IELTS Rainwater Diagram
Reported in 2015 and 2018 in the IELTS writing task 1 test.
IELTS Diagram Model Answer
The diagram illustrates how an Australian town collects rainwater to process in
order to use as drinking water. Overall, rainwater collected from houses can be
used for drinking after it has been processed by being filtered and then being
treated with chemicals.
Initially, the rain which falls on the rooftop is collected by the gutter and then
runs down the pipe at the side of the house into the drain at the bottom. Each
house collects rainwater in this way and the rainwater is then passed along
underground drains to the water filter.
The rainwater passes through the water filter to remove any impurities. Once it
has been filtered, it continues along the pipes to a storage tank. From this
point, the water goes from storage to the water treatment. At this stage of the
process, the water is treated with chemicals in order to make it fit for
consumption. When the water is ready for drinking, it travels along pipes that
lead back into the houses in the town where people can use the water for daily
consumption.
179 words
Estimated at band score 8
The bar chart and pie charts illustrate the percentage of people in Glasgow
having three levels of education (university, school and those with no
qualifications) in 2010. Information is divided into five age groups in the bar
chart and by gender in the pie charts.
Overall, the majority of people with university education were in younger age
groups, while in the oldest age group most people did not have any
qualifications. The proportions of men and women were similar and showed
little different between the levels of education.
The percentage of people with university education was up to 76% in the
younger three age groups compared to only 50% in those ages 50 to 75 and
just 25% in those over 75. This trend was reversed in those with no
qualifications (9% in younger people rising to 72% in the oldest age group).
The figure for those with school education was relatively constant at around
20% but was as low as 3% in the over 75’s.
The proportion of men and women in each level of education was around one
third with only a slightly difference of 3% in university graduates as well as
those who didn’t have educational qualifications.
Words = 198
There are a few grammar mistakes in this writing. Can you find them?
Answers provided below
The table below gives information about consumer spending on different items
in five different countries in 2002.
The table illustrates the proportion of national expenditure in Ireland, Italy,
Spain, Sweden and Turkey on three types of consumer items in 2002.
Overall, the category of consumer goods that all countries spent most on was
food, drinks and tobacco, which was three times higher than on the other types
of goods. The lowest spending could be seen in the category of leisure and
education in all five countries. The outlay of Turkey was generally higher than
the other four countries.
In terms of food, drinks and tobacco, Turkey spent the most at 32.14%. The
expenditure of Ireland was also high (28.91%) compared to Sweden which
spent the least (15.77%). Spain and Italy spent 18.80% and 16.36%
respectively. On the other hand, the lowest expenditure was on leisure and
education which accounted for under 5% in all countries. Turkey spent most
on these items at just 4.35% of their national expenditure which is around
double that of Spain (1.98%).
Clothing and footwear was the third category of consumer goods and outlays
for those items were between 9% in Italy and 5.40% in Sweden. The national
spending in this area for the remaining countries averaged around 6.5%.
Below is an IELTS map model answer which is estimated at band score 9.
This is a comparison of three maps in different time periods for the academic
writing task 1. If you wish to do practice exercises for grammar for the maps
below, before you read this model, please follow the link: IELTS Map
Comparison Exercise.
The maps illustrate how Meadowside village and Fonton, which is a
neighbouring town, have developed over three different time periods (1962,
1985 and the present).
Overall, Meadowside village increased in size and has become Meadowside
Suburb as it merged together with Fonton. Furthermore, there have been
significant changes in infrastructure, housing and facilities over the period
given.
In 1962, both Meadowside and Fonton were completely separate with no
roads or rail connecting them. While Fonton had a railway line running through
it to the north, Meadowside, located to the west of Fonton, only had a small
road from the west.
By 1985, there was a considerable growth in the size of Meadowside village
and Fonton. The small road in Meadowside village had been converted into a
main road and was also extended to the east to connect with Fonton.
Meadowside, moreover, had also developed a housing estate in the west, a
leisure complex and a supermarket in the south.
Currently, both Meadowside, which is now a suburb, and Fonton are joined.
The railway line, which runs through Fonton, has been extended to the west
where a train station has been built. To the north of the station, a hotel has
been constructed and opposite the station, to the south, there is now a
business park
This model line graph for IELTS is estimated at band score 9. The model
answer below is for IELTS writing task 1 academic paper. Use this sample
writing as a template for structure, key features and language for any IELTS
line graph. There are also some tips given below to guide you and help you
understand how to describe this type of graph.
IELTS Line Graph Answer
The line graph illustrates the amount of three kinds of spreads (margarine, low
fat and reduced spreads and butter) which were consumed over 26 years from
1981 to 2007. Units are measured in grams.
Overall, the consumption of margarine and butter decreased over the period
given, while for low fat and reduced spreads, it rose. At the start of the period,
butter was the most popular spread, which was replaced by margarine from
1991 to 2001, and following that low fat and reduced spreads became the
most widely used spread in the final years.
With regards to the amount of butter used, it began at around 140 grams and
then peaked at 160 grams in 1986 before falling dramatically to about 50
grams in the last year. Likewise, approximately 90 grams of margarine was
eaten in the first year after which the figure fluctuated slightly and dropped to a
low of 40 grams in 2007.
On the other hand, the consumption of low fats and reduced spreads only
started in 1996 at about 10 grams. This figure, which reached a high of just
over 80 grams 5 years later, fell slightly in the final years to approximately 70
grams in 2007.
IELTS Bar Chart Sample Answer
The chart illustrates the amount of money spent on five consumer goods (cars,
computers, books, perfume and cameras) in France and the UK in 2010. Units
are measured in pounds sterling.
Overall, the UK spent more money on consumer goods than France in the
period given. Both the British and the French spent most of their money on
cars whereas the least amount of money was spent on perfume in the UK
compared to cameras in France. Furthermore, the most significant difference
in expenditure between the two countries was on cameras.
In terms of cars, people in the UK spent about £450,000 on this as opposed to
the French at £400,000. Similarly, the British expenditure was higher on books
than the French (around £400,000 and £300,000 respectively). In the UK,
expenditure on cameras (just over £350,000) was over double that of France,
which was only £150,000.
On the other hand, the amount of money paid out on the remaining goods was
higher in France. Above £350,000 was spent by the French on computers
which was slightly more than the British who spent exactly £350,000. Neither
of the countries spent much on perfume which accounted for £200,000 of
expenditure in France but under £150,000 in the UK.
Comments: The report has been organised into logical paragraphs with flexible use of linking. The overview is
very clear with key features well highlighted. Accurate data is used to support sentences in the body
paragraphs. There is a range of complex structures and vocabulary which is used flexibly. This is an estimated
band score 9 writing task 1 report for the academic paper.
Pie Chart Sample Answer
The two pie charts illustrate the proportion of five types of energy
production in France in 1995 and 2005.
Overall, in both years, the most significant sources of energy
were gas and coal, which together accounted for over half the
production of energy, while nuclear and other kinds of energy
sources generated the least amount of energy in France. In all
types of energy production there was only minimal change over
the 10 year period.
Energy produced by coal comprised of 29.80% in the first year
and this showed only a very slight increase of about a mere 1 %
to 30.9% in 2005. Likewise, in 1995, gas generated 29.63%
which rose marginally to 30.1% 10 years later.
With regards to the remaining methods of producing energy,
there was an approximate 5% growth in production from both
nuclear power and other sources to 10.10% and 9.10%
respectively. Petrol, on the other hand, was the only source of
energy which decreased in production from 29.27% in 1995 to
around a fifth (19.55%) in 2005.
The diagram below shows the stages and equipment used in the
cement-making process, and how cement is used to produce
concrete for building purposes.
Source: IELTS Cambridge English Test Book 8
Diagram Model Answer
The diagrams illustrate the way in which cement is made and
how it is then used in the process of making concrete. Overall,
limestone and clay pass through four stages before being bagged
ready for use as cement which then accounts for 15% of the four
materials used to produce concrete. While the process of making
cement uses a number of tools, the production of concrete
requires only a concrete mixer.
In the first stage of making cement, limestone and clay are
crushed together to form a powder. This powder is then
combined in a mixer before passing into a rotating heater which
has constant heat applied at one end of the tube. The resulting
mixture is ground in order to produce cement. The final product is
afterwards put into bags ready to be used.
Regarding the second diagram, concrete consists of mainly
gravel, which is small stones, and this makes up 50% of the
ingredients. The other materials used are sand (25%), cement
(15%) and water (10%). These are all poured into a concrete
mixer which continually rotates to combine the materials and
ultimately produces concrete.
Comments: This diagram gives a concise introduction. The overview contains
key features of both diagrams and also highlights the connection between
them. The body paragraphs are organised well and linking devices are used
flexibly and accurately. Each body paragraphs explained the steps of each
process in a logical order. Complex sentences are accurate and there is also
passive voice used. Collocations are well used.
The table gives information about the proportion of the population who are 65
years old and over in 3 countries (Canada, Germany and the UK) in 1988,
2000 and an estimated percentage in 2030.
Overall, the population of elderly people is predicted to rise in all three
countries from 1988 to 2030. The highest percentage of older people was in
Germany, which will continue to remain the highest in 2030, while the lowest
proportion can be seen in the UK over the period given.
Between 1988 and 2000, the aging population of Canada and Germany went
up by around 5% to 20.67% and 25.32% respectively. The UK, on the other
hand, showed relatively little change in the proportion of its population aged 65
plus and remained at just under 15% in both years.
By 2030, it is expected that the population of people aged 65 and above will
increase by approximately 5.5% in all three countries. The percentage is
forecast to reach 30.42% in Germany, 26.35% in Canada and 20.35% in the
UK.
The line graph shows visits to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999. The bar
chart shows the most popular countries visited by UK residents in 1999.
The line graph illustrates the number of UK residents going abroad from
the UK and overseas residents visiting the UK between 1979 and 1999, while
the bar chart gives information about how many UK residents travelled to
five of the most popular countries in 1999. Units are measured in millions of
people.
Overall, there was an increase in the number of visits to and from the UK
and there were more visits abroad by UK residents than visits to the UK by
overseas residents over the period given. Furthermore, the most popular
country to visit by UK residents was France in 1999.
The number of UK residents visiting overseas began at just under 15
million in 1979 and rose significantly to reach over 50 million in 1999.
Around 10 million overseas residents visited the UK in the first year before
climbing steadily to just under 30 million by the final year.
In 1999, France was visited by over 10 million UK residents, followed by
Spain at approximately 9 million. The USA and Greece had about 4 million
and 3 million visitors respectively. The least popular country visited was
Turkey which had only about 2 million UK residents going there.
Examiner Comments
This IELTS writing task 1 report describing both a chart and a graph is
organised into logical paragraphs. The introduction introduces both charts
and the overview contains the key features of both chart. Detail in the body
paragraphs is supported by data. The right language is used for the line
graph and there are a range of sentence structures used throughout.
Paraphrasing
shows = illustrates / gives information about
the number = how many
visits abroad by UK residents = UK residents going abroad = UK residents
travelling to…
from 1979 to 1999 = between 1979 and 1999 = over the period given
rose = climbed
about = approximately = around
