The chart below shows information about average house prices in five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with average house prices in 1989.
Sample Response
The chart provides a breakdown of the average changesa break down about the average variation in house prices in five differentvarious cities for the periods 1990–1995 and 1996–2002from 1990 to 2002 comparedalong with a comparison with average house prices in 1989with house price in 1989. Overall, it is clear that the average house price increased substantially over the given period compared with the prices in 1989.
As can be seen, during the 1990–1995 periodbetween 1990 and 1995, the average house prices in Tokyo and London fell sharply byindicated a sharp dip by about 7% in Tokyo and 8% in Londonapproximately 7% in both cities. They were followed by New York with a 5% decline. In contrast, average house prices rose slightlythe average house price showed a slight increase of 2% and about 1% in Frankfurt and Madrid respectively2% and 2.5% in Frankfurt and Madrid respectively.
By contrastOn the contrary, from 1996 to 2002during the period of 1996 to 2002, house prices in London rose sharply by 12%London with 12% demonstrated a sharp growth in housing prices. New York and Madrid followed, withIt was followed by New York and Madrid with rises of 5% and 4%, respectively, alongside5% and 4% respectively along with a small increase of around 2% in Frankfurt. Similarly, Tokyo showed a rise of about 2% but it was still 5% lower than the average house price in 1989.
Why this response received Band 7.0
The report is clearly organised by period and supports its comparisons with figures, accurately covering most of the major changes. Its main weakness is an overgeneralised overview, alongside a few inaccurate or confusing details about Madrid and Tokyo. Refine the overview to contrast the predominantly negative first period with the mostly positive second period and state Tokyo's remaining decline unambiguously.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
Most key figures and comparisons are accurately selected, but the overview overstates the general increase and a few city details are inaccurate or ambiguous.
Summarise the shift from mainly falling prices in 1990-1995 to mainly rising prices in 1996-2002, while identifying London and Tokyo as the clearest extremes.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is logically grouped by the two periods, and progression is clear despite a few imprecise linking choices.
Choose connectors that express the exact relationship, particularly avoiding contrast or similarity markers when the figures do not support them.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a sufficient range of trend and comparison vocabulary, though several collocations are awkward or imprecise.
Prefer natural combinations such as showed a fall, rose by, and percentage change, and avoid assigning human-like actions to prices or cities.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A varied mix of simple and complex structures is generally well controlled, with occasional agreement, article, and sentence-construction lapses that do not impede understanding.
Polish noun phrases and comparative sentences, especially where a city, percentage, and movement are combined in one clause.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The chart below shows information about average house prices in five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with average house prices in 1989.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.