You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below gives information about the number of parcels delivered by two major mail services companies from 1920 to 2000.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Band 7:

The given line graph reflects the differences between Federal Express and TNT Mail Services which are two major mail companies, in terms of the number of parcels delivered.

Overall, FedEx experienced dramatic fluctuations and delivered more parcels than TNT during most of the period, before TNT figures increased to a peak in 1990 and overtook FedEx.

In 1920, FedEx delivered about 15 thousand parcels, which was around three times higher than the number handled by TNT. The figure increased steadily to a peak of around 24,000 in 1940 before falling sharply to approximately 12,500 in 1950, and then declining slightly to roughly 12,000 in 1960. However, the number later recovered, reaching around 17,000 in 1970 and approximately 18,500 in 1980, before stabilising at just over 18,000 in the final two decades.

In contrast, TNT began with a much lower figure, at just over 5,000 parcels, but increased gradually to around 12,000 in 1960. After fluctuating slightly between 1960 and 1970, the number rose steadily, reaching about 24,000 in 1990 and finally almost 25,000 in 2000.

Improve to band 9:

Example band 9:

The line graph compares the number of parcels delivered by two major mail service companies, Federal Express (FedEx) and TNT, between 1920 and 2000.

Overall, FedEx delivered significantly more parcels than TNT during the first half of the period. However, TNT experienced a dramatic increase towards the end and eventually surpassed FedEx by 1990. While FedEx’s figures fluctuated considerably, TNT showed a generally upward trend over time.

In 1920, FedEx delivered approximately 15,000 parcels, compared with just over 5,000 parcels handled by TNT. FedEx’s deliveries increased steadily to a peak of around 24,000 in 1940. However, this figure fell sharply to about 12,500 in 1950 and declined slightly further to roughly 12,000 in 1960. After that, the number recovered, reaching around 17,000 in 1970 and approximately 18,500 in 1980, before stabilising at just over 18,000 in the final two decades.

By contrast, TNT began at a much lower level of about 5,500 parcels in 1920 but rose gradually to nearly 8,000 by 1940. After remaining relatively stable in 1950, the figure increased to around 11,500 in 1960. Although it dipped slightly in 1970, deliveries grew again to about 11,000 in 1980 before surging dramatically to over 22,000 in 1990 and finishing at roughly 24,500 in 2000.

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The graph below gives information about the number of cases of diarrhea in Mashhad between 1983 and 1992. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

The graph below gives information about the number of cases of diarrhea in Mashhad between 1983 and 1992.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Brand 6:

The given line graph illustrates the changes in the number of cases of diarrhea in Mashhad between 1983 and 1992.

Overall, the number of cases rose sharply to a peak in 1989 before falling dramatically to zero in 1992, after fluctuating between 1983 and 1988.

In 1983, the number of cases stood at around 100 and increased gradually to about 200 in 1987. However, the figure dropped back to 100 in 1988 before climbing sharply to a peak of around 400 in 1989.

After this peak, the figure declined slightly to approximately 350 in 1990 and remained unchanged in 1991. However, there was a dramatic drop to zero in 1992.

Brand 6 improve to Band 8:

✦ Use precise trend vocabulary

Band 8 answers often use verbs like:

Increase

• rose to
• climbed to a peak of
• surge

Decrease

• declined to
• drop
• fall sharply

Stability

• remain stable
• level off

Make the overview slightly more analytical
Highlight the major trend + peak + final drop more smoothly.

Improve flow with complex sentence structures
Band 9 writing often uses subordinate clauses and smoother linking.

◆ Avoid repeating the same words

Many candidates repeat cases too often.

Use variation:

• the number of cases
• the figure
• the total
• cases

✦ Use better sentence structure

Instead of many short sentences, combine ideas:

Band 6 style

The number increased in 1987. It dropped in 1988.

Band 8 style

The number increased in 1987 before dropping again in 1988.

Final brand 8 version

The line graph illustrates the number of reported diarrhea cases in Mashhad over the period from 1983 to 1992.

Overall, the number of cases fluctuated during the first half of the period before rising sharply to a peak in 1989. After this point, the figure declined slightly and then fell dramatically to zero by the end of the period.

In 1983, approximately 100 cases were recorded, and this figure increased steadily to around 200 in 1987. However, the number then dropped back to about 100 in 1988. This decline was followed by a sharp surge, with cases reaching a peak of roughly 400 in 1989.

After peaking, the figure fell slightly to approximately 350 in 1990 and remained stable in 1991. In the final year, however, the number of cases plunged dramatically to zero in 1992.

Example Band others 8 style answer

The line graph illustrates the number of reported cases of diarrhea in Mashhad over a ten-year period from 1983 to 1992.

Overall, the number of cases fluctuated considerably during the period. After a gradual rise in the mid-1980s, cases peaked dramatically in 1989 before falling sharply to zero by 1992.

In 1983 and 1984, the number of cases remained stable at around 100. This figure increased slightly to about 110 in 1985 and then rose more noticeably to approximately 180 in 1986. The upward trend continued in 1987, when the number reached around 200 cases.

However, the figure dropped back to about 100 in 1988. A dramatic increase occurred in the following year, with cases surging to a peak of roughly 400 in 1989. After this peak, the number declined slightly to around 350 in both 1990 and 1991 before falling sharply to zero in 1992.

Example:

Brand 6:

The given diagram illustrates the changes of gold sales during 2002. Overall, the gold sales remained relatively unchanged in 2002.

In the first month of 2002, gold sales stood at 200 million of dirhams and rose dramatically to 350 million in March. However, it experienced a plunge to around 110 million after four months before fluctuating around 150 and 200 million. In final quarter of the years, the figures stay stable around 130 million and return 190 million in December.

Brand 8 improvement:

Write a Strong Overview (Most Important)

✅ Band 8 overview

Overall, gold sales rose sharply to a peak in March before declining steadily until July, after which the figures fluctuated for the rest of the year.

Why this is better:

• Mentions peak
• Mentions lowest period
• Mentions fluctuation

Examiners care a lot about this sentence.

Group Information (Instead of Month by Month)

Band 6 writers describe every month.

Band 8 writers group trends.

Example grouping:

Period 1: Jan → Mar (increase)
Period 2: Mar → Jul (decline)
Period 3: Aug → Dec (fluctuation)

Example:

From January to March, sales rose sharply, peaking at 350 million dirhams. However, between March and July the figure declined steadily, reaching a low of about 120 million. During the remaining months, sales fluctuated, ending the year at approximately 190 million.

Avoid Repeating Words

You repeated gold sales many times.

Band 8 variation:

Instead of repeating:

• gold sales
• gold sales
• gold sales

Use:

• sales
• the figure
• the amount
• the total

Final band 8 example:

The line graph illustrates gold sales in Dubai in 2002, measured in millions of dirhams.

Overall, sales rose sharply to a peak in March before declining steadily until July, after fluctuating during the remainder of the year.

In January, sales stood at 200 million dirhams and rose slightly to around 220 million in February. They then surged to a peak of approximately 350 million in March. However, the figure fell sharply in the following months, dropping to about 250 million in April and 200 million in May, before reaching a low of around 120 million in July.

In the remaining months, sales fluctuated considerably. They recovered to just above 200 million in August, before falling again to roughly 120 million in September. After that, sales increased gradually, ending the year at around 190 million in December.