The table below compares actual and predicted figures for populations in three different cities.
Sample Response
The table gives information about the actual populationsactual number of inhabitants in three cities in 1990 and 2000, together within three different cities, in 1990 and 2000,as well as the predicted populations for 2000the estimated population for 2000.
Overall, while the populationspopulation of Sao Paulo and Jakarta increased between 1990 and 2000, there was a decline in the population of Shanghai. Meanwhile, Sao Paulo remained the most populous city in both yearsduring the period shown.
In 1990, Sao Paulo recorded the highest population, at 15 million, followed by Shanghai and Jakarta, with 13.5 million and 9.5 million respectively. Although Sao Paulo’s population was predicted to reach 24 million by 2000, it only rose to 18 million. Similarly, the number of residents in Jakarta increased by 2 million between 1990 and 2000increased by 2 million in 2000, to 11.5 million, which was about 2.5 million below the forecast2.5 million fewer than forecasted.
Shanghai had a population of 13.5 million in 1990There were 13.5 million people living in Shanghai in 1990 and its population was expected to grow significantlythe population was expected to experience significant growth over the next decade. However, in reality, it dropped to 12.5 million, instead of the forecasted increase to 17 million.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response gives a clear, accurate and efficiently organised account of all three cities, with strong comparisons between the predicted and actual figures. Its main limitation is that the overview does not explicitly state the common pattern that every actual figure for 2000 fell below its forecast. Prioritise adding that cross-city comparison to the overview while retaining the concise, well-selected detail in the body.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All figures and changes are reported accurately, and the overview identifies the actual population trends and the largest city.
Strengthen the overview by stating that actual populations in all three cities were lower than their respective predictions.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically from a concise overview to grouped city comparisons, with cohesive devices used naturally.
Preserve this organisation while making the relationship between the two detail paragraphs even more explicit through parallel opening sentences.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, precise and well suited to describing population levels, forecasts and changes.
Continue refining collocation by favouring the most concise forms, such as lower than forecast, where longer wording adds no precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex comparison and contrast structures are consistently accurate, with only a minor spacing slip after punctuation.
Proofread punctuation and spacing carefully so small presentation errors do not interrupt an otherwise highly controlled response.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The table below compares actual and predicted figures for populations in three different cities.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.