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…

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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.

  1. Paraphrase what the graph shows.
  2. Write a general overview covering the full trends.
  3. 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.

  1. Begin to describing the data.
  2. 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%.

  1. 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 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%.

Answers

details shows

elderly people older individuals

projections predictions

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

risen increased

are predicted to in the future likely will

grow steadily increase at regular intervals

continue to not stop

highest proportion biggest percentage

likely overtake probably be larger than

greatest percentage largest ratio

slightly above a little over

higher than bigger than

surged increased a lot

respectively in turn

compared to relative to

marginally a little

equal with even with, the same as

expected to rise in the future will increase

surpassing becoming larger than

finishing at in the end at

latter’s figures number mentioned second

lagging behind slightly not as far ahead

just under a little less than

Pronunciation

ˈdiːteɪlz 
ˈɛldəli ˈpiːpl 
prəˈʤɛkʃənz 
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪvɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt 
ˈrɪzn 
ɑː prɪˈdɪktɪd tuː 
grəʊ ˈstɛdɪli 
kənˈtɪnju(ː) tuː 
ˈhaɪɪst prəˈpɔːʃən 
ˈlaɪkli ˌəʊvəˈteɪk 
ˈgreɪtɪst pəˈsɛntɪʤ 
ˈslaɪtli əˈbʌv 
ˈhaɪə ðæn 
sɜːʤd 
rɪsˈpɛktɪvli 
kəmˈpeəd tuː 
ˈmɑːʤɪnəli 
ˈiːkwəl wɪð 
ɪksˈpɛktɪd tuː raɪz 
sɜːˈpɑːsɪŋ 
ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ æt 
ˈlætəz ˈfɪgəz 
ˈlægɪn bɪˈhaɪnd ˈslaɪtli 
ʤʌst ˈʌndə 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

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:

http://www.silvereco.org/en/germany-one-of-the-super-aged-societies-in-the-world/

Speaking Practice

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

Old People (model answer available on my Patreon)

  1. What are the advantages of having an elderly person at home? 
  2. Is there anything that older people should learn from the younger generation?
  3. What can the younger generation learn from the older generation? 
  4. What qualities does a person need to take care of older people? 
  5. Do you think elderly people should be allowed to work? 

Writing Practice

Write about the related graph below and check with my sample answer:

IELTS Task 1 Essay: British Emigration

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