The line graph below shows the average monthly temperatures in three major cities.
Sample Response
The line graph displays the changes in temperature in three cities (Paris, Dubai and Sydney) in different months of a year. Temperature is measured in degrees CelsiusCelsius degree. Overall, the weather pattern in Sydney is quite the opposite of Dubai and Paris. Furthermore, Paris is generally the coldest city for much of the yearParis is the coldest city among the three. To begin with, the temperature in Paris never goes above 20 degrees. In contrast, Dubai seldom sees its temperature below this level, except for January (19 degrees Celsius19 degree C). However, despite the striking differences, the temperatures in Paris and Dubai still have some similarities, as they rise continually from the beginning of the year to reach a peak in August. The highest temperaturestemperature in Paris and Dubai are 20 and 36 degrees, respectively. Afterwards, both cities become coolerboth cities became colder and the temperature fell steadily. As can be seen, the differences in temperature between August and December in both Paris and Dubai are the same, 15 degrees Celsiuscelsius. Regarding Sydney, it records a temperature of 24 degreesit witnesses 24 degree temperature in January. From there, the temperature drops continuously before going down to the lowest point of about 13 degrees in July14 degrees in July. Over the remaining five months,The five remaining months see the temperature increase dramatically, to reach 23 degrees by the end of the year.
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response provides a useful overview and accurately captures the contrasting seasonal pattern in Sydney, while supporting it with many relevant figures for all three cities. Its main limitation is occasional imprecision, including the claim that Paris is always the coldest, alongside unnatural temperature expressions and recurring grammar errors. Prioritise qualifying comparisons against each month, reporting Sydney's extremes more exactly, and presenting the overview and city groups in separate paragraphs.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response accurately describes the opposite seasonal patterns of Sydney versus Paris and Dubai and gives many correct peak and low values. It includes a useful overview, though Paris is not always the coldest every month and a few figures are slightly imprecise.
Qualify the coldest-city statement and mention Sydney's warmest and coolest months more exactly.
Coherence and Cohesion
The report is logically structured, with an overview followed by Paris and Dubai and then Sydney. Cohesion is generally good, but the whole answer is a single paragraph.
Use separate paragraphs for the overview, Paris/Dubai comparison, and Sydney's contrasting pattern.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and mostly appropriate, including pattern, opposite, peak, striking differences, and fell steadily. Some expressions are unnatural, such as Celsius degree and witnesses temperature.
Use natural temperature phrases such as degrees Celsius, records, stands at, rises to, and falls to.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The answer uses a range of structures, but there are errors with articles, subject-verb agreement, tense, and plural forms. Meaning remains clear throughout.
Check agreement in sentences with highest temperature and keep present tense for describing graph data.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The line graph below shows the average monthly temperatures in three major cities.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.