Model Answer - IELTS (Task 1)

The graphs below show the types of music albums purchased by people in Britain according to sex and age.

The bar charts provide information on the percentage of people who buy Pop, Rock and Classical Music in Britain according to gender and age group.

Males favour Pop Music more than females at around 20%. The age group that listens to this genre of music the most is the 25-34 year olds at approximately 35%, followed closely by the younger age group. The 35-44 age bracket buys this music slightly less with a percentage of 30. Pop Music is purchased the least by the over 45s at below 10%.

Turning to Rock Music, males again dominate with purchases at 30%. The 16 to 34 year olds buy approximately 30% of this product. Rock Music is not favoured by the oldest age group as their purchases are below 10%.

Although both males and females spend less than 10% on Classical Music, the men’s level is slightly higher. Very few young adults 16-24 buy Classical Music and the 35-44 year olds follow the same trend, below 5%. On the other hand the purchases of the 25-34 age group and the 45+ are considerably higher standing at between 15 and 20%.

In conclusion, males buy more music than females. The younger age groups focus on Pop and Rock Music whilst the elder generation favours Classical Music.
Question taken from IELTS Practice Tests Plus 1 p.69

Model Answer - IELTS (Task 1)

The three pie charts show four fields where degrees have been granted at the National University in three different time periods.

In 1990, degrees were awarded in the field of Business and Computer Science in equal proportions (30%). A half of this amount was allocated to Law degrees (15%) whereas Medicine accounted for 25%.

Ten years later, most degrees were given to the Computer Science field at 40%. Likewise degrees in Medicine noted a 5% increase. Business and Law degrees were awarded less than in 1990 at 20% and 10% respectively.

In 2010, Computer Science remains the favourable choice amongst graduates with almost half of all degrees granted. Medicine reverts back to its 1990 status at 25% while Business and Law are at 15%.

Overall, over a 20 year period Computer Science degrees have the greatest proportion of granted degrees. Medicine fluctuates by 5% as does Law before returning to their initial figures. Finally, those graduates gaining Business degrees are halved.

Question taken from Barron's IELTS Practice Exams p.100

Model Answer - IELTS (Task 1)

The diagram shows how energy is produced from coal.

The diagram shows the different stages required to produce clean energy from coal.

Initially, coal is placed on a conveyor belt and is placed in a furnace together with oxygen from another source. The mixture is burnt in a furnace and from this raw syngas is produced. Two substances are removed from the raw syngas; purified syngas and Mercury Sulphur. Other impurities like slag are also extracted from the furnace.

The purified syngas is used to drive a gas turbine as well as a generator and in this way produces electricity. Alternatively, the gas turbine produces hot exhaust gases which are taken to a heat recovery generator. The steam that is produced at this stage is used to power a steam turbine and with the help of a generator once again makes electricity.

To conclude, the electricity that is produced from coal undergoes a purification stage to clean the harmful substances and the energy is produced on site with the help of a gas or steam turbine.

Question taken from Improve your IELTS Writing Skills p.24

Model Answer - IELTS (Task 1)

The maps below show changes that took place in Youngsville in New Zealand over a 25-year period from 1980 to 2005.

The maps show how the coastal town of Youngsville developed over a 25 year time span.

To begin with, in 1980 the area north of the river Alanah experienced a reduction in the green area around the lake. Two parking areas were added, one to the north of the lake and the other on the right. The houses along the coast were destroyed to make way for an extension to the railway line and a large stadium was constructed. The hospital remains in its initial position whilst more activities take place in the lake area. Finally, 2005 saw a marina being built to the right of the railway.

South of the river also experienced several changes. Once again the trees and woodland were cut down to make way for factories and warehouses. Similarly skyscrapers were erected in place of the housing that existed 25 years earlier. The airport, parking area and school remained untouched.
To sum up, in 1980 Youngsville appeared to be a residential area with a rural landscape and plenty of greenery while in 2005 it was transformed to an urban, industrial landscape.

Question taken from Improve your IELTS Writing Skills p. 39

Verbs starting with 'over'

Verbs starting with ‘over’ can mean too much.

Overachieve – better than expected
Overact – act a role in an exaggerated way
Overactive – too active
Overambitious – having too much ambition
Overanxious – excessively anxious
Overbook – accept more bookings than there is room for
Overburden – give too much work to do
Overcautious – too cautious
Overcharge – charge too high a price
Overcompensate – take excessive measures to make amends for something
Overconfident – excessively confident
Overcook – cook for too long
Overcrowded – too many people
Overdevelop – develop too much
Overdo – to too much of an activity
Overdose – take too much of a dangerous drug
Overdraw – take too much money out of a bank account
Overdress – dress too formally
Overeager – excessively eager
Overeat – eat too much
Overemphasize – put too much emphasis on
Overenthusiasm – excessive enthusiasm
Overestimate – to think that something is more than it actually is
Overexcited – very excited
Overexert – make too great an effort
Overexpose – expose too much
Overfamiliar – too well known
Overfill – fill to excess
Overflow – too full
Overgrow – grow too large
Overhear – to unintentionally hear something someone says when they aren’t talking to you
Overheat – make or become too hot
Overindulge – have too much of something enjoyable
Overjoyed – extremely happy
Overkill – too much of something
Overload – load too heavily
Overlook – to ignore or not notice a problem
Overpay – pay too much
Overplay – over emphasize
Overpriced – too expensive
Overprotective – excessively protective
Overqualified – having too many qualifications
Overrate – rate more highly than is deserved
Overreact – react more strongly than is justified
Oversimplify – make something too simple so an inaccurate impression is given
Oversized – bigger than the usual size
Oversleep – to sleep longer than you should
Overspend – spend too much
Overstate – state too strongly
Overstay – stay longer than an allowed time
Overstep – go beyond a limit
Overstretch – make excessive demands on
Overtime – work more than the normal working hours
Overturn – to turn upside down or on the side
Overuse – use too much
Overweight – above normal weight
Overwork – work too much

Verb or Noun?

Verb: impress, attract, act, decide, intend, produce, receive, permit, examine, invite, prepare, perform, amuse, agree, argue, discuss, advertise, instruct, introduce, describe, disappear, recommend, locate, accommodate, arrange

Noun: impression, attraction, action, decision, intention, production, reception, permission, examination, invitation, preparation, assistance, appearance, performance, amusement, agreement, argument, discussion, advertisement, instruction, introduction, description, amazement, disappearance, recommendation, location, accommodation, arrangement

Make or Do?

Make: an effort, a purchase, certain/sure, a complaint, a fuss, up one’s mind, sense, a suggestion, money/profit, a mess, a phone call, a noise, request, an appointment, decision, an excuse, a guess, progress

Do: business, one’s duty, good/evil, damage, one’s homework, work, right/wrong, one’s best, harm, somebody a favour, wonders