Task Description & Analysis
The graph shows the sales trends of different beauty product categories from 2000 to 2023. This type of question frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 1, requiring candidates to analyze changes and trends over time across multiple categories.
Historical sales data showing trends in different beauty product categories from 2000 to 2023
Sample Answer
The line graph illustrates the sales performance of four beauty product categories (skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrances) over a 23-year period from 2000 to 2023.
Overall, all categories experienced growth, with skincare products showing the most dramatic increase. While makeup and haircare products maintained relatively steady growth patterns, fragrances demonstrated more modest gains throughout the period.
Skincare products began at approximately $20 billion in 2000 and witnessed a remarkable upward trajectory, particularly after 2010. By 2023, sales had reached $85 billion, representing more than a fourfold increase. Makeup sales started at $15 billion and showed consistent growth, reaching $45 billion by 2023, though the rate of increase was less pronounced than skincare.
Haircare products maintained third position throughout most of the period, rising from $12 billion to $35 billion. Fragrances, while showing the least growth, still increased from $8 billion to $25 billion over the 23-year timeframe.
(Word count: 154)
Key Grammar Points
- Past Simple vs Present Perfect:
- Past Simple: Used for completed actions (e.g., “began at approximately”)
- Present Perfect: Used for continuing trends (e.g., “has reached”)
- Comparison structures:
- Comparative forms: “more modest,” “less pronounced”
- Superlative forms: “the most dramatic increase”
Essential Vocabulary
- trajectory (n) /trəˈdʒektəri/ – path of movement
- dramatic (adj) /drəˈmætɪk/ – substantial and sudden
- fourfold (adj) /ˈfɔːfəʊld/ – four times as much
- pronounced (adj) /prəˈnaʊnst/ – noticeable or marked
- upward (adj) /ˈʌpwərd/ – moving toward a higher value
Writing Tips for Band 7+
- Structure your response with a clear overview paragraph
- Use appropriate tense combinations
- Include specific data points to support observations
- Employ a range of comparative language
- Group similar trends together for cohesive analysis
Remember to balance detail with clarity and maintain formal academic language throughout your response.
