Week 5 | Theme: Tourism and Transportation

IELTS WRITING TASK 1

LINE GRAPH

THEME: TOURISM AND TRANSPORTATION 1

 Week 5 | Theme: Tourism and Transportation

Part 1: IELTS Writing task 1

A. Structure
Number of
Part Content
sentence
1 Introduction First 1 - What is the graph about?
sentence Tip: paraphrase the sentence question
Overview 1-2 - What are the two most striking features of the whole graph?
Tip: Answer 2 in the four questions:
1. General trend?
2. Particular trend?
3. The highest/lowest feature?
4. The higher/lower?
=> Purpose: to help readers get the gist of the graph.
Advice:
1. Put the overview in ONE paragraph.
2. Do not go into details at this stage (no statistics).
2 Body Body 1 4->6 Steps:
1. Breaking down the details (Outline):
- Minor: trend over a certain period of time
E.g: X experienced an increase from year A to year B.
- Minute: Striking points at a definite point of time
E.g: X reached its peak at A in the year B.
2. Going in to details (Write):
- Minor + Minute
Purpose:
- Give accurate descriptions of the main changes over a period
of time
- Point out striking features of the subjects
- Compare and contrast information
Advice:
- Logically organize your body paragraphs to make them easy
to follow for the examiners
- Make sure each body paragraph sentence has numbers and
dates to support it
- Do not need to report every detail of the subjects
- Use adjective+noun or verb+adverb or collocation to describe
- Use a range of time phrases
- Use a variety of vocabulary instead of repeating language of
change
Body 2 - Similar to Body 1
Body N - Similar to Body 1
NO CONCLUSION

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B. Language:
1. How to write an introduction in task 1:
a. The first sentence
The line graph shows the comparison between…
illustrates the differences between…
demonstrates the number of + plural Noun
depicts the amount of + uncountable Noun
gives information on Information on….
b. Overview:
X = In general/Generally speaking/Overall/As is observed/ As is presented
Structure:
1. X, it can be recorded that the data shows + (trend/popularity/correlation)
2. X, there is a (trend/popularity/correlation) + recorded over the period
3. X, while the first graph details the (trend/popularity/correlation), the other shows (trend/
popularity/correlation) <If there are two graphs provided>
2. Time phrases:
- From year A to year B (from 1990 to 2000)
- Between year A and year B (between 1990 and 2000)
- Over the next + number + days/months/years (Over the next 15 years)
- In the following + number + days/months/years (In the following 15 years)
- The next + number + days/months/years + show/showed …..
e.g. The next 15 years showed a gradual decline in the American birth rate from 10% to 5%.
= The American birth rate gradually decreased from 10% to 5% over the next 15 years.
* Fixed phrases:
- the final/last day/month/year
- the first day/month/year
- at the beginning/by the end of the period
3. Sentence structure:
1. Time + observe/witness/see + a/an + (adj) + Noun => TREND
e.g. The year 2000 observed a sharp decline in the US birth rate from 10% to 5%.
2. There is/was + a/an + (adj) + N
e.g. There was a sharp decline in the US birth rate in 2000.
3. S + experience/show/mark a/an + adj + N + prep + time
e.g. The US birth rate experienced a sharp decline in 2000.
4. A/an + adj + Noun + was recorded/observed/seen + Number + time
e.g. A sharp decline was recorded in the sales of peanut butter in the following year.
5. S + V + adv + …… + before Ving…./which was followed by…./which continued to….
e.g. The figure of X rose significantly before reaching its peak at 12,000 in 2012.
e.g. The figure of X rose significantly, which was followed by a period of fluctation in the next 4 years.

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4. Describing trends:
What you think What the examiner thinks it should be
V+ (a/an)+adj+Noun V+adv
Tăng Follow an upward/ascending trend Rise/grow/go up/ascend
Increase Experience an increase
Tăng nhanh sharp V tăng + sharply/ dramatically/ greatly/
nhiều dramatic considerably
Increase fast? consider
Tăng chậm ít slight V tăng + slightly/ gently/ moderately
Increase gentle increase Inch/crawl (bò lên)
slowly? experience moderate growth
show a/an rise
Tăng từ từ gradual Climb
undergo
Tăng dần progressive Increase gradually/ progressively
Tăng đột ngột sudden Rocket
abrupt Jump
Soar/ surge
V tăng + abruptly/suddenly
Giảm Decline/decrease/fall/drop
Follow a downward trend
Decrease
experience a drop/fall/decline to
Giảm nhanh sharp Slump
dramatic Shrink
great plunge (lao thẳng xuống)
consider
Giảm ít slight V giảm + slightly/gently/moderately
gentle decrease
experience
moderate decline
show a/an
modest fall
undergo
drop
Giảm từ từ gradual Slide to
Giảm dần progressive V giảm + gradually/ progressively
Giảm đột ngột sudden V giảm + suddenly/abruptly
abrupt plummet to
deflate to
experience a dip/slump to
hit a trough at
Duy trì bình ổn reach a plateau at/of level out/flatten out at
maintain a value of remain stable/constant at
hold steady at stabilize
Biến động show/experience some fluctuation/volatility fluctuate/remain unstable/become
turbulent/jump back and forth/ stay
erratic/hover around
Đạt đỉnh hit/reach the peak at Peak at
Top at
Rơi xuống đáy hit/reach the bottom at Bottom at/dip at

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5: Linking devices:
To specify, Is clear
To illustrate, It Is apparent from the <graph name> that + clause
Begin the body
In detail, Is obvious
As can be seen from the graph, + clause
As regards
Regarding
New infomation With respect to + Noun (subject), + clause (giving details)
As for
If we look at
The same trend Likewise, A similar pattern is/was observed in X…..
Similarly,
Following the trend,
This is followed by another….
Having + Vp2,
+ clause (same subject)
Despite V-ing,
By contrast, + clause
The reverse trend However, <This trend is suddenly broken>
On the contrary, <This is in stark contrast with B which/when/where….>
Unlike A, B presents an opposite trend.
The trend for B is reversed.
Notably,
+ clause
Interestingly,
Interesting point
Of equal note is that……
The most striking feature is…..

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A. Initially, the Internet enjoyed great popularity with approximately 103000 users before this figure
plunged to a low of only 25000 users in the next 20 years and underwent a gradual decline to 24000 users
in 2010.
B. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
F. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

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 Week 5 | Theme: Tourism and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

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6. Prepositions:

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7. Practice:
Exercise 1: The graph below compares the changes in the birth rates of China and the USA between 1920
and 2000. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Sample 1:
The line graph compares birth rates in China and the US and how these rates changed from (1)_____ to 2000.
Overall, the birth rate of both nations (2)_________ over the period of 80 years. Although the two trends
were similar in terms of general (3)_________, the birth rate of the USA in most years was (4)__________
than (5)__________ of China.
In the 1920-1935 period, the birth rate in America fluctuated, although it always remained above (6)______.
However, in the following decade, the American birth rate fell (7)________ to below 5%. In the (8)_______,
the figure for the USA increased significantly to exactly 15%, which was its (9)______ point during the 80-
year period. Throughout the remainder of the period, there was a (10)__________ decline in the US birth
rate, which fell (11)_________ 7% by the year 2000.
Over the period, the birth rate in China (12)_________ more significantly than in the US. It dropped to 5%
from 1940 to 1945 before reaching the highest point of the whole line graph, 20% in (13)_______. By
(14)_____________, 5 years later, the birth rate in China decreased rapidly (15)______ over 10%, falling to
approximately 2% in 2000.
1950 highest varied sharply by
gradual 10% higher to 1950s
1920 that decline contrast decreased
Sample 2:
The line graph compares China and the USA in terms of the (1) __________ of newborns from 1920 to 2000.
Overall, the birth rate in both countries (2) _____________ over the period. Despite certain similarities
between the two trends regarding general (3) ___________, the US figure was (4)_____________ than that
of China for the most part.

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 Week 5 | Theme: Tourism and Transportation

The (5) ________ half of the period demonstrated unstable (6) _____________ of the birth rates in the US
and China. From 1920 to 1930, identical fluctuations at approximately (7) ____________ were witnessed in
both nations’ figures. In the next decade, however, Chinese figure dropped to a (8) ________________ at
5% after a surge to 15% in 1950. (9) __________, the US’s birth rate remained erratic until it hit the bottom
below 5% in (10) _________. Although the rate of US newborns topped at 15% in the next (11) _____ years,
it failed to surpass a peak at 20% of Chinese figure.
Unlike (12) _____________ patterns of the previous period, the remainder (13) ____________ gradual
declines in the birth rates of the US and China. After reaching its highest point in 1950, (14) ___________
figure suddenly slumped to 8% in 1955 and ended at only 3%. (15) ____________ , the US’s birth rate
experienced a consistent decrease, falling to 7% by the year 2000.
Similarly 12% patterns plateau indicated
higher inconsistent decline Chinese proportion
1945 Meanwhile decreased first five
Exercise 2: Self-study with band 9 sample
Topic: The graph below shows electricity production (in terawatt hours) in France between 1980 and
2012. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.

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Model Answer band 9 by IELTS Simon:

The line graph compares the amount of electricity produced in France using four different sources of
power over a period of 32 years. It is clear that nuclear power was by far the most important means of
electricity generation over the period shown. Renewables provided the lowest amount of electricity in
each year.

In 1980, thermal power stations were the main source of electricity in France, generating around 120
terawatt hours of power. Nuclear and hydroelectric power stations produced just under 75 terawatt hours
of electricity each, and renewables provided a negligible amount. Just one year later, nuclear power
overtook thermal power as the primary source of electricity.

Between 1980 and 2005, electricity production from nuclear power rose dramatically to a peak of 430
terawatt hours. By contrast, the figure for thermal power fell to only 50 terawatt hours in 1985, and
remained at this level for the rest of the period. Hydroelectric power generation remained relatively stable,
at between 50 and 80 terawatt hours, for the whole 32-year period, but renewable electricity production
saw only a small rise to approximately 25 terawatt hours by 2012.

Essay Analysis:
1. Mở bài – Introduction IELTS Writing

Đề bài: The graph below shows electricity production (in terawatt hours) in France between 1980 and 2012
Sample: The line graph compares the amount of electricity produced in France using four different sources
of power over a period of 32 years.
• The graph below => The line graph. từ “below = phía dưới” có xuất hiện trong đề bài thì trong bài viết,
không được cho từ này vào, vì khi giám khảo chấm bài, giám khảo không thấy có biểu đồ nào phía
dưới bài cả. Nên từ này sử dụng trong bài là không hợp lý.
• Shows => compares
• Electricity production => the amount of electricity produced
• Thêm thông tin chi tiết hơn một chút bằng cách dựa vào biểu đồ: “using four different sources of power”
• Miêu tả thời gian: “between 1980 and 2012” => “over a period of 32 years”
2. Tổng quan – Overview IELTS Writing
• Overview chọn 2 ý chính cơ bản của biểu đồ đó. Ý chính ở đây tức là những thay đổi bất ngờ nhất, đường
cao nhất, thấp nhất, số liệu lớn nhất, nhỏ nhất. Khi nhìn vào biểu đồ, thấy có một đường cao hơn hẳn
các đường khác trong suốt khoảng thời gian của đề bài đưa ra, và một đường thì luôn luôn thấp hơn
so với tất cả các đường khác. Do đó chọn 2 ý này để viết cho phần Overview.
• Các từ vựng độc đáo:
• by far the most important: rất quan trọng/cực kì quan trọng
• the means of electricity generation: một phương thức sản xuất điện
• over the period shown: trong giai đoạn trên
3. Đoạn một – Body 1 IELTS Writing
• Chọn năm gốc là năm 1980 để miêu tả vị trí của các đường. Thêm số liệu chi tiết.

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• Tiếp tục triển khai ý 1 của Overview đó là nhắc tới nuclear power, cái mà sản xuất ra điện nhiều nhất.
Nhưng nói theo cách khác “the primary source of electricity”: nguồn cung cấp điện chính.
• the main source of electricity = the primary source of electricity
• produced just under + số: sản xuất gần khoảng + số
• a negligible amount: một lượng không đáng kể
• overtake => overtook (quá khứ): vượt qua (về số lượng hoặc tầm quan trọng)
4. Đoạn 2 – Body 2 Simon IELTS Writing
• Miêu tả các đường trong cả khoảng thời gian đề bài cho.
• Miêu tả đường cao nhất của nuclear power, đạt đỉnh ở điểm nào (số liệu)
• Miêu tả các đường còn lại một cách ngắn gọn, tuy nhiên vẫn cho số liệu đặc biệt của các đường đó vào.
Của thermal power thì giảm, và sau đó giữ nguyên ở mức giảm đó, đường hydroelectric power thì
vẫn giữ nguyên ở khoảng nào đó. Còn đường cuối cùng renewable electricity thì hầu như giữ nguyên
và có sự tăng nhẹ ở phía cuối giai đoạn.
• rose dramatically to a peak of + số liệu: tăng mạnh tới điểm cao nhất là + số liệu
• By contrast: ngược lại (dùng khi so sánh sự đối lập giữa 2 đường)
• remained at this level: vẫn giữ nguyên ở mức này
• remained relatively stable: vẫn tương đối ổn định
• saw only a small rise: chỉ thấy một chút tăng nhẹ = tăng nhẹ
8. Homework:
Preparation for Bar Chart lesson:
The bar chart shows the number of houses built per decade in the towns of Farkletown and Newtown over
the last century. Fill in the blanks with the apporiate words from the box.

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The bar chart compares the number of houses erected per decade in two villages, Farkletown and Newtown,
in the last century. Overall, the number of newly-constructed houses in Farkletown exceeded that in
Newtown.
The trend for Farkletown was decidedly upwards, with its figure experiencing a steady rise from (1) ______
in the first three decades of the century, to just under 120 during the 30s. (2) _____, new house construction
in Farkletown remained constant at just under 120 . This is in sharp contrast to (3) ______ of the century
when the number of houses that went up in Farkletown leapt, first to 280 and then to (4)_______ .
House building in Newtown, by comparison, was much more (5)_____. In the (6)______ of the century, more
houses were erected in Newtown than in Farkletown. During the 1920s, however, construction declined to
(7)________. Over the next 10 years, house number rose steadily, only to drop (8)__________ in the 1960s.
There was a dramatic surge in the (9)_______ with over 200 houses being built. While the 1980s saw houses
building in Newtown plummeting to only 10, in the 90s the number of new houses rocketed to 270, which
was (10)_______ on the previous decade.
a. 350 houses f. 70s
b. only 20 g. erratic
c. 40 new houses h. practically to zero
d. the last two decades i. first two decades
e. over the next 40 years j. a rise of more than 260%

Practice with Line Graph:

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