The graph below shows the amount in grams of potatoes, pasta and rice eaten in a European country between 1976 and 2006.
Sample Response
The line graph presents information on weekly potato, pasta and rice consumption per person in a European country from 1976 to 2006over a period of 30 years, commencing from 1976, measured in grams. Overall, the consumption of potatoes and rice declined over timeover the time while pasta intake increased significantly. Turning to the detailsNow getting back to the details, potato consumption in 1976initial consumption of potatoes was over 400 grams per person per week, whilein a week while it was roughly 300 grams for rice and pasta. Pasta consumptionThe amount of pasta consumption rose gradually from 1976 to 1996 and then levelled off, reaching a peakremained steady to reach the peak in 2006 at approximately 500 gramsapproximately at 500 grams per person in a week. In contrast, the intake of potatoes showed a fluctuation between 1976 and 1996. By 2006Furthermore, potatopotatoes intake reached a low of about 100 gramsreached the nadir about 100 grams per person per week in 2006. It can be clearly seen that the rice consumption fluctuated from 1976 to 1996 and then the consumption of that dropped moderately. However, from 2001 to 2006 rice consumption rosethere was a rising of rice consumption in a European country. Over the full periodDuring the period riceits consumption dropped from 300 grams to just over 200 grams.
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response gives a clear overview of the three trends and accurately identifies the major starting and ending figures, especially the rise in pasta and fall in potatoes. Its main weakness is imprecise treatment of the rice pattern, which mostly declined until 1996 before recovering, together with several awkward expressions. The priority is to describe each line chronologically with precise turning points and more natural chart-reporting language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The overview and most key figures are accurate, but the mainly downward rice trend to 1996 is loosely described as fluctuation.
Trace each series through its major turning points and distinguish sustained movement from genuine fluctuation.
Coherence and Cohesion
The account follows a generally logical sequence, although the rice discussion becomes repetitive and slightly contradictory within one undivided paragraph.
Use separate overview and detail paragraphs, grouping the two declining foods before contrasting them with pasta.
Lexical Resource
There is sufficient range for trends and extremes, but phrases such as "consumption of that" and "a rising" lack natural precision.
Use established combinations such as "rice consumption rose" and "reached a low of" consistently.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Both simple and complex forms convey meaning clearly, though article, noun-form and preposition errors recur across the response.
Proofread constructions such as "potato intake", "a rise" and "reached a low of 100 grams" for accurate form.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph below shows the amount in grams of potatoes, pasta and rice eaten in a European country between 1976 and 2006.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.