Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The bar chart shows the sectors that employed workers in 2005 in the U.K according to gender.

The greatest number of men were employed in skilled trade (20%) followed by managerial and senior official positions at 18%. All other categories were below 15% with smaller employment levels for sales, administrative and personal service positions.

The opposite trend can be seen the case of females where 22% were in administrative and secretarial positions. Associate, professional and technical work was also undertaken at around 15%. Other categories employed approximately 12% female workers. Very few women, in fact less than 4%, were employed in manual labour positions such as skilled trade and operating machinery.

To sum up, we can notice a difference between the professions chosen by men and women. Men had senior positions and worked in skilled vocations whereas women were mostly engaged in administration work. Equal numbers (about 12%) were involved in elementary tasks.

Question taken from IELTS Testbuilder 2 p.115