IELTS Task 1: Poverty Table

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.

1. Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
2. Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
3. 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.

1. Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
2. Compare between each sentence.
3. 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.

1. Write about the final other parts of the graph – include everything!
2. Compare the categories.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

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

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

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

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/oldham-bills-unemployment-poverty-hunger-b2244333.html

Speaking Practice

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

Charity

1. Why do people do charity for others?
2. Is charity always altruistic or can it be selfish?
3. What kinds of charities are there in your country?
4. Do corporations in your country contribute to charity?
5. Should charities be allowed to make a profit?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS chart below:

IELTS Essay Task 1: Independent Films Table