This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay from the new IELTS Cambridge 18 book of past tests on the topic of the population in four Asian countries from 1970 to 2040.

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IELTS Cambridge 18: Population in Four Asian Countries

The graph gives information about the percentage of the population if four different Asian countries living in cities between 1970 and 2020 with additional predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.

The line chart delineates population trends as they relate to urban residency in four Asian countries starting in 1970 with projections through 2040. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that living in urban areas will increase in each nation, particularly Malaysia and the Philippines. By the end of the period, Malaysia will have by far the greatest proportion of their population living in cities.

In 1970, the percentages for urban residents in the Philippines and Malaysia were nearly equal (31% and 30% for each), similar to the data for Thailand and Indonesia (19% and 12%, respectively). Over the next twenty years, Malaysia’s percentage rose and fluctuated, switching relative positions with the Philippines around the 40% marker before beginning a dramatic surge in 1990 that is anticipated to continue and plateau at just over 80% by 2040. The Philippines, in contrast, declined moderately after 1980, though this figure will likely recover and end at a high of above 50% in 2040.

The statistics for urban residency in Indonesia have grown considerably, overtaking Thailand in 2000 (at 28%) and the Philippines in 2010 (at 42%). This pattern is projected to persist with the final figure the second highest among all nations at 55%. Lastly, Thailand has experienced the most gradual and consistent increase to reach approximately 30% in the present day, with a more rapid rise to over 40% expected over the next 17 years.

Analysis

1. The line chart delineates population trends as they relate to urban residency in four Asian countries starting in 1970 with projections through 2040. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that living in urban areas will increase in each nation, particularly Malaysia and the Philippines. 3. By the end of the period, Malaysia will have by far the greatest proportion of their population living in cities.

1. Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
2. Write a clear overview summarising the differences and the overall trend.
3. This one is a little complex so it needs a second sentence for the overview.

1. In 1970, the percentages for urban residents in the Philippines and Malaysia were nearly equal (31% and 30% for each), similar to the data for Thailand and Indonesia (19% and 12%, respectively). 2. Over the next twenty years, Malaysia’s percentage rose and fluctuated, switching relative positions with the Philippines around the 40% marker before beginning a dramatic surge in 1990 that is anticipated to continue and plateau at just over 80% by 2040. 3. The Philippines, in contrast, declined moderately after 1980, though this figure will likely recover and end at a high of above 50% in 2040.

1. Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
2. Compare between each sentence.
3. Add as much detail as possible.

1. The statistics for urban residency in Indonesia have grown considerably, overtaking Thailand in 2000 (at 28%) and the Philippines in 2010 (at 42%). 2. This pattern is projected to persist with the final figure the second highest among all nations at 55%. 3. Lastly, Thailand has experienced the most gradual and consistent increase to reach approximately 30% in the present day, with a more rapid rise to over 40% expected over the next 17 years.

1. Write about the final other parts of the graph – include everything!
2. Compare the categories.
3. This one is a bit long, but better than being too short!

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

The line chart delineates population trends as they relate to urban residency in four Asian countries starting in 1970 with projections through 2040. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that living in urban areas will increase in each nation, particularly Malaysia and the Philippines. By the end of the period, Malaysia will have by far the greatest proportion of their population living in cities.

In 1970, the percentages for urban residents in the Philippines and Malaysia were nearly equal (31% and 30% for each), similar to the data for Thailand and Indonesia (19% and 12%, respectively). Over the next twenty years, Malaysia’s percentage rose and fluctuated, switching relative positions with the Philippines around the 40% marker before beginning a dramatic surge in 1990 that is anticipated to continue and plateau at just over 80% by 2040. The Philippines, in contrast, declined moderately after 1980, though this figure will likely recover and end at a high of above 50% in 2040.

The statistics for urban residency in Indonesia have grown considerably, overtaking Thailand in 2000 (at 28%) and the Philippines in 2010 (at 42%). This pattern is projected to persist with the final figure the second highest among all nations at 55%. Lastly, Thailand has experienced the most gradual and consistent increase to reach approximately 30% in the present day, with a more rapid rise to over 40% expected over the next 17 years.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

delineates shows

population trends the pattern for the number of people in a country

relate to concern

urban residency people living in cities

starting in beginning

with projections through showing predictions for the future

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall

urban areas cities

particularly especially

By the end of the period at the end of the time surveyed

by far the greatest proportion of their population living in cities a lot higher than the percentages for people living in cities in other countries

nearly equal about the same

respectively in turn, for each

rose grew

fluctuated was erratic, not stable

switching relative positions changing which one is leading

marker before beginning a dramatic surge in level prior to starting to grow quickly

anticipated to continue and plateau at just over predicted to keep going and level off at above

in contrast in comparison

declined moderately after went down a bit after

though however

will likely recover will probably come back up

end at a high of above finish at a high point over

statistics numbers

urban residency people living in cities

grown considerably increased a lot

overtaking getting bigger than

pattern trend

projected to persist predicted to continue

the final figure the ending number

among all covering all the countries

Lastly finally

experienced witnessed, underwent

most gradual and consistent increase slowest and steadiest rise

reach approximately get to about

more rapid rise fastest increase

expected over the next predicted in the future to

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

dɪˈlɪnɪeɪts 

ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊn trɛndz 

rɪˈleɪt tuː 

ˈɜːbən ˈrɛzɪdənsi 

ˈstɑːtɪŋ ɪn 

wɪð prəˈʤɛkʃᵊnz θruː 

ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt 

ˈɜːbən ˈeərɪəz 

pəˈtɪkjələli 

baɪ ði ɛnd ɒv ðə ˈpɪərɪəd 

baɪ fɑː ðə ˈɡreɪtɪst prəˈpɔːʃᵊn ɒv ðeə ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊn ˈlɪvɪŋ ɪn ˈsɪtiz 

ˈnɪəli ˈiːkwəl 

rɪsˈpɛktɪvli 

rəʊz 

ˈflʌkʧueɪtɪd 

ˈswɪʧɪŋ ˈrɛlətɪv pəˈzɪʃᵊnz 

ˈmɑːkə bɪˈfɔː bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ ə drəˈmætɪk sɜːʤ ɪn 

ænˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪd tuː kənˈtɪnjuː ænd ˈplætəʊ æt ʤʌst ˈəʊvə 

ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst 

dɪˈklaɪnd ˈmɒdərɪtli ˈɑːftə 

ðəʊ 

wɪl ˈlaɪkli rɪˈkʌvə 

ɛnd æt ə haɪ ɒv əˈbʌv 

stəˈtɪstɪks 

ˈɜːbən ˈrɛzɪdənsi 

ɡrəʊn kənˈsɪdərəbᵊli 

ˌəʊvəˈteɪkɪŋ 

ˈpætən 

prəˈʤɛktɪd tuː pəˈsɪst 

ðə ˈfaɪnl ˈfɪɡə 

əˈmʌŋ ɔːl 

ˈlɑːstli 

ɪksˈpɪərɪənst 

məʊst ˈɡræʤuəl ænd kənˈsɪstənt ˈɪnkriːs 

riːʧ əˈprɒksɪmɪtli 

mɔː ˈræpɪd raɪz 

ɪksˈpɛktɪd ˈəʊvə ðə nɛkst

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

The line chart d____________s p__________________s as they r_________o u_______________y in four Asian countries s____________n 1970 w___________________h 2040. L______________________________________________________________t living in u___________s will increase in each nation, p__________y Malaysia and the Philippines. B________________d, Malaysia will have b___________________________________________________________________________s.

In 1970, the percentages for urban residents in the Philippines and Malaysia were n__________l (31% and 30% for each), similar to the data for Thailand and Indonesia (19% and 12%, r_________y). Over the next twenty years, Malaysia’s percentage r____e and f____________d, s__________________s with the Philippines around the 40% m_______________________________________n 1990 that is a___________________________________________r 80% by 2040. The Philippines, i_______________t, d_____________________________r 1980, t________h this figure w__________________r and e______________________e 50% in 2040.

The s____________s for u________________y in Indonesia have g____________________y, o___________g Thailand in 2000 (at 28%) and the Philippines in 2010 (at 42%). This p___________n is p_________________t with t_____________________e the second highest a____________l nations at 55%. L______y, Thailand has e______________d the m_________________________________e to r___________________y 30% in the present day, with a m________________e to over 40% e___________________t 17 years.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://a-z-animals.com/blog/discover-the-most-populated-cities-in-the-world/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Your Home Nation/Country

1. Where are you from?
2. What do you like the most about your country?
3. Where would you like to live in your country?
4. Are people in your country patriotic?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS chart below:

IELTS 16 Essay: Ownership of Electrical Appliances Line Chart