The chart below gives information about the adults with education at high school level in six countries in 2010.

Adults High School Education Six Countries 2010 Bar Chart - IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 216 words.

The bar chart compares the percentages of adults who had attained a high school level education in six countries in 2010, divided into two age groups: 25–34 and 55–64 years old.

Overall, the younger age group recorded higher proportions in all six countries. South Korea had the highest percentage among younger adults, while China had the lowest figures for both age categories. The largest age-related gap was observed in South Korea.

Among people aged 25–34, South Korea ranked first with approximately 98%, followed by Russia at around 92%. Germany and the USA showed similar figures of about 88–90%. Brazil stood at roughly 50%, whereas China had the lowest percentage, at just over 20%.

A similar pattern can be seen among the 55–64 age group, although the percentages were generally lower. The USA recorded the highest figure, at approximately 90%, narrowly ahead of Germany at around 84%. Russia followed with about 72%, while South Korea's rate was considerably lower, at roughly 42%. Brazil and China had the smallest proportions, at around 25% and 12% respectively.

In terms of age differences, South Korea experienced by far the greatest increase, with the younger group exceeding the older group by more than 50 percentage points. By contrast, Germany and the USA showed only minor differences between the two age categories.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional response that meets all the criteria for Band 9. It provides a clear, comprehensive overview and uses sophisticated language to compare data points accurately and fluidly.

Task Achievement - 9

- All requirements of the task are fully satisfied with a very clear overview of main trends. - Key features are skillfully selected and highlighted, specifically the massive gap in South Korea compared to the stability in the USA. - Data is accurately reported using appropriate approximations (e.g., "roughly 50%").

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Paragraphing is skillfully managed, with a logical flow from introduction to overview, and then specific data comparisons. - Cohesive devices such as "By contrast," "whereas," and "although" are used naturally to link ideas. - Information is sequenced logically, comparing age groups within countries and across the dataset.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Uses a wide range of vocabulary (attained, proportions, age-related gap, narrowly ahead) with natural and sophisticated control. - Precise use of data-describing verbs and nouns ensures variety throughout the report. - Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and control. - The majority of sentences are error-free with sophisticated punctuation. - Complex structures like "with the younger group exceeding the older group" are handled with precision.

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