This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of people leaving and unemployment in Ireland.
IELTS Task 1: Unemployment Rate in Ireland

In 1988, 17% of individuals were unemployed in Ireland and a slightly lower 15.5% decided to leave the country. Starting in 1990, the rates diverged with between 12% and 13% being unemployed up until 1996 and far fewer proportionally moving abroad (between 14% and 8%).
After 1996, a steep drop in terms of unemployment (down to a low of 5% by 2000) recreated a more symmetrical pattern. Individuals leaving the island nation was broadly stable around 7% before a sharp uptick over the final four years of the period to end at 13%. The rise for unemployment figures was more gradual and was finally registered at 6%.
Analysis
1. In 1988, 17% of individuals were unemployed in Ireland and a slightly lower 15.5% decided to leave the country. 2. Starting in 1990, the rates diverged with between 12% and 13% being unemployed up until 1996 and far fewer proportionally moving abroad (between 14% and 8%).
1. After 1996, a steep drop in terms of unemployment (down to a low of 5% by 2000) recreated a more symmetrical pattern. 2. Individuals leaving the island nation was broadly stable around 7% before a sharp uptick over the final four years of the period to end at 13%. 3. The rise for unemployment figures was more gradual and was finally registered at 6%.
Vocabulary
In 1988, 17% of individuals were unemployed in Ireland and a slightly lower 15.5% decided to leave the country. Starting in 1990, the rates diverged with between 12% and 13% being unemployed up until 1996 and far fewer proportionally moving abroad (between 14% and 8%).
After 1996, a steep drop in terms of unemployment (down to a low of 5% by 2000) recreated a more symmetrical pattern. Individuals leaving the island nation was broadly stable around 7% before a sharp uptick over the final four years of the period to end at 13%. The rise for unemployment figures was more gradual and was finally registered at 6%.
Answers
slightly lower a little less
decided to leave the country chose to move abroad
Starting in beginning
diverged went in different directions
up until leading up to
far fewer proportionally moving abroad not as many people in terms of the percentage leaving for other countries
After next
a steep drop in terms of a big fall concerning
down to a low of dropping to a nadir of
recreated happened again
more symmetrical pattern similar trend
island nation country that is an island
broadly stable around roughly unchanged near
before a sharp uptick over big increase over time
end at finish at
rise grow
gradual slow
finally registered at at last recorded at
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈdiːteɪlz
ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt reɪt
ˈnʌmbər ɒv ˈpiːpᵊl ˈliːvɪŋ ˈaɪələnd
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærᵊnt ðæt
ˈfɪɡəz ˈfɒləʊd ə ˈrʌfli ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntəri ˈpætᵊn ɪkˈsɛpt fɔːr ən ɪksˈtɛndɪd ˈpɪəriəd ɪn
ˈdeɪtə sɛts dɪˈklaɪnd ˈəʊvərɔːl
ˈɛndɪd wɪð ən ˈʌpwədz trɛnd
ˈslaɪtli ˈləʊə
dɪˈsaɪdɪd tuː liːv ðə ˈkʌntri
ˈstɑːtɪŋ ɪn
daɪˈvɜːʤd
ʌp ənˈtɪl
fɑː ˈfjuːə prəˈpɔːʃᵊnᵊli ˈmuːvɪŋ əˈbrɔːd
ˈɑːftə
ə stiːp drɒp ɪn tɜːmz ɒv
daʊn tuː ə ləʊ ɒv
ˌriːkriˈeɪtɪd
mɔː sɪˈmɛtrɪkᵊl ˈpætᵊn
ˈaɪlənd ˈneɪʃᵊn
ˈbrɔːdli ˈsteɪbᵊl əˈraʊnd
bɪˈfɔːr ə ʃɑːp ʌp tɪk ˈəʊvə
ɛnd æt
raɪz
ˈɡræʤuəl
ˈfaɪnəli ˈrɛʤɪstəd æt
Vocabulary Practice
In 1988, 17% of individuals were unemployed in Ireland and a s______________r 15.5% d______________________________y. S____________n 1990, the rates d_________d with between 12% and 13% being unemployed u________l 1996 and f____________________________________d (between 14% and 8%).
A_______r 1996, a______________________f unemployment (d_______________f 5% by 2000) r____________d a m________________________n. Individuals leaving the i____________n was b_________________d 7% b__________________________r the final four years of the period to e______t 13%. The r____e for unemployment figures was more g______l and was f____________________________t 6%.
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-ireland
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?
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