The chart below gives information about the UK’s ageing population in 1985 and makes predictions for 2035.
Sample Response
The graph shows how the proportion of people aged 65 and over across the UKthe size and distribution of the UK’s ageing population is likely to change over a 50-year period.
Overall, the proportions are predicted to increase in all four UK countriesall UK countries. In 1985, 15 per cent of the UK population was over 65, but by 2035, this figure is predicted to rise to 23 per centthis will account for 23 per cent of the total population.
A closer look at the data reveals that the ageing population is expected to rise more in some parts of the UK than in othersother. In 1985, Wales had the highest percentage of people aged 65 and over, at 16 per cent. The second-largest group could be found in England and the third in Scotland. Northern Ireland had the lowest proportionhad lowest proportion, with 12 per cent aged 65 and over.
By 2035, Wales is still projectedgoing to have by far the greatest percentage of over 65s, with the figure likely to reachwith figures likely to reach 26 per cent. However, the biggest increases in this age group, relative to the rest of the population, are predicted to occur in Northern Ireland and Scotland. In Northern Ireland, for example, this figure will almost doublethis figure will increase almost double to 23 per cent.
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is well organized and accurately identifies the overall rise, the leading position of Wales, and the largest projected increases. Its main limitation is that the 2035 comparison is selective, leaving England and Scotland without exact final figures. Add a concise comparison of all four countries in the projected year while correcting the few article and comparison-form errors.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The overview and principal comparisons are accurate and relevant, though the projected figures for England and Scotland are not fully reported.
Complete the 2035 comparison by noting England at about 23% and Scotland at about 25%, alongside Wales and Northern Ireland.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is sequenced clearly through an introduction, overview, and two focused detail paragraphs with effective progression.
Keep the same structure while making the final paragraph's country comparisons slightly more parallel and concise.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and precise enough for the task, with only occasional awkward choices such as the second-largest group.
Prefer exact comparative phrasing such as the second-highest proportion and the other countries.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of structures is generally well controlled, although several local errors occur with articles and comparison forms.
Correct forms such as in other to in others, add the in the lowest proportion, and write almost double or increase to almost twice its level.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The chart below gives information about the UK’s ageing population in 1985 and makes predictions for 2035.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.