The document provides a sample response for summarizing a line graph as part of an IELTS writing task. It recommends using the simple present tense to introduce the graph in the first paragraph, the simple past tense to report numbers and trends in the second paragraph, and the present perfect tense to summarize in the third paragraph. An example second paragraph compares the consumption patterns of different meats and fish over time, noting increases in chicken and decreases in lamb and fish consumption. The document advises using details from the graph prompt and comparing quantities to fully address the task.

1. IELTS Writing
Task 1 Sample

2. First things first!
• What you need:
o Introduce the graph in paragraph 1 using simple present
o Report the numbers/percentages in paragraph 2 using the simple past
o Sum up in paragraph 3 using the present perfect.
Lets look at a sample! 

3. Graph and Prompt
• The graph below shows
the consumption of fish
and different kinds of
meat in a European
country between 1979
and 2004.
 Summarize the
information by
selecting and reporting
the main features and
make comparisons
where relevant.

4. First Paragraph
• First paragraph: We
introduce the graph
using simple present:
E.g.
The line graph
records/shows (fish and
meat consumption
amounts in grams per
person per week) over a
25-year period.

5. The Second Paragraph
• Second paragraph:
Report the numbers on
the graph while
comparing patterns of
increase and decrease (if
any) in the graph items
using the simple past
• Example: Next Slide

6. Second Paragraph Sample
•
The graph showed that chicken
marked the highest meat
consumption per person/per week
with xxx (grams). We noticed that the
consumption of chicken meat
increased from about 150 grams to
about/around 250 grams in the year
2004. In 1984, the consumption of
beef peaked at 240 grams.
Generally, there was a downward
trend in the consumption of lamb
from 150 grams in 1979 to
approximately 60 grams in 2004.
Another drop/dipping down pattern
was noted in the consumption of fish.
Starting out at about 60 grams in
1979, the numbers fell down to
around 40 grams in 2004. Thus, fish
showed/represented the least
amounts of meat consumption.

7. The Final Paragraph
• Final paragraph: We sum up
using the present perfect
• E.g.
• To sum up, in the 25 years
period, there has been an/a
(sharp/slight) increase in the
consumption of (?) and (?).
On the other hand, the
consumption of lamb and
fish has/have not witnessed
any significant changes.
Finally, fish and lamb
has/have reflected minimal
consumption/amounts/perc
entages as compared to
beef and chicken.

8. Tips and Tricks!
• Tip 1: Use the prompt:
For paragraph 1, you can take the title from the
prompt and fill it in in your paragraph:
• Example:
“The graph below shows the sales for the Coca
Cola company between 1980 and 2000”
o The graph shows (you can copy from the prompt) =
o The graph shows (the sales for the Coca Cola company between 1980
and 2000)

9. Source for Chart
• Cambridge IELTS 7 Examination Papers from
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations : English
for Speakers of Other Languages