The line graph shows the unemployment rates in three countries (the UK, the rest of Europe and Japan) between 1993 and 2007.
Sample Response
The line graph illustrates the unemployment rates in the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, and Japan from 1993 to 2007.
Overall, unemployment rates in both the UK and the rest of Europe declined overallshowed a downward trend, while Japan rose overallexperienced a general increase. The UK began the period with the highest unemployment ratethe highest unemployment, but by 2007, the rest of Europe had overtaken it as the region with the highest rate.
In 1993, the unemployment rate in the UK was around 11%, the highest of the threethe highest among the three regions. This figure declined steadily, falling to 5% by 2001, and remained stable until 2005 before rising slightly to 5% again in 2007. In contrast, the rest of Europe started at approximately 9% in 1993, and this figure fluctuated between 10% and 11% until 1999. Afterward, it declined moderately, staying around 8% during 2001–2005 before falling further to 7% by the end of the period.
Meanwhile, Japan exhibited the opposite pattern. Its unemployment rate stood at about 2.5% in 1993, significantly lower than the other two ratessignificantly lower than the other two. However, this figure gradually increased, reaching a peak of 5% in 2003, before declining to roughly 3.5% in 2007.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The report is fluent, logically structured, and especially effective at comparing the three contrasting national trends. The main weakness is limited numerical precision in the UK account, where the value in 2001 and the subsequent movement are slightly oversimplified. Check plotted points more carefully and describe small fluctuations accurately while preserving the clear overview and selective approach.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response gives a clear overview and covers all three series with well-chosen comparisons, although a few UK values and movements are approximated imprecisely.
Recheck the UK line from 2001 to 2007 and report its slight dip followed by a rise without implying an exactly stable period.
Coherence and Cohesion
The overview and detail paragraphs form a clear progression, and referencing and linking guide the reader smoothly between the three series.
Keep the chronological comparisons equally precise so the strong organisational framework mirrors every change in the graph.
Lexical Resource
A broad and accurate range of trend language conveys increases, declines, fluctuation, stability, and relative position effectively.
Distinguish more precisely between slight variation and complete stability when selecting verbs and modifiers for the UK series.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex and simple structures are combined flexibly with consistently accurate grammar and well-controlled punctuation.
Continue varying clause structures while ensuring that compressed time-sequence sentences preserve exact logical relationships between each plotted stage.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The line graph shows the unemployment rates in three countries (the UK, the rest of Europe and Japan) between 1993 and 2007.
Your response
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