This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of factors affecting work performance.
There is a ton of data in this one – just try to include as much as possible!
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IELTS Task 1: Factors Affecting Work Performance

The bar chart shows the factors that most affect work performance at a given company by age group. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there is general congruity in terms of the factors, though younger employees value promotion prospects, opportunities for personal development, and a relaxed working environment more highly. For both age groups, salary and team spirit were important and work environment and job security tended to be less impactful.
In terms of the categories with greater similarity, for both ages, 60% consider team spirit important and 30% think the environment impacts their work performances. The reported figures are also similar for job satisfaction (55% for those aged 18-30 and 50% for those 45-60), respect from colleagues (38% for younger workers and 42% for their older counterparts), money (73% for younger employees and 70% for older ones), and competent bosses (near 50% for both).
There is significant contrast in terms of how much chances for personal growth affect work with 90% for employees aged 18-30 and just 38% for older workers. Similarly, younger people place greater emphasis on a relaxed working environment (85% to 30%), job security (40% to 20%), and advancement prospects (80% to approximately 48%).
Analysis
1. The bar chart shows the factors that most affect work performance at a given company by age group. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there is general congruity in terms of the factors, though younger employees value promotion prospects, opportunities for personal development, and a relaxed working environment more highly. 3. For both age groups, salary and team spirit were important and work environment and job security tended to be less impactful.
- Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
- Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
- This one is a little complex so it needs a second sentence for the overview.
1. In terms of the categories with greater similarity, for both ages, 60% consider team spirit important and 30% think the environment impacts their work performances. 2. The reported figures are also similar for job satisfaction (55% for those aged 18-30 and 50% for those 45-60), respect from colleagues (38% for younger workers and 42% for their older counterparts), money (73% for younger employees and 70% for older ones), and competent bosses (near 50% for both).
- Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
- There is a lot of data so this essay is a little longer than normal.
1. There is significant contrast in terms of how much chances for personal growth affect work with 90% for employees aged 18-30 and just 38% for older workers. 2. Similarly, younger people place greater emphasis on a relaxed working environment (85% to 30%), job security (40% to 20%), and advancement prospects (80% to approximately 48%).
- Write about the final other parts of the graph – include everything!
- Compare the categories.
Vocabulary
The bar chart shows the factors that most affect work performance at a given company by age group. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there is general congruity in terms of the factors, though younger employees value promotion prospects, opportunities for personal development, and a relaxed working environment more highly. For both age groups, salary and team spirit were important and work environment and job security tended to be less impactful.
In terms of the categories with greater similarity, for both ages, 60% consider team spirit important and 30% think the environment impacts their work performances. The reported figures are also similar for job satisfaction (55% for those aged 18-30 and 50% for those 45-60), respect from colleagues (38% for younger workers and 42% for their older counterparts), money (73% for younger employees and 70% for older ones), and competent bosses (near 50% for both).
There is significant contrast in terms of how much chances for personal growth affect work with 90% for employees aged 18-30 and just 38% for older workers. Similarly, younger people place greater emphasis on a relaxed working environment (85% to 30%), job security (40% to 20%), and advancement prospects (80% to approximately 48%).
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
factors elements that go into influencing something
affect work performance at a given company by age group impact how people work at a company according to how old they are
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
general congruity in terms of about the same concerning
younger employees value promotion prospects people who are not as old care more about advancing
opportunities for personal development changes to grow individually
relaxed working environment not a tense place to work
For both age groups concerning each demographic
salary how much money you make
team spirit morale
work environment where you work, the office, the atmosphere, etc.
job security tended to be less impactful not worrying about getting fired was less influential
In terms of the categories with greater similarity concerning the brackets that were almost the same
consider think about
work performances how well you do at your job
reported figures the data
respect from colleagues how valued you are by co-workers
older counterparts older employees
competent bosses good managers
There is significant contrast in terms of big differences when it comes to
personal growth how you change as a person
Similarly about the same
place greater emphasis on care more about
job security not worrying about getting fired
advancement prospects chances to get promotions and move up in the company
approximately around, about
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈfæktəz
əˈfɛkt wɜːk pəˈfɔːməns æt ə ˈgɪvn ˈkʌmpəni baɪ eɪʤ gruːp
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt
ˈʤɛnərəl kɒngru:iti: ɪn tɜːmz ɒv
ˈjʌŋər ˌɛmplɔɪˈiːz ˈvæljuː prəˈməʊʃən ˈprɒspɛkts
ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz fɔː ˈpɜːsnl dɪˈvɛləpmənt
rɪˈlækst ˈwɜːkɪŋ ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt
fɔː bəʊθ eɪʤ gruːps
ˈsæləri
tiːm ˈspɪrɪt
wɜːk ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt
ʤɒb sɪˈkjʊərɪti ˈtɛndɪd tuː biː lɛs ˈɪmpæktf(ə)l
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv ðə ˈkætɪgəriz wɪð ˈgreɪtə ˌsɪmɪˈlærɪti
kənˈsɪdə
wɜːk pəˈfɔːmənsɪz
rɪˈpɔːtɪd ˈfɪgəz
rɪsˈpɛkt frɒm ˈkɒliːgz
ˈəʊldə ˈkaʊntəpɑːts
ˈkɒmpɪtənt ˈbɒsɪz
ðeər ɪz sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈkɒntrɑːst ɪn tɜːmz ɒv
ˈpɜːsnl grəʊθ
ˈsɪmɪləli
pleɪs ˈgreɪtər ˈɛmfəsɪs ɒn
ʤɒb sɪˈkjʊərɪti
ədˈvɑːnsmənt ˈprɒspɛkts
əˈprɒksɪmɪtli
Vocabulary Practice
The bar chart shows the f______s that most a_____________________________________________________p. L__________________________________________________________t there is g_______________________f the factors, though y______________________________________________s, o_______________________________________t, and a r___________________________________t more highly. F________________________s, s_______y and t__________t were important and w__________________t and j_________________________________l.
I____________________________________________y, for both ages, 60% c________r team spirit important and 30% think the environment impacts their w__________________________s. The r____________________s are also similar for job satisfaction (55% for those aged 18-30 and 50% for those 45-60), r___________________s (38% for younger workers and 42% for their o_______________________s), money (73% for younger employees and 70% for older ones), and c______________s (near 50% for both).
T_____________________________________________f how much chances for p______________h affect work with 90% for employees aged 18-30 and just 38% for older workers. S_________y, younger people p_______________________n a relaxed working environment (85% to 30%), j________________y (40% to 20%), and a____________________s (80% to a________________y 48%).
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
Speaking Practice
Work (Model answer available on my Patreon)
- Are you student or are you working now?
- What do you like about your job/school at the moment?
- What job would you like to do in the future?
Writing Practice
