This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of seniors in 3 difference countries.
It is a little tricky because the graph is in the past and future…
If you want to support my efforts to write these essays and also receive my exclusive Ebooks, check out my Patreon (where I’m currently running a discount)!
Dave
The graph details the percentages of elderly people in Canada, Germany, and the UK in the past with projections for the future. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that Elderly populations have risen and are predicted to continue to grow steadily in all countries. Germany has and will continue to have the highest proportion, while Canada will likely overtake the UK.
In 1980, Germany had the greatest percentage of elderly at 15%, slightly above the UK and 5% higher than Canada. By 2000, percentages for Germany and Canada both surged by 5% (to 20% and 15%, respectively), compared to the UK which rose marginally to equal with Canada.
By 2030, Germany is expected to rise by another 5% to 25%, with Canada surpassing the United Kingdom and finishing at 22% and the latter’s figures lagging behind slightly at just under 20%.
Analysis
1. The graph details the percentages of elderly people in Canada, Germany, and the UK in the past with projections for the future. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that Elderly populations have risen and are predicted to continue to grow steadily in all countries. 3. Germany has and will continue to have the highest proportion, while Canada will likely overtake the UK.
Paraphrase what the graph shows.
Write a general overview covering the full trends.
Include a ranking in your overview. Read more about overviews here.
1. In 1980, Germany had the greatest percentage of elderly at 15%, slightly above the UK and 5% higher than Canada. 2. By 2000, percentages for Germany and Canada both surged by 5% (to 20% and 15%, respectively), compared to the UK, which rose marginally to equal with Canada.
Begin to describing the data.
Make sure you include all the data.
1. By 2030, Germany is expected to rise by another 5% to 25%, with Canada surpassing the United Kingdom and finishing at 22% and the latter’s figures lagging behind slightly at just under 20%.
Write about the final year and include everything.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The graph details the percentages of elderly people in Canada, Germany, and the UK in the past with projections for the future. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that Elderly populations have risen and are predicted to continue to grow steadily in all countries. Germany has and will continue to have the highest proportion, while Canada will likely overtake the UK.
In 1980, Germany had the greatest percentage of elderly at 15%, slightly above the UK and 5% higher than Canada. By 2000, percentages for Germany and Canada both surged by 5% (to 20% and 15%, respectively), compared to the UK, which rose marginally to equal with Canada.
By 2030, Germany is expectedto rise by another 5% to 25%, with Canada surpassing the United Kingdom and finishing at 22% and the latter’s figures lagging behind slightly at just under 20%.
Answers
details shows
elderly people older individuals
projections predictions
looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
The graph d________s the percentages of e______________e in Canada, Germany, and the UK in the past with p___________s for the future. L_________________________________________________t Elderly populations have r______n and a___________________o continue to g______________y in all countries. Germany has and will c____________o have the h____________________n, while Canada will l______________e the UK.
In 1980, Germany had the g______________________e of elderly at 15%, s____________e the UK and 5% h____________n Canada. By 2000, percentages for Germany and Canada both s_______d by 5% (to 20% and 15%, r______________y), c______________o the UK, which rose m______________y to e___________h Canada.
By 2030, Germany is e_________________e by another 5% to 25%, with Canada s_____________g the United Kingdom and f______________t 22% and the l________________s l______________________y at j_____________r 20%.
Listening Practice
Listen about this topic below and practice with these ideas:
Reading Practice
Read more and use these activities to practice your reading skills:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the real exam on the topic of outdoor activities.
If you want to support my efforts to write these essays and also receive my exclusive Ebooks, check out my Patreon (where I’m currently running a discount)!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Outdoor Activities
Some think that it is more important for children to engage in outdoor activities instead of playing videogames.
To what extent to you agree or disagree?
Many believe that children today play too many videogames and should instead spend more time outdoors. In my opinion, though the former diversion is more educational than in years past, the full scope of the latter makes it preferable.
Advocates of gaming point out their recent evolution. This goes beyond more realistic graphics and includes the topics and types of games now available. Many games today are essentially a cinematic experience, with fully realised characters and themes that rival other great works of art. In this way, games are as educational as more respected art forms such as novels and films. Moreover, not all games are passive. There are more and more games every year that require creative and logical thinking, such as puzzles and text based mysteries. The developers of the newest apps available for phones now take advantage of improving hardware to push forward the medium and engage the mind.
Nonetheless, the games mentioned above are the exceptions and the benefits of outdoor play are greater in general. The most obvious advantage is the effect on heath. The world is facing an obesity epidemic that is at least partly driven by more sedentary lifestyles centered around consumer electronics and gaming. Going outside is a natural antidote and can instill in children good habits that will promote a healthy life later. Additionally, outdoor activities offer the opportunity for children to engage in a social activity. Most games are, to varying degrees, an individual experience but playing with others outside will foster teamwork and improved interpersonal skills.
In conclusion, games can be worthwhile but they rarely have more value than going outside. It is therefore important that parents strive to limit children’s screen time.
Analysis
1. Many believe that children today play too many videogames and should instead spend more time outdoors. 2. In my opinion, though the former diversion is more educational than in years past, the full scope of the latter makes it preferable.
Paraphrase the essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Advocates of gaming point out their recent evolution. 2. This goes beyond more realistic graphics and includes the topics and types of games now available. 3. Many games today are essentially a cinematic experience, with fully realised characters and themes that rival other great works of art. 4. In this way, games are as educational as more respected art forms such as novels and films. 5. Moreover, not all games are passive. 6. There are more and more games every year that require creative and logical thinking, such as puzzles and text based mysteries. 7. The developers of the newest apps available for phones now take advantage of improving hardware to push forward the medium and engage the mind.
1. Nonetheless, the games mentioned above are the exceptions and the benefits of outdoor play are greater in general. 2. The most obvious advantage is the effect on heath. 3. The world is facing an obesity epidemic that is at least partly driven by more sedentary lifestyles centered around consumer electronics and gaming. 4. Going outside is a natural antidote and can instill in children good habits that will promote a healthy life later. 5. Additionally, outdoor activities offer the opportunity for children to engage in a social activity. 6. Most games are, to varying degrees, an individual experience but playing with others outside will foster teamwork and improved interpersonal skills.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Use specific examples.
Develop them fully.
Add in a related idea.
Develop it.
1. In conclusion, games can be worthwhile but they rarely have more value than going outside. 2. It is therefore important that parents strive to limit children’s screen time.
Summarise your ideas and repeat your opinion.
Add a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many believe that children today play too many videogames and should instead spend more time outdoors. In my opinion, though the former diversion is more educational than in years past, the full scope of the latter makes it preferable.
Advocates of gaming point out their recent evolution. This goes beyond more realistic graphics and includes the topics and types of games now available. Many games today are essentially a cinematic experience, with fully realised characters and themes that rival other great works of art. In this way, games are as educational as more respected art forms such as novels and films. Moreover, not all games are passive. There are more and more games every year that require creative and logical thinking, such as puzzles and text basedmysteries. The developers of the newest apps available for phones now take advantage of improving hardware to push forward the medium and engage the mind.
Nonetheless, the games mentioned above are the exceptions and the benefits of outdoor play are greater in general. The most obvious advantage is the effect on heath. The world is facing an obesity epidemic that is at least partly driven by more sedentary lifestylescentered around consumer electronics and gaming. Going outside is a natural antidote and can instill in children good habits that will promote a healthy lifelater. Additionally, outdoor activities offer the opportunity for children to engage in a social activity. Most games are, to varying degrees, an individual experience but playing with others outside will foster teamwork and improved interpersonal skills.
In conclusion, games can be worthwhile but they rarely have more value than going outside. It is therefore important that parents strive to limit children’s screen time.
Answers
instead rather than
though despite
former diversion one mentioned before distraction
educational help you learn
in years past in the past
full scope entire range
the latter one mentioned last
preferable better
advocates supporters
point out argue
evolution changes
goes beyond passes
realistic graphics better images
now available out now
essentially fundamentally
cinematic experience like a movie
fully realised characters realistic characters
themes what the game wants to say/express
rival compare well with
in this way like this
educational helps you learn
more respected art forms highly revered arts
moreover also
passive not active
more and more increasing
creative expressive
logical thinking rational thinking
puzzles problems to solve
text basedmysteries games based on writing
developers people who make games
take advantage exploit
improving hardware better phones, computers, etc.
push forward drive innovation
medium type of device
engage the mind must think about
nonetheless regardless
mentioned above written about before
exceptions outside the norm
greater in general larger overall
most obvious advantage clearest benefit
world is facing Earth is grappling with
obesity epidemic people getting fatter
at least partly driven by up to a point somewhat the source of
sedentary lifestyles not active
centered around have to do with
consumer electronics phones, computers, etc.
natural antidote clear remedy
instill teach
good habits good actions
promote a healthy lifelater be healthy throughout life
additionally also
offer the opportunity for allow for
engage in have to do with
social activity talking with others
to varying degrees to different extents
individual experience done alone
foster teamwork encourage working together
improved interpersonal skills better communication with others
worthwhile useful
rarely not often
therefore thus
strive try for
limit keep contained
screen time using phones, tablets, computers, etc.
Many believe that children today play too many videogames and should i________d spend more time outdoors. In my opinion, t__________h the f_______________n is more e____________l than i_____________t, the f___________e of t______________r makes it p_____________e.
A___________s of gaming p_________t their recent e___________n. This g________________d more r_________________s and includes the topics and types of games n__________________e. Many games today are e________________y a c______________________e, with f______________________s and t__________s that r______l other great works of art. I______________y, games are as e___________________l as m___________________s such as novels and films. M___________r, not all games are p____________e. There are m________________e games every year that require c___________e and l__________________g, such as p____________s and t_______________________s. The d______________s of the newest apps available for phones now t______________________e of i_____________________e to p_________________d the m____________m and e____________________d.
N______________s, the games m__________________e are the e_______________s and the benefits of outdoor play are g____________________l. The m______________________________e is the effect on heath. The w_________________g an o__________________c that is a________________________y more s_____________________sc___________________d c______________________s and gaming. Going outside is a n___________________e and can i__________l in children g_______________s that will p_____________________________r. A______________y, outdoor activities o________________________r children to e__________n a s_______________y. Most games are, t____________________s, an i____________________e but playing with others outside will f______________________k and i___________________________s.
In conclusion, games can be w_______________e but they r_________y have more value than going outside. It is t______________e important that parents s_________e to l_______t children’s s________________e.
If you want to support my efforts to write these essays and also receive my exclusive Ebooks, check out my Patreon (where I’m currently running a discount)!
Dave
Speaking Part 1
Where you Live
Did you like the house you grew up in?
What was your favourite area of the house you grew up in?
Where do you want to live in the future?
Newspapers/Magazines
Do you prefer to read newspapers or magazines?
Do you like reading the news online?
Is it more convenient nowadays to read the news online?
Do people in your country read the news a lot?
Concentration
Do you find it hard to concentrate?
What do you do to concentrate better?
Did you concentrate on your studies a lot when you were younger?
Do smartphones make it harder to concentrate?
Speaking Part 2
Talk about a time when you were not allowed to use your phone. Include
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of luck and a person’s aims from the real IELTS exam.
If you want to support my efforts to write these essays and also receive my exclusive Ebooks, check out my Patreon (where I’m currently running a discount)!
IELTS Essay: Luck
Whether or not a person achieves their aims in life is mostly related to luck.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some are of the belief that luck is the determining factor when accomplishing a given goal. In my opinion, luck is pivotal in individual situations but its importance decreases over larger sample sizes.
The main argument for the primacy of luck is highly visible, singular examples. This translates to extremely successful individuals. For instance, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were exceptionally intelligent and hard-working but they would never have become leading figures in history if they had not grown up in California in the 1970s during the computer boom. It is likely they would still be successful regardless of their era and place of birth but the extent of influence would be more limited. This same principle applies for the average individual as there are moments in one’s life that are best credited to good luck or an advantageous situation.
However, the significance of luck decreases over time. Take, for example, an average person. They may be born into a wealthy family and have a good start in life; they are lucky from the onset. Nonetheless, if they are not hard-working, there is a strong chance they will not be able to accomplish their goals in life. The reverse is true of someone born into a bad situation. There are exceptions, where the situation is dire or the period in history precludes success, but most people who apply themselves over a long period of time will ‘make their own luck’. This is because as sample sizes become larger, the influence of variance naturally decreases. It still requires some extraordinary luck to attain huge aims but more modest ones result from repeated action rather than fortune.
In conclusion, luck is decisive in particular instances but not more generally. It is therefore more important to place greater value on working hard in the long-term than on the off-chance of being lucky.
Analysis
1. Some are of the belief that luck is the determining factor when accomplishing a given goal. 2. In my opinion, luck is pivotal in individual situations but its importance decreases over larger sample sizes.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions for IELTS here.
1. The main argument for the primacy of luck is highly visible, singular examples. 2. This translates to extremely successful individuals. 3. For instance, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were exceptionally intelligent and hard-working but they would never have become leading figures in history if they had not grown up in California in the 1970s during the computer boom. 4. It is likely they would still be successful regardless of their era and place of birth but the extent of influence would be more limited. 5. This same principle applies for the average individual as there are moments in one’s life that are best credited to good luck or an advantageous situation.
Write a clear topic sentence with your main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Start a specific example.
Develop it.
Generalise from your example.
1. However, the significance of luck decreases over time. 2. Take, for example, an average person. 3. They may be born into a wealthy family and have a good start in life; they are lucky from the onset. 4. Nonetheless, if they are not hard-working, there is a strong chance they will not be able to accomplish their goals in life. 5. The reverse is true of someone born into a bad situation. 6. There are exceptions, where the situation is dire or the period in history precludes success, but most people who apply themselves over a long period of time will ‘make their own luck’. 7. This is because as sample sizes become larger, the influence of variance naturally decreases. 8. It still requires some extraordinary luck to attain huge aims but more modest ones result from repeated action rather than fortune.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Add specific support such as a hypothetical example.
Develop the example.
Very your short and long sentences.
Add in any exceptions.
Explain your logic.
Conclude with a strong, clear statement.
1. In conclusion, luck is decisive in particular instances but not more generally. 2. It is therefore more important to place greater value on working hard in the long-term than on the off-chance of being lucky.
Repeat your main ideas and your opinion.
Add a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Some are of the belief that luck is the determining factor when accomplishing a given goal. In my opinion, luck is pivotal in individual situations but its importance decreases over larger sample sizes.
The main argument for the primacy of luck is highly visible, singular examples. This translates to extremely successful individuals. For instance, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were exceptionally intelligent and hard-working but they would never have become leading figures in history if they had not grown up in California in the 1970s during the computer boom. It is likely they would still be successful regardless of their era and place of birth but the extent of influence would be more limited. This same principle applies for the average individual as there are moments in one’s life that are best credited to good luck or an advantageous situation.
However, the significance of luck decreases over time. Take, for example, an average person. They may be born into a wealthy family and have a good start in life; they are lucky from the onset. Nonetheless, if they are not hard-working, there is a strong chance they will not be able to accomplish their goals in life. The reverse is true of someone born into a bad situation. There are exceptions, where the situation is dire or the period in history precludes success, but most people who apply themselves over a long period of time will ‘make their own luck’. This is because as sample sizes become larger, the influence of variance naturally decreases. It still requires some extraordinary luck to attain huge aims but more modest ones result fromrepeated actionrather thanfortune.
In conclusion, luck is decisive in particular instances but not more generally. It is therefore more important to place greater value on working hard in the long-term than on the off-chance of being lucky.
Answers
of the belief believe
luck good fortune
determining factor decisive
accomplishing achieving
given goal any random aim
pivotal key
individual situations certain contexts
importance decreases over larger sample sizes value is less important over time and many examples
main argument primary reason
primacy central importance
highly visible well-known
singular unique
translates means
extremely successful individuals people who have done well
exceptionally intelligent really smart
leading figures in history major leaders, people
grown up as they get older
computer boom computers beginning to develop
regardless nonetheless
era time period
extent degree
influence shaping
limited small, not much
same principle applies this translates to
average individual normal person
moments times
best credited is due to
advantageous situation good spot
significance importance
average person normal person
wealthy rich
good start good beginning
onset beginning
nonetheless regardless of
strong chance good odds
accomplish achieve
reverse switch
exceptions situations that don’t fit
dire dangerous
precludes success cancels out the possibility of success
Some are o_______________f that l_____k is the d____________________r when a______________________g a g_____________l. In my opinion, luck is p______l in i___________________________s but its i___________________________________________s.
The m____________________t for the p_____________y of luck is h_______________e, s__________r examples. This t_____________s to e______________________________________s. For instance, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were e_________________________t and hard-working but they would never have become l_______________________________y if they had not g____________p in California in the 1970s during the c_______________m. It is likely they would still be successful r________________s of their e___a and place of birth but the e_________t of i__________e would be more l___________d. This s_____________________s for the a_____________________l as there are m_______________s in one’s life that are b_____________d to good luck or an a________________________n.
However, the s________________e of luck decreases over time. Take, for example, an a___________________n. They may be born into a w___________y family and have a g________________t in life; they are lucky from the o______t. N______________s, if they are not hard-working, there is a s______________e they will not be able to a_____________h their goals in life. The r_________e is true of someone born into a bad situation. There are e_____________s, where the situation is d____e or the period in history p__________________s, but most people who a_______y themselves o________________________e will ‘make their own luck’. This is because as s_______________s become larger, the i___________________________________s. It still r____________s some e_________________________y luck to attain huge aims but more m____________t ones r_______________mr_________________nr_________________nf___________e.
In conclusion, luck is d___________e in p_____________________s but not more g______________y. It is therefore more important to p_____________________e on working hard in the long-term than on the o_____________e of being lucky.
Listening Practice
Listen below and take some notes or practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
"The highest quality materials anywhere on the internet! Dave improved my writing and vocabulary so much. Really affordable options you don't want to miss out on!"
