Average house prices: IELTS Task 1 answer #9, band 7.5

A student’s answer to this repeated IELTS question, shared without their name and marked by Axiom on the four criteria. Select a highlighted passage to see how it could be revised, and why.

209 words. Marked by Axiom on 4 May 2025. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

The line graph this answer describes

Values in thousand dollars. Values approximate: read from the original chart, not printed on it.

Show the data

Average house prices (IELTS Task 1 line graph) (thousand dollars)
	Country A	Country B	Country C
1997	150	125	100
1998	175	200	125
1999	200	225	125
2000	200	250	150
2001	300	275	150
2002	400	300	150
2003	550	300	175
2004	500	325	175
2005	475	375	200
2006	450	300	200
2007	500	275	225
2008	550	275	150
2009	600	375	250
2010	600	475	275
2011	600	500	275
2012	625	525	300
2013	600	500	300
2014	625	500	275

Academic Task 1209 words

The graph below shows the average house prices in three countries between the years 1997-2014.

The graph compares the average house price in three different countries over the period of 18 years, starting from 1997.

Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedThe graph illustrates the average house prices in three different countries over an 18-year period, beginning in 1997.
Replaced 'compares' with 'illustrates' for variety.

In general, housing prices in all countries experienced a continuous growth during this period, with some fluctuations. While the figures for Country A and B somewhat followed a similar pattern, with the former rising more significantly than the latter, the trend for country C increased steadily, despite a slight dip in 2010s.

Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedOverall, housing prices in all countries showed continuous growth during this period, albeit with some fluctuations.
Replaced 'In general' with 'Overall' for variety.
Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedWhile the figures for Country A and B followed a similar pattern, with Country A rising more significantly, Country C's trend increased steadily, despite a slight dip in the 2010s.
Simplified sentence structure for clarity.

In 1997, it cost slightly more than $125k to buy a residence in Country A, slightly higher than it did in country B (120k). This number then had gradually risen to around 200k by 2000 before skyrocketing to well above 500k in 2003, when the gap in the price of housing between these countries noticeably widened. After that, the average house price saw a downward trend, followed by a sudden rise with both countries reaching their peak of 625k for the former compared to about 500k for the latter.

Grammar & accuracy
Close revision note
RevisedIn 1997, it cost slightly more than $125k to buy a residence in Country A, which was slightly higher than in Country B (120k).
Clarified comparison structure.
Grammar & accuracy
Close revision note
RevisedThis number then gradually rose to around 200k by 2000 before skyrocketing to well above 500k in 2003, when the housing price gap between these countries noticeably widened.
Corrected tense usage for consistency.
Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedSubsequently, the average house price declined, then surged, with Country A peaking at 625k and Country B at about 500k.
Improved sentence structure and clarity.

In comparison, the housing price in Country C grew gradually, doubling from 125k in 1997 to almost 250k in 2007. Having witnessed a marginal fall the following year, the figure recovered quickly and continued to rise to well above 250k for the rest of the period.

Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedIn contrast, the housing price in Country C grew gradually, doubling from 125k in 1997 to nearly 250k in 2007.
Used 'In contrast' for clearer comparison.
Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedAfter experiencing a slight decline the following year, the figure quickly recovered and continued to rise beyond 250k for the remainder of the period.
Used 'After experiencing' instead of 'Having witnessed' for clarity.

207 words

Select a highlighted passage to see its suggested revision.

Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

What Axiom wrote for each criterion: why the answer earned its band, and what to work on next.

Coherence & cohesion

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay is generally well-organized with clear progression of ideas. However, some transitions between ideas could be smoother.

Suggestions

Use more varied linking words to enhance flow.
Ensure each paragraph has a clear central idea.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedWhile the figures for Country A and B followed a similar pattern, with Country A rising more significantly, Country C's trend increased steadily, despite a slight dip in the 2010s.
Simplified sentence structure for clarity.
RevisedSubsequently, the average house price declined, then surged, with Country A peaking at 625k and Country B at about 500k.
Improved sentence structure and clarity.
RevisedIn contrast, the housing price in Country C grew gradually, doubling from 125k in 1997 to nearly 250k in 2007.
Used 'In contrast' for clearer comparison.

Grammar & accuracy

Band 8.0/ 9

The essay demonstrates a good range of grammatical structures with minor errors.

Sentence revisions 2

RevisedThis number then gradually rose to around 200k by 2000 before skyrocketing to well above 500k in 2003, when the housing price gap between these countries noticeably widened.
Corrected tense usage for consistency.
RevisedIn 1997, it cost slightly more than $125k to buy a residence in Country A, which was slightly higher than in Country B (120k).
Clarified comparison structure.

Lexical resource

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay uses a range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, though some repetition is present.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedThe graph illustrates the average house prices in three different countries over an 18-year period, beginning in 1997.
Replaced 'compares' with 'illustrates' for variety.
RevisedOverall, housing prices in all countries showed continuous growth during this period, albeit with some fluctuations.
Replaced 'In general' with 'Overall' for variety.
RevisedAfter experiencing a slight decline the following year, the figure quickly recovered and continued to rise beyond 250k for the remainder of the period.
Used 'After experiencing' instead of 'Having witnessed' for clarity.

Task achievement

Band 8.0/ 9

The essay effectively addresses the task, providing a clear overview and detailed comparisons.

Check your own answer on this question

Write your answer and Axiom marks it the same way: a band for each criterion, and revisions for your own sentences. How the Task 1 checker works.

Check an essay free