THE GRAPH BELOW SHOWS THE NUMBER OF BOOKS READ BY MEN AND WOMEN AT BURNABY PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM 2011 TO 2014.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The graph gives information about Burnaby Public Library between 2011 and 2014. It shows how many library books people read over this four-year period.
As can be seen from the graph, there were different trends for men and women. The number of books read by men increased steadily between 2011 and 2012, from about 3000 to 4000. After that, the number rose dramatically to 14000 books in 2014. This was the highest figure in the period.
Women started off reading more books than men, but their numbers followed a different pattern. Between 2011 and 2012, there was an increase of 3000 from 5000 books to 8000 books, and then a gradual rise to 10000 books in 2013. However, in 2014, their numbers fell back to 8000 again.
Overall, there was a strong upward trend in the number of books read by men. Although women read more books than men in 2011, their reading fell to below the level of men in 2014.
(162 words)
THE LINE GRAPH BELOW SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE OF TOURISTS TO ENGLAND WHO VISITED FOUR DIFFERENT ATTRACTIONS IN BRIGHTON.
IELTS Tip: Useful language for describing trends
to experience a(n) [increase/decrease/rise/fall/drop in/of]
to [increase/decrease/rise/fall/drop by/from … to]
to fluctuate / undergo a change / remain [stable/steady] / stagnate / dip / peak / increase [twofold/threefold] / surge
a [less/more] marked [increase/decrease], etc. (occurred / took place)
[less/more] significant / steady / especially strong growth
a parallel [rise/fall]
to expect / predict / forecast
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model answer
The line graph shows the percentage of tourists to England who visited certain Brighton attractions between 1980 and 2010. We can see that in 1980 and in 2010 the favourite attractions were the pavilion and the festival. In 1980 the least popular attraction was the pier but in 2010 this changed and the art gallery was the least popular.
During the 1980s and 1990s there was a sharp increase in visitors to the pavilion from 28% to 48% and then the percentage gradually went down to 31% in 2010. The trend for the art gallery was similar to the pavilion. Visitors increased rapidly from 22% to 37% from 1980 to 1985 then gradually decreased to less than 10% over the next twenty-five years. The number of tourists who visited the Brighton Festival fluctuated slightly but in general remained steady at about 25%. Visitors to the pier also fluctuated from 1980 to 2000 then rose significantly from 12% to 22% between 2000 and 2010.
(163 words)
THE GRAPH BELOW SHOWS FEMALE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN EACH COUNTRY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 2013 AND 2014.
Writing Exam Tip
When describing visual information in Task 1, it is important to think about what tenses you will need. If the diagram includes time references (dates, years) you will need a range of past and present tenses. If the graph has no past time reference, you will need to use the present simple tense only.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
THE GRAPH BELOW SHOWS FEMALE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN EACH COUNTRY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 2013 AND 2014. MODEL ANSWER
Model answer
The bar chart shows the unemployment rates among women in the countries that make up the United Kingdom, both in 2013 and in 2014. There has generally been a small decrease in female unemployment rates from 2013 to 2014, except in Scotland.
In 2013, 5.6% of women in Northern Ireland were unemployed. The only country with a smaller percentage of women unemployed was Wales, with a rate of 5.4%. Both countries saw a decrease in the percentage of unemployed women in 2014. In Northern Ireland, the percentage fell to 4.6% and in Wales it fell to 5%.
England had the greatest percentage of unemployed women in 2013, with 6.8%. However, this decreased by 0.3% in 2014. Lastly, Scotland was the only country which had an increasing percentage of unemployed women. In 2013, it had 6.1% of women out of work. This increased to 6.7% in 2014, making it the country with the highest female unemployment rate of the four countries.
(160 words)
THE CHART BELOW GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT THE UK’S AGEING POPULATION IN 1985 AND MAKES PREDICTIONS FOR 2035.
Exam Tip
In Writing Task 1, it is essential to understand what the graph or chart is representing. Look closely at the information in the instructions as well as all details of the graph or chart.
The graph in this task shows the percentage of over 65s in each country of the UK. The following are incorrect statements:
- Wales had more over 65s than England. (The graph is in percentages, not numbers)
- Northern Ireland had 12% of over 65s in 1985. (The countries do not add up to 100% so Northern Ireland did not have 12% of all over 65s. The graph shows that 12% of the population of Northern Ireland was over 65.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model answer
The graph shows how the size and distribution of the UK’s ageing population is likely to change over a 50-year period.
Overall, the proportions are predicted to increase in all UK countries. In 1985, 15 per cent of the UK population was over 65, but by 2035, this will account for 23 per cent of the total population.
A closer look at the data reveals that the ageing population is expected to rise more in some parts of the UK than in other. In 1985, Wales had the highest percentage of people aged 65 and over, at 16 per cent. The second-largest group could be found in England and the third in Scotland. Northern Ireland had lowest proportion, with 12 per cent aged 65 and over.
By 2035, Wales is still going to have by far the greatest percentage of over 65s, with figures likely to reach 26 per cent. However, the biggest increases in this age group, relative to the rest of the population, are predicted to occur in Northern Ireland and Scotland. In Northern Ireland, for example, this figure will increase almost double to 23 per cent.
(189 words)
THE TWO PIE CHARTS BELOW SHOW THE ONLINE SHOPPING SALES FOR RETAIL SECTORS IN CANADA IN 2005 AND 2010.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model answer
The two pie charts compare the percentages of online sales across different retail sectors in Canada in the years 2005 and 2010. For three of the sectors, it is evident that over this time frame there was significant change in their proportion of online transactions.
At 35% we can see that electronics and appliance sector accounted for the majority of online sales in 2005, but this percentage had dropped to 30% by 2010. During the same five-year period, as an increasing number of people chose to purchase food and beverage online, we can see that transactions went from just 22% to 32%, making it the retail sector with the largest overall proportion of the online market.
In 2005, the home furnishing industry boasted an impressive 25% of the total online sales in Canada. However, by 2010, the figure had fallen considerably to 15%. Interestingly, online sales of video games eventually overtook sales of home furnishings, although video games still represented only 23% of the market.
(165 words)
THE DIAGRAMS BELOW GIVE INFORMATION ON TRANSPORT AND CAR USE IN EDMONTON.
Test Tip
In IELTS Writing Task 1, when you must describe two figures, ask yourself the following:
1) What do both figures relate to?
2) What kind of relationship is evident? (a similarity, a difference, a cause and effect relationship or some other type of relationship)
3) Which aspects of each figure should be highlighted?
4) Should I describe the figures in separate paragraphs, or should I compare different aspects of the figures within a series of paragraph?
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
People’s reasons for using the car in city
| Commute to work | 55% |
| Shopping | 15% |
| Leisure activities | 15% |
| Taking children to school | 40% |
| Business | 45% |
Model answer
The table shows the reason why people in Edmonton use their cars in the city and the pie chart explains what type of transport people prefer to use most of the time.
Looking at the pie chart first, it is clear that the car is the most popular means of transport in this city. 45% of the people say that they prefer to commute by car. The second most popular form of transport is the LRT, while busses and taxis are the main means of transport for the rest of the people.
The table gives more detailed information about why people use their cars. Surprisingly, 55% of the people need to commute to work by car. Cars are also used a lot for taking children to school or business purposes. Only 15% of drivers are doing their shopping and, similarly, 15% need to travel by car for leisure.
Overall, people in Edmonton make good use of alternative methods of transport but there is a heavy dependence on cars for work.
(170 words)