The bar chart below gives information about the percentage of the population living in urban areas in different parts of the world.
Sample Response
The graph compares the growth in the percentage of the population living in urban areas in six different regions of the world.
According to the chart, between 1950 and 2007 the percentage of the population living in cities in Latin America and the Caribbean almost doubled, from 42% to 76%, whereas in Europe it only increased by 21%. However, in Europe over half the people already lived in cities in 1950.
When we compare the projected increases in Asia and Europe by 2050 we see that in Asia the percentage will continue to grow at the same speed, with a further increase of 25%, whereas in Europe the change will be slower than before, increasing by only 12%. By 2050, the vast majority (around 90%) of people in Latin America, the Caribbean and North America will live in cities. Even in Africa, more than half the population (62%) will live in urban areas by then.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Name chart precisely Original: The graph Suggested revision: The bar chart Why it matters: Bar chart identifies the visual form more precisely.
- 2. Describe all periods Original: growth Suggested revision: changes Why it matters: Changes accurately covers both the historical figures and future projections.
- 3. Add introductory comma Original: between 1950 and 2007 the percentage Suggested revision: between 1950 and 2007, the percentage Why it matters: A comma should separate the introductory time phrase from the main clause.
- 4. Clarify reference Original: in Europe it only increased Suggested revision: the figure for Europe increased only Why it matters: Naming the figure removes the vague pronoun reference.
- 5. Use data language Original: at the same speed Suggested revision: at a similar rate Why it matters: Rate is more appropriate than speed when describing a percentage change.
- 6. Use percentage points Original: increase of 25% Suggested revision: increase of 25 percentage points Why it matters: Asia rises from 41% to 66%, which is a change of 25 percentage points.
- 7. Use percentage points Original: only 12% Suggested revision: only 12 percentage points Why it matters: Europe rises from 72% to 84%, a change of 12 percentage points.
- 8. Add a clear overview Suggested revision: Add an overview stating that urbanisation rises in every region and that North America has the highest proportion throughout, with Latin America and the Caribbean close behind by the final year. Why it matters: The opening identifies the subject but does not summarise the chart's dominant features.
- 9. Include Oceania Suggested revision: Add Oceania's more moderate rise from 62% in 1950 to 71% in 2007 and 76% in 2050 to complete the regional coverage. Why it matters: Oceania is the only one of the six regions not mentioned in the response.
Suggested Rewrites
- The graph The bar chart
- growth changes
- between 1950 and 2007 the percentage between 1950 and 2007, the percentage
- in Europe it only increased the figure for Europe increased only
- at the same speed at a similar rate
- increase of 25% increase of 25 percentage points
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response is concise, well organised, and uses accurate comparisons and projections from the chart, with generally precise vocabulary and strong sentence control. Its main limitation is incomplete task coverage: Oceania is omitted and there is no fully explicit overview of the overall upward trend and regional ranking. Add a clear overview after the introduction, then select one or two representative figures from every region to demonstrate complete coverage.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response presents several accurate historical and projected comparisons, but it lacks a clear overall summary and omits Oceania entirely.
Add an explicit overview that all regions urbanise and that the Americas and Europe remain highest, while including Oceania in the details.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically from past changes to future projections, with clear paragraphing and controlled use of comparison links.
Make the overview a distinct paragraph so the report's main message is immediately visible before the supporting figures.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, with effective language for changes, projections, proportions, and regional comparisons.
Refine expressions such as growth in the percentage and at the same speed to describe the numerical pattern more exactly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good range of complex comparison structures is used accurately, and the response is almost entirely error-free.
Maintain this control while varying sentence openings and avoiding reliance on repeated whereas clauses.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The bar chart below gives information about the percentage of the population living in urban areas in different parts of the world.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.