The graphs below provide information on global population figures and figures for urban populations in different world regions.
Sample Response
The graph illustrates global population data since 1800 and also predicts it further until 2100. At the same time, the bar graph depicts the past and future urban population from 2015 to 2040 while also making a comparison between developed and developing regions.
Overall, it is quite evident that the number of people worldwide would gradually increase to its peak until 2050 and then see a slow decline further. The bar graph indicates that the number of urban settlers in developing regions has been increasing year after year and will always be higher than the developed regions, which continue to remain constant throughout.
During the 1800s, the human count was a mere 1000 million and saw a slow growth until 1950, after which it has seen a sudden spike until 2020 and forecasted to touch 8000 million around 2060. Post-2060, the world might see a decline in its numbers, roughly to be under 7000 million during 2100.
It has been studied that the urban population in the developed region has always been steady from 2015 to 2020 at just around 1200 million people and has been predicted to remain stable until 2040 as well. Although the count was just above 2000 million in 2015, it has been estimated that this number will double by 2040.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use projection wording Original: predicts it further until 2100 Suggested revision: projects population figures up to 2100 Why it matters: The revision states more precisely that the future values are projections.
- 2. Compare like quantities Original: will always be higher than the developed regions Suggested revision: will remain higher than that in developed regions Why it matters: A population figure must be compared with another population figure, not with a region.
- 3. Use standard measure Original: the human count Suggested revision: the world population Why it matters: “World population” is the standard term for the quantity shown.
- 4. Use uncountable growth Original: saw a slow growth Suggested revision: grew slowly Why it matters: “Growth” is uncountable here, and the verb form is more natural.
- 5. Fix tense sequence Original: it has seen a sudden spike until 2020 and forecasted to touch Suggested revision: it rose sharply to 2020 and is forecast to reach Why it matters: The rewrite distinguishes the historical rise from the projected future figure and supplies the missing auxiliary verb.
- 6. Report endpoint precisely Original: roughly to be under 7000 million during 2100 Suggested revision: to roughly 6.7 billion by 2100 Why it matters: The line ends at about 6.7 billion in 2100, and “by” correctly marks the endpoint.
- 7. Attribute to graph Original: It has been studied that Suggested revision: The graph shows that Why it matters: The information is displayed by the graph rather than established by an unspecified study.
- 8. Use plural region label Original: in the developed region Suggested revision: in developed regions Why it matters: The chart category refers collectively to multiple developed regions.
- 9. Use starting-point preposition Original: since Suggested revision: from Why it matters: “From” is the concise preposition for the beginning of the displayed time range.
- 10. Remove misleading linker Original: At the same time, the bar graph Suggested revision: The bar graph Why it matters: The graphics present related data rather than simultaneous events, so this time linker is unnecessary.
- 11. Distinguish data status Original: past and future urban population Suggested revision: observed and projected urban populations Why it matters: The revision distinguishes historical values from forecasts and uses the plural form for two regional series.
- 12. Use concise comparison Original: making a comparison between Suggested revision: comparing Why it matters: The verb expresses the same relationship more directly.
Suggested Rewrites
- predicts it further until 2100 projects population figures up to 2100
- will always be higher than the developed regions will remain higher than that in developed regions
- the human count the world population
- saw a slow growth grew slowly
- it has seen a sudden spike until 2020 and forecasted to touch it rose sharply to 2020 and is forecast to reach
- roughly to be under 7000 million during 2100 to roughly 6.7 billion by 2100
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response is well organised and provides a clear overview of both visuals, accurately highlighting global growth followed by decline and the widening urban-population difference. The main weakness is imprecision in several dates, values, and expressions, including placing the peak around 2060 and describing developing-region growth as exactly doubling. Check plotted points more carefully and use precise comparison language while maintaining the effective paragraph structure.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
Both graphs are addressed with a clear overview and relevant supporting figures, though the timing of the global peak and some urban figures are only approximate or slightly inaccurate.
Match each key number to its exact year and qualify near-doubling accurately rather than presenting approximations as exact changes.
Coherence and Cohesion
The four-paragraph structure creates clear progression from introduction and overview to separate details for each graphic, with only minor referencing and linking awkwardness.
Make the subject of the final comparison explicit and use a direct transition between the developed- and developing-region figures.
Lexical Resource
A good range of trend and forecasting vocabulary is used, but choices such as 'urban settlers', 'human count', and 'It has been studied' are imprecise for chart reporting.
Use conventional terms such as 'urban population', 'global population', 'the chart shows', and 'is projected to reach'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Varied complex structures are generally controlled and meaning remains clear, although tense shifts, missing clause elements, and awkward comparative constructions occur.
Maintain consistent past and projection forms and ensure reduced clauses such as forecasts retain an explicit subject and auxiliary verb.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graphs below provide information on global population figures and figures for urban populations in different world regions.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.