The chart below gives information about the UK's ageing population in 1985 and makes predictions for 2035.
Sample Response
The column graph gives the proportion of elderly peopleratio of elderly population in different constituent parts ofin the UK in 1985 and also predicts these proportionsalso gives a prediction of this proportion for these areas in 2035in 2035 in these countries. Overall, Wales had the highest proportion of senior citizens in 1985 and the proportions of people aged 65 and over in all these locationsthe percentages of elderly people in all these locations will riseupsurge in the future. Turning to the detailsGetting back to the details, 15% of the population15% population in the UK was over 64 years old in 1985 and Wales had the highest proportionthis ratio was the highest in Wales - around 16.5%. Around one person in sevenAround a person out of 7 was a senior citizen in England and Scotland and the proportion of elderly people in Northern Irelandthis ratio of elderly generation in Northern Ireland was slightly lower. It is predicted that the ratio of the older populace will have increased markedly by 2035in 2035 will increase remarkably and one in four peopleone out of four persons in Wales and Scotland would be over 64 years old. The ratio of elderly people in other countries in the UK would be between 22% and 23%between 22 to 23 percentages which would represent a significant increase from the 1985 figureswhich will be a significant growth than that of 1985.
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response identifies the overall rise across the UK and accurately selects nearly all of the important present and projected comparisons. Its main weakness is control of phrasing and sentence construction, with several unnatural or faulty expressions despite clear meaning, while the single-block organisation weakens presentation. Prioritise precise percentage language and divide the overview from the supporting details.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response provides an accurate overview and covers the major 1985 and 2035 values and comparisons with only minor imprecision.
Distinguish the four constituent countries from the overall UK figure and state each projected value more explicitly.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information follows a sensible overview-to-detail sequence, but the entire report forms one paragraph and some linking is mechanical.
Separate the overview, 1985 data, and 2035 projections into clearly focused paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
There is a good range of language for age groups and change, although several choices are unnatural or imprecise.
Replace expressions such as 'ratio of elderly generation' and '23 percentages' with accurate collocations such as 'proportion of people aged 65 and over' and '23 percent.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses varied complex structures, but recurring errors in articles, quantifiers, prepositions, and comparisons reduce control.
Practise accurate forms such as '15% of the population,' 'one person in seven,' and 'between 22% and 23%.'
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The chart below gives information about the UK's ageing population in 1985 and makes predictions for 2035.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.