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.
- 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 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 pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt 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)
- What are the advantages of having an elderly person at home?
- Is there anything that older people should learn from the younger generation?
- What can the younger generation learn from the older generation?
- What qualities does a person need to take care of older people?
- Do you think elderly people should be allowed to work?
Writing Practice
Write about the related graph below and check with my sample answer:

The bar chart represents the proportion of elderly people in Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom in 1980, 2000, and 2030. Looking at the overall perspective, it is readily apparent that Germany has the highest percentage of senior citizens within the country and is likely to maintain this trend in the future.
Looking first of all in the year of 1980 and 2000, in both years, the proportions of elderly in Germany, which is 15% and 20% respectively of its citizens, clearly surpassed other countries. While Canada held the lowest proportion in 1980 at 10%, within 20 years, the numbers would became equivalent to the UK at 15%.
Focusing on the predicted information, by 2030, the proportion of elderly people will increase drastically compared to the first year of collecting data in all 3 countries. Germany will still hold its first place in the numbers of senior citizens with the increment of 5% from 2000. While the UK will increase to just under 20%, the percentages of Canadian senior citizens will go up to slightly above 20% which is more than the double amounts from its collected data in 1980 and will surpass the numbers of seniors in the UK.
I have IELTS test tomorrow and I wish I scored around 6.5 this time ^^
Yes
I want more answers related to task one
Sure, I’ve got tons, Harmandeep!
Thank you for these exercises. They are very well planned out for students.
Happy to help!
Ielts
Yup!