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.)