The line graph below shows crime incidence, in millions, for car theft, house burglary, and street robbery between 1970 and 2005.

Crime incidence in millions for car theft house burglary and street robbery between 1970 and 2005 - IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 181 words.

The line graph compares the number of occurrences of car theft, house burglary, and street robbery in a particular location over a 35-year period starting from 1970.

[Overall], car theft was consistently the most prevalent crime throughout the period, despite significant fluctuations. While house burglaries showed a general downward trend by the end of the period, street robberies remained the least common and most stable type of crime recorded.

In 1970, [car theft] incidents stood at 0.4 million. This figure [rose dramatically] to a peak of 1.6 million in 1995, before [dropping back] to 1 million by 2005. [House burglary] started at 0.2 million and [experienced a steady climb] to 0.6 million by 1980. After remaining stable for a decade, it peaked at 0.7 million in 1990 and 1995, then [declined steadily] to 0.5 million at the end of the period.

[Street robbery] followed a much flatter trajectory. It [hovered just above zero] for the first twenty years. From 1990 onwards, there was a [modest increase], with the figure reaching approximately 0.2 million in 2000 and [maintaining this level] until 2005.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional response that meets all the criteria for Band 9. It provides a crystal-clear overview, accurate data reporting, and uses highly sophisticated language and structure. The transitions between data points are seamless, making it very easy for the reader to follow the trends.

Task Achievement - 9

- The response fully satisfies all requirements of the task, providing a comprehensive and accurate summary of the trends for all three crime categories. - Key features, including peaks, starting points, and end points, are skillfully selected and clearly illustrated with precise data. - The overview is clearly presented in the second paragraph, highlighting the most significant trends (car theft as the highest, street robbery as the lowest).

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Information is logically sequenced with a very clear progression from the general overview to specific data comparisons. - Cohesive devices (e.g., 'despite significant fluctuations', 'After remaining stable for a decade') are used so naturally that they are almost unnoticeable. - Paragraphing is managed expertly, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the data.

Lexical Resource - 9

- A very wide range of vocabulary is used with natural and sophisticated control (e.g., 'prevalent', 'flatter trajectory', 'hovered just above zero'). - Lexical items are used with high precision to describe trends and comparisons. - There are no errors in spelling or word formation.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of complex sentence structures is used with full flexibility and accuracy. - The response is error-free, with sophisticated control of grammar and punctuation throughout. - Use of participial phrases (e.g., 'starting from 1970', 'reaching approximately...') adds to the academic tone.

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