Sample 05 - IELTS task 1: The levels of participation in education and science in developing and industrialized countries in 1980 and 1990

The charts below show the levels of participation in education and science in developing and industrialized countries in 1980 and 1990. Write a report for a university teacher describing the information shown.

The following sample answer is an example of a very good answer. The given sample describes all the possible information that is being depicted in the graph, with proper use of vocabulary and connecting words. However, as you can clearly observe the sample exceeds the desired word count for IELTS writing task 01 by a marginal difference and can thus lead to a band reduction. I will still rate the sample as an ideal Band 7.0 sample answer. Further modifications in the given sample can be done if you identify an overall trend that connects the three given graphs. Can you look at the graphs and identify any overall trend. Feel free to give your suggestions in the comment box below.

Word count: 270 - Band Score - 7.0

Sample Answer -

The given bar graphs represent the extent of participation by developing and industrialized countries in two sectors namely education and science for the years 1980 and 1990.

To begin with, in the year 1980 the average years of schooling for industrialized countries was 08 years approximately, which was almost 06 years more than thatin the developing nations. Moreover, the number of schooling years saw a rise with a little over 10 years for the former, while it showed a slight increase and reached a 03 year mark for the latter in 1990, being still roughly 07 years less for the developing nations than their counterparts.

In addition to it, the industrialized countries were comparatively ahead of the two, in terms of both scientists and technicians per 1000 people and spending on research and development. In the year 1980, the number of scientists and technicians for industrialized nations was 40. However,this figure increased sharply and reached an all time highest value of nearly 70 people in 1990. In contrast to it, the number of scientist and technicians for developing countries was around 10 and 15 people in 1980 and 1990 respectively.

Lastly, in terms of spending on research and development, developing countries showed a slight decline from nearly 50 billion US$ in 1980 to a mere 20 billion US$ IN 1990. On the other hand, the spending by developed nations far surpassed the former with an expenditure of 150 billion US$ in 1980, which shot up to around 350 billion US$ in 1990.

Thus, it is seen that industrialized nations showed a far greater degree of participationin any category as compared to developing countries.  

(This model answer can be followed as an example of a very good answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of many possible approaches.)

Sample Points 01 - IELTS task 2: The characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life.

Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life.

Which do you consider to be the major influence? You should write at least 250 words.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

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The task asks you to draw a detailed comparison between a human's in-born characteristics versus the experiences he gains in life and the impacts they have on an individual's way of living/ personality.

Always remember, the safest way to attempt such questions is to always take a partial agreement - partial disagreement stand for the issue. The following points can be structured in an error-free manner to draft a decent BAND 7.0 answer.

Also keep in mind, that your answer should ALWAYS BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR KEY PARAGRAPHS - Introduction, Body Paragraph 01, Body Paragraph 02 and Conclusion. This is the ideal way of dividing your task into relevant sections so that it looks controlled and well drafted.

Introduction -  

In the modern world, it is often observed that an individual's lifestyle is primarily shaped by the events and occurrences around them. However,sometimes it is more of a convergence of both their hereditary traits and real-world experiences during the course of their lives rather than the dominance of any one of the factors mentioned above. Some people believe that the characteristics we are born with have a major influence on how our personality shapes up in the future years, while others feel, experiences play a major part in the same. In my personal opinion, both our in-born traits and experiences play a deciding factor on our persona and future development.

Body Paragraph 01 - Supporting points for In-Born Characteristics -

1. Genetically transferred characteristics serves as a foundation stone for future years.
2. At times due to characteristics transferred via a family chain, an individual can show more interest / inclination towards a particular field of study / work. Example - Music, Arts or any other working profession.
3. However, sometimes genetic disorders can also be transferred to an individual, which can prove to be a hindrance for their future development.    

Body Paragraph 02 - Supporting points for Life Experiences -

1. When an individual undergoes real-world experiences, his perception towards life can completely change.
2. There are certain things,which can only be taught / learned by experiences. For example - a person can be extremely talented in any particular field like music / art / sports but only through constant practice and learning from his own mistakes / observing the mistakes of others can he learn how to be perfect in his craft / skill.
3. In addition to it, at times, experiences in one's professional life also helps in shaping one's personality. For example - an introvert person can learn to socialize with people / society when he joins a work place, as he will constantly experience mutual interaction with colleagues and superiors.

NOTE - Do not forget, a well-structured writing task 02 should always contain a conclusion / concluding paragraph which will be an overall summary of your stated points/ facts / examples in the Body paragraphs. It is one of the most important part of the Task 02 structure and should never be avoided.   

(These points can be followed as an example of a very good answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of many possible approaches.)

Sample 04 - IELTS task 1: The types of music albums purchased by people in Britain according to sex and age.

The graphs below show the types of music albums purchased by people in Britain according to sex and age. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

Word Count: 230 - Band: 7.0

Answer :

The given bar graphs illustrate the kinds of music albums bought by people in Britain according to their age and gender.

From the first two graphs, it can be easily observed that the percentage of buyers of pop and rock music is similar in all categories. To begin with, for the given two genres, around 27% of males preferred to buy pop and rock music, which was nearly 10% more than females. Moreover, the highest percentage buyers for the two types of music were from the age group 25-34 years with nearly 32% closely followed by age group 16-24 years with almost 30%. However, the least percent of people who bought music in this category were 45+ with only 7% buyers.

On the other hand, it was a complete reversal of purchasing trendsin the case of classical music, where the highest percentage of buyers was in the age group 45+ with 20%. The smallest percentage nonetheless was roughly a mere 01% for 16-24 year olds. In addition, the percentage buyer value plummeted to half for 25-34 years old people with only 15% interested in classical music. Although,there was no considerable difference in the values of males [8%] and female [6%] buyers for this category.

Thus to conclude, it is clearly observed that all age groups except 45+ showed more inclination towards the purchase of pop and rock music.

(This model answer can be followed as an example of a very good answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of many possible approaches.)

Sample 03 - IELTS task 1: The numbers of workers in 1975 and 1995 in several employment sectors for the republic of Freedonia

The graphs below show the numbers of male and female workers in 1975 and 1995 in several employment sectors of the republic of Freedonia. Write a report for a university teacher describing the information shown.

Word Count: 223 - Band : 7.0

Answer: 

The given charts represent the number of employed males and females in Freedonia in six different sectors, for two years 1975 and 1995.

To begin with, it can be seen that, for both the years, Public Sector and Wholesale and Retail are two major employment-giving sectors for Freedonia. Wherein,approximately 625 women were employed in Public Sector [non-defense] for both the years, the number of females rose from 500 in 1975 to around 800 females in 1995 for the Wholesale and Retail industry. Both these fields howeverhad almost the equal number of male workers for two years with 900 and 700 men respectively.

On the contrary, a large gap in working numbers was observedbetween men and women for Manufacturing  where around 700 males, nearly 400 more than women worked in the given time spans. Although,Communications and Finance/ Banking witnessed a fluctuating employability trend with men mostly dominating in 1975. Nevertheless women [600] were far ahead than men [300] for communications while the duo stood at par for the number of workers in Finance/ Banking field in the year 1995.

Thus to conclude, it is seen that all the employment sectors showed high degree of male employability except wholesale and retail and communications for the latter year. Public Sector [defense] had minimum participation for both the genders in the given years.

(This model answer can be followed as an example of a very good answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of many possible approaches.)

Sample 02 - IELTS task 1: Underground Railway System in six major cities around the world

The table below gives information about the underground railway systems in six cities. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

» You should write at least 150 words.

» You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Word Count: 225 

Band Score: 7.0

Answer :

The given table contains information regarding the underground railway systems in six cities namely London, Paris, Tokyo, Washington DC, Kyoto and Los Angeles.

Out of the six cities having underground railway systems, London has the longest route of 394 kilometers, which was opened in the year 1863. However, as compared to it, Kyoto has the shortest routeof only 11 kilometers and it opened in 1981. Moreover, if we compare in terms of passengers travelling, the railway system in Tokyo had the highest number with 1927 million passengers per year, whereas Kyoto again sank at the bottom with only 45 million passengers per year.

In addition to it, in 1900, underground railway system started in Paris, which was 199 km long and 1191 million passengers use it every year. To add on to it, Tokyo railway system, which serves maximum passengers, was opened in 1927. While the railway system opened in 1976 in Washington DC carries 144 million passengers per year, along its 126 km long route. Los Angeles, on the other hand is the most recently developed railway systemand is only 28 km long and it is used by 50 million passengers every year.

To conclude, the longest and the oldest railway system is present in London while the most recently developed railway system is present in Los Angeles having a small route.

(This model answer can be followed as an example of a very good answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of many possible approaches.)

Sample 01 - IELTS task 1: Electricity source in Australia and France over a 20-year period

The pie charts below show units of electricity production by fuel source in Australia and France in 1980 and 2000. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Here's a sample answer written by one of the students. The overall task achievement is commendable, with decent use of connecting words and relevant comparisons made at regular intervals. The given data has been effectively interpreted over the course of the task. 

Band 7.0 - Word Count: 220 

Answer: 

The given pie charts represent the unit of electricity production by fuel source in two different countries, Australia and France, comparing the production trends in the year 1980 and 2000.

In the first case, where electricity production in the year 1980 is considered, it is observed that the total production in Australia was 100 units, which was 10 units more as compared to France. On the other hand,the total production in the year 2000 in France was 180 units, which were 10 units more than that in Australia.

However, in Australia, the maximum production is by coal as the source fuel, which rose from 50 units in 1980 to 130 units in the year 2000. On the contrary, the use of natural gas and oil declined drastically from 20 units to 02 units and 10 units to 02 units respectively from 1980 to 2000. Although, the use of hydro power remained almost same with a minimal increase from 20 to 36 units in between these 20 years.

Moreover, in France the use of nuclear power hiked from 15 to 126 units in two decades, while the use of natural gas and hydro-power dipped from 25 and 5 units to 02 units for both in the given period. Besides,the use of coal remained steady at 25 units for the total duration.

To conclude, the major fuel source in Australia has been coal where as it is nuclear power in France and the use of natural gas has reduced to almost insignificant amounts in both the nations with time.

(This model answer can be followed as an example of a very good answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of many possible approaches.)