The graph gives information about the age of the population of Iceland between 1990 and 2020.
Sample Response
The bar chart compares the different ages of people living in Iceland between 1990 and 2020.
All in all, the size of the 25-54 age group increased the most over the period while the size of the two younger age groups decreased a little bit. The number of people in the two older age groups stayed about the same.
The 25-54 age group grew from approximately a third of the population in 1990 to nearly half of the population in 2020.
The older two age groups did not increase or decrease much. The size of the 65 and over age group remained at about 13%, whereas the size of the 55 -64 age group only fell from about 14% to about 10% of the population.
By contrast, the 0-14 age group fell from just over 25% in 1990 to just under 20% in 2020. Similarly, the 15-24 age group dropped from just over 20% of the population in 1990 to just under 10% of the population in 2020.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Describe age groups Original: different ages of people Suggested revision: proportions of people in different age groups Why it matters: The chart compares population shares across age categories rather than people's ages themselves.
- 2. Use proportions Original: number Suggested revision: proportions Why it matters: The vertical axis reports percentages, so this should refer to proportions rather than numbers.
- 3. Use formal wording Original: stayed about the same Suggested revision: remained broadly stable Why it matters: This wording is more precise and appropriately formal for a data description.
- 4. Give precise figure Original: approximately a third Suggested revision: about 32% Why it matters: The chart provides a figure close to 32%, which is more informative than a broad fraction.
- 5. Natural word order Original: The older two age groups Suggested revision: The two older age groups Why it matters: This is the more natural ordering for this comparative noun phrase.
- 6. Remove limiting adverb Original: only fell Suggested revision: fell Why it matters: The adverb is unnecessary because the size of the change is already shown by the figures.
- 7. Use chart value Original: just over 25% Suggested revision: about 26% Why it matters: The bar is close to 26%, so the approximate numerical value is clearer.
- 8. Use chart value Original: just over 20% Suggested revision: about 22% Why it matters: The 1990 bar for this group is approximately 22%.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: All in all, the size of the 25-54 age group increased the most over the period while the size of the two younger age groups decreased a little bit. Suggested revision: Overall, the proportion aged 25–54 increased the most, while both younger groups declined, especially the 15–24 group. Why it matters: The 15–24 share fell sharply from about 22% to 8%, so describing both younger groups as decreasing only slightly is inaccurate.
Suggested Rewrites
- different ages of people proportions of people in different age groups
- number proportions
- stayed about the same remained broadly stable
- approximately a third about 32%
- The older two age groups The two older age groups
- only fell fell
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is strongest in its clear overview and orderly comparison of all five age groups, with most endpoint figures matching the chart. Its main limitation is that it understates the steep fall in the 15–24 group and gives little attention to intermediate years; prioritise more precise descriptions of change and a few well-chosen comparisons across the full period.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
A clear overview and accurate endpoint figures cover all major age groups, although the substantial 15–24 decline is misleadingly described as slight.
Characterise the magnitude of each trend precisely and include selective evidence from 2000 or 2010 to show development across the period.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically from the overview to older and younger groups, with comparisons linked clearly throughout.
Combine the short standalone paragraph on the 25–54 group with related detail to create fuller, more balanced body paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise for describing proportions and change, with only minor imprecision such as “decreased a little bit.”
Use sharper trend language such as “fell markedly” when the chart shows a large proportional change.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of simple and complex structures is used accurately, with strong control of agreement, clauses, and punctuation.
Refine comparative phrasing further by varying structures for stability, decline, and growth while maintaining the same high accuracy.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph gives information about the age of the population of Iceland between 1990 and 2020.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.