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.
- Paraphrase what the graph shows.
- Write a clear overview summarising the major trends and differences.
- 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.
- Begin writing about the differences.
- 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.
- Write about the rest of the information.
- 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 pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt 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
- What kinds of foods do you like to eat?
- How different is food in your country today from when you were younger?
- Which foods do you dislike?
- 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:
The number of bananas imported to four specific countries during the period of 8 years, starting from 1996 is being depicted by a line graph.
Is it right or not ??
Plz answer me
No, not exactly, Arshdeep.
You can say ‘The line graph depicts …’ – that is more logical structure.
Okk thnx a lot for help
I think it should be about the price?
The graph below shows the price of bananas in 4 different countries from 1996 to 2004.
But yours is “The line graph shows the number of bananas imported to 4 countries from 1996 to 2004″
Good point, Ellie – updated!
The line chart compares and contrasts data on the changes in the imported price per kg of bananas in 4 countries between 1996 and 2004.
In general, the overall price for japan and France were unchanged whereas that of Germany and the USA experienced a slight increase over this period of time.
The change in the imported price of bananas throughout the time described was varied by only $0.5 as the figures didn’t go above 2.5 USD for Japan and didn’t go under %1.5 for France and Germany. Both France and the country in Asia stayed the highest price in the first and the final years at precisely $2 while Germany rose from $1.5 to $1.7 over the same period. However, there were notable exceptions occurring in Japan and France. Specifically, while the price dipped to only $1.25 in 1997 and 1999 for the Asian country, and $1.5 for France, these two countries peaked in 1998 at $3 and $2.2, respectively.
In the USA, the bananas’ imported price cost the least throughout the period and fluctuated within a more narrow range, starting at $1 per kg, followed by a climb to its highest point of only $1.35, before a pullback to $1,25 in 2004
Nice, accurate work!
There are some issues with your verbs and choice of vocabulary, though.