IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

Line graph
The graph below shows the Internet users as percentage of population in the
USA, Mexico and Canada.

The line graph compares the percentage of people in three countries who used the
Internet between 1999 and 2009.
It is clear that the proportion of the population who used the Internet increased in each
country over the period shown. Overall, a much larger percentage of Canadians and
Americans had access to the Internet in comparison with Mexicans, and Canada
experienced the fastest growth in Internet usage.
In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA was about 20%. The
figures for Canada and Mexico were lower, at about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2005,
Internet usage in both the USA and Canada rose to around 70% of the population,
while the figure for Mexico reached just over 25%.
By 2009, the percentage of Internet users was highest in Canada. Almost 100% of
Canadians used the Internet, compared to about 80% of Americans and only 40% of
Mexicans.
(151 words)

1
The graph below shows UK acid rain emissions, measured in millions of tonnes,
from four different sectors between 1990 and 2007.

The line graph compares four sectors in terms of the amount of acid rain emissions
that they produced over a period of 17 years in the UK.
It is clear that the total amount of acid rain emissions in the UK fell considerably
between 1990 and 2007. The most dramatic decrease was seen in the electricity, gas
and water supply sector.
In 1990, around 3.3 million tonnes of acid rain emissions came from the electricity, gas
and water sector. The transport and communication sector was responsible for about
0.7 million tonnes of emissions, while the domestic sector produced around 0.6 million
tonnes. Just over 2 million tonnes of acid rain gases came from other industries.
Emissions from electricity, gas and water supply fell dramatically to only 0.5 million
tonnes in 2007, a drop of almost 3 million tonnes. While acid rain gases from the
domestic sector and other industries fell gradually, the transport sector saw a small
increase in emissions, reaching a peak of 1 million tonnes in 2005.
(169 words)

2
The graph below gives information about car ownership in Britain from 1971 to
2007.

The graph shows changes in the number of cars per household in Great Britain over a
period of 36 years.
Overall, car ownership in Britain increased between 1971 and 2007. In particular, the
percentage of households with two cars rose, while the figure for households without a
car fell.
In 1971, almost half of all British households did not have regular use of a car. Around
44% of households had one car, but only about 7% had two cars. It was uncommon for
families to own three or more cars, with around 2% of households falling into this
category.
The one-car household was the most common type from the late 1970s onwards,
although there was little change in the figures for this category. The biggest change
was seen in the proportion of households without a car, which fell steadily over the 36-
year period to around 25% in 2007. In contrast, the proportion of two-car families rose
steadily, reaching about 26% in 2007, and the proportion of households with more
than two cars rose by around 5%.
(176 words)

3
The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over
between 1940 and 2040 in three different countries.

The line graph compares the percentage of people aged 65 or more in three countries
over a period of 100 years.
It is clear that the proportion of elderly people increases in each country between 1940
and 2040. Japan is expected to see the most dramatic changes in its elderly
population.
In 1940, around 9% of Americans were aged 65 or over, compared to about 7% of
Swedish people and 5% of Japanese people. The proportions of elderly people in the
USA and Sweden rose gradually over the next 50 years, reaching just under 15% in
1990. By contrast, the figures for Japan remained below 5% until the early 2000s.
Looking into the future, a sudden increase in the percentage of elderly people is
predicted for Japan, with a jump of over 15% in just 10 years from 2030 to 2040. By
2040, it is thought that around 27% of the Japanese population will be 65 years old or
more, while the figures for Sweden and the USA will be slightly lower, at about 25%
and 23% respectively.
(178 words)

4
The graph below shows US consumers' average annual expenditures on cell
phone and residential phone services between 2001 and 2010.

The line graph compares average yearly spending by Americans on mobile and
landline phone services from 2001 to 2010.
It is clear that spending on landline phones fell steadily over the 10-year period, while
mobile phone expenditure rose quickly. The year 2006 marks the point at which
expenditure on mobile services overtook that for residential phone services.
In 2001, US consumers spent an average of nearly $700 on residential phone services,
compared to only around $200 on cell phone services. Over the following five years,
average yearly spending on landlines dropped by nearly $200. By contrast,
expenditure on mobiles rose by approximately $300.
In the year 2006, the average American paid out the same amount of money on both
types of phone service, spending just over $500 on each. By 2010, expenditure on
mobile phones had reached around $750, while the figure for spending on residential
services had fallen to just over half this amount.
(162 words)

5
The graph below shows the average number of UK commuters travelling each
day by car, bus or train between 1970 and 2030.

The line graph compares figures for daily travel by workers in the UK using three
different forms of transport over a period of 60 years.
It is clear that the car is by far the most popular means of transport for UK commuters
throughout the period shown. Also, while the numbers of people who use the car and
train increase gradually, the number of bus users falls steadily.
In 1970, around 5 million UK commuters travelled by car on a daily basis, while the bus
and train were used by about 4 million and 2 million people respectively. In the year
2000, the number of those driving to work rose to 7 million and the number of
commuting rail passengers reached 3 million. However, there was a small drop of
approximately 0.5 million in the number of bus users.
By 2030, the number of people who commute by car is expected to reach almost 9
million, and the number of train users is also predicted to rise, to nearly 5 million. By
contrast, buses are predicted to become a less popular choice, with only 3 million daily
users.
(188 words)

6
The graph below shows trends in US meat and poultry consumption.

(Note: I'm ignoring the forecast and treating 2012 as a past year)

The line graph shows changes in the per capita consumption of beef, pork, broilers and
turkey in the United States between 1955 and 2012.
It is noticeable that beef was by far the most popular of the four types of meat for the
majority of the 57-year period. However, a considerable rise can be seen in the
consumption of broilers, with figures eventually surpassing those for beef.
Between 1955 and 1976, US beef consumption rose from around 60 to a peak of 90
pounds per person per year. During the same period, consumption of broilers also rose,
to nearly 30 pounds per person, while the figures for pork fluctuated between 50 and
40 pounds per person. Turkey was by far the least popular meat, with figures below 10
pounds per capita each year.
By 2012, the amount of beef consumed by the average American had plummeted to
around 50 pounds, but the consumption of broilers had doubled since the 1970s, to
approximately 55 pounds per capita. By contrast, there were no significant changes in
the trends for pork and turkey consumption over the period as a whole.
(187 words)

7
The graph below shows changes in young adult unemployment rates in England
between 1993 and 2012.

The line graph compares levels of unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds with

overall unemployment figures over a period of 20 years in England.
It is clear that the proportion of young adults who were unemployed at any time
between 1993 and 2012 was significantly higher than the overall proportion of adults
without work. Unemployment rates for both groups of adults were consistently higher
in London than in the rest of England.
In 1993, around 18% of English 16 to 24-year-olds living outside London were
unemployed, but the figure for those living in the capital was 5% higher, at 22%.
Similarly, the overall adult unemployment rate in London, at 14%, was 4% higher than
the rate in the rest of England. While levels of joblessness fell significantly over the past
10 years, the trend for higher levels in London and among young adults remained.
Young adult unemployment in England rose steadily between 2002 and 2012, from
12% to 21% outside London, and from around 15% to a peak of 25% in the capital. By
contrast, the proportions of all adults without work remained below 10%, both in
London and in the rest of the country.
(194 words)

8
The graph below shows the amounts of waste produced by three companies
over a period of 15 years.

The line graph compares three companies in terms of their waste output between the
years 2000 and 2015.
It is clear that there were significant changes in the amounts of waste produced by all
three companies shown on the graph. While companies A and B saw waste output fall
over the 15-year period, the amount of waste produced by company C increased
considerably.
In 2000, company A produced 12 tonnes of waste, while companies B and C produced
around 8 tonnes and 4 tonnes of waste material respectively. Over the following 5
years, the waste output of companies B and C rose by around 2 tonnes, but the figure
for company A fell by approximately 1 tonne.
From 2005 to 2015, company A cut waste production by roughly 3 tonnes, and
company B reduced its waste by around 7 tonnes. By contrast, company C saw an
increase in waste production of approximately 4 tonnes over the same 10-year period.
By 2015, company C’s waste output had risen to 10 tonnes, while the respective
amounts of waste from companies A and B had dropped to 8 tonnes and only 3
tonnes.
(192 words)

9
The graph below shows changes in global food and oil prices between 2000 and
2011.

The line graph compares the average price of a barrel of oil with the food price index
over a period of 11 years.
It is clear that average global prices of both oil and food rose considerably between
2000 and 2011. Furthermore, the trends for both commodities were very similar, and
so a strong correlation (93.6%) is suggested.
In the year 2000, the average global oil price was close to $25 per barrel, and the food
price index stood at just under 90 points. Over the following four years both prices
remained relatively stable, before rising steadily between 2004 and 2007. By 2007, the
average oil price had more than doubled, to nearly $60 per barrel, and food prices had
risen by around 50 points.
A dramatic increase in both commodity prices was seen from 2007 to 2008, with oil
prices reaching a peak of approximately $130 per barrel and the food price index rising
to 220 points. However, by the beginning of 2009 the price of oil had dropped by
roughly $90, and the food price index was down by about 80 points. Finally, in 2011,
the average oil price rose once again, to nearly $100 per barrel, while the food price
index reached its peak, at almost 240 points.
(211 words)

10
The graph below shows the average daily spend of three categories of
international visitor to New Zealand from 1997 to 2017.

The line graph compares three types of traveller to New Zealand between 1997 and
2017 in terms of their average daily expenditure.
It is noticeable that spending by these international visitors was at its highest between
the years 2000 and 2003. Overall, business travellers spent the most per day, while
people visiting friends or relatives spent the least.
In 1997, business visitors to New Zealand spent an average of almost $260 per day,
while holidaymakers spent around $190 and people visiting friends or relatives spent
less than $120. Over the following five years, spending by all three types of traveller
increased dramatically, to peaks of around $330, $270 and $220. However, visitor
spending suddenly fell again between 2003 and 2005.
From 2005 to 2015, the daily expenditure of business travellers and tourists fluctuated
around the $200 mark, whereas people visiting relations or friends spent roughly 60 to
80 dollars less per day. By 2017, daily spending had risen to approximately $250, $210
and $140 respectively for vacationers, business people and those visiting loved ones.
(174 words)

11
 Bar chart
The chart below shows the amount spent on six consumer goods in four
European countries.

The bar chart compares consumer spending on six different items in Germany, Italy,
France and Britain.
It is clear that British people spent significantly more money than people in the other
three countries on all six goods. Of the six items, consumers spent the most money on
photographic film.
People in Britain spent just over £170,000 on photographic film, which is the highest
figure shown on the chart. By contrast, Germans were the lowest overall spenders,
with roughly the same figures (just under £150,000) for each of the six products.
The figures for spending on toys were the same in both France and Italy, at nearly
£160,000. However, while French people spent more than Italians on photographic film
and CDs, Italians paid out more for personal stereos, tennis racquets and perfumes. The
amount spent by French people on tennis racquets, around £145,000, is the lowest
figure shown on the chart.
(150 words)

12
The chart below shows information about changes in average house prices in
five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with the average house
prices in 1989.

The bar chart compares the cost of an average house in five major cities over a period
of 13 years from 1989.
We can see that house prices fell overall between 1990 and 1995, but most of the
cities saw rising prices between 1996 and 2002. London experienced by far the
greatest changes in house prices over the 13-year period.
Over the 5 years after 1989, the cost of average homes in Tokyo and London dropped
by around 7%, while New York house prices went down by 5%. By contrast, prices rose
by approximately 2% in both Madrid and Frankfurt.
Between 1996 and 2002, London house prices jumped to around 12% above the 1989
average. Homebuyers in New York also had to pay significantly more, with prices rising
to 5% above the 1989 average, but homes in Tokyo remained cheaper than they were
in 1989. The cost of an average home in Madrid rose by a further 2%, while prices in
Frankfurt remained stable.
(165 words)

13
The chart below shows numbers of incidents and injuries per 100 million
passenger miles travelled (PMT) by transportation type in 2002.

The bar chart compares the number of incidents and injuries for every 100 million
passenger miles travelled on five different types of public transport in 2002.
It is clear that the most incidents and injuries took place on demand-response vehicles.
By contrast, commuter rail services recorded by far the lowest figures.
A total of 225 incidents and 173 injuries, per 100 million passenger miles travelled,
took place on demand-response transport services. These figures were nearly three
times as high as those for the second highest category, bus services. There were 76
incidents and 66 people were injured on buses.
Rail services experienced fewer problems. The number of incidents on light rail trains
equalled the figure recorded for buses, but there were significantly fewer injuries, at
only 39. Heavy rail services saw lower numbers of such events than light rail services,
but commuter rail passengers were even less likely to experience problems. In fact,
only 20 incidents and 17 injuries occurred on commuter trains.
(165 words)

14
Average weekly household expenditure by region, 2007-09

Weekly expenditure (£)

The bar chart shows average weekly spending by households in different areas of
England between 2007 and 2009.
Households in the south of the country spent more on average than those in the
north. Average weekly spending by households was highest in London and lowest in
the North East.
English households spent on average around £470 per week. The average
expenditure for households in London was about £560 per week, almost £100 more
than the overall figure for England. Households in the South East, East and South
West also spent more than the national average. Weekly household spending figures
for those three regions were approximately £520, £490 and £480 respectively.
Similar levels of household spending were seen in the West Midlands, the North West
and the East Midlands, at about £430 to £450 per week.
In the region of Yorkshire and the Humber, households spent approximately £400 per
week, while expenditure in the North East was around £10 per week lower than this. It
is noticeable that average weekly expenditure by households in the North East was
around £80 less than the national average, and around £170 less than the London
average.
(192 words)

15
The chart below shows the total number of Olympic medals won by twelve
different countries.

The bar chart compares twelve countries in terms of the overall number of medals that
they have won at the Olympic Games.
It is clear that the USA is by far the most successful Olympic medal winning nation. It is
also noticeable that the figures for gold, silver and bronze medals won by any
particular country tend to be fairly similar.
The USA has won a total of around 2,300 Olympic medals, including approximately
900 gold medals, 750 silver and 650 bronze. In second place on the all-time medals
chart is the Soviet Union, with just over 1,000 medals. Again, the number of gold
medals won by this country is slightly higher than the number of silver or bronze
medals.
Only four other countries - the UK, France, Germany and Italy - have won more than
500 Olympic medals, all with similar proportions of each medal colour. Apart from the
USA and the Soviet Union, China is the only other country with a noticeably higher
proportion of gold medals (about 200) compared to silver and bronze (about 100
each).
(178 words)

16
The graph below presents the information about Nathan's Hot Dog Eating
Contest in Brooklyn's Coney Island, USA.

The bar chart shows the number of hot dogs and buns eaten in 15 minutes by the
winners of ‘Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest’ in Brooklyn, USA between 1980 and
2010.
It is noticeable that the number of hot dogs and buns eaten by winners of the contest
increased dramatically over the period shown. The majority of winners were American
or Japanese, and only one woman had ever won the contest.
Americans dominated the contest from 1980 to 1996, and the winning number of hot
dogs and buns consumed rose from only 8 to around 21 during that time. 1983 and
1984 were notable exceptions to the trend for American winners. In 1983 a Mexican
won the contest after eating 19.5 hot dogs, almost double the amount that any
previous winner had eaten, and 1984 saw the only female winner, Birgit Felden from
Germany.
A Japanese contestant, Takeru Kobayashi, reigned as hot dog eating champion for six
years from 2001 to 2006. Kobayashi’s winning totals of around 50 hot dogs were
roughly double the amount that any previous winner had managed. However, the
current champion, American Joey Chestnut, took hot dog eating to new heights in
2009 when he consumed an incredible 68 hot dogs and buns in the allotted 15
minutes.
(212 words)

17
The bar graph shows the global sales (in billions of dollars) of different types of
digital games between 2000 and 2006....

The bar chart compares the turnover in dollars from sales of video games for four
different platforms, namely mobile phones, online, consoles and handheld devices,
from 2000 to 2006.
It is clear that sales of games for three out of the four platforms rose each year, leading
to a significant rise in total global turnover over the 7-year period. Sales figures for
handheld games were at least twice as high as those for any other platform in almost
every year.
In 2000, worldwide sales of handheld games stood at around $11 billion, while console
games earned just under $6 billion. No figures are given for mobile or online games in
that year. Over the next 3 years, sales of handheld video games rose by about $4
billion, but the figure for consoles decreased by $2 billion. Mobile phone and online
games started to become popular, with sales reaching around $3 billion in 2003.
In 2006, sales of handheld, online and mobile games reached peaks of 17, 9 and 7
billion dollars respectively. By contrast, turnover from console games dropped to its
lowest point, at around $2.5 billion.
(187 words)

18
The charts below compare the age structure of the populations of France and
India in 1984.

mm
The two charts compare the populations of France and India in terms of age
distribution by gender in the year 1984.
It is clear that the population of India was younger than that of France in 1984, with a
noticeably larger proportion of people aged under 20. France, on the other hand, had a
significantly larger percentage of elderly inhabitants.
In India, close to 14% of people were aged 5 or under, and each five-year age bracket
above this contained an increasingly smaller proportion of the population. France’s
population, by contrast, was more evenly distributed across the age ranges, with
similar figures (around 7% to 8% of all people) for each five-year cohort between the
ages of 0 and 40. Somewhere between 10% and 15% of all French people were aged
70 or older, but the equivalent figure for India was only 2%.
Looking more closely at gender, there was a noticeably higher proportion of French
women than men in every cohort from age 50 upwards. For example, almost 3% of
French 70- to 75-year-olds were women, while just under 2% were men. No significant
gender differences can be seen on the Indian population chart.
(199 words)

19
The chart below shows the total number of minutes (in billions) of telephone
calls in the UK, divided into three categories, from 1995-2002.

The bar chart compares the amount of time spent by people in the UK on three
different types of phone call between 1995 and 2002.
It is clear that calls made via local, fixed lines were the most popular type, in terms of
overall usage, throughout the period shown. The lowest figures on the chart are for
mobile calls, but this category also saw the most dramatic increase in user minutes.
In 1995, people in the UK used fixed lines for a total of just over 70 billion minutes for
local calls, and about half of that amount of time for national or international calls. By
contrast, mobile phones were only used for around 4 billion minutes. Over the
following four years, the figures for all three types of phone call increased steadily.
By 1999, the amount of time spent on local calls using landlines had reached a peak of
90 billion minutes. Subsequently, the figure for this category fell, but the rise in the
other two types of phone call continued. In 2002, the number of minutes of national /
international landline calls passed 60 billion, while the figure for mobiles rose to
around 45 billion minutes.
(197 words)

20
The chart below shows the amount of time that 10 to 15-year-olds spend
chatting on the Internet and playing on games consoles on an average school
day in the UK....

The bar chart compares the time spent by 10 to 15-year-olds in the UK on two
activities, namely chatting online and playing computer games.
Overall, we can see that playing computer games is marginally more popular than
chatting on the Internet. However, completely different trends can be seen if we look at
the specific figures for boys and girls.
Boys aged between 10 and 15 clearly favour playing on games consoles over chatting
online. According to the chart, while 85% of boys play computer games every day, only
55% chat online daily. Furthermore, the majority of boys play on their consoles for
more than one hour each day, and 10% do this activity for four hours or more.
By contrast, girls prefer chatting online. Close to 70% of 10 to 15-year-old girls engage
in online conversation each day, compared to about 50% of this cohort who play
computer games. Of the girls who do play on consoles, most of them play for less than
an hour, whereas most girls who chat online do so for more than one hour, and nearly
10% chat for four hours or more.
(188 words)
Note:
I decided to write about boys in one paragraph and girls in the other. However, it would also be fine to write paragraphs about
chatting on the Internet and playing on consoles.

21
The chart below compares levels of recycling, as well as some less
environmentally friendly forms of waste management, in fifteen European
countries.

mm
The bar chart shows the percentage of waste that is recycled, put into landfill or
incinerated in various EU countries.
If we look at the fifteen EU countries as a whole, it is clear that more waste goes to
landfill sites than to any other refuse management facility. In fact, while around half of
the countries put the majority of their waste into landfill sites, only two countries
recycle at least 50% of the waste that they produce.
Austria and Belgium are the most environmentally friendly of the fifteen countries,
recycling around 60% and 50% of their waste respectively. Germany, Sweden and
Belgium also appear to have effective recycling programmes, resulting in roughly 40%
of waste being processed in this way in each country.
Other EU countries recycle far less. Greece, Ireland and the UK, for example, only
recycle around 10% of refuse, and put between 80 and 90 per cent of their waste into
landfill. Finally, while most non-recycled waste in the EU area goes to landfill, four
countries, namely Luxembourg, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark, incinerate
more waste than they bury.
(184 words)

22
The chart below shows figures for attendances at hospital emergency care
departments in Northern Ireland by age group in December 2016 and December
2017.
Attendances at emergency care departments per 1000-population

The bar chart compares the number of visits made by people in six age categories to
hospital emergency wards in Northern Ireland in the December of 2016 and 2017.
It is clear that elderly people and the youngest children were the most frequent visitors
to A&E (accident and emergency) departments. Also, there was a slight increase in the
rate of emergency care attendances among all six age groups from December 2016 to
December 2017.
Looking first at the older age groups, roughly 65 people, per 1000 population, aged 75
and over attended A&E wards in December 2016, and this rose to almost 70
attendances per 1000-population one year later. Interestingly, those aged 65 to 74
were less than half as likely to require emergency treatment, with around 30
attendances per 1000-population in both months.
At the other end of the age scale, the figures for A&E visits by under-5s rose marginally
from around 50 to approximately 52 per 1000-population over the one-year period.
Children aged 5 to 15 made the fewest visits, at just over 20 per 1000-population in
both months. Finally, there was almost no difference in the figures for emergency care
attendances among people aged 16 to 44, 45 to 64 and 65 to 74.
(217 words)

23
The chart below shows how frequently people in the USA ate in fast food
restaurants between 2003 and 2013.

The bar chart illustrates the frequency with which Americans ate in fast food
establishments from 2003 to 2013.
It is clear that the majority of Americans ate in fast food restaurants between once a
week and once a month in all three years. We can also see a shift towards eating in
these restaurants less frequently by the end of the 10-year period.
In each of the years shown on the chart, close to 60% of people in the US ate in fast
food restaurants between once and four times a month. Roughly 15 to 20% of
Americans reported eating in fast food outlets several times per week, while 3 to 4% of
people ate in these outlets daily. At the other end of the scale, around 4% of people
avoided fast food restaurants completely.
Between 2006 and 2013, the total proportion of Americans who ate in fast food
establishments either once a week or several times a week fell by almost 10%. At the
same time, there was an increase of around 8% in the ‘once or twice a month’ category.
In other words, the weekly fast food habit that was common in 2003 and 2006
became a monthly or twice monthly habit in 2013.
(206 words)

24
The bar chart below shows the percentage of Australian men and women in
different age groups who did regular physical activity in 2010.

The chart compares the proportions of Australian males and females in six age
categories who were physically active on a regular basis in the year 2010.
Roughly speaking, close to half of Australian adults did some kind of routine physical
activity in 2010. Middle aged females were the most physically active, proportionally,
while males aged 35 to 44 did the least physical activity.
In the youngest age category (15 to 24), almost 53% of Australian men but only 47.7%
of women did regular physical activity in 2010. However, between the ages of 25 and
44, men were much less active on average than women. In fact, in the 35 to 44 age
group, a mere 39.5% of males did some form of regular exercise, compared to 52.5% of
females.
Between the ages of 45 and 64, the figure for male physical activity rose to around
45%, while the proportion of active females remained around 8% higher, at 53%.
Finally, the percentages of Australian women and men aged 65 and over who
exercised regularly were almost identical, at approximately 47%.
(179 words)

25
 Pie chart
The pie charts below show units of electricity production by fuel source in
Australia and France in 1980 and 2000.

The pie charts compare the amount of electricity produced using five different sources
of fuel in two countries over two separate years.
Total electricity production increased dramatically from 1980 to 2000 in both
Australia and France. While the totals for both countries were similar, there were big
differences in the fuel sources used.
Coal was used to produce 50 of the total 100 units of electricity in Australia in 1980,
rising to 130 out of 170 units in 2000. By contrast, nuclear power became the most
important fuel source in France in 2000, producing almost 75% of the country’s
electricity.
Australia depended on hydro power for just under 25% of its electricity in both years,
but the amount of electricity produced using this type of power fell from 5 to only 2
units in France. Oil, on the other hand, remained a relatively important fuel source in
France, but its use declined in Australia. Both countries relied on natural gas for
electricity production significantly more in 1980 than in 2000.
(170 words)

26
The pie chart gives information on the proportion of carbohydrates, protein and
fat in three different diets.

The pie charts compare the proportion of carbohydrates, protein and fat in three
different diets, namely an average diet, a healthy diet, and a healthy diet for sport.
It is noticeable that sportspeople require a diet comprising a significantly higher
proportion of carbohydrates than an average diet or a healthy diet. The average diet
contains the lowest percentage of carbohydrates but the highest proportion of protein.
Carbohydrates make up 60% of the healthy diet for sport. This is 10% higher than the
proportion of carbohydrates in a normal healthy diet, and 20% more than the
proportion in an average diet. On the other hand, people who eat an average diet
consume a greater relative amount of protein (40%) than those who eat a healthy diet
(30%) and sportspeople (25%).
The third compound shown in the charts is fat. Fat constitutes exactly one fifth of both
the average diet and the healthy diet, but the figure drops to only 15% for the healthy
sports diet.
(164 words)

27
The pie charts compare the proportions of people falling into three distinct age groups
in Yemen and Italy in two different years.
It is clear that Italy had the older population in the year 2000, and that the same is
predicted for the year 2050. The populations of both countries are expected to age
over the fifty-year period.

In the year 2000, just over half of the population of Yemen was aged 14 or under, while
most Italians (61.6%) fell into the 15 to 59 age group, and only 14.3% were children
under 15 years of age. People aged 60 or over accounted for almost a quarter of the
Italian population, but only 3.6% of the inhabitants of Yemen.

By 2050, the proportion of children under 15 is predicted to drop in both countries,

most noticeably in Yemen where the figure is expected to fall by 13.1%. On the other
hand, the figures for elderly people are expected to rise, by 2.1% in Yemen and a
massive 18.2% in Italy. Finally, it is anticipated that the 15 to 59 age group will grow by
around 10% in Yemen, but shrink by around 15% in Italy.

(195 words)

28
The three pie charts below show the changes in annual spending by a particular
UK school in 1981, 1991 and 2001.

The pie charts compare the expenditure of a school in the UK in three different years
over a 20-year period.
It is clear that teachers’ salaries made up the largest proportion of the school’s
spending in all three years (1981, 1991 and 2001). By contrast, insurance was the
smallest cost in each year.
In 1981, 40% of the school’s budget went on teachers’ salaries. This figure rose to 50%
in 1991, but fell again by 5% in 2001. The proportion of spending on other workers’
wages fell steadily over the 20-year period, from 28% of the budget in 1981 to only
15% in 2001.
Expenditure on insurance stood at only 2% of the total in 1981, but reached 8% in
2001. Finally, the percentages for resources and furniture/equipment fluctuated. The
figure for resources was highest in 1991, at 20%, and the proportion of spending on
furniture and equipment reached its peak in 2001, at 23%.
(158 words)

29
The pie charts below show how dangerous waste products are dealt with in
three countries.

The charts compare Korea, Sweden and the UK in terms of the methods used in each
country to dispose of harmful waste.
It is clear that in both the UK and Sweden, the majority of dangerous waste products
are buried underground. By contrast, most hazardous materials in the Republic of
Korea are recycled.
Looking at the information in more detail, we can see that 82% of the UK’s dangerous
waste is put into landfill sites. This disposal technique is used for 55% of the harmful
waste in Sweden and only 22% of similar waste in Korea. The latter country recycles
69% of hazardous materials, which is far more than the other two nations.
While 25% of Sweden's dangerous waste is recycled, the UK does not recycle at all.
Instead, it dumps waste at sea or treats it chemically. These two methods are not
employed in Korea or Sweden, which favour incineration for 9% and 20% of dangerous
waste respectively.
(159 words)

30
The pie charts below compare water usage in San Diego, California and the rest
of the world.

mm

mm
The pie charts give information about the water used for residential, industrial and
agricultural purposes in San Diego County, California, and the world as a whole.
It is noticeable that more water is consumed by homes than by industry or agriculture
in the two American regions. By contrast, agriculture accounts for the vast majority of
water used worldwide.
In San Diego County and California State, residential water consumption accounts for
60% and 39% of total water usage. By contrast, a mere 8% of the water used globally
goes to homes. The opposite trend can be seen when we look at water consumption for
agriculture. This accounts for a massive 69% of global water use, but only 17% and 28%
of water usage in San Diego and California respectively.
Such dramatic differences are not seen when we compare the figures for industrial
water use. The same proportion of water (23%) is used by industry in San Diego and
worldwide, while the figure for California is 10% higher, at 33%.
(168 words)

31
The charts below show the results of a questionnaire that asked visitors to the
Parkway Hotel how they rated the hotel's customer service. The same
questionnaire was given to 100 guests in the years 2005 and 2010.

The pie charts compare visitors’ responses to a survey about customer service at the
Parkway Hotel in 2005 and in 2010.
It is clear that overall customer satisfaction increased considerably from 2005 to 2010.
While most hotel guests rated customer service as satisfactory or poor in 2005, a clear
majority described the hotel’s service as good or excellent in 2010.
Looking at the positive responses first, in 2005 only 5% of the hotel’s visitors rated its
customer service as excellent, but this figure rose to 28% in 2010. Furthermore, while
only 14% of guests described customer service in the hotel as good in 2005, almost
three times as many people gave this rating five years later.
With regard to negative feedback, the proportion of guests who considered the hotel’s
customer service to be poor fell from 21% in 2005 to only 12% in 2010. Similarly, the
proportion of people who thought customer service was very poor dropped from 15%
to only 4% over the 5-year period. Finally, a fall in the number of ‘satisfactory’ ratings in
2010 reflects the fact that more people gave positive responses to the survey in that
year.
(193 words)

32
The chart below shows the results of a survey of people who visited four types
of tourist attraction in Britain in the year 1999....

...
The pie chart compares figures for visitors to four categories of tourist attraction and to
five different theme parks in Britain in 1999.
It is clear that theme parks and museums / galleries were the two most popular types
of tourist attraction in that year. Blackpool Pleasure Beach received by far the highest
proportion of visitors in the theme park sector.
Looking at the information in more detail, we can see that 38% of the surveyed visitors
went to a theme park, and 37% of them went to a museum or gallery. By contrast,
historic houses and monuments were visited by only 16% of the sample, while wildlife
parks and zoos were the least popular of the four types of tourist attraction, with only
9% of visitors.
In the theme park sector, almost half of the people surveyed (47%) had been to
Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Alton Towers was the second most popular amusement
park, with 17% of the sample, followed by Pleasureland in Southport, with 16%. Finally,
Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland Windsor had each welcomed 10% of
the surveyed visitors.
(181 words)

33
 Table
The table below gives information about the underground railway systems in six
cities.

The table shows data about the underground rail networks in six major cities.
The table compares the six networks in terms of their age, size and the number of
people who use them each year. It is clear that the three oldest underground systems
are larger and serve significantly more passengers than the newer systems.
The London underground is the oldest system, having opened in 1863. It is also the
largest system, with 394 kilometres of route. The second largest system, in Paris, is
only about half the size of the London underground, with 199 kilometres of route.
However, it serves more people per year. While only third in terms of size, the Tokyo
system is easily the most used, with 1927 million passengers per year.
Of the three newer networks, the Washington DC underground is the most extensive,
with 126 kilometres of route, compared to only 11 kilometres and 28 kilometres for the
Kyoto and Los Angeles systems. The Los Angeles network is the newest, having opened
in 2001, while the Kyoto network is the smallest and serves only 45 million passengers
per year.
(185 words)

34
The table below shows the proportion of different categories of families living in
poverty in Australia in 1999.

The table gives information about poverty rates among six types of household in
Australia in the year 1999.
It is noticeable that levels of poverty were higher for single people than for couples,
and people with children were more likely to be poor than those without. Poverty rates
were considerably lower among elderly people.
Overall, 11% of Australians, or 1,837,000 people, were living in poverty in 1999. Aged
people were the least likely to be poor, with poverty levels of 6% and 4% for single aged
people and aged couples respectively.
Just over one fifth of single parents were living in poverty, whereas only 12% of parents
living with a partner were classed as poor. The same pattern can be seen for people
with no children: while 19% of single people in this group were living below the poverty
line, the figure for couples was much lower, at only 7%.
(150 words)

35
The chart below shows average hours and minutes spent by UK males and
females on different daily activities.

The table compares the average amount of time per day that men and women in the
UK spend over different activities.
It is clear that people in the UK spend more time sleeping than doing any other daily
activity. Also, there are significant differences between the time spent by men and
women on employment/study and housework.
On average, men and women in the UK sleep for about 8 hours per day. Leisure takes
up the second largest proportion of their time. Men spend 5 hours and 25 minutes
doing various leisure activities, such as watching TV or doing sport, while women have
4 hours and 53 minutes of leisure time.
It is noticeable that men work or study for an average of 79 minutes more than women
every day. By contrast, women spend 79 minutes more than men doing housework,
and they spend doing twice as much time looking after children.
(151 words)

36
The table below gives information on consumer spending on different items in
five different countries in 2002.

The table shows percentages of consumer expenditure for three categories of products
and services in five countries in 2002.
It is clear that the largest proportion of consumer spending in each country went on
food, drinks and tobacco. On the other hand, the leisure/education category has the
lowest percentages in the table.
Out of the five countries, consumer spending on food, drinks and tobacco was
noticeably higher in Turkey, at 32.14%, and Ireland, at nearly 29%. The proportion of
spending on leisure and education was also highest in Turkey, at 4.35%, while
expenditure on clothing and footwear was significantly higher in Italy, at 9%, than in
any of the other countries.
It can be seen that Sweden had the lowest percentages of national consumer
expenditure for food/drinks/tobacco and for clothing/footwear, at nearly 16% and just
over 5% respectively. Spain had slightly higher figures for these categories, but the
lowest figure for leisure/education, at only 1.98%.
(155 words)

37
The table below shows the percentage of mobile phone owners using various
mobile phone features.

The table compares the percentages of people using different functions of their mobile
phones between 2006 and 2010.
Throughout the period shown, the main reason why people used their mobile phones
was to make calls. However, there was a marked increase in the popularity of other
mobile phone features, particularly the Internet search feature.
In 2006, 100% of mobile phone owners used their phones to make calls, while the next
most popular functions were text messaging (73%) and taking photos (66%). By
contrast, less than 20% of owners played games or music on their phones, and there
were no figures for users doing Internet searches or recording video.
Over the following 4 years, there was relatively little change in the figures for the top
three mobile phone features. However, the percentage of people using their phones to
access the Internet jumped to 41% in 2008 and then to 73% in 2010. There was also a
significant rise in the use of mobiles to play games and to record video, with figures
reaching 41% and 35% respectively in 2010.
(178 words)

38
The table below shows changes in the numbers of residents cycling to work in
different areas of the UK between 2001 and 2011.

The table compares the numbers of people who cycled to work in twelve areas of the
UK in the years 2001 and 2011.
Overall, the number of UK commuters who travelled to work by bicycle rose
considerably over the 10-year period. Inner London had by far the highest number of
cycling commuters in both years.
In 2001, well over 43 thousand residents of inner London commuted by bicycle, and
this figure rose to more than 106 thousand in 2011, an increase of 144%. By contrast,
although outer London had the second highest number of cycling commuters in each
year, the percentage change, at only 45%, was the lowest of the twelve areas shown in
the table.
Brighton and Hove saw the second biggest increase (109%) in the number of residents
cycling to work, but Bristol was the UK’s second city in terms of total numbers of
cycling commuters, with 8,108 in 2001 and 15,768 in 2011. Figures for the other eight
areas were below the 10 thousand mark in both years.
(172 words)

39
The table below shows the amount of waste production (in millions of tonnes) in
six different countries over a twenty-year period.

The chart compares the amounts of waste that were produced in six countries in the
years 1980, 1990 and 2000.
In each of these years, the US produced more waste than Ireland, Japan, Korea, Poland
and Portugal combined. It is also noticeable that Korea was the only country that
managed to reduce its waste output by the year 2000.
Between 1980 and 2000, waste production in the US rose from 131 to 192 million
tonnes, and rising trends were also seen in Japan, Poland and Portugal. Japan’s waste
output increased from 28 to 53 million tonnes, while Poland and Portugal saw waste
totals increase from 4 to 6.6 and from 2 to 5 million tonnes respectively.
The trends for Ireland and Korea were noticeably different from those described above.
In Ireland, waste production increased more than eightfold, from only 0.6 million
tonnes in 1980 to 5 million tonnes in 2000. Korea, by contrast, cut its waste output by
12 million tonnes between 1990 and 2000.
(165 words)

40
The tables below give information about sales of Fairtrade*-labelled coffee and
bananas in 1999 and 2004 in five European countries.

*Fairtrade: a category of products for which farmers from developing countries have been paid an officially agreed fair price.

The tables show the amount of money spent on Fairtrade coffee and bananas in two
separate years in the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium and Sweden.
It is clear that sales of Fairtrade coffee rose in all five European countries from 1999 to
2004, but sales of Fairtrade bananas only went up in three out of the five countries.
Overall, the UK saw by far the highest levels of spending on the two products.
In 1999, Switzerland had the highest sales of Fairtrade coffee, at €3 million, while
revenue from Fairtrade bananas was highest in the UK, at €15 million. By 2004,
however, sales of Fairtrade coffee in the UK had risen to €20 million, and this was over
three times higher than Switzerland’s sales figure for Fairtrade coffee in that year. The
year 2004 also saw dramatic increases in the money spent on Fairtrade bananas in the
UK and Switzerland, with revenues rising by €32 million and €4.5 million respectively.
Sales of the two Fairtrade products were far lower in Denmark, Belgium and Sweden.
Small increases in sales of Fairtrade coffee can be seen, but revenue remained at €2
million or below in all three countries in both years. Finally, it is noticeable that the
money spent on Fairtrade bananas actually fell in Belgium and Sweden.
(216 words)

41
The table below gives information about the problems faced by children in two
primary schools in 2005 and 2015.

The table compares two primary schools in terms of the proportions of their pupils
who experienced seven different educational problems in the years 2005 and 2015.
It is noticeable that school A had higher proportions of children with all seven
educational difficulties in both years. However, while school A managed to reduce the
incidence of most of the problems between 2005 and 2015, school B saw an overall
rise in the percentage of children who were struggling.
In 2005, 42% of school A’s pupils found it difficult to follow instructions, whereas only
6% of pupils in school B experienced this problem. Similarly, between 30 and 40 per
cent of children attending school A had problems in the areas of spelling, listening,
verbal expression and concentration in lessons, while the equivalent figures for school
B stood at between 5 and 15 per cent.
In 2015, the difference between the two schools was less pronounced. Notably, the
proportion of children who struggled to follow instructions fell by 24% in school A, and
this school also saw falls of 22%, 15%, 14% and 5% in the figures for children who had
problems with concentration, listening, verbal expression and spelling. In school B,
however, the proportion of children who struggled with spelling and following
instructions doubled, to 10% and 12% respectively, and there was almost no change in
the incidence of listening, verbal or concentration problems.
(232 words)

42
The charts below show the proportions of British students at one university in
England who were able to speak other languages in addition to English, in 2000
and 2010.

The tables compare the percentages of British university students who spoke different
languages in addition to English in two separate years.
It is noticeable that in both years, 2000 and 2010, the majority of British students at
the university in question were able to speak at least one other language. We can also
see an increase in the proportion of second and third language speakers over the 10-
year period.
In the year 2000, 80% of the students were able to speak one or two foreign languages,
and 20% only spoke English. Ten years later, there was a rise of 5% in the proportion of
those who spoke a second language. There was also an increase, from 10% to 15%, in
the proportion of students who were able to speak two foreign languages.
Looking at the specific second languages spoken, in 2000, 30% of the students were
able to speak Spanish, 15% spoke French, and 10% spoke German. By 2010, the
proportion of Spanish speakers had risen to 35%, there were 5% fewer French speakers,
and the figure for German speakers remained at one in ten. Finally, we can see that the
percentage of speakers of other second languages, apart from Spanish, French and
German, rose from 15% to 20% over the period shown.
(213 words)

43
The table below gives information about changes in modes of travel in England
between 1985 and 2000.m
Average distance in miles travelled per person per year, by mode of travel

The chart shows average distances that people in England travelled using different
forms of transport in the years 1985 and 2000.
It is clear that the total number of miles travelled by English people using all modes of
transport increased significantly between 1985 and 2000. The car was by far the most
used form of transport in both years.
In 1985, the average person travelled 3,199 miles by car, and this rose to 4,806 miles in
the year 2000. The figures for miles travelled by train, long distance bus, taxi and other
modes also increased from 1985 to 2000. Travel by taxi saw the most significant
change, with more than a threefold increase from 13 miles per person per year in 1985
to 42 miles in 2000.
There was a fall in the average distances for three forms of transport, namely walking,
bicycle and local bus. In 1985, English people walked an average of 255 miles, but this
figure fell by 18 miles in 2000. Bicycle use fell from 51 to 41 miles over the period
shown, while the biggest downward change was in the use of local buses, with average
miles per person falling from 429 to 274 over the 15-year period.
(203 words)

44
 Combo chart
The graph below shows long-term international migration in UK, 1999-2008.

The chart gives information about UK immigration, emigration and net migration
between 1999 and 2008.
Both immigration and emigration rates rose over the period shown, but the figures for
immigration were significantly higher. Net migration peaked in 2004 and 2007.
In 1999, over 450,000 people came to live in the UK, while the number of people who
emigrated stood at just under 300,000. The figure for net migration was around
160,000, and it remained at a similar level until 2003. From 1999 to 2004, the
immigration rate rose by nearly 150,000 people, but there was a much smaller rise in
emigration. Net migration peaked at almost 250,000 people in 2004.
After 2004, the rate of immigration remained high, but the number of people
emigrating fluctuated. Emigration fell suddenly in 2007, before peaking at about
420,000 people in 2008. As a result, the net migration figure rose to around 240,000 in
2007, but fell back to around 160,000 in 2008.
(159 words)

45
The climograph below shows average monthly temperatures and rainfall in the
city of Kolkata.

The chart compares average figures for temperature and precipitation over the course
of a calendar year in Kolkata.
It is noticeable that monthly figures for precipitation in Kolkata vary considerably,
whereas monthly temperatures remain relatively stable. Rainfall is highest from July
to August, while temperatures are highest in April and May.
Between the months of January and May, average temperatures in Kolkata rise from
their lowest point at around 20°C to a peak of just over 30°C. Average rainfall in the
city also rises over the same period, from approximately 20mm of rain in January to
100mm in May.
While temperatures stay roughly the same for the next four months, the amount of
rainfall more than doubles between May and June. Figures for precipitation remain
above 250mm from June to September, peaking at around 330mm in July. The final
three months of the year see a dramatic fall in precipitation, to a low of about 10mm in
December, and a steady drop in temperatures back to the January average.
(173 words)

46
 Multiple charts
The charts below show the levels of participation in education and science in
developing and industrialised countries in 1980 and 1990.

The three bar charts show average years of schooling, numbers of scientists and
technicians, and research and development spending in developing and developed
countries. Figures are given for 1980 and 1990.
It is clear from the charts that the figures for developed countries are much higher than
those for developing nations. Also, the charts show an overall increase in participation
in education and science from 1980 to 1990.
People in developing nations attended school for an average of around 3 years, with
only a slight increase in years of schooling from 1980 to 1990. On the other hand, the
figure for industrialised countries rose from nearly 9 years of schooling in 1980 to
nearly 11 years in 1990.
From 1980 to 1990, the number of scientists and technicians in industrialised countries
almost doubled to about 70 per 1000 people. Spending on research and development
also saw rapid growth in these countries, reaching $350 billion in 1990. By contrast,
the number of science workers in developing countries remained below 20 per 1000
people, and research spending fell from about $50 billion to only $25 billion.
(187 words)

47
The graph below shows the demand for electricity in England during typical
days in winter and summer. The pie chart shows how electricity is used in an
average English home.

The line graph compares daily electricity consumption in England during the winter
and summer, while the pie chart shows information about the different uses of this
electricity in an average English household.
It is clear that English homes use around double the amount of electricity in the winter
compared to the summer. Throughout the year, just over half of the electricity
consumed by English households is used for heating rooms and water.
The daily consumption of electricity in England is about twice as high in the winter
compared to the summer. During the winter, demand for electricity peaks at around
45,000 units between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. During the summer, consumption of
electricity is at its highest, at about 20,000 units, between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Demand
for electricity is at its lowest between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. in both seasons.
In an average English home, the largest proportion of electricity, 52.5%, is used for
heating rooms and water. Three kitchen appliances, namely ovens, kettles and washing
machines, account for 17.5% of household electricity use. The remaining 30% of
electricity is used for lighting, televisions and radios (15%), and vacuum cleaners, food
mixers and electric tools (15%).
(200 words)

48
The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and
water consumption in two different countries.

The charts compare the amount of water used for agriculture, industry and homes
around the world, and water use in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It is clear that global water needs rose significantly between 1900 and 2000, and that
agriculture accounted for the largest proportion of water used. We can also see that
water consumption was considerably higher in Brazil than in the Congo.
In 1900, around 500km³ of water was used by the agriculture sector worldwide. The
figures for industrial and domestic water consumption stood at around one fifth of that
amount. By 2000, global water use for agriculture had increased to around 3000km³,
industrial water use had risen to just under half that amount, and domestic
consumption had reached approximately 500km³.
In the year 2000, the populations of Brazil and the Congo were 176 million and 5.2
million respectively. Water consumption per person in Brazil, at 359m³, was much
higher than that in the Congo, at only 8m³, and this could be explained by the fact that
Brazil had 265 times more irrigated land.
(184 words)

49
The bar charts compare students of different ages in terms of why they are studying
and whether they are supported by an employer.
It is clear that the proportion of students who study for career purposes is far higher
among the younger age groups, while the oldest students are more likely to study for
interest. Employer support is more commonly given to younger students.
Around 80% of students aged under 26 study to further their careers, whereas only
10% study purely out of interest. The gap between these two proportions narrows as
students get older, and the figures for those in their forties are the same, at about 40%.
Students aged over 49 overwhelmingly study for interest (70%) rather than for
professional reasons (less than 20%).
Just over 60% of students aged under 26 are supported by their employers. By
contrast, the 30-39 age group is the most self-sufficient, with only 30% being given
time off and help with fees. The figures rise slightly for students in their forties and for
those aged 50 or more.
(178 words)

50
The charts below give information about USA marriage and divorce rates
between 1970 and 2000 and the marital status of adult Americans in two of the
years.

The first bar chart shows changes in the number of marriages and divorces in the USA,
and the second chart shows figures for the marital status of American adults in 1970
and 2000.
It is clear that there was a fall in the number of marriages in the USA between 1970
and 2000. The majority of adult Americans were married in both years, but the
proportion of single adults was higher in 2000.
In 1970, there were 2.5 million marriages in the USA and 1 million divorces. The
marriage rate remained stable in 1980, but fell to 2 million by the year 2000. In
contrast, the divorce rate peaked in 1980, at nearly 1.5 million divorces, before falling
back to 1 million at the end of the period.
Around 70% of American adults were married in 1970, but this figure dropped to just
under 60% by 2000. At the same time, the proportion of unmarried people and
divorcees rose by about 10% in total. The proportion of widowed Americans was
slightly lower in 2000.
(174 words)

51
The bar chart below shows the proportions of English men and women of
different ages who were living alone in 2011. The pie chart compares the
numbers of bedrooms in these one-person households.
Living alone in England by age and gender, 2011

Number of bedrooms in one-person households (England, 2011)

The two charts give information about single-occupant households in England in the
year 2011. The bar chart compares figures for occupants' age and gender, and the pie
chart shows data about the number of bedrooms in these homes.
Overall, females made up a higher proportion of people living alone than males, and
this difference is particularly noticeable in the older age categories. We can also see
that the most common number of bedrooms in a single-occupant home was two.
A significant majority of the people aged 65 or over who were living alone in England in
2011 were female. Women made up around 72% of single occupants aged 75 to 84,
and 76% of those aged 85 or over. By contrast, among younger adults the figures for
males were higher. For example, in the 35-49 age category, men accounted for nearly
65% of people living alone.
In the same year, 35.4% of one-person households in England had two bedrooms, while
one-bedroom and three-bedroom homes accounted for 28% and 29.8% of the total.
Under 7% of single-occupant homes had four or more bedrooms.
(189 words)
Tip:
Notice that I was forced to leave out some of the information from the bar chart. This is normal when you only have 20 minutes;
examiners expect you to select some key figures, not to try to include everything.

52
The first chart below gives information about the money spent by British
parents on their children’s sports between 2008 and 2014. The second chart
shows the number of children who participated in three sports in Britain over
the same time period.

The line graphs show the average monthly amount that parents in Britain spent on
their children’s sporting activities and the number of British children who took part in
three different sports from 2008 to 2014.
It is clear that parents spent more money each year on their children’s participation in
sports over the six-year period. In terms of the number of children taking part, football
was significantly more popular than athletics and swimming.
In 2008, British parents spent an average of around £20 per month on their children’s
sporting activities. Parents’ spending on children’s sports increased gradually over the
following six years, and by 2014 the average monthly amount had risen to just over
£30.
Looking at participation numbers, in 2008 approximately 8 million British children
played football, while only 2 million children were enrolled in swimming clubs and less
than 1 million practised athletics. The figures for football participation remained
relatively stable over the following 6 years. By contrast, participation in swimming
almost doubled, to nearly 4 million children, and there was a near fivefold increase in
the number of children doing athletics.
(185 words)

53
The charts below show reasons for travel and the main issues for the travelling
public in the US in 2009.

...
The bar chart and pie chart give information about why US residents travelled and
what travel problems they experienced in the year 2009.
It is clear that the principal reason why Americans travelled in 2009 was to commute
to and from work. In the same year, the primary concern of Americans, with regard to
the trips they made, was the cost of travelling.
Looking more closely at the bar chart, we can see that 49% of the trips made by
Americans in 2009 were for the purpose of commuting. By contrast, only 6% of trips
were visits to friends or relatives, and one in ten trips were for social or recreation
reasons. Shopping was cited as the reason for 16% of all travel, while unspecific
‘personal reasons’ accounted for the remaining 19%.
According to the pie chart, price was the key consideration for 36% of American
travellers. Almost one in five people cited safety as their foremost travel concern, while
aggressive driving and highway congestion were the main issues for 17% and 14% of
the travelling public. Finally, a total of 14% of those surveyed thought that access to
public transport or space for pedestrians were the most important travel issues.
(201 words)

54
The chart below shows the value of one country's exports in various categories
during 2015 and 2016. The table shows the percentage change in each category
or exports in 2016 compared with 2015.

The bar chart and table give information about a country's export earnings from five
groups of products in 2015 and 2016.
It is noticeable that export revenues in all but one of the five product categories
increased over the period shown. While petroleum products were the highest earning
exports in both years, the textile industry saw the most significant growth in earnings.
Export earnings from petroleum products rose from around $61 billion in 2015 to $63
billion in 2016, which was an increase of 3%. Income from engineered goods reached a
similar level. The country’s export earnings from these goods went up by 8.5% to
approximately $62 billion in 2016.
From 2015 to 2016, there was a 15.24% increase in export revenue from textiles, with
earnings rising from roughly $25 billion to over $30 billion. By contrast, there was
almost no change in the amount of money earned from agricultural products, which
remained at just over $30 billion. Finally, the only decline in income occurred in the
gems and jewellery product group, where export earnings fell by around 5% to
approximately $40 billion in 2016.
(185 words)

55
 Map
The diagrams below are existing and proposed floor plans for the
redevelopment of an art gallery.

The first picture shows the layout of an art gallery, and the second shows some
proposed changes to the gallery space.
It is clear that significant changes will be made in terms of the use of floor space in the
gallery. There will be a completely new entrance and more space for exhibitions.
At present, visitors enter the gallery through doors which lead into a lobby. However,
the plan is to move the entrance to the Parkinson Court side of the building, and visitors
will walk straight into the exhibition area. In place of the lobby and office areas, which
are shown on the existing plan, the new gallery plan shows an education area and a
small storage area.
The permanent exhibition space in the redeveloped gallery will be about twice as large
as it is now because it will occupy the area that is now used for temporary exhibitions.
There will also be a new room for special exhibitions. This room is shown in red on the
existing plan and is not currently part of the gallery.
(178 words)

56
The diagrams below show some principles of house design for cool and for
warm climates.

The diagrams show how house designs differ according to climate.

The most noticeable difference between houses designed for cool and warm climates
is in the shape of the roof. The designs also differ with regard to the windows and the
use of insulation.
We can see that the cool climate house has a high-angled roof, which allows sunlight
to enter through the window. By contrast, the roof of the warm climate house has a
peak in the middle and roof overhangs to shade the windows. Insulation and thermal
building materials are used in cool climates to reduce heat loss, whereas insulation and
reflective materials are used to keep the heat out in warm climates.
Finally, the cool climate house has one window which faces the direction of the sun,
while the warm climate house has windows on two sides which are shaded from the
sun. By opening the two windows at night, the house designed for warm climates can
be ventilated.
(162 words)

57
The map below is of the town of Garlsdon. A new supermarket (S) is planned for
the town. The map shows two possible sites for the supermarket.

The map shows two potential locations (S1 and S2) for a new supermarket in a town
called Garlsdon.
The main difference between the two sites is that S1 is outside the town, whereas S2 is
in the town centre. The sites can also be compared in terms of access by road or rail,
and their positions relative to three smaller towns.
Looking at the information in more detail, S1 is in the countryside to the north west of
Garlsdon, but it is close to the residential area of the town. S2 is also close to the
housing area, which surrounds the town centre.
There are main roads from Hindon, Bransdon and Cransdon to Garlsdon town centre,
but this is a no traffic zone, so there would be no access to S2 by car. By contrast, S1
lies on the main road to Hindon, but it would be more difficult to reach from Bransdon
and Cransdon. Both supermarket sites are close to the railway that runs through
Garlsdon from Hindon to Cransdon.
(171 words)

58
The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some
tourist facilities.

The diagrams illustrate some changes to a small island which has been developed for
tourism.
It is clear that the island has changed considerably with the introduction of tourism,
and six new features can be seen in the second diagram. The main developments are
that the island is accessible and visitors have somewhere to stay.
Looking at the maps in more detail, we can see that small huts have been built to
accommodate visitors to the island. The other physical structures that have been
added are a reception building, in the middle of the island, and a restaurant to the
north of the reception. Before these developments, the island was completely bare
apart from a few trees.
As well as the buildings mentioned above, the new facilities on the island include a pier,
where boats can dock. There is also a short road linking the pier with the reception and
restaurant, and footpaths connect the huts. Finally, there is a designated swimming
area for tourists off a beach on the western tip of the island.
(175 words)

59
Chorleywood is a village near London whose population has increased steadily
since the middle of the nineteenth century. The map below shows the
development of the village.

The map shows the growth of a village called Chorleywood between 1868 and 1994.
It is clear that the village grew as the transport infrastructure was improved. Four
periods of development are shown on the map, and each of the populated areas is
near to the main roads, the railway or the motorway.
From 1868 to 1883, Chorleywood covered a small area next to one of the main roads.
Chorleywood Park and Golf Course is now located next to this original village area. The
village grew along the main road to the south between 1883 and 1922, and in 1909 a
railway line was built crossing this area from west to east. Chorleywood station is in
this part of the village.
The expansion of Chorleywood continued to the east and west alongside the railway
line until 1970. At that time, a motorway was built to the east of the village, and from
1970 to 1994, further development of the village took place around motorway
intersections with the railway and one of the main roads.
(174 words)

60
The diagrams below show how houses can be protected in areas which are
prone to flooding....

The diagrams compare two different methods of defence for homes which are at risk
of being flooded.
The key difference between the diagrams is that they show flood protection with and
without a stopbank. In either case, the at-risk home is raised on stilts above ground
level.
The first diagram shows how a stopbank acts as a flood barrier to stop river water
from flooding homes. The stopbank is a small mound of land next to the river that is
higher than the 100-year flood level, and prevents the river from bursting its banks.
Nearby houses can be built on stilts to prevent flooding from rainwater, and a
floodgate beneath the stopbank can be opened to allow this ‘ponding’ to drain off into
the river.
When there is no stopbank, as shown in the second diagram, there will be nothing to
stop the river from flooding. In this case, the solution is to put buildings on stilts. The
height of the stilts is measured so that the floor of the house is 300mm above the 100-
year flood level. This measurement is called the ‘freeboard’.
(184 words)

61
The diagrams below show the site of a school in 2004 and the plan for changes
to the school site in 2024.

The two pictures compare the layout of a school as it was in the year 2004 with a
proposed site design for the year 2024.
It is clear that the main change for 2024 involves the addition of a new school building.
The school will then be able to accommodate a considerably larger number of
students.
In 2004, there were 600 pupils attending the school, and the two school buildings were
separated by a path running from the main entrance to the sports field. By 2024, it is
expected that there will be 1000 pupils, and a third building will have been constructed.
Furthermore, the plan is to join the two original buildings together, creating a shorter
path that links the buildings only.
As the third building and a second car park will be built on the site of the original sports
field, a new, smaller sports field will need to be laid. A new road will also be built from
the main entrance to the second car park. Finally, no changes will be made to the main
entrance and original car park.
(183 words)

62
The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and
plans for its development.

The diagrams illustrate some proposed changes to the central area of the town of Islip.
It is clear that the principal change to the town will be the construction of a ring road
around the centre. Various other developments with regard to shops and housing will
accompany the building of this road.
Looking at the map of Islip as it is now, we can see that a main road runs through its
centre from east to west. The second map shows the planned pedestrianisation of this
road. Traffic will be diverted on to a dual carriageway that will form a ring around the
town centre.
Currently there is a row of shops along either side of the main road. However, it
appears that the shops along the north side of the new pedestrian street will be
demolished to make way for a bus station, shopping centre, car park and new housing
area. The shops along the south side of the street will remain, but it seems that the
town’s park will be reduced in size so that more new houses can be built within the ring
road.
(187 words)

63
The maps illustrate some changes that were made to a city hospital's transport
infrastructure between the years 2007 and 2010.
It is noticeable that three main modifications were made to the hospital’s vehicle
access. These involved the building of a new bus station, new roundabouts and new
parking facilities.
Looking at the changes in more detail, we can see that in 2007 there were three bus
stops on either side of Hospital Road. These were no longer present in 2010, and
instead we see the addition of a bus station on the west side of Hospital Road. This bus
station is accessed via two new roundabouts; the first roundabout is at the intersection
of City Road and Hospital Road, while the second is at the other end of Hospital Road,
at the junction with the hospital ring road.
The two maps also show that changes were made to public and staff parking areas. In
2007, staff and visitors used the same car park, which was situated to the east of
Hospital Road and accessed via the ring road. However, by 2010 this original car park
had become a designated area for staff parking only. A new car park, located on the
east side of the ring road, provided parking for members of the public.
(214 words)

64
 Process
The diagram below shows how the Australian Bureau of Meteorology collects
up-to-the-minute information on the weather in order to produce reliable
forecasts.

The figure illustrates the process used by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to
forecast the weather.
There are four stages in the process, beginning with the collection of information about
the weather. This information is then analysed, prepared for presentation, and finally
broadcast to the public.
Looking at the first and second stages of the process, there are three ways of collecting
weather data and three ways of analysing it. Firstly, incoming information can be
received by satellite and presented for analysis as a satellite photo. The same data can
also be passed to a radar station and presented on a radar screen or synoptic chart.
Secondly, incoming information may be collected directly by radar and analysed on a
radar screen or synoptic chart. Finally, drifting buoys also receive data which can be
shown on a synoptic chart.
At the third stage of the process, the weather broadcast is prepared on computers.
Finally, it is delivered to the public on television, on the radio, or as a recorded telephone
announcement.
(170 words)

65
The diagrams below show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the
production of silk cloth.

The diagrams illustrate the stages in the life of a silkworm and the process of
producing silk cloth.

There are four main stages in the life cycle of the silkworm, from eggs to adult moth.
The process of silk cloth production involves six steps, from silkworm cocoon to silk
material.

At the first stage in the life cycle of a silkworm, the moth lays its eggs. Around ten days
later, silkworm larvae hatch from the eggs; these larvae feed on mulberry leaves. Then,
after four to six weeks, the larvae become covered in silk thread, and it takes between
three and eight days for a full cocoon to be produced.

For silk cloth production, a cocoon is first selected and then boiled in water. After
boiling, the silk thread that makes up the cocoon is unwound, and then several strands
of thread are twisted together. At the fifth and sixth stages in the process, the thread
can either be dyed and then woven into silk fabric, or it can be woven first and then
dyed subsequently.

(176 words)

66
The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the
building industry.

The diagram illustrates the manufacture of bricks for use in construction.

There are seven steps in this process, from the mining of clay to the eventual delivery
of packaged bricks.
At the beginning of the process, clay is dug from the ground. The clay is put through a
metal grid, and it passes onto a roller where it is mixed with sand and water. After that,
the clay can be shaped into bricks in two ways: either it is put in a mould, or a wire
cutter is used.
At the fourth stage in the process, the clay bricks are placed in a drying oven for one to
two days. Next, the bricks are heated in a kiln at a moderate temperature (200 - 900
degrees Celsius) and then at a high temperature (up to 1300 degrees), before spending
two to three days in a cooling chamber. Finally, the finished bricks are packaged and
delivered.
(155 words)

67
The diagram below shows the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of
water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

The picture illustrates the way in which water passes from ocean to air to land during
the natural process known as the water cycle.
Three main stages are shown on the diagram. Ocean water evaporates, falls as rain,
and eventually runs back into the oceans again.
Beginning at the evaporation stage, we can see that 80% of water vapour in the air
comes from the oceans. Heat from the sun causes water to evaporate, and water
vapour condenses to form clouds. At the second stage, labelled ‘precipitation’ on the
diagram, water falls as rain or snow.
At the third stage in the cycle, rainwater may take various paths. Some of it may fall
into lakes or return to the oceans via ‘surface runoff’. Otherwise, rainwater may filter
through the ground, reaching the impervious layer of the earth. Salt water intrusion is
shown to take place just before groundwater passes into the oceans to complete the
cycle.
(156 words)

68
The diagram below shows how coffee is produced and prepared for sale in
supermarkets and shops.

The picture illustrates the process of coffee manufacture and preparation for sale on
the market.
It is clear that there are 11 stages in the production of coffee. The process begins with
the picking of coffee beans, and ends at the packing stage.
Looking at the coffee production process in detail, coffee beans must first be picked in
the fields. These beans are then dried, roasted, and cooled before being put in a
grinding machine, which turns the beans into coffee granules.
At the sixth stage in the process, the ground coffee is mixed with hot water, and the
resulting mixture is strained. Next, the mixture is frozen and then passed once again
through the grinder. After that, the ground, frozen liquid is dried in a vacuum so that the
water evaporates, leaving the coffee granules. Finally, these granules are packed into
coffee jars for delivery to shops.
(148 words)

69
The diagram below shows the life cycle of the honey bee

The diagram illustrates the various stages in the life of a honey bee. We can see that
the complete life cycle lasts between 34 and 36 days. It is also noticeable that there
are five main stages in the development of the honey bee, from egg to mature adult
insect.
The life cycle of the honey bee begins when the female adult lays an egg; the female
typically lays one or two eggs every 3 days. Between 9 and 10 days later, each egg
hatches and the immature insect, or nymph, appears.
During the third stage of the life cycle, the nymph grows in size and sheds its skin three
times. This moulting first takes place 5 days after the egg hatches, then 7 days later,
and again another 9 days later. After a total of 30 to 31 days from the start of the
cycle, the young adult honey bee emerges from its final moulting stage, and in the
space of only 4 days it reaches full maturity.
(169 words)

70
The chart below shows the process of waste paper recycling.

The flow chart shows how waste paper is recycled. It is clear that there are six distinct
stages in this process, from the initial collection of waste paper to the eventual
production of usable paper.
At the first stage in the paper recycling process, waste paper is collected either from
paper banks, where members of the public leave their used paper, or directly from
businesses. This paper is then sorted by hand and separated according to its grade,
with any paper that is not suitable for recycling being removed. Next, the graded paper
is transported to a paper mill.
Stages four and five of the process both involve cleaning. The paper is cleaned and
pulped, and foreign objects such as staples are taken out. Following this, all remnants
of ink and glue are removed from the paper at the de-inking stage. Finally, the pulp can
be processed in a paper making machine, which makes the end product: usable paper.
(160 words)

71
The diagram below shows how solar panels can be used to provide electricity for
domestic use.

The picture illustrates the process of producing electricity in a home using solar panels.
It is clear that there are five distinct stages in this process, beginning with the capture
of energy from sunlight. The final two steps show how domestic electricity is
connected to the external power supply.
At the first stage in the process, solar panels on the roof of a normal house take energy
from the sun and convert it into DC current. Next, this current is passed to an inverter,
which changes it to AC current and regulates the supply of electricity. At stage three,
electricity is supplied to the home from an electrical panel.
At the fourth step shown on the diagram, a utility meter in the home is responsible for
sending any extra electric power outside the house into the grid. Finally, if the solar
panels do not provide enough energy for the household, electricity will flow from the
utility grid into the home through the meter.
(163 words)

72
The diagram below shows the life cycle of a salmon, from egg to adult fish.

...
The diagram illustrates the stages in the life of the salmon, from birth to maturity.
It is clear that there are six* main stages as the salmon develops from egg to mature
adult. We can also see that salmon spend time in three distinct locations during the
cycle, moving from river to estuary to ocean and then back upstream.
Salmon begin their lives in rivers where the adult fish lay and incubate their eggs. After
emerging from eggs, the young salmon spend the next stage of their lives being reared
in freshwater areas. Then, at some point in their development, the fish swim
downstream to river estuaries where rearing continues.
Following the estuary rearing period, the maturing salmon migrate to the ocean, where
they eventually become fully grown adults. Finally, the adult fish travel back upstream
to spawning areas of rivers; here they reproduce and lay their eggs, and the life cycle
begins anew.
(154 words)
* I wrote "six" main stages because these are the stages that I describe in paragraphs 3 and 4.

73
The diagrams below show the stages and equipment used in the cement-
making process, and how cement is used to produce concrete for building
purposes.

The first diagram illustrates the process of cement manufacture, and the second
diagram shows the materials that go into the production of concrete.
It is clear that there are five stages in the production of cement, beginning with the
input of raw materials and ending with bags of the finished product. To produce
concrete, four different materials are mixed together.
At the first stage in the production of cement, limestone and clay are crushed to form a
powder. This powder is then mixed before it passes into a rotating heater. After
heating, the resulting mixture is ground, and cement is produced. Finally, the cement is
packaged in large bags.
Cement is one of the four raw materials that are used in the production of concrete,
along with gravel, sand and water. To be exact, concrete consists of 50% gravel, 25%
sand, 15% cement and 10% water. All four materials are blended together in a rotating
machine called a concrete mixer.
(160 words)

74
The diagrams below give information about the manufacture of frozen fish pies.

The pictures illustrate the ingredients that go into a factory-made fish pie, and the
various steps in its production.
The pie contains salmon, peas, sauce and potatoes in a microwaveable container, and
there are ten stages in its manufacture, from delivery to dispatch. One of the
ingredients, potato, goes through its own six-stage preparation process before it can be
added to the pie.
Potatoes are the first ingredient to be prepared on the production line. They are
delivered to the factory up to a month before the process begins, and they must be
cleaned, peeled and sliced. Potato peelings are thrown away, and the sliced potatoes
are boiled, then chilled and stored.
When fresh salmon arrives at the factory, lemon juice and salt are added, and the fish is
cooked in a steam oven within 12 hours of delivery. Next, factory workers remove and
dispose of the skin and bones, and the fish is inspected. Following inspection, pre-
prepared peas, sauce and potatoes are added. The resulting fish pies are wrapped,
frozen and then stored or dispatched.
(176 words)

75
The reports above were compiled from https://www.ielts-simon.com/. An introduction
has been added on page 67 for completion. Larger image sizes may be found on Googe
Images.

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