This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of average income and people below the poverty line in an IELTS table.
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IELTS Task 1: Poverty Table
The table details age demographics and their relation to poverty in three states in the United States of America. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are more young individuals in Utah, while those over 60 in poverty are more common in California and especially Florida. Average incomes are generally highest in California and Florida and the largest proportion of total residents in poverty is highest in California, followed by Florida, and lastly Utah.
In California, 16% of all residents are under the official poverty line, with 17% of all residents under 18 years old and 13% over 60. These figures are broadly similar to Florida where 12% of the population is in poverty (16% of total residents under the age of 18 and a notable 23% over 60). In terms of average income, California was recorded at $23,000 and Florida slightly lower at $22,000.
The figures in Utah are markedly different as only 9% of residents are considered poor. Of the total population age demographics, 28% are under the age of 18 but just 8% are elderly individuals. Additionally, average earnings are lower than the other two states at just $17,000.
Analysis
1. The table details age demographics and their relation to poverty in three states in the United States of America. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are more young individuals in Utah, while those over 60 in poverty are more common in California and especially Florida. 3. Average incomes are generally highest in California and Florida and the largest proportion of total residents in poverty is highest in California, followed by Florida, and lastly Utah.
- 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 California, 16% of all residents are under the official poverty line, with 17% of all residents under 18 years old and 13% over 60. 2. These figures are broadly similar to Florida where 12% of the population is in poverty (16% of total residents under the age of 18 and a notable 23% over 60). 3. In terms of average income, California was recorded at $23,000 and Florida slightly lower at $22,000.
- Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
- Compare between each sentence.
- Include all the data.
1. The figures in Utah are markedly different as only 9% of residents are considered poor. Of the total population age demographics, 28% are under the age of 18 but just 8% are elderly individuals. 2. Additionally, average earnings are lower than the other two states at just $17,000.
- Write about the final other parts of the graph – include everything!
- Compare the categories.
Vocabulary
The table details age demographics and their relation to poverty in three states in the United States of America. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are more young individuals in Utah, while those over 60 in poverty are more common in California and especially Florida. Average incomes are generally highest in California and Florida and the largest proportion of total residents in poverty is highest in California, followed by Florida, and lastly Utah.
In California, 16% of all residents are under the official poverty line, with 17% of all residents under 18 years old and 13% over 60. These figures are broadly similar to Florida where 12% of the population is in poverty (16% of total residents under the age of 18 and a notable 23% over 60). In terms of average income, California was recorded at $23,000 and Florida slightly lower at $22,000.
The figures in Utah are markedly different as only 9% of residents are considered poor. Of the total population age demographics, 28% are under the age of 18 but just 8% are elderly individuals. Additionally, average earnings are lower than the other two states at just $17,000.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
details age demographics shows groups by how old people are
their relation to concerning
poverty not having much money, being poor
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
while however
common happens a lot
Average incomes how much you make
generally highest usually the most
largest proportion of total residents in biggest percentage of people who are
followed by after that
lastly finally
under the official poverty line are officially poor
broadly similar to about the same to
population how many people live there
notable significant
In terms of average income when it comes to how much they make/earn
slightly lower at a little less at
markedly different as only totally different because
considered poor thought of as in poverty
elderly old
Additionally also
lower than less than
just only
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈdiːteɪlz eɪʤ ˌdɛməˈgræfɪks
æz ðeɪ rɪˈleɪt tuː
ˈpɒvəti
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt
waɪl
ˈkɒmən
ˈævərɪʤ ˈɪnkʌmz
ˈʤɛnərəli ˈhaɪɪst
ˈlɑːʤɪst prəˈpɔːʃən ɒv ˈtəʊtl ˈrɛzɪdənts ɪn
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ
ˈlɑːstli
ˈʌndə ði əˈfɪʃəl ˈpɒvəti laɪn
ˈbrɔːdli ˈsɪmɪlə tuː
ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən
ˈnəʊtəbl
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv ˈævərɪʤ ˈɪnkʌm
ˈslaɪtli ˈləʊər æt
ˈmɑːkɪdli ˈdɪfrənt æz ˈəʊnli
kənˈsɪdəd pʊə
ˈɛldəli
əˈdɪʃənli
ˈləʊə ðæn
ʤʌst
Vocabulary Practice
The table d_______________________________s and t___________________________y in three states in the United States of America. L______________________________________________________t there are more young individuals in Utah, w_____e those over 60 in poverty are more c_____________n in California and especially Florida. A__________________s are g_________________t in California and Florida and the l______________________________________n poverty is highest in California, f______________y Florida, and l________y Utah.
In California, 16% of all residents are u__________________________e, with 17% of all residents under 18 years old and 13% over 60. These figures are b________________________o Florida where 12% of the p________________n is in poverty (16% of total residents under the age of 18 and a n_________e 23% over 60). I________________________e, California was recorded at $23,000 and Florida s___________________t $22,000.
The figures in Utah are m__________________t as only 9% of residents are c_____________d poor. Of the total population age demographics, 28% are under the age of 18 but just 8% are e_________y individuals. A___________y, average earnings are l___________n the other two states at j____t $17,000.
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
Speaking Practice
Charity
- Why do people do charity for others?
- Is charity always altruistic or can it be selfish?
- What kinds of charities are there in your country?
- Do corporations in your country contribute to charity?
- Should charities be allowed to make a profit?
Writing Practice
I’ve found this post favorable for the people who are practising their Ielts exam
the essay above is written incorrectly. The table doesn’t reveal anything about which age group of people are poor and you cannot add any of your ideas to the table(it is a requirement for task 1 essays)
Updated – thanks for pointing that out!
The table details the demographics and the poverty statistics in three states in USA.
Looking from an overall perspective, It is readily apparent that Utal has the biggest population under 18, while those who are over 60 years old are more common in California, especially in Florida. The percentage of people in poverty is the highest in California, followed by Florida, lastly by Utal. In terms of the average income per person , Utal places the last.
In California, 17% of the residents are below 18, as opposed to 16% in Florida. The ratio of the old generation is higher in Florida, which accounts for 23%, while that of California is notably lower, representing only 13%. Besides, although the Californians are able to earn 23,000 dollars in average, which is 1,000 dollars more than the income that residents in Florida can receive, the ratio of poor people is also higher, making up 16% in the chart while there are only 12% of people suffer from poverty in Florida.
The figures in Utal is markedly different , with 28% of the population is younger than the age of 18 and only 8% over 60. Though Utal people make the least income, which is only 17,000 dollars in average, there are just 9% of them under the poverty line, ranking the last among all states.
i believe this essay is incorrect because there was no indication that there were any correlation between the age groups and the percentage of population living in poverty
This part
“it is readily apparent that there are more young individuals in poverty in Utah, while those over 60 in poverty are more common in California and especially Florida”
The graph did not say they were imporverished, it simply gives data about the share of people in these age brackets. 😀
Thanks for noticing – updated!
In the last sentence of the second paragraph, maybe “California was” should be changed to “California is”? Since the whole article uses the simple present tense.
Thanks! But past is what I wanted there since it was recorded – and then the data is presented.
Vocabulary practice is very helpful
Thanks a lot