The graph below shows the average number of UK commuters travelling each day by car, bus or train between 1970 and 2030.
Here's the essay I wrote with my students' help:
The line graph compares figures for daily travel by workers in the UK using three different forms of transport over a period of 60 years.
It is clear that the car is by far the most popular means of transport for UK commuters throughout the period shown. Also, while the numbers of people who use the car and train increase gradually, the number of bus users falls steadily.
In 1970, around 5 million UK commuters travelled by car on a daily basis, while the bus and train were used by about 4 million and 2 million people respectively. In the year 2000, the number of those driving to work rose to 7 million and the number of commuting rail passengers reached 3 million. However, there was a small drop of approximately 0.5 million in the number of bus users.
By 2030, the number of people who commute by car is expected to reach almost 9 million, and the number of train users is also predicted to rise, to nearly 5 million. By contrast, buses are predicted to become a less popular choice, with only 3 million daily users.
Hi Simon, your essay is very clear to understand. However, I have small question when you use "worker" to replace "commuter". I wonder is it Ok? Because in my point of view, commuters involve other kind of users, such as students, officials...,not only workers in factories?
Posted by: thangngovan | May 09, 2013 at 15:14
Hi Simon, why did we use simple present tense in the second paragraph? I get confused with verb tenses in describing a graphical information. Please help. Thank you!
Posted by: Anj | May 09, 2013 at 15:34
hi Anj because it talks about future
so you can use passive form
such as
it is predicted that...
expected...
something "will"
Posted by: ivy | May 09, 2013 at 17:48
Hi Simon,
Wouldn't it sound better using "almost" or "nearly" instead of approximately in the 3rd paragraph last sentence? Or is it just variety of ielts writing?
Thanx in advance. I really like ur work here.
Posted by: Enes | May 09, 2013 at 20:17
Hello Anj.
We usually use simple present tense to generalise the whole overview or describe the graph (whatever), where is no dates. But if you gonna describe the past period (for example 1980 or 2012) you should use past tense. Apart from this, if you gonna describe the future period you should use future form, such as "will" or "is expected to ...." and "is also predicted to ..." etc. Just wach out what you gonna to describe (If no years - present simple, past period - past tense, etc).
Posted by: Makhabbat | May 09, 2013 at 22:24
The line graph shows the number of travellers throughout the shown periods.It is clearly seen that the number of car commuters have the good numbers than the other commuters that is bus and train.
In 1970, around 5 million of people used car as their regular transportation where as the number of commuters for bus and train are around 4 million and 2 million respectively. The ratios for car and train has been increased every decade while the numbers of bus commuter has declined steadily.
By 2030, the numbers of car commuter is expected to reach over 9 million. Even the train commuters is predicted to reach till 5 million. At the same time, the bus users seem to decline to 3 million.
Posted by: manandhs | May 10, 2013 at 01:58
Simon, can you please suggest me about my writing that i wrote for this graph. I gotta exam tomorrow and i really want to know about my writing. Thank You
Posted by: manandhs | May 10, 2013 at 02:00
Hi, Simon, there is a noticeable point where 2 lines in the chart connect. should it be described as a main feature in the overview?
Posted by: Ku Yeh | May 10, 2013 at 03:16
Now I got it. Thank you Ivy and Makhabbat!
Posted by: Anj | May 10, 2013 at 06:00
Hi Simon, would you let me know your contact number please? Im interested in talking about a business opportunity with you.
Posted by: Lee | May 10, 2013 at 06:59
Hi all,
Any comments all welcome!!
The line graph illustrates the mean of the number with British people who use these three different transportation such as car, bus and train every day during the 60-year period.
It can be seen a significantly upward trend in both lines with number of commuters who traveled by car and train, whereas there was a slightly decrease in the trend of those who use the bus for their transportation each day.
During this 60-year period, the trend in train users always had approximately 2 times of car users. In 1970, the number of travelers by using the car and train is about 2.5 million and 5 million respectively. At the same time, the number of bus travelers is just the middle of them, about 4 millions. But it is noticeably in 2015, the number of bus commuters taking over the train travelers by the number just nearly 4 million.
In the end, car and train users expected to increase, by contrast, the trend of bus travelers keep fell down even in the future. It means that more people preferred to take cars and trains than use the buses.
Posted by: nicole | May 10, 2013 at 07:22
Hi friends:)
Anyone can send me a link to download cambridge ielts book 1 and 4 listening files only.
Thank you so much in advance.
Suman.
Posted by: Suman | May 10, 2013 at 08:49
FROM SIMON:
I'm afraid I no longer have time to answer everyone's questions individually. However, I do still read them all, and I try to use them as the basis for future lessons.
Posted by: Simon | May 10, 2013 at 13:57
Hi simon sir
your lessons are amazing , i dont know how to express my views regarding your website,i have been studying ielts from 3 years in different sources and i recently found your website through my friend,it was really very helpful for me. I wrote ielts two times recently and missed them with 0.5 band less. I am appearing for ielts again on june 8th, hope this time i can clear this.
Infinite thanks to U for your great work. your website is a boon to me.
Posted by: kanna | May 11, 2013 at 20:26
HI,SIMON
i am totally confusd about how to use the word "with".
Just like your last sentence:By contrast, buses are predicted to become a less popular choice, with only 3 million daily users.
Why should we use the word 'with' instead of the word 'about' or some other words like that. Is it ok to use 'about'? \
Hope to hear you soon
Posted by: Arthur | May 12, 2013 at 08:03
Hi Simon
I am asking you to introduce me a useful book for writing preparation. I had a IELTs exam in last few month and my writing score is 6.0.
I do not know how can I improve my writing skill. I think I need a book in which there is more grammatical issues
best regard
Sepideh
Posted by: Sepideh | May 13, 2013 at 01:40
Hi Simon, How do you answer this type of quesation in Task 1. This is the actual test given today May 16.
People'sOpinion
Good (%) Not Good (%)Bad (%)
1980
1 Education 82 50 15
2 Shops 56 35 14
3 Entertainment75 12 16
Good (%)Not Good (%)Bad (%)
2010
1 Education 74 45 13
2 Shops 63 35 6
3 Entertainment80 12 16
Posted by: Kristine | May 16, 2013 at 09:47
Hi simon, which band is this task please?
Posted by: shelly | May 19, 2013 at 20:57
The line graph compares the average figures for british people travelling daily using cars, bus, or train from 1970 to 2030.
It is shown that the number of British people who use car for travelling increased dramatically, while the number of using bus remained steadily over a period of 60 years. There was a slight rise in the numbers of train users.
In 1970, the number of car travelers stood at 5 million, it went up significantly to 7 millions in 2000 before it reached to 9 millions in 2030.
The number of bus users started at 4 million, then there was no change until it decreased to 3 million in 2030.
The number of train users rose from 2 million to 3 million between 1970 and 2000.In2030 that number went to 5 million.
As an overall, it is clear that the figure for cars commuters is the highest comparing to the bus and train commuters.
Can somenoe give correction or comments?
Posted by: Hope | May 22, 2013 at 08:55
Hi Simon, How are you?
I'm Firoz Ahmmed, Bangladesh.
Here is my answer. Would you look it a bit, please?
Here there is a line graph which provides information about the average figure of commuters in London who use three transport systems over a period of 60 years.
According to the line graph, in 1970, around 5 million of people in the UK used car for traveling, while the figures for bus users and train users were quite lower, at only 4 million and 2 million respectively. Likewise, the number of car users rose to almost 7 million in 2000, compared to only 3 million of train users. Similarly, the number of people who like traveling by bus stood at just below 5 million in 2000.
As it can also be seen from the graph that by 2030, the number of bus users is expected to reach around 9 million and the figure for train users is also predicted to rise, to nearly 5 million. However, the number of travelers who travel by bus is expected to drop to 3 million by the end of the year.
Overall, the graph indicates that the popularity of car will be higher and bus will be lower by the end of the period. Also train will stay in the middle position.
Posted by: Firoz Ahmmed | May 22, 2013 at 14:58
Please guys I need your comments
The graph illustrates the average number of UK workers travelling to work everyday by cars , bus or by train between 1970 and 2030.It is obvious that the car is the most means of transport use by the commuters to travel to work then follow by train transport which gradually increased over the years and lastly bus transport.
In 1970 , the number of car users on a daily basis were about 5million while the number of bus users were 4million.The number of workers using train transport were the lowest with about 2.5 million.
While the number of car and train users increased steadily by the year 2000 to 2010, the number of workers using the bus slightly dropped from 4million in 2000 to about 3.5million in 2010.
In 2030,the number of car users will significantly increase to 9million and the number of train users will also increase to about 6mllion while bus users will reduce to about 3million people.
Posted by: flor | May 22, 2013 at 19:02
Hi Simon,
Writing is a difficult skill toward me in ielts test, especially when I dont have a teacher to check my mistake. I just have only 10 days to improve my writing skill. It is really difficult to me. Can i post my writing task 1 in here in order to receive your help and ppl's help???
I reaaly need your help now ..
I learn from your way you write LINE graph so Here is my writing in Test 2 in Cam 7:
The line graph compares figures for using fish and 3 types of meat such as beef, chicken, and lamb in grams per person per week in over a period of 25 years in a country of European.
It is clear that there was a sharply increase in the grams of chicken using, while the figures for beef and lamb fell steadily. However, the gram of fish using nearly remained stable at around 60 grams and fish was the less popular food in European.
In 1979, beef was the most popular food in a European country with over 200 grams while about 140 and 150 grams in the using of chicken and lamb respectively.
In 1989, the average European consumes the same the amount of grams on chicken and beef, using exactly 200 grams on each. The figures for lamb reduced by 50 grams.
In 2004, consumption of chicken increased by around 100 grams, while there were a half reduction in the figures for beef and lamb.
Hope to receive your advices as soon as possible !
Thank u so much !!
Posted by: Clay | May 25, 2013 at 19:29
Hi Simon, I'm quite confused for a grammar matter here.
"while the numbers of people who use the car and train increase gradually, the number of bus users falls steadily."
Why you add 's' in 'numbers of people' but not in 'number of bus users'? Both people and bus users are in plural.
Posted by: Phoenix | May 26, 2013 at 17:24
It looks like no one will spare a moment to read through and give some comments on our reports for the graph ;)). However, I still like to post the one I have just written, hoping to receive a comment or score-ranking.
____
The line graph demonstrates and predicts the average number of people commuting by car, bus or train daily in UK from 1970 to 2030. It is clear that car remains the most favoured mode of transport throughout the year.
Car and train followed very similar patterns although there was always a gap of more than 3 million commuters between them. The number of people travelling by train was about 2 million in 1970, rising to 3 million by 2000 before reaching a plateau during a decade. It is projected that by the last year in question that number will reach 5 million commuters. The figures for car started at about 5 million and is similarly expected to see an upward trend and peak at 9 million by 2030.
However, the pattern is reversed for bus. In 1970, there was roughly 4 million people travelling by bus on a daily basis but it dropped to 3,2 million in 2010 and anticipatedly to lower than 3 million in 2030. A further point of interest is that in 2015, the figures for bus and train is almost the same before they continue to follow two adverse trends.
To sum up, car and train is gaining popular and bus is losing it although possess the most stable number of users throughout the period.
_____
Thank you if anyone give me some advice.
Posted by: Vaan | June 05, 2013 at 06:17
is 201 words too long or task 1 ?
Posted by: Vaan | June 05, 2013 at 06:19
Thank you, Simon, your answer is very clearly.
This is my answer, is this too long?
The lines graph reveals information on the number of daily commuters using three different means of transport in United Kingdom over the period of 60 year, from 1970 to 2030.
The most outstanding feature is that car is by far the most popular means for the UK workers throughout the period. While the numbers of Car and Train users increases gradually, the corresponding figure of Bus falls significantly.
In the Year 1970, around 5 million people used car as the daily transport while the bus and train were used by about 4 million and 2 million people, respectively. These figures were stable in the first 10 year, from 1970 to 1980. After that, the number of bus users decreased steadily to approximately 3.5million people in 2010 and this downward trend was predicted to fall continuously to the lowest point at less than 3 million in 2030.
Interestingly, after the year 1980, the quantities of commuters using car and train increase considerably during the rest 50 years, except for the period of 10 years from 2000 to 2010 when the figures remain stable at around 7 million for car and 3 million for train. And then, the dramatic upward trends were foreseen for both of car and train daily users, which were expected to reach a peak in 2030 at about 9 million and 5 million, in that oder.
This answer is 226 words, how do you estimate this?
Posted by: Longtran | June 22, 2013 at 18:04
Dear Simon,
May I use future form for the year 2030?
How about if I write like this.
By the year 2030, cars are predicted as the most common choice of UK commuters with number of daily users will rise to 9 million. Rail commuting passengers are expected to go up, to nearly 5 million people. Whereas, the figure for UK workers who using bus is predicted to fall with only 3 million users.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Posted by: loveielts | July 04, 2013 at 04:47
Hello Simon,
I think the 'means' should be 'mean' in the following sentence.
'It is clear that the car is by far the most popular means of transport for UK commuters throughout the period shown.'
Anyone feel free to tell me if I was wrong. Thanks.
Posted by: Yuelong | September 26, 2013 at 05:00
Hi Yuelong,
"means" is correct. I know it seems strange, but we say "a means". Check it in the dictionary or Google it to see examples.
Posted by: Simon | September 26, 2013 at 13:07
Guys i really need help immediately cause i have an exam in 2 days and writing is very big deal for me . Thanks for any comments
The line garaph compares figures for commuterd usr three selected travelling which are car , bus and train in the UK between 1970 and 2030
İt is clear that car is by far the most preferred vehicle . It is also noticable the number of people who use car and train increase gradually while the number of bus user falls steadily .
In 1970, the number of car users was around 5 million while the number of bus and train users were 4 million and 2 million respectively . Over the following 30 years there was a sharp rise for the number od car users. This number jump to 7 million . The second choice for daily transport was still bus however this number fell slightly around 0,5 million . In contrast train users increased around 1 million .
By 2030, apart from bus users are expected to rise. The number of commuter who use car for daily travel reach almost 9 million and the train user is also predicted to rise , to nearly 5 million . By contrast the figures for bus user is expected to become less popular choice with only 3 million user.
Posted by: Aybukebengu | March 06, 2014 at 17:46
Also i realised that i use 'the number of' very much what i have alternative to that ? apart from 'the figure for' ?
Posted by: Aybukebengu | March 06, 2014 at 17:47
Hi Mr.Simon,
Could you please give me your feedback of my introduction? Is that really sound strange to native speakers? I'm very confused now. Thanks!
"The line graph illustrates the average figure for people in the United Kingdom who travel on daily basis by individual vehicles or public transport over a period of 60 years."
Posted by: Chloe Pham | May 02, 2014 at 10:06
please-talk-about-transportation-in-general
Posted by: fatima | December 18, 2014 at 09:55
Who can say my Band ?
The line graph illustrates how many people in UK using car, bus or train for transport in their daily life over a period 60 years.
It is clear that cars were the most common transfer vecihles compared to other two options,also using of cars are predicted to rise in future. While
bus lost its popularity, number of peope choosed train are expected to rose above bus figure.
In 1970, around 5 million commuters used car to transport, while this figures for bus and train were 4 and 2 million respectively. Number of people who
using car to reach their points are predicted to rise to 9 million in 2030. By contrast, bus travellers are supposed to drop steadly to 3 million.
Train was the last option for commuters in 1970, but in 2010, number of people using train reached to figure for number of bus travellers. Train popularity is
expected to see a significant increase between 2010 and 2030. However, it can be seen that car was the first option for most of people and it is anticipated
to be the same in 2030 also, with 9 million people.
Posted by: Firat | March 10, 2016 at 13:54
hi Simon
regarding the period of this task it is in the past and future , do why did you use simpe tens in the overview?
Posted by: Mohanned | February 20, 2017 at 13:30
The line graph gives information about the daily average number of passengers by three kinds of transportation in the UK over a period of 60 years.
It is clear that the numbers of commuters both by car and by train increase, while people taking bus decrease. The figures for car is constantly higher than that of the other two.
In 1970, around 5 million people traveled by car, the figures for train and bus were roughly 2 million and 4 million respectively. The number of travelers by car and by train grew gradually over the following 60 years, by contrast, bus passengers drop moderately. In 2013, the number of people traveled by bus was same with people by train, at nearly 4 million. Whereas the figure for car travelers rose to 7 million that year.
By 2030, 9 million people will use car every day, while there will be only one third for bus traveler, the figure for train taker would be 5 million.
Posted by: arnoldzhen | July 16, 2017 at 15:47