The diagram below shows the number of houses built per year in two cities, Derby and Nottingham, Between 2000 and 2009.
Sample Response
The chart outlines the number of houses built annually in Derby and Nottingham cities from 2000 to 2009. Overall, more houses were built in Derby than Nottingham each year except in 2000, 2001 and 2007. According to the bar graph, only 50 houses were built in Nottingham in 2000 where this number was around 45 in Derby. After two years, this trend changed and more houses were built in Derby than Nottingham. Until 2005, the trend remained almost the same and in 2005 more than 100 houses were built in Derby while less than 80 in Nottingham. Interestingly the number of houses constructed in Nottingham were very few (less than 10) in 2006 and 2008 while it was much higher in Derby. In 2007 a reverse trend could be observed where more than 190 dwellings were constructed in Nottingham compared to the only 110 houses in Derby. In the final year, 2009 more than 240 homes were developed in Derby while 250 in Nottingham. In summary, over the time, the number of houses that were built in Derby increased almost in each year while this showed some anomaly in Nottingham where fewer houses were built than Derby, except in 2000, 2001 and 2007.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural place phrase Original: Derby and Nottingham cities Suggested revision: the cities of Derby and Nottingham Why it matters: This is the natural way to identify the two cities.
- 2. Use contrast linker Original: in 2000 where Suggested revision: in 2000, whereas Why it matters: The clause contrasts Nottingham's figure with Derby's, so "whereas" is required.
- 3. Correct Derby figure Original: around 45 in Derby Suggested revision: about 40 in Derby Why it matters: The chart shows roughly 40 houses in Derby in 2000.
- 4. Add comma Original: Interestingly the Suggested revision: Interestingly, the Why it matters: An introductory adverb should be followed by a comma.
- 5. Fix subject agreement Original: were very few Suggested revision: was very low Why it matters: The subject is the singular "number," and a number is low rather than few.
- 6. Correct low figures Original: (less than 10) Suggested revision: (about 10) Why it matters: The bars for Nottingham in 2006 and 2008 are approximately 10 houses.
- 7. Add year comma Original: 2007 a reverse Suggested revision: 2007, a reverse Why it matters: The introductory year phrase requires a following comma.
- 8. Correct Nottingham figure Original: where more than 190 Suggested revision: when about 190 Why it matters: The chart shows approximately 190 houses in Nottingham in 2007, not more than 190.
- 9. Correct Derby figure Original: the only 110 houses Suggested revision: about 120 houses Why it matters: Derby's 2007 bar is approximately 120 houses.
- 10. Correct final figure Original: more than 240 homes were developed in Derby Suggested revision: about 350 homes were built in Derby Why it matters: The chart shows Derby reaching roughly 350 houses in 2009.
- 11. Complete comparison Original: while 250 in Nottingham Suggested revision: while about 250 were built in Nottingham Why it matters: The comparison needs a verb and an approximation marker.
- 12. Remove article Original: over the time Suggested revision: over time Why it matters: The fixed expression is "over time" without an article.
Suggested Rewrites
- Derby and Nottingham cities the cities of Derby and Nottingham
- in 2000 where in 2000, whereas
- around 45 in Derby about 40 in Derby
- Interestingly the Interestingly, the
- were very few was very low
- (less than 10) (about 10)
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response selects several meaningful comparisons and uses varied reporting vocabulary, with the year-by-year sequence generally easy to follow. However, the final-year comparison is materially inaccurate—Derby reaches about 350 homes, not just over 240—and the 2008 surge is omitted; prioritise checking every quoted figure against the chart and organising the report into a distinct overview and grouped detail paragraphs.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The report presents a relevant overview and several correct comparisons, but it omits a major 2008 feature and significantly understates Derby's 2009 figure.
Verify the final two years carefully and report Derby's sharp rise from about 110 in 2007 to 280 in 2008 and 350 in 2009.
Coherence and Cohesion
Chronological progression and linking are generally clear, but the entire report forms one paragraph and the ending repeats the overview.
Separate the overview from two grouped detail paragraphs, using one for 2000–2005 and another for the contrasting final years.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, with effective terms such as annually, reverse trend, dwellings, and constructed.
Refine less natural choices such as Nottingham cities and showed some anomaly to maintain consistent precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses a range of complex structures, although agreement, article, and comparison errors appear with some regularity.
Check agreement after the number of and use complete comparison clauses with accurate articles and punctuation.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The diagram below shows the number of houses built per year in two cities, Derby and Nottingham, Between 2000 and 2009.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.