The chart shows the average daily minimum and maximum levels of air pollutants in 4 cities 2000.
Sample Response
The given bar chart presents the daily minimum and maximum levels of SO2 and N2O recordedN2O which caused pollution in 4 different cities (Los Angeles, Calcutta, Beijing and Mexico City) in the year 2000. Overall, Mexico City was by far the most contaminated by both pollutantsby the two mentioned pollutants among the four cities.
In Los Angeles, the quantity of SO2 emitted into the atmosphere was the lowest of all cities, with a minimum average of 2 micro-grams per m 3 and a maximum average five times as highmuch, at 10 micro-grams. The levels of N2O emissions were much higher with the maximum daily average level reaching 104 micrograms per cubic metrereaching up to more than 100 micro-grams per m 3. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Mexico City was severely polluted by SO2 and N2O emissions with the daily minimum and maximum averages of 80 and 113 micro-grams per m 3 respectively.
In contrast to Los Angeles and Mexico City, the levels of N2Othe amount of pollution caused by N2O in Calcutta and Beijing was less than that caused by SO2. The daily average maximum figures for SO2 emissions were 59 micro-grams per m 3 in Calcutta and 100 micrograms per cubic metre in Beijing130 micro-grams per m 3 in Beijing while the average maximum figures for N2O were 52 and 54 micrograms per cubic metre in Calcutta and Beijing, respectivelyjust over 50 micro-grams per m 3 in both cities.
Why this response received Band 7.0
The report is easy to follow and uses comparisons effectively, especially for Los Angeles, Calcutta and Beijing. However, its treatment of Mexico City confuses the pollutant minima with minimum-and-maximum values and omits the striking maxima of 200 and 207, while several other minima are also absent. Prioritise complete, accurately paired minimum and maximum data for each pollutant before refining minor phrasing.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
A clear overview identifies Mexico City as the most polluted, but significant minima are omitted and the Mexico City figures of 80 and 113 are inaccurately presented as minimum and maximum values.
Report both pollutants' paired minima and maxima accurately, especially Mexico City's 80/200 for SO2 and 113/207 for N2O.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is logically grouped by cities and contrasts, with clear paragraphing and generally effective progression.
Use a more systematic grouping pattern so that each city's minimum and maximum figures can be compared without gaps.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a suitably varied range of chart language and comparative vocabulary, with only occasional awkward or imprecise phrasing.
Prefer concise statistical wording such as ‘reached 104 micrograms per cubic metre’ instead of ‘reaching up to more than’.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of complex sentence forms is handled with good control, and the few grammatical lapses do not impede meaning.
Refine comparative structures by supplying the missing verb in phrases such as ‘a maximum average five times as high’.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The chart shows the average daily minimum and maximum levels of air pollutants in 4 cities 2000.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.