The graph shows the hours spent on different study methods during a two-year course.
Sample Response
The graph provides information on the time used on different study plans within the two-semester program. The calibrations are in hours.
Overall, it is seen that the internet was the last method utilized in the initial period; however, it became the broadest used method at the end of the period, whereas lectures and classes being the most used method in the beginning, dropped to become the lowest method used in the end.
In the first place, the internet was the last method experienced with around three hours in the first year of the first semester, while lectures and classes peaked at almost eight hours, the highest method used in that semester. In the second semester of the first year, both internet and lectures saw a growth in their numbers, with the internet rising dramatically to six hours whereas lectures and classes with approximately an hour rise. In the first semester of the second year, all the three methods saw the same number of hours spent on them at just; above six hours.
Moreover, the internet outraced lectures and classes to become the biggest used method with a surge around five-folds of its initial mark; meanwhile, lectures and classes plunged to a region in five hours, the least method in the end. On the contrary, the library maintained its position throughout the whole period as the second most utilized study method.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use task terminology Original: plans Suggested revision: methods Why it matters: The chart compares methods of studying rather than plans.
- 2. Correct course duration Original: two-semester program Suggested revision: two-year, four-semester course Why it matters: The horizontal axis covers four semesters across two years.
- 3. Use natural noun Original: calibrations Suggested revision: figures Why it matters: Calibrations does not naturally refer to values shown on a graph.
- 4. Describe lowest value Original: last method utilized Suggested revision: least-used method Why it matters: Least-used accurately describes the method receiving the fewest hours.
- 5. Fix word choice Original: broadest used method Suggested revision: most widely used method Why it matters: Most widely used is the standard expression for the highest level of use.
- 6. Complete the clause Original: being Suggested revision: were Why it matters: The whereas clause needs a finite verb.
- 7. Use chronological signpost Original: place Suggested revision: semester Why it matters: A time label gives a clearer chronological link to the graph.
- 8. Use precise comparison Original: last method experienced Suggested revision: least-used method Why it matters: Methods are used rather than experienced in this context.
- 9. Fix time phrase Original: first year of the first semester Suggested revision: first semester of the first year Why it matters: The semester belongs within the year, so the phrase order must be reversed.
- 10. Correct graph value Original: peaked at almost eight hours Suggested revision: stood at about seven hours Why it matters: Lectures and classes are at about seven hours in the first semester and peak later at eight.
- 11. Name the measurement Original: growth in their numbers Suggested revision: increases in their hours Why it matters: The graph measures hours rather than numbers of methods.
- 12. Complete parallel structure Original: lectures and classes with approximately an hour rise Suggested revision: lectures and classes rising by approximately one hour Why it matters: The with-clause needs a participial form to complete the comparison.
Suggested Rewrites
- plans methods
- two-semester program two-year, four-semester course
- calibrations figures
- last method utilized least-used method
- broadest used method most widely used method
- being were
Why this response received Band 5.5
The response offers a clear overview of the main start-to-finish changes and follows a broadly logical chronological structure. Its main limitation is accuracy: it misreports the convergence in Year 2 semester 1, exaggerates the internet's rise, and incorrectly says the library remained second throughout. The highest priority is to check each series carefully against the graph and report only accurate comparisons and values.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
A clear overview identifies the main opening and closing rankings, but several key comparisons and figures are inaccurate and the library's changing position is misrepresented.
Check all three lines at every semester and report the Year 2 semester 1 differences, the internet's actual rise, and the library's changing rank accurately.
Coherence and Cohesion
Chronological paragraphing creates broadly clear progression, although some long sentences contain loosely connected comparisons and a few linking phrases are imprecise.
Use shorter comparison sentences and make each connector express the exact relationship between the series.
Lexical Resource
The response shows some range in trend vocabulary, but frequent awkward choices such as broadest used, last method experienced, and outraced reduce precision.
Prefer standard graph language such as highest, lowest, rose to, fell to, and overtook.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures conveys the main meaning, but recurring agreement, article, punctuation, and clause-construction errors weaken control.
Review sentence boundaries and ensure every complex sentence has complete, correctly linked clauses with accurate subject-verb agreement.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph shows the hours spent on different study methods during a two-year course.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.