IELTS Writing Task 1: line graph exercise

The graph below gives information about car ownership in Britain from 1971 to 2007.

The graph shows changes in the number of cars ______ household in Great Britain ______ a period of 36 years.

Overall, car ownership in Britain increased ______ 1971 and 2007. In particular, the percentage of households with two cars rose, while the figure for households ______ a car fell.

In 1971, ______ half of all British households did not have regular use of a car. Around 44% of households had one car, but only about 7% had two cars. It was uncommon for families to own three or more cars, ______ around 2% of households falling into this category.

The one-car household was the most common type from the late 1970’s ______, although there was little change in the ______ for this category. The biggest change was seen in the proportion of households without a car, which fell steadily over the 36-year period ______ around 25% in 2007. In contrast, the proportion of two-car families rose steadily, reaching about 26% in 2007, and the proportion of households with more than two cars rose ______ around 5%.

Fill the gaps in the essay with the following words:
almost, to, figures, per, between, by, over, with, without, onwards

Comments

[jawairia]

Hi Simon,
Here are my answers:
1-per
2-over
3-between
4-without
5-almost
6-with
7-onwards
8-figures
9-by
10-to

Kind Regards.

[jawairia]

Hi Simon,
This question is regarding your speaking lesson
Friday, January 21, 2011
you wrote: I’ve got used to working with others,
my question is can we say i am used to of working in a team/with others.

Thanks

[Quynh]

Hi Simon,
my answers s follow
1.per
2.over
3.between
4.without
5.almost
6.with
7.onwards
8.figures
9.by
10.to
By the way,would you mind giving me some technique in bar chart related ro grouping items which have the same feature
Thank you so much!
Wish you the best wishes!

[Oscar]

Hi, Simon

Here is my answer.

per over between without almost with onwards figures to by

Thanks!

[toto]

per
over
between
without
almost
with
onwards
figures
by
to

[cagla]

Hi Simon!

1.per
2.over
3.between
4.without
5.almost
6.with
7.onwards
8.figures
9.to
10.by

[Ashitha]

Hi Simon

1.per
2.over
3between
4.almost
5.without
6.with
7.onwards
8.figure
9.to
10.by

[maji]

1.per
2.over
3.between
4.without
5.almost
6.with
7.onwards
8.figure
9.by
10.to

[Jael]

Hi Simon,

My answer is:
1. per
2. over
3. between
4. without
5. almost
6. with
7. onwards
8. figures
9. by
10.to

Thank you for your lesson.

[sohaib]

hi simon
you wrote "overall,car ownership increased in britain between 1971 and 2007.
could it be"car ownership in britain increased between 1971 and 2007.

secondly can i write"while the proporions of households using two cars increased,the figures for using no car decreased"

lastly,is it ok to use maximum people and minimum people to describe this graph?

thankyou

[Nafiseh]

Hi dear Simon,
My answers are:
per
within
between
with
over
almost
only
figures
to
by

[Han]

Hi Simon,

My answer is:

1-per
2-over
3-between
4-without
5-almost
6-with
7-onwards
8-figures
9-to
10-by

Thank you very much for your lesson

[light]

Millions of thanks simon,

I got my required scores to apply for my GMC registration and work as a doctor. Alhamdollillah.

Keep up the hard work Simon.

[Snehal]

dear Simon,
My answers are:

per
over
between
without
almost
with
onwards
figure
to
by

Thanks a ton

[Mir G]

Respected Sir,
1-per
2-over
3-between
4-without
5-almost
6-with
7-onward
8-figures
9-to
10-by

[Snehal]

Dear Simon,

How important is the usage of articles. When I compare my answers to Cambridge they have articles in brackets e.g. (a) seat

Does that mean its optional. I am a newbie to this site and don't know if you have answered it before

[dung]

Hi Simon,
Here are my answers:

1-per
2-over
3-between
4-without
5-almost
6-with
7-onwards
8-figures
9-to
10-by
but, i am not so sure anout the last answer. Can you explain to me about "rise by", "rise by". we can you them in which expression?
Thanks so much

[hathu]

Here is my answer:
per/over/between/without/almost/with/onwards/figures/to/by
Could you distinguish between "to" and "by" which stand in front of "around"
Thanks.

[crk]

Hi simon
here's my answer:
1. per
2. over
3. between
4. without
5. almost
6. with
7. figures
8. to
9. by

[Behrooz]

Dear Simon

Thank you very much for your support which is always of immense help. I have three questions regarding the writing test of IELTS, task two, and I would only be too grateful if you could help me with them.

My first question is about including a blueprint in the essay (by blueprint I mean a brief summary of the points which are going to be discussed in the body. In other words, a combination of key words of topic sentences). Is including a blueprint in the introduction recommended since I have read in some IELTS books that including it in the introduction makes an essay boring. It was mentioned, in those books, that instead of presenting the point in the introduction and then extending it in the body, it is best to remove those points from the introduction and only discuss them in the body. I would really appreciate it if you shared your opinion on this with me.

Secondly, Is including a summary of viewpoints in the conclusion necessary or recommended? That is, since the IELTS essay is not too long, is it required to restate all the points made in the body once more in the conclusion or is it best not to do that, because it may bore the reader?

Finally, is it a good idea to use phrases such as " the aim of this essay is to identify the factors..." or " in this essay arguments surrounding ... will be examined" ? Are those phrases not cliched? Additionally, in past papers Cambridge IELTS 5-8, I have never seen such phrases being used in a sample provided by the examiner. What about the phrase " I tend to agree with the former/latter group " ? Is this also a cliche?

As always, thank you very much.

[şükufe]

Hi Simon,

my answers are below,

per
over
between
without
almost
with
onwards
figures
to
by

[UT]

Hi Simon,

Here are my answers:

1. per, 2. over, 3. between, 4. without, 5. almost, 6. with, 7. onwards, 8, figures, 9. to, 10. by.

Thank you for your exercise.

[bobur]

hi everybody.
My answers are:
1.per
2.over
3.between
4.almost
5.with
6.onwards
7.figures
8.by
9.to
THANKS

[bobur]

oh, I've omitted 'without' which should have been in 4. others, from 5, follow it.

[Nardrapee]

Hi, Simon
My Answer

1.per
2.over
3.between
4.without
5.almost
6.with
7.onwards
8.figures
9.by
10.to

[Simon]

CORRECT ANSWERS FROM SIMON:

1. per
2. over
3. between
4. without
5. almost
6. with
7. onwards
8. figures
9. to
10. by

...

Hi Jawairia,

You can say "I am used to working..." but NOT "I am used to 'of' working".

...

Hi Quynh,

Have a look through my task 1 lessons to see some examples of how I describe bar charts.

...

Hi Sohaib,

1. Yes, that's fine too.
2. "using not car" is a bit strange. I'd write "...figures for households without a car OR without access to a car".
3. No, I wouldn't write "maximum/minimum people", but you can write "maximum NUMBER of people".

...

Congratulations Light! Best of luck in your career.

...

Hi Snehal,

Yes, "(a) seat" means that the article is optional. They are often optional in the listening test.

...

Hi Dung and Hathu,

Have a look at this lesson:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/09/ielts-grammar-by-or-to.html

[Simon]

Hi Behrooz,

I agree with the advice in those books - it's a waste of time putting 'blueprint' ideas in the introduction. Focus on making your main paragraphs better. Have a look through my lessons to see how I do it.

I never write a conclusion for task 1. Read why here:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2012/01/ielts-writing-task-1-you-dont-need-a-conclusion.html

Those phrases are ok, but I don't usually use them. "I tend to agree with..." is fine. Have a look through my lessons to see examples of what I tend to write.

[Behrooz]

Hi Simon

Thank you very much for your precious information. I have read all your lessons and I should say they are more than useful. My second question, however, was about including a blueprint in a conclusion for task two and not task one, but I assume you don't recommend that either.

[jawairia]

Hi Simon,
Why no-9 answer is TO and no-10 is BY
Regards.

[Mib]

Hi Jawairia!

I think the key is "in 2007", this mainly because you have to describe for this point of time. "by" is used to express the change for a period, rather than the final number reached in a particular year

[Simon]

Hi Behrooz,

No, don't do 'blueprints' in your conclusions either.

...

Hi Jawairia,

Have a look at this lesson:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/09/ielts-grammar-by-or-to.html

[hanasahi]

Hi Simon,

Do you have any lesson which advices for task one of General Module?
Thanks

[UT]

Hi Simon,

I write some sentences as below:

1. Almost half of all British families did not use a car for travelling. Is it fine?

2. From 1971 to 2007, there was a little change in the percentages of one-car family. In 2007, it continued to stand at about 45%.
My questions are:
- Could we use "a little change" in this sentence because "percentages" is used as plural noun?
-Should we use "the number" instead of "it" in "it continued to stand..."?

3. Could i use "increased sharply", "increased dramatically" and "increased steadily" for same meaning?

Thank you for your useful work.

[Simon]

Hi Hanasahi,

I'm afraid I don't write any materials for the GT test because none of my students here in the UK take it. Sorry.

...

Hi UT,

1. Yes, it's fine.
2. I'd write 'little change' without 'a'. I'd write 'the figure' or 'the proportion'.
3. 'steadily' does not have the same meaning. It means 'slowly'.

[gagandeep singh]

respected sir,
my question is different. in graph 3 or 4 paragarph recommended by ielts examiner.

[Simon]

Hi Gagandeep,

Either 3 or 4 paragraphs are fine.

[D-red]

Mr. Simon question again: "...last quarter for having 35 million of demand..." Is it wrong to use the word "having" in writing ??? thank you.

[jawairia]

Thanks Mib and Simon.

[Thanh]

Thanks Simon for the practice. However, I'm wondering if the repeated use of the word "household" in that essay would annoy the examiner?

[UT]

Hi Simon,

Thank you for your last reply.

I want to ask you one more question:
- If i write "The figure for households without a car decreased dramatically to around 25% in 2007", is it fine?
- or i should write " The figure for households without a car decreased steadily over 36-year period"
Because if we compare the change of the figure over 36-year period, it is certain that the figure fell steadily. However, if we compare the change of the year 1971 with the year 2007, we say that it fell dramatically.

I am so confused about it, please help me reply it.
I am sorry if i bothered you.
Thank you very much.

[Simon]

Hi D-red,

I answered on Facebook.

...

Hi Thanh,

No, it wouldn't annoy the examiner. In task 1, there are almost always some key words that you need to repeat.

...

Hi UT,

Both are fine. As you said, it depends how you see it - you could argue that the decrease is steady OR dramatic. Just choose one, and make sure your other descriptions are consistent with it.

[jay]

can we use 'to' and 'at' on specific time mention in graph ??

[Simon]

Hi Jay,

Have a look through my task 1 lessons to see how I use those words. Also, look at this grammar lesson:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/09/ielts-grammar-by-or-to.html

[Sunny]

Dear Simon
Can I ask you a question about introduction paragraph for task 1 writing?
I know we should paraphase the sentence given in the task, but can I copy the phrases or short sentences writen in the graphs or diagrams?
Take this essay for exam, I put 'households with regular use of a car'writen at the bottom of this graph in my own introduction. I wrote'The graph shows changes in british households with regular use of a car over a 36-year period.'
Thank you very much!

[Filo]

The answers:
per
over
between
without
over
lmost
onwards
figures
to
with

[Ali]

Dear sir;
A very benefical website for IELTS students. I am getting a lot of help from your website.

[Ernesto M-A]

My report:

The line graph shows the figures for automobile ownership in the United Kingdom between 1971 and 2007.

During the 36-years period, there was an overall increase in the proportion of car owners in Britain. In particular, the number of households without cars fell steadily and that of owners of two vehicles had a marked rise.

The figures for the owners of one car and of three or more cars faced slight changes over the analysed years. From the late 1970's onwards, about 45% of the British population had one auto. On the other hand, in 1971 only 1% of the households had three or more autos, and this figure had climbed to 5% by 2007.

The other two categories saw marked, inverse variations. In 1971, 48% of the British households did not have a car. This number fell steadily and only accounted for 25% in 2007. In contrast, 8% of the population owned two vehicles at the beginning of the seventies, but this number tripled in less than forty years, reaching 26% in 2007.

(174 words)

[Lions]

1. per
2. over
3. between
4. without
5. almost
6. with
7. onward
8. figures
9. to
10. by

Thanks for your tutoring...

[Neda]

Hi Simone, i have a question about the first sentence of third paragraph, i think this sentence" In 1971,around half of all British households did not have regular use of a car" is not relatated to the question which is about car ownership not the use of car. Am i right? i think we should say ....did not have a car.

[Nguyen Thi Minh Hang]

Dear Simon,

Please kindly let me know how can I register your class?

Thank you for your time

[maila]

Hello, is this correct--

"Meanwhile, although there were only a few households owning three or more cars throughout the 36 year course, a marginal increase was seen every 1-2 years."

Looking forward to your reply. Thanks!

maila

[Yasu]

Hi Simon!

1.per
2.over
3.between
4.without
5.almost
6.with
7.onwards
8.figures
9.to
10.by

[Michael]

Dear Simon,

Thanks so much for your help. It seems to me that your link http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/09/ielts-grammar-by-or-to.html isn't working.

If you have archived this, I will really appreciate if you could share it with me.

Thanks!

[Simon]

Hi Michael,

I must have re-written it as a 'writing task 1' lesson here:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2012/11/ielts-writing-task-1-to-or-by.html

[Ben]

Hi, Simon
I have a question here. I noticed that the last sentence in your last sentence, you wrote "in contrast,.........". I am wondering whether we should use "By contrast,......" since I have heard about that "in contrast" is usually followed by "to" or "with". Hope for your reply. Thank~~~

[aleena]

Dear Simon..i got the same graph for last days writing task 1..with slight variation in values..my exam was on November 8,2014..i hope I did well..waiting for the results..
Thank you

[Joy]

Hi Simon,

For the sentence you wrote in this topic
The biggest change was seen in the proportion of households without a car, which fell steadily over the 36-year period by around 25% in 2007

Can I rewrite in this way?
The biggest change of proportion was seen in families without a car, which fell steadily by about 25% over the 36-year period.

Thank you!

[rob]

Can someone plz write what was topic speaking? Was it advice given to you or advice you gave.

[sunhwa kim]

Thank you very much Simon!
It is really helpful for me :)

[senshuran]

The graph shows changes in the number of cars ___per___ household in Great Britain _over_____ a period of 36 years.

Overall, car ownership in Britain increased _between_____ 1971 and 2007. In particular, the percentage of households with two cars rose, while the figure for households _without_____ a car fell.

In 1971, __almost____ half of all British households did not have regular use of a car. Around 44% of households had one car, but only about 7% had two cars. It was uncommon for families to own three or more cars, _with_____ around 2% of households falling into this category.

The one-car household was the most common type from the late 1970’s _onwards_____, although there was little change in the _figure_____ for this category. The biggest change was seen in the proportion of households without a car, which fell steadily over the 36-year period __to____ around 25% in 2007. In contrast, the proportion of two-car families rose steadily, reaching about 26% in 2007, and the proportion of households with more than two cars rose __to____ around 5%.

Fill the gaps in the essay with the following words:
almost, to, figures, per, between, by, over, with, without, onwards

[senshuran]

The graph compares the changes in the number of cars per household in Great Britain over a period of 36 years.

Overall, car ownership in Britain increase between 1971 and 2007. In particularly, the percentage of households with two cars rose, while the households without a car fell.

In 1971, almost half of the British households did not have a regular use of a car. Around 44% of households had one car. Only 7% had two cars. It was uncommon for families to owned three cars or more, with around 2% of households falling into this categories.

The proportion of households with one car was the most common type from the late 1970's onwards. The biggest changes was seen in the percentage of households without a car, which steadily over the 36-year period to around 25% in 2007. By contrast, families owned two cars for regularly use rose steadily, reaching about 26% in 2007.The proportion of the households with more than two cars rose to around 5%.