Band 9: The diagrams show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the salmon. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. To zoom in, click on the image.

The diagram illustrates how salmon develop through different stages of their life cycle.

Overall, there are three main stages in the development of a salmon, starting from the upper river and moving to the open sea. During this process, the fish grow significantly in size and change their habitat before returning to their birthplace to reproduce.

Initially, the process begins in the upper river where the water moves slowly. Here, salmon eggs are hidden among reeds and small stones. After approximately 5 to 6 months, these eggs hatch into “fry”. At this stage, the young fish are very small, measuring only about 3 to 8 cm in length.

Next, the fish migrate downstream to the lower river where the water flows faster. They spend about 4 years in this area and transform into “smolt”. During this period, they increase in size and reach a length of 12 to 15 cm.

Finally, the smolt move into the open sea, where they spend approximately 5 years to develop into “adult salmon”. In the ocean, they reach their full size, measuring between 70 and 76 cm. Afterward, these adult salmon swim upstream, returning to the same stretch of river where they were born to lay their eggs and complete their life cycle, simultaneously beginning the cycle once again for subsequent generations.