Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The table shows savings as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in three time periods, 1990, 2000 and 2008 in seven countries.

In 1990 Singaporean's savings where the greatest at 43.6%. South Korea and China also had high percentages at 37.7% and 35.6% respectively whilst the USA had the lowest percentage at 15.3%. The savings of the remaining 3 countries ranged between 20 and 25%.

In the year 2000, Singaporeans saved the most at 46.9%. Once again China and South Korea followed with 37.3% and 33.6% respectively. Even though Americans saved 2.4% more in 2000 they still saved the least. Indians saved 0.8% more whilst Germans saved less (5.1%) as did Italians (0.2%).

In 2008 China’s savings as a percentage of GDP was over 50% with Singapore a little less. India saved 10% more this year and Germany 6%. Italians and South Koreans saved slightly less.

To conclude, China and Singapore’s savings were high in 2008 in relation to their GDP, whilst the United States had the smallest percentage. Germany and India had an increase in savings as part of their GDP while Italy and South Korea’s percentages were reduced.

Question taken from Focusing on IELTS Academic Practice Tests p.92

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)



The diagram illustrates the process of extracting hot underground water in order to produce electricity.

The initial stage of the cycle begins by pumping hot underground water to the surface. This water is delivered to a heat exchanger using a pipe. The heat exchanger is able to use the heat from the water to run a power station which in turn produces electricity. This electricity is forwarded to the national grid and is used to serve our electricity needs.

Once the heat is taken from the water, the cool water is returned back through the layer of hot rock where it will heat up again.

To sum up, using geothermal energy to produce electricity is relatively easy and requires extracting heat from layers of hot rock in the form of hot water. This is a renewable form of energy as the water is returned back to the ground and re-heated to be used again.

Question taken from Focusing on IELTS Academic Practice Tests p.90

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The line graphs show how many children and young people there are in Australia and this figure in percentages, beginning from 1958 until 2038.

To begin with, there were 3 million children aged 0-14 in Australia in 1958. This number rose steadily and is expected to reach 5 million in 2038. A little over 1 million 15-24 years olds resided in Australia in 1958. This figure is predicted to increase to 3.5 million in 2038.

The 0-14 year olds represented 30% of the population in 1958 with the percentage showing a gradual downward trend. A 10% drop is predicted for 2038. The percentage of 15-24 year olds is more or less the same, fluctuating between 14 and 17%. The 2038 percentage is likely to be the same as that of 1958 at 14%.

In conclusion, there are more 0-14 year olds in Australia than 15-24 year olds and there is likely to be more of both groups in 2038. However the percentage of children will drop and that of young people will remain relatively stable.

Question taken from Focusing on IELTS Academic Practice Tests p.88

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

As shown by the bar graph there are four major stress causes in Canada for those aged between 25 and 75 and over.

Working too much causes stress for 26% of those aged 25 to 54. Money worries account for 15% while 5% of this group have no particular reason for stressing and only 4% are worried about their health. 55 to 64 year olds stress for no particular reason (17%) while 2% less overwork and this causes them stress. Money and health account for 10% of the stress experienced by this group.

The greatest cause of stress for 65 to 74 year olds is 'no particular reason' (32%). 25% have their own health problems to worry about. Working too much causes very few people in this age group to stress (3%). Finally the oldest age group also stresses for no particular reason the most (34%) and their own health (24%). Not having enough money and overworking are not important stress factors ( less than 5%).

To sum up, the elderly stress for  no particular reason and worry about their health while the youngest age group stresses due to overwork.

Question taken from Focusing on IELTS Academic Practice Tests p.86

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 2)

Some countries have laws that prohibit animals being used in circuses or other forms of entertainment because it is cruel to keep animals in an environment that can cause them stress. Should all countries have laws to prevent animals being used in circuses and similar forms of entertainment?

Animals can be seen in circuses performing various tricks, in races like hound and horse races and in fights like cockfights. In the later cases they are used for entertainment and gambling. They are taken outside their normal environment, trained and then forced to perform for humans.

There is no reason why animals should be used in circuses. It takes many years of training to tame a lion to jump through a hoop or to make an elephant follow a standard routine. These are wild animals that need to be hunting in the jungle and not entertaining young children. Circuses are crowd pleasers and they attract a great audience and use bright lights as performances are usually held in the evening. This environment is stressful for animals and they are put under great pressure. Similarly, horses that are used for show jumping may be injured if they fail to clear the obstacles placed before them.

What is more, animals are expensive to upkeep and transport from one location to the other. They need to be drugged when taken on a plane which is stressful for them. Humans are able to put on an impressive performance in circuses without the need to employ animals, for example there are clowns, acrobats, human cannon balls and trapeze artists.

I believe it is selfish to use animals for our entertainment and amusement by placing them in situations that they would not normally find themselves in. If a law was passed prohibiting animals from being used to entertain us, then circus managers would come up with creative solutions and acts without animals.

Question taken from Focusing on IELTS Academic Practice Test p.93

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 2)

In some large cities, people have to pay a fee when they drive their cars into the city centre, in a policy to reduce the number of cars in the city. Give reasons in support of and opposing this policy and give your own opinion.

Londoners are aware that if they venture into the city centre, a camera will read their car number plate and they will receive a bill for this later. This system was thought of as a solution to traffic congestion and has been successfully implemented.

City centres are crowded areas because businesses and shops are located there. Using a car to get there is a major cause of pollution. Making motorist pay a fine will encourage them to use public transport. Large cities have efficient and cheap public transport as well as an extensive network. Fewer cars on the road results in a clear environment in the city which benefits all residents. Other types of problems like finding a parking space, being late for work, paying for the expenses associating with owning a car and road rage will be reduced.

On the other hand, some jobs require driving into the city centre on a daily basis to deliver merchandise to shops, to maintain stock levels etc. These types of essential forms of car usage should not be restricted. Companies will find their expenses increasing if they are charged every time they need to deliver an item to a central address. This policy will also put off tourists or business travelers who are planning to rent a car.

Our world has become polluted as a result of carbon dioxide emissions that are released from cars. Owning a private car is a luxury and driving into the city when there are cheaper alternatives and environmentally friendly options should result in a penalty for drivers.

Question taken from Focusing on IELTS Academic Practice Tests p.89

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 2)

Every government has a duty to provide free health care for its people. What are the advantages and disadvantages of government providing free health care?

During the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in 2012 in London there was a presentation on the National Health Service (N.H.S) which is provided free to all citizens. The U.K is proud of this system and wanted to show it to the rest of the world.

Many people have financial problems and are unable to pay for a check-up and medication, so the availability of free health care will benefit the public. If citizens are entitled to free services they are more likely to use them, leading to improved health. This results in a healthy productive workforce and population which will ultimately be advantageous for a country. What is more, it keeps the fees of private doctors and clinics in check because people know they have an alternative.

On the other hand, tax payers are burdened with the cost of maintaining such a system. Doctors and medical staff need to be paid, equipment purchased, free medication given out and buildings maintained. This constitutes a large expense. Secondly, because services are provided for free, the system will not be efficient leading to waste. There is a lot more control of resources in the private sector where the aim is to make a profit. Hospitals which provide free health care like those in England tend to be understaffed with staff members working longer hours than they should to meet the great demand of patients. Exhausted staff will make more mistakes in a sector where an error can lead to a death. Finally, there are long waiting lists and delays in operations when care is free.

Although people’s health and pockets may benefit from free health care the government needs to consider whether it can economically support such a system.

Question taken from Focusing on IELTS Reading and Writing skills p.195