Band 8+: 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 diagrams illustrate the life cycle of a salmon, showing how it develops from eggs to a fully mature adult that can reproduce.

Overall, the salmon’s life cycle consists of three distinct stages, during which it grows and transitions between different habitats, starting in the calm upper river and ending in the open sea as a fully mature adult.

The process begins when a mature salmon lays eggs beneath reeds and small stones in the upper river, where the water flows slowly. The eggs remain in this stage for about five to six months before hatching into young fish called fry, which measure around 3 to 8 centimeters in length.

In the next stage, the fry migrates to the lower river, where the water flows more rapidly. Here, they continue growing for approximately four years, reaching a size of 12 to 15 centimeters and transforming into smolt.

Finally, the mature salmon migrate to the open sea. In this final stage, they grow significantly larger, reaching 70 to 76 centimeters in length, and live for around five years before completing their life cycle.