The graph below shows the average number of people attending top-level football matches in three European countries from 1980 to 2004.

Average Attendance Top Football Matches Three European Countries 1980-2004 Line Graph - 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 · 227 words.

The line graph illustrates the average attendance at top-division football matches in three European nations—England, Germany, and Italy—over a 24-year period from 1980 to 2004.

Overall, the data reveals significant long-term growth in spectator numbers across all three countries, albeit with distinct trends and fluctuations. England consistently had the highest average attendance throughout the period, while Germany saw the most dramatic increase, eventually surpassing Italy.

In 1980, England led with roughly 28,000 spectators, a figure that remained relatively stable, with a slight dip, until a sharp and sustained rise began around 1992. This upward trajectory culminated in a peak of nearly 60,000 by 2004. Germany started at approximately 22,000 in 1980 and experienced a similar early pattern of stability. However, from the early 1990s, German attendances rose steeply, almost doubling to surpass 40,000 by the end of the period.

In contrast, Italy's figures were the lowest initially, starting at around 20,000 in 1980. The numbers showed a notable decline to just under 15,000 in 1984 before recovering. Despite a steady but moderate increase in the late 1990s, Italian attendances never recovered to their 1980 level and ended the period at roughly 23,000, making it the only country with a net decrease. Consequently, while Italy and Germany had comparable figures in 1980, Germany had pulled far ahead by 2004, leaving Italy with the lowest attendance of the three.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional response that demonstrates a native-level command of English. It accurately synthesizes the data, provides a sophisticated overview, and uses a wide array of vocabulary and grammatical structures without error.

Task Achievement - 9

- All requirements of the task are fully and appropriately satisfied. - The overview is clear and comprehensive, identifying the general growth and the specific divergence of Germany and Italy. - Key features are skillfully selected and illustrated with accurate data points from the graph.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- The message is followed effortlessly with a very natural progression from introduction to overview and then specific details. - Paragraphing is skillfully managed, with logical grouping of trends and comparisons. - Cohesive devices such as "consequently," "despite," and "culminated in" are used seamlessly without attracting attention.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Full flexibility and precise use of vocabulary are evident (e.g., "upward trajectory," "net decrease," "comparable figures"). - Sophisticated control of lexical features is demonstrated through synonyms for attendance and growth. - Minor errors are non-existent, reflecting a native-like command of academic English.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and control. - The majority of sentences are error-free, utilizing complex structures like reduced relative clauses and perfect participles. - Punctuation is used appropriately throughout, enhancing the clarity of the data presentation.

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