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When your Academic Writing 1 Task is graded by IELTS examiners, they

look for this structure:

Introduction

You should paraphrase the topic. Write what the graph is about, its dates and
location.

Overview/Summary

You should describe the purpose of report and say what overall trends you see.
For example, if the graph is climbing up or dropping down, you should mention that.
You need to remember that you are describing a graph to someone who doesn’t see
it.

Body should describe the most important trends, while all information is
summarized to avoid unnecessary details. For example, if there is a graph that has
2 peaks, you should mention them; tell when those peaks appeared and what the
peak values are. Notice how many distinctive features diagram has and divide
information into paragraphs, one paragraph for one feature. You should link the
paragraphs by sentences that logically connect them to one another.

Important! You need to write about all the periods of time and all the subjects of
graph. If it shows several years (1992, 1993, 1994) – write about all of them, if it is
about men and women – write about both. Remember, summarizing doesn’t mean
throwing away information. The secret here is to select what’s important, organize
it, compare and contrast.

(Conclusion should sum up the global trends shown on the figure and compare
them if possible.)

IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #33

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph above show information of employment rates across 6 countries in 1995 and 2005.
Summarize the information by choosing and describe the main idea, and make comparisons where
appropriate.

You should write at least 150 words.

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The graph shows changes in employment rates in six countries between 1995 and
2005, for men and women. Overall more and more people of working age are
employed, and there have been significant improvements for women, although they
leg behind men in entering the workforce.
The most obvious trend in the graph is that women have lower employment rates in
most of the countries in the graph. For example, in Australia in 1995, 57 percent of
men could find work or retain a job, but only 27 percent of women. The difference
was even bigger in New Zealand, with 60 percent of women. Even in Switzerland
and Iceland, alightly more men than women were in the job market.

The second biggest trend in the graph is the improvement in employment between
1995 and 2005. In all countries shown, figures for both men and women improved.
The biggest change was in the United Kingdom, from 55 percent of men in 1995 to
73 percent over the ten years period.
Furthermore, the increases in employment rates for women were much higher in
New Zealand. The percentage of working women jumped from 25 percent to 42
percent, and in the United States from 45 percent to 61 percent over the decade.

In conclusion, all the countries in the graph showed at least a 12 percent increase in
employment rates of both men and women over the ten yeares. While men had
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relatively higher employment rate throughout the period, more and more women
appear to be entering the labour

IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #34

The table below shows the figures for imprisonment in five countries between 1930 and 1980.
Write a report for a university, lecturer describing the information shown below.

The table shows that the figures for imprisonment in the five countries mentioned
indicate no overall pattern of increase or decrease. In fact there is considerable
fluctuation from country to country.

In Great Britain the numbers in prison have increased steadily from 30 000 in 1930
to 80,000 in 1980. On the other hand in Australia, and particularly in New Zealand
the numbers fell markedly from 1930 to 1940. Since then they have increased
gradually, apart from in 1980 when the numbers in prison in New Zealand fell by
about 30,000 from the 1970 total. Canada is the only country in which the numbers
in prison have decreased over the period 1930 to 1980, although there have been
fluctuations in this trend. The figures for the United States indicate the greatest
number of prisoners compared to the other four countries but population size needs
to be taken into account in this analysis. The prison population in the United States
increased rapidly from 1970 to 1980 and this must be a worrying trend.
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IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #38

The chart shows the number of mobile phones and landlines per 100 people in selected countries.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information given.

The graph shows the number of mobile phones and landlines per 100 users, for
selected countries. Overall, most of the countries included in the graph have more
mobile phones subscribers than landlines.
Most European countries have high mobile phone use. The biggest users of mobile
phones are the Italians, with 88 cell phones per 100 people. For example, Italy has
twice as many mobile phones as landlines, with 88 mobiles per hundred people
compared to 45 for landlines. Mobile phone use is low in Canada, with fewer than 40
phones per 100 people. Denmark is also unusual because it has slightly more
landlines than mobile phones.
However, in some countries, the number of landlines is higher than the number of
mobile phones. One example is the USA, where the number of mobiles, at 50 per
100 people, is much lower than the number of landlines, at almost 70 per hundred.
A similar pattern can be seen in Canada. The highest number of landlines in the
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graph is in Denmark, with about 90 per 100 people. In contrast, the lowest figures
for fixed lines are in Italy and the UK.
In conclusion, it seems that mobile phone use is higher in Europe than in North
America.

IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #39

The chart below shows estimated world literacy rates by region and by gender for the year 2000.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.
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In this report I will describe a bar chart that shows the estimated world illiteracy
rates by gender and region for the year 2000.
First I will look at male illiteracy for the 6 areas shown. The lowest rates were in
Developed Countries, Latin America/Caribbean and East Asia/Oceania with rates of
1% (approximately), 10% and 8% (approximately) respectively. The rates for the
next three areas were much higher and quite similar to each other. Sub-Saharan
Africa, the Arab States and South Asia had rates of approximately 31%, 29% and
34%.
Female illiteracy was much higher relatively in each area except Latin
America/Caribbean where it was only slightly higher. The lowest rates for female
illiteracy were again Developed Countries, Latin America/Caribbean and East
Asia/Oceania with rates of approximately 2%, 12% and 20%. Again the rates for the
next three areas were much higher and quite similar to each other. Sub-Saharan
Africa, the Arab States and South Asia had rates of approximately 48%, 52% and
56%.
This ends my report.
(168 words)

IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #45

The charts below show the percentage of their food budget the average family spent on restaurant
meals in different years. The graph shows the number of meals eaten in fast food restaurants and sit-
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down restaurants.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.

Over the past 30 years, the average family has dramatically increased the number
of meals that they eat at restaurants. The percentage of the family's food budget
spent on restaurant meals steadily climbed. Just 10 percent of the food budget was
spent on restaurant meals in 1970, and 15 percent in 1980. That percentage more
than doubled in 1990, to 35 percent, and rose again in 2000 to 50 percent.

Where families eat their restaurant meals also changed during that 30-year period.
In 1970, families ate the same number of meals at fast food and sit-down
restaurants. In 1980, fam¬ilies ate slightly more frequently at sit-down restaurants.
However, since 1990, fast food restaurants serve more meals to the families than
do the sit-down restaurants. Most of the restaurant meals from 2000 were eaten at
fast food restaurants. If this pattern continues, eventually the number of meals that
families eat at fast food restaurants could double the number of meals they eat at
sit-down restaurants.
(164 words)

IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #49

The bar chart below shows the results of a survey conducted by a personnel department at a major
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company. The survey was carried out on two groups of workers: those aged from 18-30 and those
aged 45-60, and shows factors affecting their work performance.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

The bar chart indicates a survey on two different age groups on the factors
contributing to make their environment pleasant for working.
These factors are divided into external and internal factors. The internal factors are
team spirit, competent boss, respect from colleagues and job satisfaction. The
external factors are chance for personal development, job security, promotional
prospects and money.
On the internal factors above 50% in both age groups agreed that team spirit,
competent boss and job satisfaction are essential to make their environment
pleasant. Whereas on the external factors, there are contrasting results. On the
chance for personal development and promotional aspects, 80% to 90% of the
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younger groups were in favor while only less than 50% of the older group thought
so. A similar pattern is also noted on job security. With regards to money, 69% to
70% on both age group said it is essential.
In conclusion, the internal factors have similar responses from the two age groups
while they had dissimilar responses on the external factors.
(170 words)

This is an answer written by a candidate who achieved a Band 7 score. Here is the
examiner's comment:

The information contained in the bar chart has been described accurately and concisely
and follows a clear progression. There is a clear introduction followed by effective
comparisons between the age groups and a valid conclusion. Good formulaic phrases (the
bar chart indicates, these factors are divided), although the candidate uses the same
language to describe the factors in the bar chart and does not attempt to rephrase them in

any way.

IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #57

The graph below gives information about the preferred leisure activities of Australian children.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown.
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The graph shows the preferred leisure sctivities of Australian children aged 5-14. As
might be expected, it is clear from the data that sedentary pursuits are far more
popular nowadays than active ones.
Of the 10,000 children that were interviewed, all the boys and girls stated that they
enjoyed watching TV or videos in their spare time. In addition, the second most
popular activity, attracting 80% of boys and 60% of girls, was playing electronic or
computer games. While girls rated activities such as art and craft highly – just under
60% stated that they enjoyed these in their spare time – only 35% of boys opted for
creative pastimes. Bike riding, on the other hand, was almost as popular as
electronic games amongst boys and, perhaps surprisingly, almost 60% of girls said
that they enjoyed this too. Skateboarding was relatively less popular amongst both
boys and girls, although it still attracted 35% of boys and 25% of girls.
(157 words)

IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #56

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
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In this analysis we will examine three pie charts. The first one is headed ‘World
Spending.’ The second is ‘World Population’ and the third is ‘Consumption of
Resources.’
In the first chart we can see that people spend most of their income (24%) on food.
In some countries this percentage would obviously be much higher. Transport and
then housing are the next major expenses at 18% and 12% respectively. Only 6% of
income is spent on clothing.
In the second chart entitled ‘World Population’, it is not surprising to find that 57%
of people live in Asia. In fact China and India are two of the most populated
countries in the world and they are both situated on this continent. Europe and the
Americans account for nearly 30% of the total, whilst 10% of people live in Africa.
Finally, the third chart reveals that the USA and Europe consume a huge 60% of the
world’s resource.
To sum up, the major expenditure is on food, the population figures are the highest
for Asia and the major consumers are the USA and Europe.
(182 words)
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IELTS Writing Task 1 - Graph #60

The two graphs show the main sources of energy in the USA in the 1980s and the 1990s.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the changes which occurred.

The two graphs show that oil was the major energy source in the USA in both 1980
and 1990 and that coal, natural gas and hydroelectric power remained in much the
same proportions. On the other hand, there was a dramatic rise in nuclear power,
which doubled its percentage over the ten years.
Oil supplied the largest percentage of energy, although the percentage decreased
from 42% in 1980 to 33% in 1990. Coal in 1990 was the second largest source of
energy, increasing its proportion to 27% from 22% in the previous decade. Natural
gas, the second largest source in 1980 at 26%, decreased its share very slightly to
provide 25% of America’s energy ten years later. There was no change in the
percentage supplied by hydroelectric power which remained at 5% of the total
energy used. Nuclear power the greatest change: in 1990 it was 10%, twice that of
the 1980s.
(152 words)

Question 3: LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN EUROPE

SEE WRITE RIGHT – P.40 - 47

The following two pie charts show the results of a survey into the popularity of various
leisure activities among European adults in 1985 and 1995.
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Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Model Answer A: IELTS 5+

The two pie charts given show the popularity of several different hobbies among European
adults in 1985 and 1995.
Clearly, watching television was the number on leisure activity in both years, at 32 percent in
1985 and 30 percent in 1995. However, the most obvious change to occur during this time
was that computer games became much more popular. In 1985, nobody said that playing
computer games was their favourite leisure activity, but in 1995 some 27 percent of European
adults named this as the activity that they enjoyed the most. The only other hobby that became
more popular was talking with friends, which rose from 21 percent in 1985 to 26 percent in
1995.
By contrast, all other activities became less popular. For instance, while 23 percent of
European adults named eating out as their favourite leisure activity in 1985, this figure was
just 8 percent in 1995. Similarly, the percentage of people who said that they liked talking
with family, other activities or watching TV also decreased. (169 words)
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Model Answer B: IELTS 7+

A glance at the two pie charts provided reveals the relative popularity of various leisure
activities among European adults in 1985 and 1995.
Of these activities, watching TV was the most widely enjoyed in both years, at 32 percent in
1985 and a slightly lower 30 percent in 1995. Yet, by far the most significant change to take
place during this period was the increased popularity of computer games. Not a single
respondent to the survey rated playing computer games as their preferred leisure activity in
1985. However, by 1995 this figure stood at 27 percent – the second highest overall. Also
more popular in 1995 was talking with friends, at 26 percent compared to 21 percent a
decade earlier.
In stark contrast, however, all other activities decreased in popularity. Eating out – which
was the second most widely enjoyed pastime in 1985, accounting fot 23 percent of
respondents – slipped to a mere 8 percent in 1995. Likewise, there were also considerable
decreases in the popularity ratings of talking with family, other activities and (as previously
mentioned) watching television. (177 words)

Column Graph
Question 6: Global Education Rates
SEE WRITE RIGHT – P.64 - 72
The graphs below show current rates of secondary and higher education among people in
various parts of the world.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
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Model Answer A: IELTS band 5+ The graphs provided show the percentage of males and
females with secondary and higher education in four parts of the world. Clearly, Europe has
much higher levels of education in general than any other region. While 100 percent of school –
aged girls and 90 percent of school – aged boys in Europe get a secondary education, the figures
for girls and boys in Sub – Saharan Africa are just 20 and 10 percent. Meanwhile, the figures for
Latin America and East Asia are between 40 and 50 percent. We can also see from the graphs
that higher education is more common in Europe. About 50 percent of adult females and 45
percent of adult males in this region have a higher education. By contrast, just 20 percent of
women and 25 percent of men in Sub – Saharan Africa have this level of education. The figures
for Latin America and East Asia are only a little higher than those for Africa. Finally, it is
interesting to note that females are generally more likely to get a secondary education, but less
likely to get a tertiary education. (179 words)

Model Answer B: IELTS Band 7+ Given are two column graphs comparing the rates of
secondary and tertiary education among males and females in various different parts of the
world. While Europe enjoys relatively high levels of education overall, it seems that people in
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less affluent regions are far less likely to be educated. All European girls of school age and 90
percent of boys receive of girls and 10 percent of boys in Sub – Saharan Africa Latin. America
and East Asia, meanwhile, have moderate levels of secondary education – between 40 and 50
percent for both sexes. With regard to higher education, the figures are much lower throughout
the world. In Europe, some 50 percent of adult females and 45 percent of adult males gain a
higher education. Conversely, only 20 percent of females and 25 percent of males in sub –
Saharan Africa attend college or university. The figures for Latin America and East Asia are
marginally higher than those of Africa. Also note worthy is the fact that females are more likely
to receive a secondary education in all regions except East Asia, but less likely to receive a
tertiary education in all regions except Europe. (196 words)

Question 7: Plastic surgery in Korea

SEE WRITE RIGHT – P.73 - 81

The graphs below compare the number of cosmetic procedures performed on males and
females in Korea in 2004.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
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Model Answer A: IELTS Band 5+ The two graphs provided show how popular different kinds
of plastic surgery were among Korean men and women in 2004. It is clear that plastic surgery
was quite popular among women. The most common types of surgery for this group were eyelid
surgery and rhinoplasty, with 320,000 and 275,000 operations respectively. Laser skin
resurfacing was third, at 215,000. Meanwhile, breast enlargement and liposuction were a little
less common. There were just 145,000 and 120,000 of these operations. As for Korean men,
most kinds of plastic surgery were much less popular. Hair transplantation was the most common
type of surgery for this group; however, there were only 60,000 of these operations. The second
most popular kind of plastic surgery for men was laser skin resurfacing, with 55,000 operations.
Rhinoplasty was the third most common, at 40, 000 operations. Last of all, abdominoplasty and
facelifts were much less popular-there were just 19,000 and 14,000 of these operations
respectively. Interestingly, no hair transplantation, abdominoplasty or facelift operations were
reported among Korean women in 2004. Similarly, no liposuction, breast enlargement or eyelid
surgery procedures were conducted on men. (184 words)

Model Answer B: IELTS Band 7+ A glance at the two figures provided reveals the popularity
of various forms of cosmetic surgery among Korean men and women 2004. Not surprisingly,
plastic surgery enjoyed widespread popularity among women. By far the most common forms of
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cosmetic procedure for this group, eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty were performed a staggering
320,000 and 275,000 times respectively. Third in terms of popularity, meanwhile, was laser skin
resurfacing. An approximate 215,000 of these procedures were conducted on women during the
year in question. Breast enlargement and liposuction were considerably less common, at 145,000
and 120,000 operations respectively. Equally predictable is the fact that plastic surgery war far
less popular among men. In contrast to women, hair transplantation was the most common
cosmetic procedure. There were just 60,000 of these operations among Korean males.
Numbering some 55,000 procedures, laser skin resurfacing was second for this group. Third was
rhinoplasty, at approximately 40,000 operations. Finally, a relatively small 19,000
abdominoplasty and 14,000 facelift procedures were carried out on men during 2004. It is
interesting to note that hair transplantation, abdominoplasty and face lift patients wre exclusively
male, while 100 percent of liposuction, breast enlargement and eyelid surgery patients were
female. (196 words)