This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of 3 different types of bridges.

A really odd one – never seen one quite like this on IELTS before!

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IELTS Essay Task 1: Bridges

ielts essay bridges
IELTS Essay: Bridges

The diagram details 3 different constructions for bridges. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that concrete girder bridges are potentially the longest and tallest, while suspension bridges allow for the largest ships to pass underneath. Arch bridges are not as tall or long and admit only the smallest ships.

Looking first of all at arch bridges, the permissible height is no more than 100 meters and the length is typically under 200m. These bridges are built over lakes, have a conical shape, and cover the smallest ships.

In contrast, concrete girder bridges can be an indeterminate length, though the maximum height is 300m. Concrete bridges are built over rivers and require a series of piers spaced under 200m apart to provide support, only allowing for the passage of medium-sized ships.

The modern suspension bridge can be between 400 and 2000m long and it is possible to build it over very deep seas as long as there is shallow land for pier structures to link at either end. The distance between piers enables the largest ships to traverse below safely.

Analysis

1. The diagram details 3 different constructions for bridges. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that concrete girder bridges are potentially the longest and tallest, while suspension bridges allow for the largest ships to pass underneath. 3. Arch bridges are not as tall or long and admit only the smallest ships.

  1. Paraphrase what the graph shows.
  2. Write a clear overview summarising the major trends and differences.
  3. Add an extra sentence to be sure that you have covered everything.

1. Looking first of all at arch bridges, the permissible height is no more than 100 meters and the length is typically under 200m. 2. These bridges are built over lakes, have a conical shape, and cover the smallest ships.

  1. Begin writing about the first bridge.
  2. Compare as much as possible.

1. In contrast, concrete girder bridges can be an indeterminate length, though the maximum height is 300m. 2. Concrete bridges are built over rivers and require a series of piers spaced under 200m apart to provide support, only allowing for the passage of medium-sized ships.

  1. Write about another bridge.
  2. Make sure you have detailed all the information about it.

1. The modern suspension bridge can be between 400 and 2000m long and it is possible to build it over very deep seas as long as there is shallow land for pier structures to link at either end. 2. The distance between piers enables the largest ships to traverse below safely.

  1. Write about the final bridge.
  2. Make sure you have detailed all the information.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:

The diagram details 3 different constructions for bridges. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that concrete girder bridges are potentially the longest and tallest, while suspension bridges allow for the largest ships to pass underneath. Arch bridges are not as tall or long and admit only the smallest ships.

Looking first of all at arch bridges, the permissible height is no more than 100 meters and the length is typically under 200m. These bridges are built over lakes, have a conical shape, and cover the smallest ships.

In contrast, concrete girder bridges can be an indeterminate length, though the maximum height is 300m. Concrete bridges are built over rivers and require a series of piers spaced under 200m apart to provide support, only allowing for the passage of medium-sized ships.

The modern suspension bridge can be between 400 and 2000m long and it is possible to build it over very deep seas as long as there is shallow land for pier structures to link at either end. The distance between piers enables the largest ships to traverse below safely.

Answers

details describes

constructions what has been built

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

concrete made from the substance roads and buildings are made of

potentially possible

suspension kept up

pass underneath go below

arch curved, bent

admit aloows

looking first of all at considering to begin with

permissible allowable

no more than not greater than

typically usually

conical shaped like a cone

cover allows for

in contrast however

indeterminate not exactly known

maximum fullest amount

require needs

series of piers poles to hold it up

spaced keeps the difference between

provide support holds up

allowing for making room for

passage travel

modern new

possible can happen

over very deep seas above oceans with lots of depth

as long as there is assuming that

shallow land not deep

link at either end connect at both sides

distance amount of space

enables allows for

traverse travel

safely without problems

Pronunciation

ˈdiːteɪlz 
kənˈstrʌkʃənz 
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪvɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt 
ˈkɒnkriːt 
pəʊˈtɛnʃəli 
səsˈpɛnʃən 
pɑːs ˌʌndəˈniːθ
ɑːʧ 
ədˈmɪt 
ˈlʊkɪŋ fɜːst ɒv ɔːl æt 
pəˈmɪsəbl 
nəʊ mɔː ðæn 
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li 
ˈkɒnɪkəl 
ˈkʌvə 
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪnɪt 
ˈmæksɪməm 
rɪˈkwaɪə 
ˈsɪəriːz ɒv pɪəz 
speɪst 
prəˈvaɪd səˈpɔːt 
əˈlaʊɪŋ fɔː 
ˈpæsɪʤ 
ˈmɒdən 
ˈpɒsəbl 
ˈəʊvə ˈvɛri diːp siːz 
æz lɒŋ æz ðeər ɪz 
ˈʃæləʊ lænd 
lɪŋk æt ˈaɪðər ɛnd 
ˈdɪstəns 
ɪˈneɪblz 
ˈtrævə(ː)s 
ˈseɪfli

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The diagram d________s 3 different c_______________s for bridges. L____________________________________________t c__________e girder bridges are p___________y the longest and tallest, while s___________n bridges allow for the largest ships to p_________________h. A____h bridges are not as tall or long and a_____t only the smallest ships.

L__________________t arch bridges, the p______________e height is n______________n 100 meters and the length is t__________y under 200m. These bridges are built over lakes, have a c_______l shape, and c_______r the smallest ships.

I____________t, concrete girder bridges can be an i______________e length, though the m_________m height is 300m. Concrete bridges are built over rivers and r_________e a s________________s s_______d under 200m apart to p__________________t, only a________________r the p__________e of medium-sized ships.

The m___________n suspension bridge can be between 400 and 2000m long and it is p____________e to build it o____________________s a________________s s_________________d for pier structures to l_____k a____________d. The d__________e between piers e_________s the largest ships to t_________e below s________y.

Listening Practice

Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-bridges-in-world

Speaking Practice

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

Arts and Crafts

  1. Why do people undervalue art?
  2. Are artistic skills innate?
  3. Should cities have more art in public spaces?
  4. Why do people admire art and artists so much?
  5. What is the difference between good and bad art?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related graph below and then check with my sample answer:

ielts essay horse

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