Number of Marriages in the UK (1951–2001)

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Line Graph

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Question

The diagram below shows the number of marriages in the UK between 1951 and 2001. The data given is for all marriages, remarriages (any partner) and first marriages. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

51-Number of Marriages in the UK (1951–2001)

Common Questions for the Line Graph

1. Graph Type: Line Graph

2. Title: Number of Marriages in the UK (1951–2001)

3. What are the units of measurement?: Number of marriages (in thousands)

4. Who: Total marriages, first marriages, and remarriages (any partner) in the UK

5. When: 1951 to 2001

6. Where: United Kingdom

7. Topic: Trends in different types of marriages over 50 years

Comparison Showing and Trends Any change over time (such as an increase or a decrease) is a trend.

Comparison 1: First Marriages

Details:

1.Started at approximately 350,000 in 1951.

2. Peaked at 430,000 in 1981.

3. Declined moderately, returning to 350,000 by 2001.

Comparison 2: Remarriages

Details:

1. Remained consistently lower than first marriages, fluctuating between 90,000 and 120,000 throughout the period.

2. Contributed to the total marriage figures, with no significant variations over time.

Comparison 3: Total Marriages

Details:

1. Closely followed the trend of first marriages, as it is the sum of first marriages and remarriages.

2. Peaked alongside first marriages in 1981, before declining by 2001.

Sample Answer

The line graph illustrates the number of total marriages, first marriages, and remarriages (any partner) in the UK between 1951 and 2001.

Overall, the year 1981 saw the highest numbers for all types of marriages. While first marriages dominated overall trends, remarriages remained relatively stable, with minor variations over the years.

In 1951, approximately 350,000 first marriages were recorded. This number increased gradually, reaching a peak of 430,000 in 1981, before declining moderately back to 350,000 by 2001.

Remarriages fluctuated between 90,000 and 120,000 throughout the 50-year period, remaining much lower than first marriages. Despite these fluctuations, their contribution to the total number of marriages was steady.

The total number of marriages closely mirrored the trend of first marriages, peaking at the same time in 1981. This is because the total figure combines both first marriages and remarriages.

Top 26 Vocabularies

Vocabulary	Type	Meaning	Synonyms	Examples
Solemnize	verb	To formally perform or celebrate a marriage	Conduct, Formalize	Approximately 350,000 first marriages were solemnized in 1951.
Depict	verb	To represent or show	Illustrate, Portray	The graph depicts the number of different types of marriages.
Contribution	noun	The part played in achieving something	Addition, Input	Remarriages contributed steadily to the total marriages.
Parallel	Adjective	Having a similar or corresponding trend	Aligned, Similar	The total marriages graph ran parallel to first marriages.
Illustrate	Verb	To explain or clarify with the help of visual aids	Depict, Show	“The line graph illustrates marriage trends in the UK.”
Marriage	Noun	A legal union between two people	Union, Matrimony	“The number of marriages increased gradually until 1981.”
Dominate	Verb	To have control or influence over something	Control, Prevail	“First marriages dominated the overall trend.”
Trend	Noun	A general direction or pattern of change	Pattern, Movement	“The trend of first marriages peaked in 1981.”
Fluctuate	Verb	To change frequently and irregularly	Vary, Oscillate	“Remarriages fluctuated between 90,000 and 120,000.”
Peak	Verb/Noun	To reach the highest point	Climax, Summit	“The number of first marriages peaked at 430,000 in 1981.”
Contribute	Verb	To give or add something to a larger whole	Add, Contribute	“Remarriages contributed steadily to the total number of marriages.”
Moderately	Adverb	To a reasonable or average degree	Slightly, Fairly	“The number of first marriages declined moderately by 2001.”
Steady	Adjective	Constant, stable, or unchanging	Consistent, Stable	“Remarriages remained steady despite minor fluctuations.”
Correspond	Verb	To be in agreement or harmony with something	Match, Align	“The total marriages corresponded with first marriages.”
Combine	Verb	To bring or merge two or more things together	Merge, Unite	“The total marriages figure combines first marriages and remarriages.”
Increase	Verb/Noun	To make or become larger or more	Grow, Rise	“The number of first marriages increased gradually until 1981.”
Total	Adjective/Noun	The complete or entire amount	Full, Whole	“The total number of marriages mirrored first marriages.”
Decline	Verb/Noun	To decrease or reduce in size, number, or strength	Drop, Diminish	“First marriages declined by 2001 after peaking in 1981.”
Minor	Adjective	Of small importance or significance	Small, Insignificant	“The fluctuations in remarriages were minor over the years.”
Variation	Noun	A change or difference in condition	Difference, Change	“There were minor variations in the number of remarriages.”
Record	Verb/Noun	To document or register something	Register, Log	“In 1951, 350,000 first marriages were recorded.”
Relatively	Adverb	In comparison with something else	Comparatively, Quite	“Remarriages remained relatively stable throughout the period.”
Annual	Adjective	Occurring once every year	Yearly, Per annum	“The data provided annual figures for marriages from 1951 to 2001.”
Unchanged	Adjective	Not altered or modified in any way	Constant, Stable	“The number of remarriages remained unchanged throughout the period.”
Dramatic	Adjective	Having a noticeable and significant impact	Significant, Striking	“The increase in first marriages in 1981 was dramatic.”
Consistent	Adjective	Always behaving or happening in the same way	Steady, Uniform	“The trend for first marriages was consistent until 1981.”

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