A line graph task asks you to describe change over time. The examiner wants the overall trend (rising, falling, fluctuating), the notable peaks and turning points, and accurate use of figures and time references. Each question below includes a graph to summarise.
The one rule
Name the overall direction in your first sentence, then use the figures to prove it.
On test day
It's one of the recognised Task 1 formats, so it's fair game on test day — but you can't reliably predict which one you'll be given. Treat every format as likely and practise across all of them rather than betting on a single type.
Templates
Learn the shape, not a script. A reliable structure for line graph questions saves planning time, but a memorised answer bolted onto the wrong prompt is penalised. Adapt the structure to the exact question in front of you.
Marking
Against the four official IELTS Writing criteria — task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Getting the format right mainly protects your task achievement score; the other three come down to your language.
Practice volume
Enough to make the format automatic, then stop drilling it in isolation. Once you can structure a line graph response without thinking, your time is better spent on the language criteria that actually move your band.
More Task 1 Academic types
Attempt any line graph question in the exam workspace — 20 minutes on the clock, then a band for all four criteria in about 60 seconds. Starts with a 3-day free trial.