The line graph shows the historical oil prices per barrel from 1973 to January 2009.
Sample Response
The line graph illustrates the fluctuations in oil price per barrelBarrel from 1973 to January 2009. The data sources areThe data sources are - inflationdata.com and the Revenue Department of Alaska. Overall, oil price per barrel was as low as 5 USD in 1973 and peaked at about USD 143 in 2008went as high as USD 143 in 2008 and then fell sharply by January 2009kept on declining afterwards.
It is clear from the graph that the oil price fluctuated between 1973 and 2003 and reached a peak of approximately 145 USD per Barrel around 2008after 2006. From 1973 to 1980, the oil price increased significantly from USD 5 to about USD 40from 5 to 40 USD per Barrel. However, the price went down to about 15 USD per Barrel in 1986 and continued to fluctuate at a much lower level until 2003continued to fluctuate until 2003.
After this relatively stable periodAfter 10 years of the fluctuations, notablyinterestingly enough, the price went up dramatically to as much as 60 USD per Barrel in 2007 and rocketed to roughly 142 USD, which was a peak, in around 2008, and fell dramatically to about USD 40 per barrel by January 2009decreased dramatically to 40 USD per Barrel in 2009.
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response's clearest strength is its chronological overview, which highlights the early rise, later fluctuations, dramatic peak, and final fall while supporting these trends with relevant figures. Its main limitation is occasional imprecision in dates, comparisons, and phrasing, so the highest-priority improvement is to contrast the relatively stable mid-period more explicitly with the sharp post-2003 surge and to present units consistently.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response gives a clear overview of the long-term fluctuation, the 2008 peak, and the sharp fall by January 2009. It selects relevant figures, though a few dates and phrases could be more precise.
Add one more comparison between the relatively stable mid-1980s to late-1990s period and the dramatic surge after 2003.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing is clear and the sequence follows the timeline well. Some cohesion is repetitive but does not block understanding.
Use more varied time links such as 'during the late 1980s', 'from the early 1990s', and 'by January 2009'.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is effective for line-graph description, including 'fluctuated', 'peak', 'declining', and 'rocketed'. Some capitalization and word choices are inconsistent.
Keep units consistent as 'US dollars per barrel' and avoid capitalizing 'barrel' mid-sentence.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Most sentences are accurate, but there are some awkward structures, especially 'After 10 years of the fluctuations' and repeated use of 'per Barrel'.
Proofread for article use, capitalization, and time-clause accuracy.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The line graph shows the historical oil prices per barrel from 1973 to January 2009.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.