IELTS Writing Task 1

The two bar graphs compare the number of marriages and divorces in the USA, and the percentage of different marital statuses among adult Americans in 1970 and 2000. The main trends are that marriages declined while divorces increased over this period, and that the proportion of married adults decreased while the proportion of never-married adults increased.

In 1970, there were about 2.5 million marriages and less than a million divorces in the USA. By 2000, the number of marriages had dropped to around 2 million, while the number of divorces had risen to over a million. This indicates that fewer people were getting married and more people were getting divorced in 2000 than in 1970.

The second graph shows that in both years, the majority of adult Americans were married, but the percentage had fallen from nearly 70% in 1970 to just over 60% in 2000. The percentage of never-married adults had increased significantly from about 10% in 1970 to almost 20% in 2000. The percentages of widowed and divorced adults had also increased slightly from about 10% each in 1970 to about 15% each in 2000.

These graphs suggest that there were changes in the social and cultural norms and values regarding marriage and divorce in the USA over the three decades. Possible reasons for these changes could be the rise of feminism, the legalization of same-sex marriage, the economic recession, or the influence of media and technology.

1. The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

2. The chart below shows the number of households in the US by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

3. The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

4. The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

5. The maps below show an industrial area in the town Norbiton, and planned future development of the site.

6. The table and charts below give information on the police budget for 2017 and 2018 in one area of Britain. The table shows where the money came from, and the charts show how it was distributed.

7. The chart below gives information about how families in one country spent their weekly income in 1968 and in 2018.

8. The graph shows the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened in one country between 2011 and 2018.

9. The charts below show the changes in ownership of electrical appliances and amount of time spent doing housework in households in one country between 1920 and 2019.

10. The diagram below shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.

11. The plans below show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year.

12. The diagram below shows the process for recycling plastic bottles.

13. The chart below shows the results of a survey about people’s coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities.

14. The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.

15. The diagram below shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

16. The chart below shows what Anthropology graduates from one university did after finishing their undergraduate degree course. The table shows the salaries of the anthropologists in work after five years.

17. The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.

18. The chart below shows the value of one country’s exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016. The table shows the percentage change in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.

19. The diagram below shows how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station.

20. The plans below show a public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today.

21. The two maps below show road access to a city hospital in 2007 and in 2010.

22. The chart below shows the percentage of households in owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.

23. The bar chart below shows the top ten countries for the production and consumption of electricity in 2014.

24. The plans below show the layout of a university’s sports centre now, and how it will look after redevelopment.

25. The bar chart below shows the percentage of Australian men and women in different age groups who did regular physical activity in 2010.

26. The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development.

27. The chart shows how frequently people in the USA ate in fast food restaurants between 2003 and 2013.

28. The diagram shows how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.

29. The charts below show the percentage of water used for different purposes in six areas of the world.

30. The charts below show the proportions of British students at one university in England who were able to speak other languages in addition to English, in 2000 and 2010.

31. The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

32. The table below shows the numbers of visitors to Ashdown museum during the year before and the year after it was refurbished. The charts show the result of surveys asking visitors how satisfied they were with their visit, during the same two periods.

33. The first chart below shows how energy is used in an average Australian household. The second chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions which result from this energy use.

34. The tables below give information about sales of Fairtrade-labelled coffee and bananas in 1999 and 2004 in five European countries.

35. The charts below show what UK graduate and post graduate students who did not go into full-time work did after leaving college in 2008.

36. The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the salmon.

37. The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourists facilities.

38. The chart below shows the total number of minutes (in billions) of telephone calls in the UK, divided into three categories, from 1995-2002.

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

40. The graph below gives information from a 2008 report about consumption of energy in the USA since 1980 with projections until 2030.

41. The pie chart below shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive. The table shows how these causes affected three regions of the world during the 1990s.

42. The three pie charts below show the changes in annual spending by a particular UK school in 1981, 1991 and 2001.

43. The diagrams below show the stages and equipment used in the cement-making process, and how cement is used to produce concrete for building purposes.

44. The graph below shows the quantities of goods transported in the UK between 1974 and 2002 by four different modes of transport.

45. The table gives information on consumer spending on different items in five different countries in 2002.

46. The graph below shows the consumption of fish and different kinds of meat in a European country between 1979 and 2004.

47. The chart below shows information about changes in average house prices in five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with the average house prices in 1989.

48. The pie charts below show units of electricity production by fuel source in Australia and France in 1980 and 2000.

49. The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and water consumption in two different countries.

50. The table below gives information about changes in modes of travel in England between 1985 and 2000.

51. The diagrams below show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth.

52. The charts below give information about USA marriage and divorce rates between 1970 and 2000, and the marital status of adult Americans in two of the years.

53. The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over between 1940 and 2040 in three different countries.

54. The charts below show the main reasons for study among students of different age groups and the amount of support they received from employers.

55. The map below is of the town of Garlsdon. A new supermarket (S) is planned for the town. The map shows two possible sites for the supermarket.

56. The table below gives information about the underground railway systems in six cities.

57. The table below shows the proportion of different categories of families living in poverty in Australia in 1999.

58. The graph below shows the demand for electricity in England during typical days in winter and summer. The pie chart shows how electricity is used in an average English home.

59. The chart below shows the different levels of post-school qualifications in Australia and the proportion of men and women who held them in 1999.

60. The charts below give information about travel to and from the UK, and about the most popular countries for UK residents to visit.

61. The charts below show the number of Japanese tourists travelling abroad between 1985 and 1995 and Australia’s share of the Japanese tourist market.

62. The chart below shows the amount spent on six consumer goods in four European countries.

63. The pie charts below show the devices people in the 18 to 25 age group use to watch television in Canada in two different years.

64. The graph below shows population figures for India and China since the year 2000 and predicted population growth up until 2050.

65. The table below shows the percentage participation of women in senior management in three companies between 1975 and 2015.

66. The maps show improvements that have been made to a university campus between 2010 and the present day.

67. The chart and graph below give information about participants who have entered the Olympics since it began.

68. The diagrams below give information about the manufacture of frozen fish pies.

69. The graph below shows the pollution levels in London between 1600 and 2000.

70. The chart gives information on the percentage of women going into higher education in five countries for the years 1980 and 2015.

71. The table below gives information about a restaurant’s average sales in three different branches in 2016.

72. The diagram below shows the recycling process of aluminium cans.

73. The graph below shows radio and television audiences throughout the day in 1992.

74. The chart below gives information about the number of social networking sites people used in Canada in 2014 and 2015.

75. The chart below shows the proportions of graduates from Brighton University in 2019 entering different employment sectors.

76. The table below shows the changes in some household types in Canada from 1984 to 2020.

77. The diagram below shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

78. The graph below shows the number of passenger railway journeys made in Great Britain between 1950 and 2004/5.

79. The charts show projections for global production by sector in 2040 and 2060.

80. The graph below shows the percentage of part-time workers in each country of the United Kingdom in 1980 and 2010.

81. The graph shows the number of visitors to four international museums between 1980 and 2015.

82. The pie charts below show the most common advantages and disadvantages of Bowen Island, according to a survey of visitors.

83. The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

84. The chart below shows the average hours worked per day by married men and women in paid employment.

85. The pie charts show the electricity generated in Germany and France from all sources and renewables in the year 2009.

86. The diagram shows how fruit is canned.

87. The graph shows the impact of vaccination on the incidence of whooping cough, a childhood illness, between 1940 and 1990 in Britain.

88. The following bar chart shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.

89. The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.

90. The diagram below shows how the Australian Bureau of Meteorology collects up-to-the-minute information on the weather in order to produce reliable forecasts.

91. The graph below shows four countries of residence of overseas students in Australia.

92. The table below shows the figures (in thousand) for imprisonment in five countries between 1930 and 1980.

93. The plans below show the layout of a university’s sports centre now, and how it will look after redevelopment.

94. The first chart below shows the results of a survey which sampled a cross-section of 100,000 people asking if they traveled abroad and why they traveled for the period 1994-98. The second chart shows their destinations over the same period.

Sample Answers

(Writing Task-2)

1. Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (7 Answers)

2. In some countries, owning a home rather than renting one is very important for people.

Why might this be the case?

Do you think this is a positive or negative situation? (7 Answers)

3. In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message? (4 Answers)

4. Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (8 Answers)

5. In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (8 Answers)

6. Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (6 Answers)

7. Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (6 Answers)

8. Some people believe that we have too many choices these days.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? (3 Answers)

9. Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organization.

Why might this be the case?

What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed? (5 Answers)

10. Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (5 Answers)

11. Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement.

To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste? (2 Answer)

12. Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. Others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (3 Answer)

13. At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large no. of young adults compared with the no. of older people.

Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages? (2 Answer)

14. Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (4 Answers)

15. Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (4 Answers)

16. Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (2 Answer)

17. Some people think that allowing children to make their own choices on everyday matters such as food, clothes and entertainment is likely to result in a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people believe that it is important for children to make decision about matters that affect them.

Discuss both views and give your opinion. (2 Answer)

18. Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than history.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (7 Answers)

19. In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry.

Why is this the case?

What can be done about this problem? (5 Answers)

20. In a number of countries, some people think it is necessary to spend large sums of money on constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities. Others believe the money should be spent on improving existing public transport.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (4 Answers)

21. Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? (4 Answers)

22. Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (5 Answers)

23. It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach good behaviour to children? (3 Answers)

24. Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (4 Answers)

25. Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.

In what ways has technology affected personal relationships?

Has this become a positive or negative development? (4 Answers)

26. Many museums charge for admission while others are free.

Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission to museums outweigh the disadvantages? (3 Answers)

27. Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.

Discuss both views and give your opinion. (6 Answers)

28. Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (7 Answers)

29. Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmers (for example working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

To what extent do you agree or disagree? (4 Answers)

30. Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities.Others, however,say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (8 Answers)

31. Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve the growing traffic and pollution problems.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?

What other measures do you think might be effective? (3 Answers)

32. In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing.

What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?(6 Answers)

33. Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on punishment.

Discuss both views and give your opinion. (3 Answers)

34. As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual well-being.

What factors contribute to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers? (2 Answers)

35. Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (4 Answers)

36. It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for music and sport, and others are not. However, it's sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician.

Discuss both ideas by giving your opinion. (2 Answers)

37. Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is not fair.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion. (5 Answers)

38. Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (5 Answers)

39. Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.

What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university? (4 Answers)

40. Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? (2 Answers)

41. Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (3 Answers)

42. Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any lifetime experiences.

Which do you consider to be the major influence? (2 Answers)

43. Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? (3 Answers)

44. In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this. (4 Answers)

45. In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour.

What do you think are the causes of this?

What solutions can you suggest? (3 Answers)

46. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the following as media for communicating information. State which you consider to be the most effective.

Comics, books, radio, television, film, theatre (1 Answer)

47. When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (3 Answers)

48. Happiness is considered very important in life.

Why is it difficult to define?

What factors are important in achieving happiness? (1 Answer)

49. Creative artists should always be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music, film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no public or government restrictions on what they do.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? (1 Answer)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (2 Answers)

51. In the modern world it is no longer necessary to use animals for food, clothing or medicine.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

52. In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?

53. Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.

In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make? Is this a positive or negative development?

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

54. The practice of illegally hunting wild animals continues to cause concern in many countries, particularly developing countries.

What are the causes of such hunting? What are the effects on the animals, and on the wider human society in these countries and beyond?

55. In many countries, the amount of crime is increasing. What do you think are the main causes of crime?

How can we deal with those causes?

56. It is often said that the subjects taught in schools are too academic in orientation and that it would be more useful for children to learn about practical matters such as home management, work and interpersonal skills.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

57. At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large no. of young adults compared with the no. of older people.

Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

58. Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn news. However, others believe that they can learn news better through other media.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

59. Today more people are overweight than ever before.

What in your opinion are the primary causes of this?

What are the main effects of this epidemic?

60. Many people today are worried about the large quantities of waste produced by ordinary households.

What problems are caused by household waste, and what solutions may be possible in both the short and the long term?

61. Most people do not care enough about environmental issues.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

62. Fast-paced modern lifestyles have led to people eating more and more fast food at the expense of more traditional meals.

Do the advantages of eating more fast food outweigh the disadvantages?

63. Many people think that nowadays people are being subjected to more and more pressure in their work, and thus are having less and less time to relax.

What is your opinion?

64. As countries have developed there has been a trend towards smaller family sizes.

Why does this happen? How does this affect society?

65. Light pollution (excessive light during night time) is a form of pollution that distresses many people, especially in modern cities.

What are the causes of light pollution, and what solutions can you suggest for governments and businesses to take?

66. Government investment in the arts, such as music and theatre, is a waste of money. Governments must invest this money in public services instead.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

67. In order to solve traffic problems, governments should tax private car owners heavily and use their money to improve public transportation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution?

68. Some people think family has the most powerful influence on children’s development. Others, however, believe that other things have greater effects.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

69. Many criminals commit further crimes as soon as they are released from prison.

What do you think are the causes of this? What effects will this have on society?

70. The use of phones, tablets and other devices when people are walking in public is causing concern among many commentators. What dangers may arise when people focus on such devices when walking in the street?

How could these problems be reduced?

71. Although more and more people read news on the internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

72. In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have the opportunity to study abroad.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

73. Some people think that people of every nation should concentrate on agriculture to develop. Others think that other developments are more important.

What is your opinion?

74. As computers are being used more and more in education, there will be soon no role for teachers in the classroom.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

75. Motorways help people travel quickly and cover long distances but they also cause problems.

What are the problems of motorways and what solutions are there?

76. Most writers of fiction do not earn enough money to live from their writing.

Do you think the government should give them financial assistance to help encourage good literature?

77. Some people say that increasing business and cultural contact between countries brings many positive effects. Others say that it causes the loss of national identities.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

78. In many countries, schools have severe problems with student behaviour.

What do you think are the causes of this?

What solutions can you suggest?

79. Large businesses have big budgets for marketing and promotion, and as a result, people gravitate towards buying their products.

What problems does this cause?

What are the possible solutions?

80. Children today play very violent games. This must be the reason for the increase in violence and crime in most major cities of the world.

What are your opinions on this?

81. School children are becoming far too dependent on computers. This is having an alarming effect on reading and writing skills. Teachers need to avoid using computers in the classroom at all costs and go back to teaching basic study skills.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

82. It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

83. The birth rate in most developed countries is predicted to begin to fall over the next 50 years. By 2030 it is estimated that over one third of the population in most developed countries will be aged 65 and over.

What effects will these predictions have on developed countries if they prove true? What can be done now to deal with this situation?

84. Some people believe that technology has made man more sociable while others believe it has made us less sociable.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

IELTS Speaking

200+ Sample Answers

The charts below give information about USA marriage and divorce rates between 1970 and 2000, and the marital status of adult Americans in two of the years.

Sample Answer 2

Band 8.5

The bar charts illustrate the changes in the number of marriages and divorces, and the marital status of adult Americans between 1970 and 2000. It is clear that both marriages and divorces experienced fluctuations over these three decades, and that the marital status of adult Americans changed significantly.

According to the first chart, the number of marriages in the USA was highest in 1970, at about 2.5 million, but then decreased gradually to about 2 million in 2000. The number of divorces, on the other hand, was lowest in 1970, at under a million, but then increased sharply to over a million in 1980, before decreasing slightly to about a million in 2000. This shows that the marriage rate declined while the divorce rate increased over this period.

The second chart reveals that the most common marital status among adult Americans in both years was married, but there was a noticeable decline from about 70% in 1970 to just above 60% in 2000. The percentage of never-married adults increased markedly from about 10% in 1970 to nearly 20% in 2000. The percentage of widowed and divorced adults also increased from about 10% each in 1970 to about 15% each in 2000.

These charts indicate that there were shifts in the attitudes and behaviors of adult Americans towards marriage and divorce during this thirty-year period. Some possible factors that could explain these shifts are the changing role of women, the growing acceptance of alternative lifestyles, the economic instability, or the impact of media and technology.