The charts below give information on the ages of the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050.
Sample Response
The given charts show the changes which are predicted to take place on the ages of populations of Yemen and Italy by 2015, as compared to the 2000 level. The most striking image can be noticed for 15-59 year olds. While in Yemen the figures are expected to steadily rise in the future, growing from 46.3% to 57.3%, Italy represents almost the reverse trend. Here, the values fall by around 5%, from 61.6% to 46.2%
The only category registering increasing values is 60 plus age group. In Yemen, only a small rise of about 2% can be observed. In comparison, Italy doubles its number of old people, from 24.1% to a peak of 42.3%.
The last age group, of under 14 years old, is the only one forecasted to decline in both countries: from 50.1% to 37% in Yemen and from 14.3% to 11.5% in Italy. Overall, in all 4 diagrams, the 15-59 year olds registers the highest figures, of around 50%, while under 14 year olds situates all the time under the 15% threshold.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Correct preposition Original: on the ages of populations Suggested revision: in the age distributions of the populations Why it matters: Changes occur in age distributions, so this phrase needs a different preposition and complete noun phrase.
- 2. Correct projection year Original: 2015 Suggested revision: 2050 Why it matters: The charts project the populations to 2050, not 2015.
- 3. Use precise comparison Original: as compared to the 2000 level Suggested revision: compared with the figures for 2000 Why it matters: The charts contain proportions rather than a single level.
- 4. Describe a feature Original: most striking image can be noticed Suggested revision: most notable change can be seen Why it matters: A numerical trend is a change or feature, not an image.
- 5. Form age group Original: for 15-59 year olds Suggested revision: among 15-59-year-olds Why it matters: The compound age expression needs hyphens and a suitable preposition.
- 6. Use natural verb Original: represents Suggested revision: shows Why it matters: A country or its chart shows a trend rather than represents it in this construction.
- 7. Correct the decrease Original: fall by around 5% Suggested revision: fall by 15.4 percentage points Why it matters: Italy's 15-59 share falls from 61.6% to 46.2%, a decrease of 15.4 percentage points.
- 8. Close the sentence Original: 46.2% Suggested revision: 46.2%. Why it matters: The sentence requires a full stop after its final figure.
- 9. Name group clearly Original: 60 plus age group Suggested revision: 60+ age group Why it matters: This is the concise conventional label for the category shown in the charts.
- 10. State percentage points Original: rise of about 2% Suggested revision: rise of 2.1 percentage points Why it matters: Yemen's 60+ share rises from 3.6% to 5.7%, which is a 2.1-point increase.
- 11. Correct data claim Original: doubles its number of old people Suggested revision: shows a substantial rise in the proportion aged 60+ Why it matters: The chart gives population proportions, and 42.3% is less than double 24.1%.
- 12. Avoid false peak Original: to a peak of 42.3% Suggested revision: to 42.3% Why it matters: Two time points do not establish that the final value is a peak.
Suggested Rewrites
- on the ages of populations in the age distributions of the populations
- 2015 2050
- as compared to the 2000 level compared with the figures for 2000
- most striking image can be noticed most notable change can be seen
- for 15-59 year olds among 15-59-year-olds
- represents shows
Why this response received Band 5.5
The response selects most age groups and includes several accurate comparisons, especially the projected changes for Yemen and Italy's older population. Its main limitation is visual accuracy: it gives 2015 instead of 2050, understates Italy's working-age decline, and ends with an overview contradicted by the charts. Prioritize a fact-checked overview that identifies the dominant age group in each chart and the contrasting ageing patterns.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
Most categories and several figures are reported, but the wrong projection year and seriously inaccurate overview weaken task fulfilment.
Check every date and percentage against the charts, then state an overview that accurately contrasts Yemen's youthful profile with Italy's ageing population.
Coherence and Cohesion
The age-group sequence and paragraphing provide broadly clear progression, although the overview arrives at the end and some references are imprecise.
Place the overview immediately after the introduction and group the detailed comparisons consistently by age category.
Lexical Resource
The response shows adequate range for trends and projections, but awkward choices such as 'striking image' and 'situates' reduce precision.
Use established Task 1 terms such as 'proportion,' 'age group,' 'projected share,' 'rise,' and 'decline.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures is attempted, but recurring agreement, article, and comparative-form errors reduce control.
Proofread plural age-group subjects and comparison clauses, especially forms such as '15-59-year-olds register' and 'is projected to decline.'
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The charts below give information on the ages of the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.