TASK 1

1. Overall Structure

1.1. Response Structure

Introduction and Overview

This bar graph illustrates the favourite free time activities of high school students in Australia
and the United Kingdom in the year 2020. Overall, children in both countries showed a strong
preference for using the internet; however, Australian children also showed a preference for
socializing and sporting activities whereas UK school children preferred playing video games
and watching TV.

Body paragraphs
The most popular activity for school children in the United Kingdom was using the internet
with 800 high school students saying that this is their favourite activity. Another popular
activity for students in the UK was watching TV with 610 students preferring this. Less popular
activities were playing sports and socializing with friends. Only 300 students have these as
their favourite activities.
In Australia, using the internet was the most common favourite activity with 750 students
enjoying this. At a similar level, 650 students liked spending time with friends. However, the
number of students who listed watching TV and playing computer games as a favourite
activity was lower with 400 students for the former and 200 students for the latter.

[- first body paragraph is about the UK and the second body paragraph is about AUS]

[NB: Do not write a conclusion!]

1.2. Analysis of Overall Structure

Model Response - Introduction and Overview

The map illustrates the development of the town of Bellingham between 1980 and 2019.
Overall, there was a substantial increase in the size of Bellingham. Included in this were the
development of the town’s residential areas and the establishment of a range of public
services and infrastructure.

[Introduction
• The introduction includes the main topic of the map: the development of the town of Bellingham
between 1980 and 2019.
• It is written in simple present as it is a statement about the topic of the map.
Overview
 • The overview includes the main trend in the map: a substantial increase in the size of Bellingham, and
the types of development (residential areas, public services and infrastructure).
• It is written in simple past as all this development occurred in the past.]

Model Response - Body Paragraphs

The first major phase of development began in 1990 with the establishment of a train line.
Over the next decade, the town of Bellingham grew alongside the major road and around this
train station. A school was built in this area in 1993 and a hospital close by in 2001.

Between 2010 and 2019, the second and largest phase of development occurred. This began
with the building of a freeway in 2010. After this, Bellingham grew dramatically due to
government assisted housing development alongside the freeway, railway line and major
roads. Another addition to the town in this period was the construction of a sports stadium
in 2012 nearby where the railway line intersects with the freeway.

[Check Your Answers

The body paragraphs include specific statements about the changes that are shown in the map. They are written
in simple past as all this development occurred in the past.

There are two body paragraphs. They are organised in chronological order - the same order that the development
occurred in. The first paragraph discusses changes from 1990-2001 and the second discusses changes from 2010-
2019.

The candidate has included information about the major development phases of Bellingham but has not
described the whole graph.]

[Task 1 Tips
• Avoid writing a conclusion
• Avoid interpreting or attempting to give reasons for the changes you see
• Avoid writing too much and summarising the whole visual]
2. Types of Visuals

2.1. Introduction to Visuals

• Line and Bar Graphs
• Pie Charts
• Tables
• Diagrams (/Process) (1)
• Flowcharts (2)
• Maps (3)
• Combinations (4)

2
3

2.2. Language Focus: Graphs

https://ieltsonline.com/topic/language-focus-graphs/

2.3. Language Focus: Maps and Processes

https://ieltsonline.com/topic/language-focus-maps-and-processes/
3. Paragraph Structure

3.1. Identifying Trends

A) Purpose of Graph or Table

• To show trends
• To compare and contrast information

B) Planning Your Answers

• Step 1 - Identify the topic
• Step 2 - Identify the features
• Step 3 - Identify the main trend
• Step 4 - Identify the main details
• Step 5 - Write your response
3.2. Structure of Introduction and Overview

3.2.1. Introduction
• The topic of the graph (or other visual)
• The time span
• The place
• The unit of measurement

Question
The graph shows how many people were employed in the Australian mining industry.

Introduction
The graph illustrates how many thousands of people the mining industry employed from 1900
to 1990.

3.2.2. Overview
• 1-2 sentences
• Summary of overall trend(s)
Question
The graph shows how many people were employed in the Australian mining industry.

Overview
Overall, it is clear that employment in the Australian mining industry declined significantly
over this century although there was a peak in the number of employees in 1950.

3.3. Analysis of Introduction and Overview

Model Response
The chart illustrates the popularity of different holiday types in 2018 in Australia, New
Zealand, China, and South Korea. Overall, the highest preference came from New Zealand and
was for hiking holidays, while the lowest response came from Australia for stay at home
holidays.
3.4. Practice of Introduction and Overview
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/practice-of-introduction-and-overview/

Model Response - Introduction and Overview

This bar chart illustrates the number of international students, in thousands, from five
countries, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia and Colombia, who are enrolled at three
universities. Overall, Indian students have the highest enrolment numbers whereas
Colombian students have the lowest. Of the three universities featured, the University of
Riverview has the most international students enrolled.
Model Response - Introduction and Overview
The line graph illustrates the thousands of international students enrolled at De Salle
University from five countries, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia and Colombia from 1980-
2020. Overall, there was an increase in enrolments from all countries, with the most
significant from Indian students.
3.5. Structure of Body Paragraphs
• Describe main details and trends
• Include specific date (numbers)

To select main detail, look for:

• Peaks
• Troughs
• Significant changes
• Similarities or differences
Present these trends:
• In order of the time
• Using time markers
• Supporting each trend with data
• Linking similar or different trends

Model Response - Body Paragraphs

At the beginning of the century more than 60,000 people were employed in this sector but
by the end of the first decade this fell to only 40,000.
The number of employees continued to decline throughout the 1920s and 1930s but at a
much lower rate than previously, reaching a low of 30,000 in 1940.
This was followed by a dramatic growth to 50,000 in the next 10 years.
However, from 1950 onwards the decline began again and was marked by a sharp drop at the
beginning of the 1960s after which the rate of decline slowed.
By 1990, only 15,000 people were working in this sector.
3.6. Analysis of Body Paragraphs
[Check Your Answers
• The first paragraph highlights the main similarities between the different countries.
• The second paragraph highlights the main differences between countries.

Remember, this is just one way to organise information in your body paragraphs.]
3.7. Practice of Body Paragraphs
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/practice-of-body-paragraphs/

Model Response - Body Paragraphs

Indian students make up the highest number of students at all universities, peaking at around
7,500 at the University of Riverview and 6,000 at Smithtown University. The number of
students from Nepal is also high but is lower than those from India with 4,000 at both
Smithtown University and Earlwood University. The number of Vietnamese students studying
ranges from 2,000 at Smithtown University to 3,500 at the University of Riverview.

Colombian student numbers are low at all three universities with 1,000 or less at each,
including an overall low of 500 at Smithtown University. Similarly, international students from
Indonesia are also low with the highest number of students from this country being around
1,200 students at the University of Riverview.
Model Response - Body Paragraphs
Indian, Vietnamese and Nepalese student numbers experienced the most significant increase.
All started at around 1,000 students or less in 1980. The number of Indian students enrolled
rose dramatically over the years reaching 10,000 in 2010 and then a peak of 15,000 in 2020.
Students from Vietnam increased significantly, including a substantial rise of 6,000 from 2010
to 2020 to a high of 10,000. Similarly, Nepalese students rose by 7,000 in the same period.
Indonesian students enrolling at De La Salle featured a steadier rise starting at 1,000 in 1980
and reaching a high of about 7,500 in 2020. Enrolments from Colombian students were
consistently the lowest remaining at 1,000 or below from 1980-2010 and then finishing at a
high of around 1,500 in 2020.
4. Organisation and Logic
4.1. Ordering Ideas
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/ordering-ideas/
4.2. Language Focus: Cohesion
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/language-focus-cohesion/

Model Response
The diagram illustrates how to cast a postal vote. The process has 6 main steps, starting with
the application to receive a ballot paper, and ending with casting the vote and posting the
ballot paper.

To begin, an application to vote via post must be requested and then completed. This can be
done on paper or online. Following this, those who have applied for a postal vote receive their
ballot paper two weeks before the election. The ballot paper is sent to the address specified
by the recipient.

The next part of the process involves completing the ballot paper. To do this, the person
casting the vote needs to fill in the ballot paper in the presence of a witness who signs and
dates the paper. Once this has been finalised, the next step is casting the vote. In this step,
the voter chooses the candidate they prefer by ticking the appropriate box. Finally, after the
vote has been cast, the ballot paper is placed in a prepaid envelope and posted.

5. Practice
https://ieltsonline.com/lessons/practice-4/

5.1. Bar Chart

https://ieltsonline.com/topic/bar-chart/
Model Response
The bar chart illustrates the percentage of the population in cities and regional areas of
Australia according to their annual income. Overall, it can be seen that people living in cities
earn a higher average income than regional centres.

In both cities and regional centres, the majority of the population are lower middle or middle
income earners, which means they have a yearly income of $40,000-$70,000 and $70,000-
$120,000 respectively. However, in cities the largest of these two groups is the middle income
earners, at 35%, while in regional centres the largest group is lower middle at around 34%.

Another similarity between cities and regional areas is that highest and lowest income earners
make up the two smallest population groups. Their yearly income is under $40,000 (low), and
over $120,000 (high). However, in cities the low income group makes up only about 13% of
the population, which is about 10% less than regional areas. The high income group also
differs between the two areas, and is 5% greater in cities.

5.2. Line Graph

https://ieltsonline.com/topic/line-graph/

5.3. Pie Chart

https://ieltsonline.com/topic/pie-chart/

5.4. Process
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/process/

5.5. Map
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/map/
 TASK 1 - IMPROVE YOUR SCORE

1. Task Achievement
1.1. Comparing Responses
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/comparing-responses-9/

Model Response
The flow chart illustrates how a company recruits its employees. There are three main stages
in the process including creating a job listing, evaluating applications, choosing potential
candidates to interview, and advising the successful and unsuccessful applicants of the
outcome of the interview.
Firstly, a list of job requirements is drawn up. These requirements are then included in an
online job listing. An application form is picked up by interested parties. After an application
form has been downloaded, it is completed and submitted by the applicant. Before a decision
is made, all application forms are assessed. During this process, the application may be
rejected or an applicant could be invited for an interview. If the applicant is rejected, an email
is sent thanking the interviewee for showing interest.

In the final part of the process, the selected applicants are interviewed, and a successful
candidate and a runner up are chosen, while the unsuccessful candidates are sent an email of
rejection.
2. Coherence and Cohesion
2.1. Comparing Responses
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/comparing-responses-10/

Model Response
This line graph illustrates the number of employees in thousands in the mining industry in
Australia between 1900 and 1990. Overall, it is clear that employment in the Australian mining
industry declined significantly throughout this century, although there was a peak in the
number of employees in 1950.

At the beginning of the century more than 60,000 people were employed in this sector, but
by the end of the first decade this fell to only 40,000. The number of employees continued to
decline throughout the 1920s and 1930s, but at a much lower rate than previously, reaching
a low of 30,000 in 1940. This was followed by a dramatic growth to 50,000 in the next 10
years.

However, from 1950 onwards the decline began again and was marked by a sharp drop at the
beginning of the 1960s after which the rate of decline slowed. By 1990, only 15,000 people
were working in this sector.
3. Lexical Resource
3.1. Comparing Band Descriptors
https://ieltsonline.com/topic/comparing-band-descriptors-12/

Collocation
Collocation refers to two (or more) words that are commonly used together.

For example:
• undergo/experience change
• to identify a trend
• rising living standards
• a sharp rise
• to reach a peak
• to experience a decline
• to rise markedly
• to drop significantly
• the figures reveal