This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of the price of bananas imported in 5 different countries.

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IELTS Essay Task 1: Price of Bananas

The line graph shows the sales figures for bananas imported to 4 countries from 1996 to 2004.

The line chart details total import figures in USD per kg for bananas between 1996 and 2004. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the USA imported by far the least despite a small upwards trend, while Japan (in decline) imported the most. France was stable overall and tied for most imports by the end and Germany rose marginally.

Looking more specifically, the United States began the period importing 1 USD per kg of bananas and this number fluctuated within a narrow range, finishing at $1.2. In contrast, Japan’s imports started at $2 before a sharp rise to 3 USD per kg by 1998, erratic numbers between $2 and $2.5 after that, and a sudden drop followed by a partial recovery to end at $2.

Similarly, France began and finished at 2 USD per kg, however, its figures remained below $2 most of the period. Germany’s imports were at $1.5 in 1996, preceding a surge to over $2.5 in 1998, a crash to a low point of $1.3 the following year, then a steady rise to $2 and a final pullback to finish the period at $1.7.

Analysis

1. The line chart details total import figures in USD per kg for bananas between 1996 and 2004. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the USA imported by far the least despite a small upwards trend, while Japan (in decline) imported the most. 3. France was stable overall and tied for most imports by the end and Germany rose marginally.

  1. Paraphrase what the graph shows.
  2. Write a clear overview summarising the major trends and differences.
  3. Add an extra sentence to be sure that you have covered everything.

1. Looking more specifically, the United States began the period importing 1 USD per kg of bananas and this number fluctuated within a narrow range, finishing at $1.2. 2. In contrast, Japan’s imports started at $2 before a sharp rise to 3 USD per kg by 1998, erratic numbers between $2 and $2.5 after that, and a sudden drop followed by a partial recovery to end at $2.

  1. Begin writing about the differences.
  2. Compare as much as possible.

1. Similarly, France began and finished at 2 USD per kg, however, its figures remained below $2 most of the period. 2. Germany’s imports were at $1.5 in 1996, preceding a surge to over $2.5 in 1998, a crash to a low point of $1.3 the following year, then a steady rise to $2 and a final pullback to finish the period at $1.7.

  1. Write about the rest of the information.
  2. Make sure you have detailed all the information.

Vocabulary

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

The line chart details total import figures in USD per kg for bananas between 1996 and 2004. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the USA imported by far the least despite a small upwards trend, while Japan (in decline) imported the most. France was stable overall and tied for most imports by the end and Germany rose marginally.

Looking more specifically, the United States began the period importing 1 USD per kg of bananas and this number fluctuated within a narrow range, finishing at $1.2. In contrast, Japan’s imports started at $2 before a sharp rise to 3 USD per kg by 1998, erratic numbers between $2 and $2.5 after that, and a sudden drop followed by a partial recovery to end at $2.

Similarly, France began and finished at 2 USD per kg, however, its figures remained below $2 most of the period. Germany’s imports were at $1.5 in 1996, preceding a surge to over $2.5 in 1998, a crash to a low point of $1.3 the following year, then a steady rise to $2 and a final pullback to finish the period at $1.7.

Answers

details shows

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

by far a lot more than

least lowest amount

despite regardless of

upwards trend going up

decline going down

stable overall no rise or fall by the end of the period

tied even

by the end at the end of the period

rose marginally increased a little

looking more specifically first of all

began the period started the timeframe

fluctuated was erratic/went up and down

narrow range limited scope

started began

sharp rise increased a lot

erratic numbers fluctuated

sudden drop fell a lot

followed by after that

partial recovery came back up partly

end (verb) finish

similarly not so different

remained below stayed under

most of the period the majority of the timeframe

preceding before

surge rapid increase

crash rapid decrease

low point lowest number

the following year year after that

steady rise going up at regular intervals

pullback decrease after increasing for a while

Pronunciation

ˈdiːteɪlz 
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪvɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt 
baɪ fɑː 
liːst 
dɪsˈpaɪt 
ˈʌpwədz trɛnd
dɪˈklaɪn
ˈsteɪbl ˈəʊvərɔːl 
taɪd 
baɪ ði ɛnd 
rəʊz ˈmɑːʤɪnəli
ˈlʊkɪŋ mɔː spəˈsɪfɪk(ə)li
bɪˈgæn ðə ˈpɪərɪəd 
ˈflʌktjʊeɪtɪd 
ˈnærəʊ reɪnʤ
ˈstɑːtɪd 
ʃɑːp raɪz 
ɪˈrætɪk ˈnʌmbəz 
ˈsʌdn drɒp 
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ 
ˈpɑːʃəl rɪˈkʌvəri 
ɛnd 
ˈsɪmɪləli
rɪˈmeɪnd bɪˈləʊ 
məʊst ɒv ðə ˈpɪərɪəd
pri(ː)ˈsiːdɪŋ 
sɜːʤ 
kræʃ 
ləʊ pɔɪnt 
ðə ˈfɒləʊɪŋ jɪə
ˈstɛdi raɪz 
ˈpʊlbæk 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The line chart d_______s total import figures in USD per kg for bananas between 1996 and 2004. L________________________________________________t the USA imported b______r the l____________e a small u_____________d, while Japan (in d________e) imported the most. France was s___________l and t____d for most imports b__________d and Germany r________________y.

L_______________________y, the United States b________________d importing 1 USD per kg of bananas and this number f_______________d within a n_______________e, finishing at $1.2. In contrast, Japan’s imports s________d at $2 before a s_____________e to 3 USD per kg by 1998, e_________________s between $2 and $2.5 after that, and a s_______________p f_______________y a p________________y to e___d at $2.

S______________y, France began and finished at 2 USD per kg, however, its figures r___________________w $2 m_________________d. Germany’s imports were at $1.5 in 1996, p___________g a s_____e to over $2.5 in 1998, a c______h to a l___________t of $1.3 t_____________________r, then a s____________e to $2 and a final p___________k to finish the period at $1.7.

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.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/bananas

Speaking Practice

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

Food

  1. What kinds of foods do you like to eat?
  2. How different is food in your country today from when you were younger?
  3. Which foods do you dislike?
  4. What foods do people in your country buy at the market?

Writing Practice

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

IELTS Task 1 Essay: Line Graph (Steel)

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