One complete Academic Task 1 practice with its visual, two worked examples and a model report.
Allow about 20 minutes for this task.
The line graph below shows the annual number of journeys made by bus, rail and bicycle in Norford between 2000 and 2020.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
| Year | Bus (million) | Rail (million) | Bicycle (million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 40 | 20 | 10 |
| 2005 | 45 | 30 | 15 |
| 2010 | 55 | 45 | 20 |
| 2015 | 65 | 60 | 25 |
| 2020 | 70 | 80 | 30 |
Study the two worked examples. Use the writing plan and useful language to prepare your response, then submit it to review the model and explanation. Scores exclude the examples; Writing and Speaking use self-review rather than automatic band marking.
Original SUFAS teaching material. This is a focused sample exercise, not a full IELTS examination.
Optional learning timer. It can be paused and does not submit automatically.
Ready.
Model answer: Overall, use of all three forms of transport increased over the period. Rail experienced the greatest growth and became the leading mode by the final year, while bicycles remained the least used throughout.
Why: This selects the main overall features, rather than listing every detail.
Model answer: In 2000, buses accounted for 40 million journeys, twice the figure for rail. Bus use then rose at each recorded point, reaching 55 million in 2010 and 70 million in 2020. Rail journeys grew more strongly, from 20 million initially to 45 million in 2010. Although buses still led by five million journeys in 2015, rail finished at 80 million, ten million above the bus figure.
Why: This groups related information and supports it with accurate visual details.
Review the question and visual
All three modes increased. Rail rose fastest overall and overtook buses by 2020; bicycles stayed lowest.
Introduction: identify journeys, modes, place and years. Overview: growth in all modes and the final change in leader. Details 1: compare buses and rail, including their gap. Details 2: describe bicycle growth and compare starting and ending levels.
overtook buses · climbed steadily · remained the least-used mode
The line graph compares the annual numbers of journeys made by bus, rail and bicycle in Norford from 2000 to 2020. The figures are expressed in millions.
Overall, use of all three forms of transport increased over the period. Rail experienced the greatest growth and became the leading mode by the final year, while bicycles remained the least used throughout.
In 2000, buses accounted for 40 million journeys, twice the figure for rail. Bus use then rose at each recorded point, reaching 55 million in 2010 and 70 million in 2020. Rail journeys grew more strongly, from 20 million initially to 45 million in 2010. Although buses still led by five million journeys in 2015, rail finished at 80 million, ten million above the bus figure.
Bicycle journeys followed a steadier pattern, increasing by five million in each five-year interval. They rose from ten million to 30 million, so the final total was three times the initial figure. Nevertheless, bicycle use remained well below both bus and rail use at the end.
Why this works: The introduction identifies the measure without explaining causes. The overview selects shared growth, the change in leader and the lowest series. The detail paragraphs group comparisons, while figures support the description. Rail quadruples from 20 to 80; bicycles triple from 10 to 30. No claim is made about why residents changed their travel habits.
Compare your work with the model and tick only points you achieved. This is a self-review checklist, not automatic marking or an IELTS band score.
Self-review score: 0 / 6