IELTS Writing Task 1: Cycle Diagram with Sample Answer

Task 1 Question
The diagram below illustrates the carbon cycle in nature.
Write a 150-word description of this diagram for a university
lecturer.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research

Model Answer
The diagram shows how carbon moves through various stages to form a
complete cycle. This report will give a brief description of the main
stages in this cycle.
First, we can see that energy from the sun is transformed into organic
carbon through a process in plants known as photosynthesis. This
organic carbon is then transferred underground when plants, and the
animals that feed on them, die and decay. Some of this carbon is trapped
underground in the form of fossils and fossil fuels.
Carbon is also released back into the atmosphere, however, through
various means. One is when animals and plants respire, and another is
when humans burn fossil fuels in cars and factories. All this carbon
enters the atmosphere as CO2. It is then reabsorbed by plants, and the
cycle begins again.
Overall, we can see that carbon moves in a natural cycle, although
human factors may now be affecting the balance.
(154 words, IELTS 8.0)
Why does this Task 1 answer get an IELTS Band 8 score?
Task achievement: The model answer selects and describes most
components of the diagram except for waste products and ocean uptake.
There is an overall description of the cycle followed by a clearly
sequenced and divided description of the stages. The summary identifies
something noteworthy about the diagram. The length is sufficient.

IELTS Writing Task 1: Comparison Diagram with Sample Answer

Task 1 Question
The diagram shows the skeletal systems of two ancestors of modern
human beings.
Write a 150-word report for a university lecturer describing the
diagram and making comparisons where relevant.

Model Answer

Variations in the skeletal systems of two early types of human are

illustrated in this diagram. Overall, we can see that australopithecus
afarensis had a heavier body and much longer arms, while homo erectus
was slimmer and had more developed joints.
To begin with the upper half of the body, australopithecus afarensis had
a much broader chest and waist than homo erectus, giving it a rounder
appearance. The former had much longer arms and larger hands, which
would have been useful for climbing trees.
As for the lower half of the body, we can see that homo erectus had
proportionately longer legs and larger hip, knee and ankle joints. The
feet of homo erectus were also smaller and more arched, with shorter
toes. These differences meant that homo erectus was better suited to
long-distance running.
In conclusion, we can see significant changes in the development of
early humans from the diagram. Homo erectus is more similar to
contemporary human beings with its long legs and arched feet. The
physical differences are clearly related to differences in the lifestyles of
tree climbers and endurance runners.
(183 words, IELTS 8.0)
Why does this Task 1 answer get an IELTS Band 8 score?
Task achievement: The model answer selects only the most important
information from the diagram and uses this to make several direct
comparisons. The physical differences are clearly connected to the
description of each creaturess lifestyle, providing a very rounded
answer. The length is sufficient.

Where do IELTS Academic visitors come from?

The world map above gives a breakdown by country of visits to ieltsacademic.com in June 2012. By far the largest group of users comes
from South Asia, with 3,124 from India and 1,885 from Pakistan over
this one-month period.
Next is the South-East Asian region, with a surprisingly high number of
users in Vietnam (1,155) followed by the Philippines (667), Malaysia
(317) and Thailand (235).
The third-largest region consists of English-speaking destination
countries where a lot of IELTS test-takers are already studying. There
were 782 visitors from the United Kingdom in June 2012, followed by
622 from Australia and just 429 from the USA, where TOEFL is still the
most popular test of English.
Perhaps the real surprise is the relatively tiny number of users in China
(13), suggesting that authorities there do not want students to benefit
from free IELTS advice! Hopefully, this situation is set to change in
future.
(150 words, IELTS 7.5)

IELTS Writing Task 1: Bar Chart with Sample Answer

Posted: 10/07/2012 | Author: DW | Filed under: IELTS Writing,

Sample Answers, Task 1 | Tags: IELTS | Leave a comment
Task 1 Question
The bar chart shows the relative electricity consumption and cost
per year of various household devices.
Write a 150-word report for a university lecturer explaining the
data and making comparisons where relevant.

Model Answer

The bar chart compares the energy consumption and expense of

operating 16 different items of household equipment. Overall, we can
see significant differences in both cost and consumption.
To begin with, there are some common household items which consume
relatively little energy. These include an electric blanket (approx. $10 or
100kwh/year), a microwave oven (approx. $15 or 150kwh/year) and a
television (approx. $17 or 170kwh/year).
By contrast, devices that might be classified as luxury items such as a
pool pump or spa are comparatively expensive and energy-intensive, at
nearly $125 or 1500kwh/year and around $190 or 2225kwh/year
respectively.
It is interesting to note that even among household items normally
considered alike, such as a microwave and refrigerator, there are
enormous discrepancies in cost and energy use. The former uses only
around $15 or 150kwh/year, while the latter consumes at least six times
that amount at $90 or 1150kwh/year.
In conclusion, it appears that there is no clear pattern in the relative
energy consumption of domestic equipment, although households had
better be aware of the high running costs of luxury items such as a pool
pump and spa.
(187 words, IELTS 8.5)
Why does this Task 1 answer get an IELTS Band 8 score?
Task achievement: The model answer presents an overall description
first, followed by key supporting details that illustrate the main trend.

IELTS Writing Task 1: Line Graph with Sample Answer

Task 1 Question
The diagram shows the consumption of renewable energy in the
USA from 1949-2008.
Write a 150-word report for a university lecturer identifying the
main trends and making comparisons where relevant.

Model Answer
The line graph shows growth in the consumption of renewable energy
during the period 1949-2008 in the USA. The results are also broken
down by source.
The first thing to note is that renewable energy use more than doubled
over the period, with particularly strong growth in biofuels. This sector
did not exist in 1980 but experienced a steep rise during the 2000s to
over one quadrillion Btu per year. This made biofuels a serious
challenger to both wood and hydroelectric power, which both saw only
limited growth overall. The former grew steadily between 1975 and
1985, but then slipped back to around its original level of 1.8 quadrillion
Btu. The latter began the period at the same level as wood but
experienced more substantial growth. However, it also fell back to
around 2 quadrillion Btu, with a particularly sharp drop in the late
1990s.
Finally, wind power emerged late in the period but showed a gradual rise
to around 0.5 quadrillion Btu, suggesting that it, along with biofuels, will
replace wood and hydroelectricity as the main sources of renewable
every in the future.
(184 words, IELTS 8.0)
Why does this Task 1 answer get an IELTS Band 8 score?
Task achievement: The model answer describes the overall trend first,
followed by an analysis of the different energy sources. Numerical
evidence is used sparingly to illustrate the trends. The main trends are
used as the basis of a prediction in the final sentence.

IELTS Writing Task 1: Process Diagram with Sample Answer

Task 1 Question
The diagram shows how electricity is generated by a hydroelectric
dam.
Write a 150-word report for a university lecturer explaining how the
process works.

Model Answer
The diagram illustrates the basic principles of hydroelectric power. The
process requires the construction of a large dam connected to a
powerhouse. The dam creates a large reservoir and the powerhouse is
where the electricity is generated.
First of all, water trapped in the reservoir behind the dam is forced
through an intake. It then flows into a narrow chamber called a penstock,
where the resulting high pressure turns a turbine. The turbine is
connected to a generator in the powerhouse above, and this is where the
movement of the turbine is converted into electricity. The resulting
electricity leaves the powerhouse via cables that carry it over long
distances to where it can be used.
It is interesting to note that a hydroelectric dam creates no harmful
byproducts and relies entirely on natural forces to produce electricity.
After the turbine stage, water flows out through a second channel and
into a river. The process is renewable, thanks to the water cycle in
nature.
(163 words, IELTS 8.0)
Why does this Task 1 answer get an IELTS Band 8 score?
Task achievement: The introduction paraphrases the question and
describes the constituent parts of the process. The body describes each
stage of the process in sequence.