The line graph below compares the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in four countries in billions of US dollar.
Sample Response
The line graph shows changes in GDP in four countries and compares the GDP of those countries between 2010 and 2015. As can be seen, Malaysia had a better GDP than other countries listed in the diagram and GDP is Nepal remained constant throughout the time. As is outlined in the graph, GDP in Malaysia was approximately 270 billion US dollar in 2010 which was the highest among the given countries. Pakistan’s GDP at that moment was roughly 180 billion which was around 70 billion higher than that of Bangladesh. Nepal with its meagre 10 billion Gross Domestic Product stood at the bottom of the list. Looking further, Malaysian GDP gradually increased till 2014 and then witnessed a decline. GDP in this country was 300 billion dollar in 2015, which was the highest. GDP in Pakistan progressed moderately and this progress accelerated between 2014 and 2015 at which point it nearly touched Malaysian’s GDP. Bangladesh’s GDP gradually improved and almost doubled in 5 years. Interestingly, Nepal is the only country whose GDP remained static at only 10 billion dollars.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Precise comparison Original: a better GDP Suggested revision: a higher GDP Why it matters: GDP values are described as higher or lower, not better.
- 2. Wrong preposition Original: GDP is Nepal Suggested revision: GDP in Nepal Why it matters: Use in to link the measure to the country.
- 3. Plural unit Original: 270 billion US dollar Suggested revision: 270 billion US dollars Why it matters: The unit should be plural after a number.
- 4. Neutral tone Original: with its meagre 10 billion Suggested revision: at approximately 10 billion Why it matters: Neutral numerical language is preferable in an academic report.
- 5. Trend verb Original: progressed moderately Suggested revision: rose steadily Why it matters: This collocation describes the upward line more naturally.
- 6. Country possessive Original: Malaysian’s GDP Suggested revision: Malaysia's GDP Why it matters: Use the country noun, not the adjective, as the possessive.
- 7. Avoid overstatement Original: remained static at only 10 billion dollars Suggested revision: remained broadly stable at around 10–15 billion dollars Why it matters: The orange line varies slightly rather than remaining perfectly unchanged.
- 8. Name the visual Original: listed in the diagram Suggested revision: shown in the line graph Why it matters: Line graph is the precise term for this visual.
- 9. Time range Original: throughout the time Suggested revision: throughout the period Why it matters: Throughout the period is the standard reporting phrase.
- 10. Formal time reference Original: Pakistan’s GDP at that moment Suggested revision: Pakistan's GDP in 2010 Why it matters: Naming the year is clearer than using at that moment.
- 11. Add unit Original: 70 billion higher than that of Bangladesh Suggested revision: 70 billion dollars higher than Bangladesh's Why it matters: The comparison needs its monetary unit and a clear possessive reference.
- 12. Preposition choice Original: increased till 2014 Suggested revision: increased until 2014 Why it matters: Until is preferable in formal written English.
Suggested Rewrites
- a better GDP a higher GDP
- GDP is Nepal GDP in Nepal
- 270 billion US dollar 270 billion US dollars
- with its meagre 10 billion at approximately 10 billion
- progressed moderately rose steadily
- Malaysian’s GDP Malaysia's GDP
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response selects the major trends accurately: Malaysia remains highest despite its final fall, Pakistan and Bangladesh rise, and Nepal changes very little. It also supports these trends with useful approximate figures. The main limitation is occasional imprecise chart language and a few grammar errors; refine comparisons, units and country possessives to make an otherwise coherent report more exact.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The overview and principal trends match the graph, with relevant figures for all four countries.
Mention Malaysia's peak near 340 billion before its decline and avoid overstating Nepal as perfectly static.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically from the overview to starting values and later changes.
Separate the overview from detailed figures more visibly and group rising countries together.
Lexical Resource
The range is sufficient, though better GDP and progressed are not precise chart collocations.
Prefer higher GDP, rose, peaked, declined and remained broadly stable.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Meaning is clear, but agreement, prepositions, possessives and unit forms contain lapses.
Proofread country possessives and use billion US dollars consistently.