The charts below give information on the ages of the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050.

Same questionCompare 5 different answers (Band 5.5–7)

Sample Response

1

The given charts show the changes which are predicted to take place in the age distributions of the populationson the ages of populations of Yemen and Italy by 20502015, compared with the figures for 2000as compared to the 2000 level. The most notable change can be seenmost striking image can be noticed among 15-59-year-oldsfor 15-59 year olds. While in Yemen the figures are expected to steadily rise in the future, growing from 46.3% to 57.3%, Italy showsrepresents almost the reverse trend. Here, the values fall by 15.4 percentage pointsfall by around 5%, from 61.6% to 46.2%.46.2%

2

The only category registering increasing values is 60+ age group60 plus age group. In Yemen, only a small rise of 2.1 percentage pointsrise of about 2% can be observed. In comparison, Italy shows a substantial rise in the proportion aged 60+doubles its number of old people, from 24.1% to 42.3%to a peak of 42.3%.

3

The remaining group, comprising those aged 0-14The last age group, of under 14 years old, is the only one forecastforecasted to decline in both countries: from 50.1% to 37% in Yemen and from 14.3% to 11.5% in Italy. Overall, across all four chartsin all 4 diagrams, the 15-59 year olds registers the highest figures, of around 50%, while under 14 year olds situates all the time under the 15% threshold.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 5.5

The response selects most age groups and includes several accurate comparisons, especially the projected changes for Yemen and Italy's older population. Its main limitation is visual accuracy: it gives 2015 instead of 2050, understates Italy's working-age decline, and ends with an overview contradicted by the charts. Prioritize a fact-checked overview that identifies the dominant age group in each chart and the contrasting ageing patterns.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TA

Task Achievement

5.0
Scoring rule

Most categories and several figures are reported, but the wrong projection year and seriously inaccurate overview weaken task fulfilment.

Next step

Check every date and percentage against the charts, then state an overview that accurately contrasts Yemen's youthful profile with Italy's ageing population.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

6.0
Scoring rule

The age-group sequence and paragraphing provide broadly clear progression, although the overview arrives at the end and some references are imprecise.

Next step

Place the overview immediately after the introduction and group the detailed comparisons consistently by age category.

LR

Lexical Resource

6.0
Scoring rule

The response shows adequate range for trends and projections, but awkward choices such as 'striking image' and 'situates' reduce precision.

Next step

Use established Task 1 terms such as 'proportion,' 'age group,' 'projected share,' 'rise,' and 'decline.'

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

5.5
Scoring rule

A mix of simple and complex structures is attempted, but recurring agreement, article, and comparative-form errors reduce control.

Next step

Proofread plural age-group subjects and comparison clauses, especially forms such as '15-59-year-olds register' and 'is projected to decline.'

Put the feedback to work

Write this task while it is fresh

Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

The charts below give information on the ages of the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050.

Your response

Words0
20:00

Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.