The line graph compares average yearly spending by Americans on mobile and
landline phone services from 2001 to 2010.
It is clear that spending on landline phones fell steadily over the 10-year period, while
mobile phone expenditure rose quickly. The year 2006 marks the point at which
expenditure on mobile services overtook that for residential phone services.
In 2001, US consumers spent an average of nearly $700 on residential phone
services, compared to only around $200 on cell phone services. Over the following
five years, average yearly spending on landlines dropped by nearly $200. By
contrast, expenditure on mobiles rose by approximately $300.
In the year 2006, the average American paid out the same amount of money on both
types of phone service, spending just over $500 on each. By 2010, expenditure on
mobile phones had reached around $750, while the figure for spending on residential
services had fallen to just over half this amount.
Band Score Analysis
Estimated IELTS Band Score: 7.5
- Task Achievement: 7.5 – Clearly describes key trends, but comparisons could be enhanced.
- Coherence & Cohesion: 8.0 – Well-organized with smooth transitions.
- Lexical Resource: 7.5 – Good vocabulary range, but some repetition.
- Grammar: 7.5 – Mostly accurate, minor refinements needed for precision.
Band 7-8 :
The line graph illustrates the average annual expenditure on mobile and residential phone services in the US from 2001 to 2010.
It is evident that spending on landline services steadily declined over the decade, whereas expenditure on mobile services rose significantly. In 2006, spending on cell phones surpassed that of residential phone services.
In 2001, Americans spent an average of nearly $700 per year on landlines, while mobile phone expenses were significantly lower, at around $200. Over the next five years, spending on landlines dropped by nearly $200, while mobile phone costs increased by approximately $300.
By 2006, both services cost around $500 per year on average. After this point, mobile phone expenditure continued to rise, reaching about $750 in 2010. In contrast, spending on landlines declined further, dropping to just over half of this amount.
Overall, the trend indicates that mobile phone services gradually replaced landlines as the primary communication expense for US consumers.
Word Count: 162
Band 9 :
The line graph depicts the average annual spending on mobile and residential phone services in the US from 2001 to 2010.
It is evident that while expenditure on landline services steadily declined over the period, spending on mobile services rose sharply. The year 2006 marked a turning point when mobile phone expenditure exceeded that of residential phone services.
In 2001, the average American spent nearly $700 annually on landline services, whereas mobile phone costs were significantly lower at approximately $200. Over the next five years, landline expenses dropped by nearly $200, while mobile phone spending surged by around $300.
By 2006, both services had reached an equal expenditure level of just over $500 per year. Thereafter, spending on mobile phones continued its upward trajectory, peaking at approximately $750 in 2010, while landline costs declined further, falling to just over half of that amount.
In summary, the data indicates a clear shift in consumer preferences, with mobile phones overtaking landlines as the dominant communication expense.
Word Count: 161
Comparison Table
| Feature | Band 7-8 Version | Band 9 Version |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | Uses clear, simple phrases (e.g., “spending on landlines dropped”) | More precise and advanced vocabulary (e.g., “landline expenses declined”) |
| Sentence Structure | Mostly straightforward sentences | More variety in sentence structures |
| Data Presentation | Covers main trends well | Provides sharper comparisons and trends |
| Clarity & Cohesion | Clear and well-structured | More fluid and sophisticated |
Examples from Essays
| Aspect | Band 7-8 Example | Band 9 Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence Structure | “By 2006, both services cost around $500 per year on average.” | “By 2006, both services had reached an equal expenditure level of just over $500 per year.” |
| Data Presentation | “Mobile phone expenses were significantly lower, at around $200.” | “Mobile phone costs were significantly lower at approximately $200.” |
| Clarity & Cohesion | “In 2006, spending on cell phones surpassed that of residential phone services.” | “The year 2006 marked a turning point when mobile phone expenditure exceeded that of residential phone services.” |
Grammar Mistakes
- Original: “The year 2006 marks the point at which expenditure on mobile services overtook that for residential phone services.”
Correction: “The year 2006 marked the point at which expenditure on mobile services surpassed that of residential phone services.” - Original: “Over the following five years, average yearly spending on landlines dropped by nearly $200.”
Correction: “Over the next five years, annual spending on landlines declined by almost $200.” - Original: “Expenditure on mobiles rose by approximately $300.”
Correction: “Spending on mobile phones increased by roughly $300.”
Vocabulary Repetition
| Repeated Word | Suggested Alternatives |
|---|---|
| “Spending” | Expenditure, Costs, Outlay, Expenses |
| “Rise” | Increase, Surge, Growth, Climb |
| “Drop” | Decline, Fall, Decrease, Reduction |
IELTS Writing Task 1 Exercises with Answers
Fill in the blanks using appropriate words:
- The graph illustrates the average annual _______ (expenditure/revenue) on phone services in the US.
Answer: expenditure - In 2001, spending on landlines was nearly _______ (three/four/seven) times higher than on mobile phones.
Answer: three - By 2006, mobile phone spending _______ (equaled/exceeded) that of landlines.
Answer: equaled - In 2010, expenditure on mobile phones was _______ (twice/half) that of residential services.
Answer: twice
