The graph below shows the changes in maximum number of Asian elephants between 1994 and 2007.
Sample Response
The graph shows the estimated maximum numberspopulation of elephants in a range of Asian countries in both 1997 and 2004.
In most countries shownIn most of the countries included in the graph, elephant populations fellthe population fell. This was most noticeable in Malaysia and Thailand, where the number of elephants was thought to be less than half their 1997 levelsless than half the figure in 1997. In MalaysiaIn the former, the number of elephants dropped as low as 1000. India remained the country with by far the largest elephant population, but experienced a dramatic fall in numbers so that in 2004 there may have been as few as 7500. Despite its size, China had a very small population of approximately 500at most 500 elephants by 2004.
Although the trend was downwards overall, elephant populations were thought to have remained stable in Laos and Vietnam at approximately 1200. The only country where elephants showed signs of recovering was Cambodia, where numbers may have risen by about 200risen by up to 200.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is concise, well organized, and uses flexible language to highlight the dominant downward trend and the most significant country comparisons. Its main limitation is minor data imprecision, particularly the understated rise in Cambodia and the treatment of Vietnam as stable; the highest priority is to verify every exceptional trend and quoted figure against the graph before finalizing the report.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
A clear overview and well-selected comparisons cover the principal trends, but Cambodia rose by about 300 rather than 200 and Vietnam declined slightly rather than remaining fully stable.
Retain the strong selection of features while checking the exact values and direction of change for every stated exception.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses smoothly from the overall decline and major falls to stable or rising exceptions, with clear referencing and controlled cohesion.
For even sharper progression, make the overview a fully distinct statement before developing the country comparisons.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, precise, and natural, with effective expressions for scale, decline, stability, and recovery.
Maintain this range while choosing wording that reflects small movements exactly, such as a slight decline rather than remained stable.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence structures is used accurately and flexibly, with consistently clear control of complex comparisons.
Sustain the same grammatical control while keeping numerical qualifications attached unambiguously to the countries and years they describe.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph below shows the changes in maximum number of Asian elephants between 1994 and 2007.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.