The line graph shows visits to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999, and the bar graph shows the most popular countries visited by UK residents in 1999.
Sample Response
The graphs illustrate the number of visitors who travelled to and from the UK between 1979 and 1999 and the top 5 countries where UK residents in 1999. Overall it is immediately apparent from the graph that there was an increasing trend in the number of visits to and from the UK. The most popular country visited by UK citizens was France.
To begin with, in 1979 around 10 million foreigners travelled to the UK and the number of UK residents who travelled outside was 2 or 3 million more. Both of these numbers kept on increasing gradually till almost 1986 and after that visits abroad by UK residents increased sharply. The number of foreigners the UK received also increased and reached over 25 million in 1999, while more than 50 million UK residents visited outside. To continue, in 1999 Spain (almost 10 million ) and France (more than 10 million ) were the most popular choice of UK residents. The USA and Greece had about 3 Million and 4 million tourists respectively. The least four popular nation among these five nations was Turkey which had only 2 million UK visitors.
As a comparison, the visits to and from the UK started at a similar amount whereas, the former was roughly double than the latter one.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Spell out the number Original: 5 Suggested revision: five Why it matters: Spell out this small number in formal academic writing.
- 2. Add the missing verb Original: where UK residents in 1999 Suggested revision: that UK residents visited in 1999 Why it matters: The relative clause needs a verb to express what the residents did.
- 3. Punctuate the opener Original: Overall it Suggested revision: Overall, it Why it matters: An introductory discourse marker should be followed by a comma.
- 4. Use the plural noun Original: graph Suggested revision: graphs Why it matters: The task contains both a line graph and a bar graph.
- 5. Match the chart label Original: citizens Suggested revision: residents Why it matters: The visual reports residents rather than citizenship status.
- 6. Separate the time phrase Original: in 1979 around Suggested revision: in 1979, around Why it matters: The introductory time phrase needs a comma before the main clause.
- 7. Use the natural phrase Original: outside Suggested revision: abroad Why it matters: Travelled abroad is the idiomatic expression for international travel.
- 8. Give an accurate estimate Original: 2 or 3 million more Suggested revision: about 2 million more Why it matters: The graph shows roughly 12 million outbound visits and 10 million inbound visits in 1979.
- 9. Use the plotted year Original: till almost 1986 Suggested revision: until around 1985 Why it matters: The plotted point is 1985, so 1986 is not supported by the visual.
- 10. Use an academic phrase Original: foreigners the UK received Suggested revision: overseas visitors to the UK Why it matters: This phrasing describes the inbound visitor group more naturally and precisely.
- 11. Clarify outbound travel Original: visited outside Suggested revision: travelled abroad Why it matters: Travelled abroad is the correct collocation for residents leaving the country.
- 12. Signal the chart change Original: To continue Suggested revision: Turning to the bar chart Why it matters: The transition should show that the report is moving from the line graph to the bar graph.
Suggested Rewrites
- 5 five
- where UK residents in 1999 that UK residents visited in 1999
- Overall it Overall, it
- graph graphs
- citizens residents
- in 1979 around in 1979, around
Why this response received Band 6.0
The response identifies the broad upward trends and the leading destination, and it includes figures from both visuals. Its main limitation is uneven accuracy: the USA and Greece values are reversed, the final comparison is unclear, and several descriptions are imprecise. The highest priority is to select a few exact comparisons from the charts and express them in unambiguous sentences.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response covers both visuals and gives an overview, but some figures and comparisons are inaccurate or unclear.
Check each reported value against the charts and make the widening gap between the two line-series explicit.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information generally progresses from the line graph to the destination chart, although linking is mechanical and the final paragraph is poorly integrated.
Group related comparisons within two focused body paragraphs and use reference words whose meaning is unmistakable.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is sufficient for trends and comparisons, but awkward choices such as 'visited outside' and 'least four popular nation' reduce precision.
Use accurate chart language such as 'travelled abroad,' 'received visitors,' and 'the least popular destination.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures conveys the main meaning, but agreement, article, clause-completion, and comparative errors recur.
Proofread every comparison for a complete clause and correct forms such as 'twice as high as' rather than 'double than.'
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The line graph shows visits to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999, and the bar graph shows the most popular countries visited by UK residents in 1999.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.