The chart below shows the average cost of monthly contract for four different mobile (Cell) phones in a European country from January to September 2002, measured in euro.

Monthly Contract Cost Four Mobile Phones European Country 2002 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 6.5 · 280 words.

The given chart illustrates the average cost of monthly contract for four different mobile (domo, lex, sim TX, and alpha) phones in a European country during a 9-month period (between January and September) in 2002. Units are measured in euro. Overall, while contract increase for 3 mobile phones at varying degrees, the reverse is true for Sim TX which decrease over time. Notably, domo stood out among other categories with the highest figure in every month but for the final month, when it was overtaken by alpha phones.

Focusing on the increases first, lex started at about 13 euros in January, and this was followed by a slight decrease to 10 euros in February. In the next month, there was a recovery to about 13 euros and continued fluctuating and reaching to the peak point in the last month (with approximately 20 euros). Moreover, Sim TX started at just below 10 euros, experienced a slight drop (in February) after which it fluctuated till June, reaching 15 euros. Despite a significant growth from 10 euros till 15 euros (January and June correspondingly), the average cost for sim TX, dropped till the end of the period.

Alpha, on the other hand, despite its condition in the beginning it saw the highest increase during the whole span. It started at 5 euros in January and was followed by a brief fluctuation till June. It started increasing dramatically, reaching about 12 euros and 25 euros (August and September respectively). Notably, in the beginning, the average cost for domo was 15 euros. And there was a mild fluctuation till April, after a recovery it experienced a considerable rise, despite a decline in the final month.

Examiner feedback

The response provides a clear description of the trends and successfully identifies the main features of the graph. To improve, the candidate should focus on grammatical accuracy (specifically verb forms) and ensure that the body paragraphs are organized more logically by data trend rather than jumping between categories.

Task Achievement - 7

- The response covers the requirements of the task by identifying all four mobile phone types. - A clear overview is provided, highlighting the general upward trend for most phones and the unique trajectory of Domo and Alpha. - Key features are highlighted, although some data points (like the final value for Domo) are described vaguely as a 'decline' without specific figures.

Coherence & Cohesion - 6

- Information is arranged with a clear overall progression, though paragraphing is somewhat inconsistent in the body. - Cohesive devices like 'Notably' and 'Moreover' are used, though some transitions between data points feel mechanical. - The relationship between ideas can be followed, but the jump between Sim TX and Alpha lacks a smooth transition.

Lexical Resource - 7

- The vocabulary is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision (e.g., 'overtaken', 'fluctuated', 'dramatically'). - There is an awareness of style, though some inaccuracies in word choice occur ('the reverse is true for Sim TX which decrease'). - Spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 6

- A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, but there are frequent errors in verb tense and agreement. - Phrases like 'while contract increase' should be 'while contracts increased' or 'the cost of contracts increased'. - Punctuation is generally controlled, but some sentence structures are awkward (e.g., 'despite its condition in the beginning it saw').

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