An IELTS line graph and bar chart model answer with examiner comments. Describing two charts together for IELTS writing task 1 academic paper is easy when you know how.
IELTS Line Graph & Bar Chart
The line graph shows visits to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999. The bar chart shows the most popular countries visited by UK residents in 1999.
Source: IELTS Cambridge English Test Books
Line Graph & Bar Chart Model Answer
The line graph illustrates the number of UK residents going abroad from the UK and overseas residents visiting the UK between 1979 and 1999, while the bar chart gives information about how many UK residents travelled to five of the most popular countries in 1999. Units are measured in millions of people.
Overall, there was an increase in the number of visits to and from the UK and there were more visits abroad by UK residents than visits to the UK by overseas residents over the period given. Furthermore, the most popular country to visit by UK residents was France in 1999.
The number of UK residents visiting overseas began at just under 15 million in 1979 and rose significantly to reach over 50 million in 1999. Around 10 million overseas residents visited the UK in the first year before climbing steadily to just under 30 million by the final year.
In 1999, France was visited by over 10 million UK residents, followed by Spain at approximately 9 million. The USA and Greece had about 4 million and 3 million visitors respectively. The least popular country visited was Turkey which had only about 2 million UK residents going there.
Examiner Comments
This IELTS writing task 1 report describing both a chart and a graph is organised into logical paragraphs. The introduction introduces both charts and the overview contains the key features of both chart. Detail in the body paragraphs is supported by data. The right language is used for the line graph and there are a range of sentence structures used throughout.
Paraphrasing
- shows = illustrates / gives information about
- the number = how many
- visits abroad by UK residents = UK residents going abroad = UK residents travelling to…
- from 1979 to 1999 = between 1979 and 1999 = over the period given
- rose = climbed
- about = approximately = around
Recommended
IELTS Writing Task 1: Tips, Lessons and Model Answers
Main IELTS Pages
Develop your IELTS skills with tips, model answers, lessons, free videos and more.
Thank you very much for your generous support.
Yes oooo. She’s been so helpful!
Thank you so much for your helpful tips. This website helped me get a band score of 8.5.
Best,
Niharika
That’s wonderful. Very well done 🙂
Hello Liz!
Your lessons are excellent and I am using them to prepare for my IELTS exam. I had one question. Is it important to include a conclusion for Academic Writing Task 1?
Writing task 1 has an overview which contains all key features that are collected together and presented for the first and only time. Writing task 2 has a conclusion which repeats in short your main points.
the line graph illustrates the number of visitors to and from the british country in between 1979 to 1999.overall,the figure experiance more number of u.k residence by comparing with oversea residence and the most view country by uk residents is france.
to begin,the u.k resident travelled with above 10 million visits,meantime overseas residents begin with 10 million people.the u.k residence trend has rising graduvally to more than 10 million visits for every 5 years,meanwhile in overseas residents a steady increase has taken place ,more than 50 million and and less than 30 million respectively.
IN 1999,the most popular country visited by u.k residents is france nearly 12 million visitors,followed by spain then turkey having the least number of visitors approximately 2 million .the remaining counties 4,3 million view respectively.
FOR THIS WRITING TASK 1, HOW MANY BANDS CAN I GET .IF THERE IS ANY PROBLEM PLEASE SUGGEST ME.WITH A KIND REQUEST
1. The letter of first sentence must be Capital Letter, 2. not ‘british country’, say UK or England, 3. not ‘experience’ say shows, 4. not ‘most view’ say most visited
5. Use capital letter as UK. 6. Your message should be clear
Double graph become Illustrates ,not illustrates
I don’t understand your comment. There is only one line graph. “The line graph illustrates” is correct.
Hi! Can i write more than 150 words in report writing?
What do you mean? The instructions tell you to write OVER 150 words.
The line graph illustrates the number of visits made to the UK by foreigners as well as the number of trips made by UK citizens to foreign countries from 1979 to 1999, and the bar chart displays the five countries which were frequently visited by UK citizens in 1999.
Overall, the trips of UK citizens to abroad increased significantly during the given period and were more than the visits to the UK, whereas the visits to the UK rose only moderately. France was the most popular country among UK residents.
In 1979, about 12 million British travelled to foreign countries, which was approximately 2 million more than the tourists in the UK. The number of trips taken abroad by UK residents rose markedly throughout the given period, and reached a high of about 51 million visitors in 1999. However, the number of non-UK residents visiting Britain reached only about 27 million in 1999.
France was the most visited country by British, and it saw approximately 12 million visitors in 1999, which were about 3 million more than the travellers to Spain. In contrast, less than 5 million UK residents travelled to the USA, Greece and Turkey, and Turkey was the least popular with approximately 3 million British tourists.
it looks much better than the model answer! think the model answer lacks of comparisons in body 1 and 2. so is it worth band 9?
Hi Liz,
I’m an avid fan from the Philippines. One question. Is your writing format from idp? I’d like to take my exam under British council and my tutors told me the testing centers have different styles. Awaiting for your reply! Much love. 🤗💕
There is no difference between IELTS at BC or IDP. Cambridge write all tests and the tests are run at both centers. The marking is the same – everything is the same.
Hi Liz. We heard that format is way different with BC. I see that the overall part of your introduction is on a separate paragraph wherein if it is in BC, they would be in the same paragraph, introduction + overview.
BC and IDP are both owners of IELTS. They both follow the same marking criteria – 100% the same. They are not different. If you had seen all my model answers for writing task 1, you would see the full variation of paragraphing that is possible. Have you read all my model answers? Have you read all my lessons on writing task 1? They are access through the RED BAR at the top of the website.
The line graph illustrates the number of UK residents going abroad from the UK and overseas residents visting the UK between 1979 and 1999. Instead of this can we say UK residents who went abroad from the UK and overseas residents who visited the UK between… what is the difference between the two.
The difference Nitish is only in your grammar and expression. Both, of course mean the same. There are a number of ways to handle the introduction. Yours is a nice one.
Try this …..The line graph depicts the number of UK residents going overseas on visits and the number of foreign visitors coming to visit the UK during a period of 20 years between 1979 and 1999.
It is good but if you will try this…
The given linear graph reveals about the information how many British residents going overseas on visit and foreign visitor coming in UK during a two decades in between 1979 and 1999.This data calibrated in number of visitor and which was visiting in another country by UK in 1999
Hi Liz. I would like to say thank you for your assistance. By God’s grace i had a total band score of 7.5 with the least of the element being 6.0. Your teaching skill is impeccable and second to none.
Once again, thank you.
My exam questions were as follow;
Speaking test
Home town
Rain
How does rain affect mood
How i handle patience
Most important letter i have received
Can a letter be a historical element
How safe is a manual letter
Writing Task 1
A pie chat and a bar chat illustrating the amount of drinking water consumed by seven countries and the level at which the water was consumed by each country; respectively.
Thanks for sharing and very well done – great score 🙂
You wrote around 200 words for this writing task 1 is that ok? we can write 200 words or more than that in task 1?
Most students will aim for between 170 and 190 words. I don’t recommend going for 200 words or more (unless you are a native speaker).
Which is better to use to start an overview: overall OR it is clear/evident that? Thanks in advance.
Which one do you think clearly shows that the statement is an overview? This is about making things clear. The more logical and the more clear it is, the better for the examiner and the higher the band score. Report writing is about making information easily accessible.
Hello:)
Shouldn’t there be a conclusion always?
Because we were always taught so.
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-tips-conclusion-or-overview-for-writing-task-1/ and then check the main writing task 1 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/
Hi Liz,
Can I say ‘British’ instead of ‘the UK citizens’?
Thank you!
Of course.
Hi ma, the 3rd paragraph does not give all the information in the line graph, You picked only the highest and least data from the line graph.
Are we not supposed to give information about all the data on the line graph or bar chart?
You are not supposed to present all data when you have so much information. You are being marked on your ability to select information. If you present too much small detail you will get band 5 for Task Achievement, which is 25% of your marks for task 1.
Can I skip the line in IELTS writing sheet which says “Do not write below this line” because sometimes that statement covers my actual words?
Thank you.
Your writing should be clear and easy to read at all times. You do not write on that line or below that line.
what is the difference between steadily increasing and significantly increasing ?
is this line graph increasing steadily or significantly?
Steadily means over a period of time. It means the same as gradually. However, significantly refers to the amount – a lot.
Can we use “there was a moderate rise” instead of “steady increase”?
Sure. But don’t forget that they have a slight different meaning. A moderate rise means that it isn’t very big. A steady rise is about not being too big over a longer period of time (it involves the length of time).
Is it okay to use “skyrocketed” for significant increase?
We could use “rocket” as a verb but not “skyrocket”.
Hi Mae, somewhere I have seen the following sequence that describes a continuum progression level:
Minimal < Slight < Gradual < Moderate < Considerable < Substantial < Significant < Enormous < Dramatic
I have found the above order is useful in describing 'change' in Task 1. However, I am requesting Liz to correct me if I am wrong.
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/how-to-ielts-line-graph/ and then review this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/
Hi maam
Can you tell me
How i prepare the writing task 1 and 2
For free lessons, see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/ and also this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/. For advanced in-depth training, see my advanced writing task 2 lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Dear Liz,
Is there a plural form ‘s’ after million in 15 million and 9 million in the context expressed above?
Linh
No. We never write an “s” when expressing 15 million people or 20 thousand sales. We only write an “s” when we write “there were millions of people” – without any numbers.
hi LIZ
your writing method is fabolous
can you help me for writing task 2
See this page for my free tips: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ or see my advanced writing task 2 lessons to purchase in-depth training: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Is it safe to write on the last part: “The least popular country to visit was Turkey which had only been visited by 2 million residents”?
Sure that’s fine.
I love your way of teaching. I wish I can write like you :S lol I am practicing my task 1 writing for ielts and I loved your way of explaining more than the rest. thank you so much <3
Do you have a video on YouTube for this essay ??
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
HI,Liz I am Dilya. I am going to take IELTS exam on 21 of the may.But I am bad at writing task 2.Please help me to improve my writing task 2. Thank.
See my advanced writing task 2 lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
All the best
Liz
Thanks a lot Liz
Why is there no conclusion in model answer? There should be conclusion in the end.
There is no conclusion for task 1, only an overview. See the main writing task 1 page to learn.
Liz
Hi Liz
Is it okay if the overview is pretty long? I mean all the “key features” has to go in overview. I can see your this “overview” is very long.
Please explain me !
I’m looking forward to hearing you at your earliest convenience.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Mam
Is it necessary to to have overall in second paragraph?
Or its fine if I have it in the last?
I find that More easy
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Liz,
Can I say that The number of UK resident visiting overseas began at just under 15 m in 1979, but had risen significantly to reach over 50 m by 1999?
Kind regards,
Adam
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Liz,
Thanks for your fantastic work!
I’m a bit confused about when to paraphrase because sometimes I spent too much time on thinking how to paraphrase the sentences .
I saw you just copy the key in the line chart directly such as “visit to and from the UK”, “visits abroad by UK residents” and “visits to the UK by overseas residents”. Is it okay not to paraphrase these words?
Please advice!
Thank you very much!
Of course you can use the words given. But don’t use them all the time. From time to time, offer paraphrases. I don’t know why students think they can’t use the words given. It’s normal and right to use them but just don’t use one phrases again and again and again.
Liz
Thank you very much! 🙂
Dear Liz,
I totally agree that writing task 1 should include an overall paragraph. But the model answer of the writing task 1 in Cambridge IELTS 9 does not have one. How could a model answer provided by the official does not comply with its own band descriptors?
Best wishes
Because IELTS can’t afford to make their own test formulaic. If they did that, the test would no longer be challenging. IELTS are not going to reveal the paragraph structure to students when paragraphing counts for 25% of the marks.
Liz
Thank you very much! ^_^
Can we use numerical value like mentioning year 1997 in overview/conclusion?
An overview usually contains key features rather than detail. There is no conclusion in task 1.
All the best
Liz
Thnx a lot
Hi mam
Can we write overview and intoduction together in the same paragraph?
Yes, the two statements can be put in the same paragraph if you want.
Liz
Hello Liz, do you have a format I can follow if there are two illustrations for task 1? Thanks in advance!
See my main writing task 1 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/
Liz
isk not conclusion necessary in writing task 1?????
No, you don’t need a conclusion. The examiner is looking for an overview. See my overview lesson on the writing task 1 main page.
Liz
Hi Liz,
I’ve gone through all your videos and read almost every post on your blog. I’m taking the exam this thursday and would like to thank you for all your video’s and posts! I took the IELTS exam a couple of months ago and scored an overall of 8. L-8, R-8, W-6.5, and S-9.
Hoping to improve on my writing to at least a 7 this time. If there is any last minute tip you could give me, I’d really glad.
Thank you.
The key is understanding what you need to do for each type of question. You must understand what you can and cannot write when the instructions are “to what extent do you agree”. Also you must avoid taking chances with vocabulary. Paraphrase only when you are certain. Avoid over long sentences – use punctuation. Plan your essay, plan how you will use paragraphs. For task 1, make sure you write a very very strong overview if you want to get band 7. And don’t write a conclusion. Good luck!
Liz
The line graph clearly depicts the travel to and from the UK, by people who live in the UK and abroad between 1979 and 1999, while the Bar chart illustrates the number of travelers from the UK to different five countries in 1999 in millions. At a glance, the Uk dwellers loved to tour foreign nations where France was the favorite destination of all.
The citizens going out from the UK was under twenty million till 1985 and then it soared to above fifty million in 1999. Comparatively foreigners to Briton were low, maintaining a linear growth initially and climbing up gradually to reach just under 30 million in 1999. During the tenure from 1979 to 19999, more traveling happened to outside the UK than into the UK.
Approximately, 12 million Britishers visited France, followed by Spain with under 10 million people in 1999. In contrast, Americ.Greece and Turkey were the least opted place to go by the UK residents, which witnessed an influx of merely 5 million people in that year. The visits made by the English men or women to France and Spain were two-fold higher than the numbers to the other nations put together.
In short, tourism blossomed after 1985 in many countries especially, where it reached its peak in 1999, evidencing most visits to France.
Please read my notice: https://ieltsliz.com/posting-writing/
Thanks
Liz
Hi miss Liz ,
can we consider “visits to the UK by overseas resident” as ” overseas resident who had visited the UK by 1999 ” ?
or the y-axis is the number of visits not people who visited ??
can you explain this point please .. ?
Regards,
Your first option is fine “overseas residents who…”. I wouldn’t change it to visits, if the graph is about the number of people.
Liz
Thanks . 🙂
Respected Madam could you please point out the mistakes in this answer.I fear what score I might get for this?
The line graph compares and contrasts data on changes in the number of tourists visiting UK and the number of overseas visits made by the British over a 20- year period from 1979 to 1999,while bar graph compares the differences in the popularity of 6 different countries amongst the British as the tourist destination in the year 1999.
Overall,the number of tourists to UK as well as the number of British moving out as travellers rose over the given period,and two of the six countries were more liked by British as tourist destinations in the year 1999.
More specifically,initially the figures of visits of UK residents and overseas travellers to England were nearly 11 million and 10 million respectively,both of these rose over the periods despite a common dip in figures during the 1985-86 time,following which a steady rise in numbers of UK travellers could be noted resulting to over 52 million in 1999 which was almost double the number of tourists to UK of that time.
During the year 1999,the most visited country by the English was France with 11 million visitors and Spain was the second most liked nation to travel to with nearly 9 million people.Although USA,Greece and Turkey were also visited the numbers were comparatively less than that of France and Spain with almost 4 million,3 million and 2 million visits respectively.
Please read my notice: https://ieltsliz.com/posting-writing/
Thanks
Liz
Hi Liz,
This topic is quite helpful. Thank you.
Concerning the sentence “In 1999, France was visited by over 10 million UK residents”. I think you are correct in using “residents”. If residence is the proper word then it means “home, house or address”. I’m confused? What about “France was visited by over 10 million residence of the UK”? Is this right or it suggests a different meaning?
It was just a typing error – sorry. You definitely can’t use “residence” because this is referring to people not housing.
All the best
Liz
Dear Liz mam,
Iam Rashmi from India,I’m very poor in writing especially introduction and conclusion are toughest parts.please help .
There are plenty of models essays and model reports to learn you see how to write each paragraph. Please see the relevant section.
All the best
Liz
Thank you Madam ! for your kind suggestion !
Dear liz, thanks for your efforts, can i use ” across the Uk “in intro in place of “to and from the Uk”.Secondly I got 6.5 in writing,having such score indicate what level,and mistakes.
No, it would have a different meaning. “across the UK” means all towns, cities and villages” but “to and from the UK” means people coming to the UK and leaving the UK. Band score 6 is made of band score from 4 marking criteria so I don’t know what actual score you got for grammar or vocabulary. But generally Band Score 5 = frequent errors / Band score 6 = some errors / Band score 7 = few errors. Here’s a link to learn more: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-band-scores/
All the best
Liz
thankyou liz
Dear Madam,
I have been preparing my ILETS course from your you tube channel and website. Which is really helpful to me for my writing tasks. Mam,these days I am tittle bit nervous about on writing task1 so that i cannot concentrate to my study. Hope you will be give me some sorts of solution on that ! Take care !
Saroj Wagle
Your nerves are probably due to the fact that you have no clear strategy for each type of writing task 1. You need to know exactly how to write the introduction, how to write an overview for each type and then how to divide the information into two body paragraphs. I suggest you look at my models. Look first at each introduction and notice how it is written for each type. Then look at each body paragraph and compare them.
All the best
Liz
hello mam! iam following your lessons regluarly its been so useful and thank you mam.
i have small query can i write both agree and disagree opinion in writing task 2, can you please tell me which is better!
No, you can’t agree and disagree. You must have a clear position or you will get a lower score for Task Response (25%). You can present a balanced view but that is where you neither fully agree or fully disagree but present a specific opinion. The only lesson I have made for this type of approach is my paid lesson: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
All the best
Liz
thank u mam!
Hello Liz,
If the given line graph has more ups and downs over the given period, then is it necessary to mention each and every rise and fall with the figures? or it can be generalize over the period?
Because mentioning all the details may increase unnecessary complexity as we as consume time.
Thanks.
Please read the band scores carefully. If you give too much detail, you will get a lower score. You are being marked on selecting information: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-band-scores/
Liz
Now that was a great explanation, I enjoy with your writing style.
My examination will be after four days.
I just want to tell how much I have benefited from both of your website and your YouTube channel.
Above all that, I didn’t know that there was an overall needed before I found your YouTube videos.
So thank you very much Liz.
Good luck with your test 🙂
Dear madam.
I am glad to inform you that your lectures and videos are helping me to improve
My preparation.Now please send me some writing tips videos in my email address
I shall be thankful to you
Regards
Mehran umar
All videos are currently stored on this blog and also my youtube channel (IELTS Liz). I don’t have any more. Although I have just started making my online course but only one lesson is currently ready to purchase: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Liz
Hellow LIZ..In writing task-1, last para you used “France was visited by over 10million..”could you plz tell when & why we use ‘..by over..’?
Thanks Liz
The preposition “by” is used to refer to people “visited by 10 million people”. And the word “over” refers to the number “over million”. So the sentence “visited by over 10 million residents” means that France was visited by UK residents and there were over 10 million of them.
All the best
liz
your lessons are helping me alot. i want to check mistakes in my writing would you please check my writing and tell me what are drawbacks.
Sorry but I don’t offer essay marking or feedback at present.
Liz
Thank you for this example Liz!!!
Hi, thanks for the post. I have followed ur website as this is very useful.
I have acquired L-7 to 7.5, R-7 to 7.5, S-7.5 but I always got 6 to 5.5 in writings.
Could you give some suggestions on how to improve on my writing score? Why do you think the reason for getting a low mark in writing score?
It hard to say without seeing your writing. Here are some things to consider:
Writing task 1
Do you put ALL key features in a clear overview? Do you avoid the conclusion?
Do you support sentences with data in the body paragraphs?
Do you organise information into two body paragraphs logically?
Do you use appropriate linking devices for the task?
Do you use the right language and make few errors?
Writing task 2
Do you address ALL issues in the essay question?
Do you give a clear answer (main points) in your thesis statement?
Do you write strong topic sentences which connect to the essay question at the start of each body paragraph?
Do you use a range of linking devices?
Do you avoid over paraphrasing to avoid mistakes?
Do you aim for accuracy in your English? If you try to impress the examiner, you will make more mistakes and your score will go down.
Think about these points carefully as they could be the reason you fail to get 7.
All the best
Liz
Dear Liz,
Thank you for all efforts.
I want to know whether it is possible to change second paragraph third line ”over the period given” to ” over the given period”
Yes, both can be used.
All the best
Liz
But how I improve in all modules. ..
You need to develop all aspects of your English. Band score 5 = frequent errors. Band score 6 = some errors. Band score 7 = few errors. Learn about the band scores, learn how they are assessed and improve your English. When your English is stronger, you can think about IELTS skills. All band score information is given in each section of this blog.
Liz
Hlo maim. .
I got 5 band in ielts. ..In which my score ..listening 5 , Reading 5.5. Writing 5 and Speaking 4.5. . So . I want improve my all modules. ..Plzzzzzzzzzz Help me .For my next exam
If you got band score 5 on average, it is due to your level of English. To get a higher score, you will need to develop your English language to understand it in more detail and to be able to produce it more accurately.
Liz
Thanks Liz:
in last paragraph, first line, is it Ok to say ” France was visited by over 10 milion UK residence”?! or ” residents” ?
Thanks. Well spotted!
Liz
Ok thanks. 🙂
Hi Liz!
I hope you are doing good. you are a wonderful teacher with a pleasant smile always which made me score (7.5) overall band. I got (7 in listening, 7.5 in reading,8.5 in speaking and 6 in writing). Despite scoring 7.5 im not eligible to sit for my PLAB because i had to maintain 7 in writing too which unfortunately i could not. I am a bit upset because i studied very well. Now i want to ask you your writing package for essay writing(academic) includes task 1 and task 2 or yet you have to upload them.
Waiting for your reply,
Regards,
Dr.Gauhar
Unfortunately, my writing task 2 course might not be finished until the end of summer, possibly even October. I’m not sure when my writing task 1 will be ready. It takes me quite a lot of time to film and edit the lessons. As soon as a lesson is ready, I’ll post a notice.
All the best
liz
hi miss liz ,really this is great information for writing task 1 and its helpful for me because my ielts test is on 13 august .thank you so much.miss liz its my request if i send you my writing tasks would you like to check ?
Unfortunately, I don’t offer essay marking or grading services. I’m glad this model was useful.
All the best
Liz
Hi Liz , can i write symbolic currency? For example, 500K million?
and how can i write pound sterling in a more easier way ? because it takes more time to write 100 thousands pounds sterling. I am from Bangladesh. And following your technique for my ielts
£100,000