The line graph below shows the cases of diseases caused by X virus in Australia from 1960 to 1995.
Sample Response
The line graph shows the changes in the number of X virus cases in Australia, over a 35-year periodthroughout 35 years, starting from 1960. Overall, most cases took place between 1975 and 1980 and after 1990, no cases of this virus were reportedno cases from this virus was reported in Australia. To begin with, in 1960, around 50 cases offrom the X virus werewas reported in Australia. As the years went by, the figure increased, reaching exactly 100 in 1965which had been exactly 100 in 1965. The most significant increase came as the disease skyrocketed and reached a peak at 500 casesreached a peak, at 500 cases in 1975. The number of cases remained at the peak, 500 cases, for 5 years before falling to just over 400 in 1985before decreasing by almost 100 in 1985. FinallyAnd finally, from 1990, it can be seen that the X virus no longer caused any reported cases in Australiacreated any illnesses for Australian people. The most significant change in the number of cases came between 1970 and 1975 and between 1985 and 1990came between the years 1970-1975 and 1985-1990. On the other hand, the X virus recorded its highest incidence in Australiahad the largest impact on Australia between 1975 and 19801985.
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response gives a clear, logically ordered overview of the virus trend, accurately highlighting the prolonged peak and the disappearance of cases after 1990. Its main weakness is imprecision in some supporting details, especially the 1985 figure, alongside recurring agreement errors and slightly awkward trend language. Prioritise adding the omitted 1970 value and describing the decline from just over 400 cases in 1985 to zero in 1990 precisely.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response gives a clear overview and accurately identifies the peak period, the rise to 500 cases, and the disappearance of reported cases after 1990. A few details could be more precise, including the 1985 value, which is just over 400 rather than a fall by almost 100 from 500.
Add the 1970 value and describe the sharp fall from about 410 in 1985 to zero in 1990 for a fuller account of the major changes.
Coherence and Cohesion
The report is logically sequenced and easy to follow, moving from introduction and overview to chronological details. Some final statements repeat earlier points.
Remove repeated summary sentences or combine them into one concise final comparison.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary for trends is generally effective, including increased, reached a peak, remained, and decreasing. Some phrases are slightly informal or imprecise, such as created any illnesses.
Use precise medical chart language such as reported cases, incidence, rose sharply, plateaued, and fell to zero.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Most meaning is clear, but there are recurring agreement and preposition errors, especially cases was reported. Some punctuation also fragments the flow.
Check subject-verb agreement with plural cases and avoid unnecessary commas around time phrases.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The line graph below shows the cases of diseases caused by X virus in Australia from 1960 to 1995.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.