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London Underground station hourly passenger numbers
The Question:
The graph below shows the number of people using a London Underground station at various times on a given day.

✍️ Band 9 Model Answer
The line graph depicts the fluctuations in passenger traffic at a specific London Underground station over the course of a single day, from 6:00 to 22:00.
Overall, the data displays a highly rhythmic pattern characterized by two distinct peaks, which clearly coincide with the morning and evening rush hours. Conversely, the levels of usage remain relatively low during the midday period and the late evening.
The busiest time of day is undeniably in the morning. Starting from a low of 100 passengers at 6:00, the numbers surge dramatically to reach a zenith of 400 travelers by 8:00. This is followed by a sharp decline, with the figure plummeting to approximately 180 by 10:00. Between 11:00 and 15:00, passenger numbers remain relatively stable, oscillating gently between 150 and 200 people.
A second, more sustained increase begins in the late afternoon. Usage rises steadily from 16:00 onwards, hitting a secondary peak of 380 passengers at 18:00. Unlike the morning surge, this evening peak dissipates more gradually. The number of commuters drops to 150 by 20:00 and continues to fall until it reaches its lowest point of the day, at just under 100 passengers, by the time the station closes at 22:00.
✨ Key Vocabulary & Phrasing
FluctuationsIrregular rises and falls in number or amount.
ZenithThe highest point reached by a celestial or other object.
PlummetingFalling or dropping straight down at high speed.
OscillatingMoving or swinging back and forth at a regular speed.
DissipatesDisappears or causes to disappear; fades away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Get definitive answers from IELTS examiners and high-band experts.
You should spend exactly 20 minutes on Task 1. This leaves you with 40 minutes for the more heavily weighted Task 2.
You must write at least 150 words. Writing significantly less will result in a penalty for your Task Achievement score.
No. Task 1 (Academic) is an objective summary of data. You should never include personal opinions or external information not shown in the chart.
Standard structure: Introduction (paraphrase), Overview (state main trends), and 2-3 Detail paragraphs (describe specific data points).
The most common types are Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables, Process Diagrams, and Maps.
Yes. Without a clear overview highlighting the main features or trends, it is impossible to score Band 7 or higher in Task Achievement.
It is generally better to use formal, passive voice and avoid personal pronouns like 'I' or 'me'.
Varying your language with phrases like 'a significant majority' or 'roughly a quarter' demonstrates a higher lexical resource for Band 7+.