 tonnes in 2009.

Similar to in Thailand, the production of bananas in Ecuador fell over the ten years. It began at 15,000

tonnes in 2000 and then fluctuated downwards to around 2,000 tonnes in 2005. Following this, there was no

change to 2009.

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Task 1 Temporal Graph Analysis & Comparison

Look at the graphs and answer the questions.

1) What type of graphs are they and what do they show?

Write the first sentence of the introduction in the box below.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

2) What is the overall trend for cars and motorcycles stolen in New City?

3) What is the overall trend for cars and motorcycles stolen in East City?

4) What is the overall trend for cars and motorcycles stolen in Old City?

5) What are the similarities and differences in these trends?

6) How many paragraphs will you write for this report?

Write the overview sentence of the introduction in the box below.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

NU

MB

ER

Motorcycles Stolen in Three Cities

New City

Old City

East City

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

NU

MB

ER

Cars Stolen in Three Cities

New City

Old City

East City

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Task 1 Temporal Graph Model Answer

The two charts show the number of motorcycles and cars stolen in three cities, which were New City,

Old City and East City, from 2001 to 2006. Overall, the number of cars and motorcycles stolen in East City and

New City increased, while in Old City it decreased.

Looking at the number of stolen cars, in East City and New City it is clear to see that it rose over the

period, but in Old City it fell. In East City, it began at about 23 in 2001, before dropping moderately to 20 in

2002 and remaining the same to 2003. After that, in 2005 it peaked at around 28, which was the highest

figure in the period. Finally, it went down slightly to 25 in 2006. In New City, it started at approximately 14 in

2001, after which it fluctuated upwards to just over 15 in 2006. The number of cars stolen in Old City stood at

10 in 2001 and there was no change to 2003. Next, it fell steadily to 5 in 2004 and remained constant to 2006.

Turning to the number of motorcycles stolen, in East City and New City there was an overall increase

from 2001 to 2006, whereas in Old City the number stayed the same. In East City in 2001, it stood at 10.

Following this, there was an upward fluctuation to about 13. Finally, it climbed steadily to around 17 in 2006.

In New City from 2001 to 2003, the number of stolen motorcycles remained at 4, which was the lowest

number in the six years, before peaking at approximately 9 in 2005 and then falling slightly to 8 in 2006. In

Old City, it started at 2 in 2001. Following this, there was a fluctuation back to 2 in 2005 and then it did not

change to 2006.

Additional things to think about when writing reports:

Check that you have an overview and that it is correct.

Make sure you give some numbers but don’t write any numbers in the overview

Be careful of spellings – learn the vocabulary table.

Use the correct tense for verbs and vary them

Make sure you use a variety of sentence patterns.

Use the correct adverbs to describe trends.

Put your time phrases in different parts of the sentence (front/back).

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

NU

MB

ER

Motorcycles Stolen in Three Cities

New City

Old City

East City

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

NU

MB

ER

Cars Stolen in Three Cities

New City

Old City

East City

14

Task 1 Temporal Graph Vocabulary ANSWERS

Verbs and nouns of change Look at the verbs in the box below. Write the past tense form of each verb and the noun form of each verb (when possible) in the right place in the table.

begin rise fall fluctuate climb decline start go up remain constant plateau increase does not change stand drop go down stays the same peak decrease

Nouns Past tense verbs

Nouns Past tense verbs

START POINT

began SAME remained constant

started stayed the same

stood no change did not change

UP

rise rose DOWN fall fell

climb climbed decline declined

increase increased drop dropped

went up decrease decreased

UP and DOWN

fluctuation fluctuated went down

plateau plateaued

peak peaked

Adjectives and adverbs of change Look at the adjectives in the box below. Write each adjective and its adverb form in the right place in the table.

gradual rapid upward moderate slight dramatic slow sharp steady downward

Adjective Adverb Adjective Adverb

BIG CHANGE rapid rapidly MIDDLE CHANGE

gradual gradually

dramatic dramatically moderate moderately

sharp sharply steady steadily

SMALL CHANGE

slight slightly TREND UP or TREND DOWN

upward upwards

slow slowly downward downwards

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