The graph below shows the population figures of different types of turtles in India between 1980 and 2012.
Sample Response
The overall population index for all speciestotal number of all species of turtles in India was relatively stablehas been relatively stable over the period shownlast two decades, although there were noticeable dipssignificant drops in numbers between 1987 and 1989 and again around 1991-1992again in 1992 and 1996. Since 2004 there has been an improvement in numbers of all species, although the graph shows a slight decrease in 2010.
In contrast, the population of Leatherback turtles has suffered a severe decline, particularly in 1988 when numbers fell dramatically. The rate of decline in the population appears to have slowed and the index remained relatively stable from 2009 to 2012it has remained relatively stable since 2009.
There was also a decline in the Green Turtle indexfall in the number of Green turtles of about 20 index pointsaround 30% between 1984 and 2002. The population increased slightly in 2010, butslightly in 2010 but it dropped againhad dropped again by 2012.
Only Olive Ridley turtles showedIt is only Olive Ridley turtles that have seen a overall upward trendsteady increase in population over this period. Their indexnumbers fell sharply in 2007dropped slightly in 2007 and again in 2012, butagain in 2012 but the overall trend was upwardoverall trend has been a positive one.
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is strongest in its clear, well-controlled organisation: each turtle group is handled separately and the overall directions are easy to follow. Its main limitation is factual precision, with several dates and magnitudes misstated, including the timing of the Leatherback fall and the size of the Green turtle decline. The priority is to verify turning points and quantify changes directly from the graph before drafting.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response identifies the main direction for all four series, but several dates and magnitudes do not accurately reflect the graph.
Check exact turning points and replace unsupported claims, such as the 30% Green turtle fall, with accurate comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically from the aggregate line to the three individual species, with clear paragraphing and natural linking.
Strengthen cross-series comparison by grouping related rising and falling trends rather than treating every species almost entirely separately.
Lexical Resource
A varied and precise range, including language for decline, stability, and recovery, conveys trends effectively with little awkwardness.
Use more exact quantitative phrasing so lexical precision supports, rather than overstates, the visual evidence.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A broad range of complex structures is handled accurately, and errors are rare and do not impede meaning.
Refine occasional awkward structures, particularly the cleft construction used to introduce Olive Ridley turtles.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph below shows the population figures of different types of turtles in India between 1980 and 2012.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.