The graph shows Internet Usage in Taiwan by Age Group, 1998-2000.
Sample Response
The column graph depicts the proportion of Taiwanese internet users categorising them in four different age groups between 1998 and 2000. Generally speaking, young Taiwanese internet users were significantly higher than the internet users from other age groups. In 1998, 53% of the total Taiwanese internet users were between 16 and 30 years old. This figure was significantly higher by 12 percentage pointshigher, by 12% than the figure for users aged 31–50than those aged 31-50 years old. The proportions of users aged under 15Internet usage in minors and those aged 50 or over wereand those over 50 years old were less than 5%. The following yearNext year, the percentage of internet users dropped by 2–8 percentage points2-8%, except for users aged under 15those less than 15 years old. Their rate roseraised fourfoldby fourfold while the figure for those aged 50 or over doubledand for those over 50 years old, doubled. In 2000, the figures for age groups 16-30 and 31-50 fell by 1–2 percentage pointswent down slightly by 1-2%, whereas the other two figures rose by one and two percentage points respectivelywhereas it increased at the same rate for users aged under 15 and 50 or overthose aged less than 15 and over 50. Based on the information given, it can be deduced that the distribution of Taiwanese internet users across age groupsthe proportion of age groups using the internet in Taiwan changed only slightlyminimally changed over the three-year periodin a span of 3 years. It is also noticeable that while internet usage in teens and adults dropped slightly, the figures for both children and elders grew by almost twofold.
Why this response received Band 6.0
The response identifies the dominant 16–30 group and follows the three years in a generally clear sequence, with several accurate starting values. Its main weakness is the description of change: the 1999 exception omits the over-50 group, the 2000 increases are not equal, and the final growth claims are overstated. Prioritise calculating each age group’s change separately and distinguishing percentage points from proportional growth.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The main age pattern and several figures are accurate, but multiple year-to-year changes and the concluding growth comparison are misstated.
Track each age group across all three bars and calculate its absolute percentage-point change before summarising the trend.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses chronologically and uses a recognisable overview, but the single paragraph and contradictory final summary weaken coherence.
Separate the overview from details and ensure the conclusion synthesises rather than conflicts with the preceding yearly comparisons.
Lexical Resource
Trend vocabulary is varied, but inaccurate age labels and word choices such as ‘raised’ and ‘elders’ reduce precision.
Retain the chart’s exact age-group labels and use ‘rose’, ‘fell’, ‘doubled’, or ‘increased fourfold’ accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Meaning is generally recoverable, but agreement, comparison, pronoun-reference, punctuation, and verb-form errors occur frequently.
Give each age group a clear plural subject and check that every pronoun and comparative phrase refers to the intended figure.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph shows Internet Usage in Taiwan by Age Group, 1998-2000.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.