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
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.
- Paraphrase what the graph shows.
- Write a clear overview summarising the major trends and differences.
- 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.
- Begin writing about the first bridge.
- 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.
- Write about another bridge.
- 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.
- Write about the final bridge.
- 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 pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt 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
- Why do people undervalue art?
- Are artistic skills innate?
- Should cities have more art in public spaces?
- Why do people admire art and artists so much?
- What is the difference between good and bad art?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related graph below and then check with my sample answer:
This picture portrays details of 3 different bridges, an arch bridge, a concrete girder bridge, and a suspension bridge. From an overall perspective it is readily apparent that each of these bridges are built over contrasting water bodies and are of various strengths, heights as well as lengths.
Firstly, the arch bridge, suitable over a lake is not more than 100m in height and not more than 200m in length, allowing only small ships to pass under. Whereas the concrete bridge placed over a bigger water body, a river, is maximum 300m in height being the reason middle sized ships can sail under. Moreover, the distance leads to an unlimited extent which depends on the number of piers that contain an utmost breadth of 200m between them.
Lastly, the strongest bridge of the three, the suspension bridge, is built over the largest water body, the sea. The distance between each pier of the bridge lays in between 400m to 2000m. Meanwhile, large size ships cross under the bridge detailing that the height is much greater than that of the arch and concrete girder bridge.