This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of crime in the city center from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Essay: Crime in the City Center Line Chart

The line chart displays data concerning robberies, car thefts, and burglaries from 2003 to 2012 in New Port city center. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that burglaries declined dramatically and were replaced as the most common crime by car thefts, which fell slightly overall. Robberies were least common throughout yet also rose marginally.

In 2003, burglaries were prevalent at a rate of nearly 3,500 per year. This number then peaked at 3,750 the next year before dropping considerably to a nadir of 1,100 in 2008 and remaining generally around this level until the end of the period. In contrast, car thefts began the period lower (2,800), dipped to 2000 in 2006 and rose with minor fluctuations to 2,750 by 2012.

The least common crime was robbery. Statistics indicated just over 500 robberies in 2003 and incidences remained under 1000 the entire time surveyed, finishing at 750 in 2012.

Analysis

1. The line chart displays data concerning robberies, car thefts, and burglaries from 2003 to 2012 in New Port city center. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that burglaries declined dramatically and were replaced as the most common crime by car thefts, which fell slightly overall. 3. Robberies were least common throughout yet also rose marginally.

  1. Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
  2. Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
  3. You might need another sentence for your overview.

1. In 2003, burglaries were prevalent at a rate of nearly 3,500 per year. 2. This number then peaked at 3,750 the next year before dropping considerably to a nadir of 1,100 in 2008 and remaining generally around this level until the end of the period. 3. In contrast, car thefts began the period lower (2,800), dipped to 2000 in 2006 and rose with minor fluctuations to 2,750 by 2012.

  1. Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
  2. Make sure you compare as much as possible.
  3. Vary long and short sentences.

1. The least common crime was robbery. 2. Statistics indicated just over 500 robberies in 2003 and incidences remained under 1000 the entire time surveyed, finishing at 750 in 2012.

  1. Write about the final other parts of the graph –
  2. include everything!

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:

The line chart displays data concerning robberies, car thefts, and burglaries from 2003 to 2012 in New Port city center. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that burglaries declined dramatically and were replaced as the most common crime by car thefts, which fell slightly overall. Robberies were least common throughout yet also rose marginally.

In 2003, burglaries were prevalent at a rate of nearly 3,500 per year. This number then peaked at 3,750 the next year before dropping considerably to a nadir of 1,100 in 2008 and remaining generally around this level until the end of the period. In contrast, car thefts began the period lower (2,800), dipped to 2000 in 2006 and rose with minor fluctuations to 2,750 by 2012.

The least common crime was robbery. Statistics indicated just over 500 robberies in 2003 and incidences remained under 1000 the entire time surveyed, finishing at 750 in 2012.

Answers

Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:

displays shows

data numbers

concerning relating to

robberies taking money from a store

car thefts stealing a car

burglaries taking from a person

city center inner city

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall

declined dramatically fell a lot

replaced took the place of

most common crime most prevalent offense

car thefts stealing cars

fell slightly overall went down a little by the end

least common throughout didn’t happen as much the whole time

yet so far

rose marginally increased a little

prevalent at a rate of nearly common to the level of

per each

peaked rose to the top at

dropping considerably fell a lot

nadir low point

remaining generally around this level staying at about the same point

until the end of the period until 2012

In contrast however

began started

period lower time less than

dipped fell to

rose with minor fluctuations to increased with erratic changes

indicated showed

incidences remained under offenses stayed less than

entire time surveyed whole time detailed

finishing at ending at

Pronunciation

Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation:

dɪsˈpleɪz 
ˈdeɪtə 
kənˈsɜːnɪŋ 
ˈrɒbəriz
kɑː θɛfts
ˈbɜːgləriz 
ˈsɪti ˈsɛntə
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪvɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt 
dɪˈklaɪnd drəˈmætɪk(ə)li 
rɪˈpleɪst 
məʊst ˈkɒmən kraɪm 
kɑː θɛfts
fɛl ˈslaɪtli ˈəʊvərɔːl
liːst ˈkɒmən θru(ː)ˈaʊt 
jɛt 
rəʊz ˈmɑːʤɪnəli
ˈprɛvələnt æt ə reɪt ɒv ˈnɪəli 
pɜː 
piːkt 
ˈdrɒpɪŋ kənˈsɪdərəbli 
ˈneɪdɪə 
rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ ˈʤɛnərəli əˈraʊnd ðɪs ˈlɛvl 
ənˈtɪl ði ɛnd ɒv ðə ˈpɪərɪəd
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
bɪˈgæn 
ˈpɪərɪəd ˈləʊə 
dɪpt 
rəʊz wɪð ˈmaɪnə ˌflʌktjʊˈeɪʃənz tuː 
ˈɪndɪkeɪtɪd 
ˈɪnsɪdənsɪz rɪˈmeɪnd ˈʌndə 
ɪnˈtaɪə taɪm sɜːˈveɪd
ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ æt 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:

The line chart d_________s d____a c__________g r_________s, c__________s, and b__________s from 2003 to 2012 in New Port c____________r. L___________________________________________________________________t burglaries d__________________y and were r___________d as the m______________e by c___________s, which f_____________________l. Robberies were l___________________________t also r________________y.

In 2003, burglaries were p___________________y 3,500 p___r year. This number then p_____d at 3,750 the next year before d___________________y to a n______r of 1,100 in 2008 and r_______________________________________________________d. I______________t, car thefts b_______n the p_______________r (2,800), d___________d to 2000 in 2006 and r_______________________________o 2,750 by 2012.

The least common crime was robbery. Statistics i_____________d just over 500 robberies in 2003 and i___________________________r 1000 the e___________________d, f___________t 750 in 2012.

Listening Practice

Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.wired.com/story/crime-rates-dropped-in-2020-just-as-they-did-in-1918/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Crime

  1. Why do people commit crimes?
  2. How can criminals be rehabilitated?
  3. What is the purpose of punishment?
  4. Are punishment and revenge the same?
  5. Will crime become less common in the future?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related chart below and then check with my sample answer:

IELTS 16 Essay: Ownership of Electrical Appliances Line Chart

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