The chart below shows the number of films produced five countries in three years.
Sample Response
The bar chart provides information about movie production in five different countries (labelled A-E) from 2007 to 2009.
Overall, country A had the highest number of films produced. It is also notable that while there was a decline in the figures for country A and D, the opposite was true for those of country B, C and E.
In 2007, around 86 films were made by country A. The figure remained unchanged one year later before slightly decreasing to exactly 80 films in 2009. Starting at about 15 movies in 2007, the number of films released by country D fell to just under 10 in 2008 and rose again to 12 in 2009.
However, the opposite trend could be seen in the figures for the other countries. Between 2007 and 2009, the number of movies made by country B witnessed a rise of 20 movies from 50 films to 70 films. Similarly, despite standing at only under 10 films in 2007, the number of movies made by country C underwent a gradual increase to 18 movies by 2009. As for country E, the figure only experienced a minimal rise from around 9 movies in 2007 to 11 in 2009.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use plural noun Original: country Suggested revision: countries Why it matters: A plural noun is required because two countries are named.
- 2. Use plural noun Original: country Suggested revision: countries Why it matters: A plural noun is required for the three countries in the list.
- 3. Refine opening figure Original: around 86 films Suggested revision: about 87 films Why it matters: Country A's 2007 bar is slightly below 90 and is best read as approximately 87.
- 4. Describe production Original: released by country D Suggested revision: produced in country D Why it matters: The chart measures films produced, rather than films released.
- 5. Refine D figure Original: rose again to 12 in 2009 Suggested revision: rose again to about 13 in 2009 Why it matters: The 2009 bar for country D is approximately 13 films.
- 6. Use natural collocation Original: made by country B Suggested revision: produced in country B Why it matters: Films are more naturally described as being produced in a country.
- 7. Use direct trend verb Original: witnessed a rise of 20 movies Suggested revision: rose by 20 Why it matters: A number rises; using witnessed here creates an awkward collocation.
- 8. Fix approximation phrase Original: only Suggested revision: just Why it matters: Just under is the idiomatic phrase for a value slightly below ten.
- 9. Refine C figure Original: to 18 movies by 2009 Suggested revision: to about 17 movies by 2009 Why it matters: Country C's 2009 bar is approximately 17 films.
- 10. Refine E figure Original: to 11 in 2009 Suggested revision: to about 12 in 2009 Why it matters: Country E's final bar is approximately 12 films.
Suggested Rewrites
- country countries
- country countries
- around 86 films about 87 films
- released by country D produced in country D
- rose again to 12 in 2009 rose again to about 13 in 2009
- made by country B produced in country B
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response gives a clear overview, selects all five countries, and reports the main figures and trends with impressive accuracy. Its organisation is easy to follow and the language is varied and mostly precise, although a few phrases are slightly awkward and some references to increases could be more economical. Refine collocations and reduce repetition of films, movies, and number to make an already strong report more polished.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The report presents a clear overview and accurately covers the major trends and figures for all five countries.
Make the overview even sharper by noting that country D fluctuated despite ending below its initial level.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is logically grouped, paragraphs progress naturally, and cohesive devices guide the reader without distraction.
Use a slightly more specific transition than 'the opposite trend' when moving from declining to rising countries.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, with only occasional awkward collocations and repetition of key nouns.
Use more natural combinations such as 'the figure rose' and vary repeated references to the number of films sparingly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence forms is used accurately, with only minor lapses that do not affect communication.
Polish small details such as using 'countries A and D' and avoid structures in which a number is said to witness a rise.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The chart below shows the number of films produced five countries in three years.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.