IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer

The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the salmon.

Sample Answer 1

                      The image portrays the several developmental phases of a kind of sizable fish commonly referred to as the salmon. The life cycle of a salmon can be categorised into three distinct periods. The initial stage is referred to as fry, succeeded by the smolt phase, and ultimately culminating in the adult stage.

During the early stage, salmon eggs are laid in the lower river amidst vegetation and pebbles, where they undergo a period of around six months. Upon hatching, the diminutive creatures, referred to as fry, remain suspended in the lower river for a duration of four years. During this temporal period, the dimensions of the subject in question undergo a notable augmentation, progressing from a range of 3-8cm to a range of 12-15cm.

          Subsequently, the individuals undertake a migration to the marine environment, where they reside for a significant duration until they attain maturity. The length of adult salmon can range from 70 to 100 centimetres.

      During the final phase, mature salmon migrate back to the tranquil river in order to engage in reproductive activities and deposit their eggs.

Key phrases and vocabulary:

• The picture depicts/shows/illustrates...

• Different life stages

• Divided into three phases

• Salmon eggs

• Lower river

• Weeds and small stones

• Hatched

• Small organisms

• Float in the lower river

• Migration to the sea

• Reach adulthood

• Reproduce and lay eggs

• Key life cycle stages 

The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the salmon.

Sample Answer 2

Band 5.5

                          The picture illustrates the different life stages of a large fish known as the salmon.

                       Their life cycle is divided into 3 phases. In the first phase, it is called fry. After that, it becomes smalt, followed by the last stage formed in which an adult salmon is formed.

                       In the beginning, salmon eggs are placed in the lower river in between weeds and small stones for about a half year. When these eggs hatch, small organisms come out which are called fry, and they float in the lower river for 4 years, from where they are transferred into the sea, their size increases from 3-8cm to 12-15cm. They remain here for a long time until they become adults. Their length is 70-100cm.

                        In the last stage, the adult salmon return to the slow-moving river where they produce eggs.

  139 Words

The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the salmon.

Sample Answer 3

Band 6.5

                        The diagrams illustrate the different stages of a large fish known as the salmon. Overall, the life cycle consists of 3 stages. In the first stage, it is called fry. In the second stage, it becomes a smolt, which is followed by the last stage, where an adult salmon is formed.

                        In the beginning, adult salmon lay eggs on small stones and reeds in the upper river, which is slow-moving. After 5 to 6 months, the eggs hatch, and small organisms known as fry come out, which are 3 to 8 cm long. After that, these fry move to a fast-flowing lower river for approximately 4 years. Subsequently, they become smolts that are 12 to 15 cm long, and then, they move into the open sea for 5 years. Finally, in the open sea, they become adult salmon, which are 70 to 90 cm long. These adult salmon return to the slow-moving river where they lay eggs, and the whole process continues.

  162 Words