The graphs below show the number of medals won by the top five countries in the summer and winter Olympics.
Sample Response
The first bar chart shows which countries have won the most medals in the winter Olympics. It also states how many gold, silver and bronze medals each country has achieved. In contrast, the second graph shows which nations have won the most medals in the summer Olympics.
Overall, the first graph shows that in the winter Olympics, Norway has gained the most medals, winning approximately an equal number of gold, silver and bronze medals. It has won about 370 medals, whereas Canada, in fifth place, has won approximately 200 medals.
The results of the summer Olympics are quite different, however, with the USA having won the most medals. Overall, the USA has won just over 2,500 medals, a much higher number than the other four countries on the graph. Russia is the second highest, winning approximately 1,800 medals.
To summarise, the bar charts illustrate how many medals the highest-ranking countries have won in the summer and winter Olympics. The results of each Olympics are very different, with the USA, Russia and Germany being successful in both.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use chart verb Original: states Suggested revision: shows Why it matters: Shows is the natural verb for information presented visually.
- 2. Use correct collocation Original: achieved Suggested revision: won Why it matters: Medals are won rather than achieved.
- 3. Capitalise event name Original: winter Suggested revision: Winter Why it matters: Winter Olympics is the proper name of the event.
- 4. Use precise verb Original: gained Suggested revision: won Why it matters: Won is the standard verb used with medals.
- 5. Use plural comparison Original: approximately an equal number Suggested revision: approximately equal numbers Why it matters: Separate medal categories require the plural phrase equal numbers.
- 6. Use concise reference Original: the other four countries on the graph Suggested revision: the other four countries shown Why it matters: Shown is a more concise way to refer to the countries displayed.
- 7. Complete the ranking Original: Russia is the second highest Suggested revision: Russia ranks second Why it matters: Second highest needs a following noun, whereas ranks second is complete.
- 8. Use neutral transition Original: In contrast, the second graph Suggested revision: The second graph Why it matters: A contrast linker is unnecessary when simply introducing the other chart.
- 9. Condense ranking phrase Original: whereas Canada, in fifth place Suggested revision: while fifth-placed Canada Why it matters: This expresses the ranking more concisely without changing the comparison.
- 10. Name the difference Original: The results of the summer Olympics are quite different, however Suggested revision: The Summer Olympics show a different ranking Why it matters: Different ranking identifies the specific contrast more precisely than different results.
- 11. Simplify participle phrase Original: with the USA having won Suggested revision: with the USA winning Why it matters: The simple participle is more concise and fits the chart description.
- 12. Condense chart description Original: shows which nations have won the most medals Suggested revision: shows the nations with the most medals Why it matters: This shorter phrase conveys the same ranking information clearly.
Suggested Rewrites
- states shows
- achieved won
- winter Winter
- gained won
- approximately an equal number approximately equal numbers
- the other four countries on the graph the other four countries shown
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is fluent, well organised, and accurately identifies the leading countries and broad contrasts between the two Olympics. Its main limitation is selective coverage, since several middle- and lower-ranked countries receive no supporting figures, leaving comparisons underdeveloped. Add a compact comparison of the remaining countries in each chart while preserving the precise, controlled language and clear progression.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response gives a clear overview and accurate figures for the leading countries, but supporting coverage of the other rankings is limited.
Add concise comparative figures for the remaining winter and summer countries to develop the key features more fully.
Coherence and Cohesion
The report is logically sequenced and easy to follow, although the final summary partly repeats overview material instead of extending the comparison.
Use the final paragraph for additional comparative detail or integrate its cross-chart observation into a single overview.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, natural, and appropriate for ranking and comparison, with only minor repetition around medals and winners.
Increase precision further by varying language for totals, rankings, and relative gaps when describing the remaining countries.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, and nearly all sentences are error-free and easy to understand.
Refine occasional collocations such as medals being 'achieved' while preserving the strong grammatical control.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graphs below show the number of medals won by the top five countries in the summer and winter Olympics.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.