The graphs below show the number of medals won by the top five countries in the summer and winter Olympics.
Sample Response
The first bar chart shows which countries have won the most medals in the winter Olympics. It also showsstates how many gold, silver and bronze medals each country has wonachieved. The second graphIn contrast, the second graph shows the nations with the most medalsshows which nations have won the most medals in the summer Olympics.
Overall, the first graph shows that in the Winterwinter Olympics, Norway has wongained the most medals, winning approximately equal numbersapproximately an equal number of gold, silver and bronze medals. It has won about 370 medals, while fifth-placed Canadawhereas Canada, in fifth place, has won approximately 200 medals.
The Summer Olympics show a different rankingThe results of the summer Olympics are quite different, however, with the USA winningwith the USA having won the most medals. The USAOverall, the USA has won just over 2,500 medals, a much higher number than the other four countries shownthe other four countries on the graph. Russia ranks secondRussia is the second highest, winning approximately 1,800 medals.
To summarise, the bar charts illustrate how many medals the highest-ranking countries have won in the summer and winter Olympics. The results of each Olympics are very different, with the USA, Russia and Germany being successful in both.
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is fluent, well organised, and accurately identifies the leading countries and broad contrasts between the two Olympics. Its main limitation is selective coverage, since several middle- and lower-ranked countries receive no supporting figures, leaving comparisons underdeveloped. Add a compact comparison of the remaining countries in each chart while preserving the precise, controlled language and clear progression.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response gives a clear overview and accurate figures for the leading countries, but supporting coverage of the other rankings is limited.
Add concise comparative figures for the remaining winter and summer countries to develop the key features more fully.
Coherence and Cohesion
The report is logically sequenced and easy to follow, although the final summary partly repeats overview material instead of extending the comparison.
Use the final paragraph for additional comparative detail or integrate its cross-chart observation into a single overview.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, natural, and appropriate for ranking and comparison, with only minor repetition around medals and winners.
Increase precision further by varying language for totals, rankings, and relative gaps when describing the remaining countries.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, and nearly all sentences are error-free and easy to understand.
Refine occasional collocations such as medals being 'achieved' while preserving the strong grammatical control.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graphs below show the number of medals won by the top five countries in the summer and winter Olympics.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.