The chart below shows the percentage of people in a city in the UK using the Internet for different activities in 2007 and 2009.

Percentage People UK Internet Activities 2007 2009 - 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 7.5 · 186 words.

The given chart depicts the proportion of people in a particular city of the UK using the Internet for various activities -- shopping, banking, music, job seeking, games, learning, and TV -- in the years, 2007 and 2009.

Overall, there was an upward trend in shopping, job seeking, and TV, while banking, listening to music, and learning experienced a decline in share. Meanwhile, playing games maintained the same level. Notably, shopping remained dominant throughout the years.

With respect to 2007, shopping stood out as the most prominent, at roughly 45%, while banking and music showed similar figures, 40% for the former and around 38% for the latter. Job seeking amounted to approximately 25%, compared to games and learning, each standing at a similar level (20%). Watching TV accounted for the smallest proportion, making up nearly 15%.

By 2009, shopping remained the highest, reaching 50%, whereas banking plunged to approximately 35%. Music saw a marked drop to 30%, while job seeking increased to a similar level. Playing games plateaued at 20%. The proportions for learning and watching TV were reversed, accounting for nearly 15% and 20% respectively.

Examiner feedback

This is a very strong response that accurately captures the data and identifies key trends. The overview is clear and the logical structure makes the information easy to follow. To reach a higher band, the writer could focus on increasing the sophistication of the vocabulary and the complexity of the comparisons made.

Task Achievement - 8

- The response covers all requirements of the task, including a clear overview identifying the general trends and notable features. - Key features are skillfully selected and clearly presented with accurate data from both years. - Comparisons between the two years and between categories are clearly highlighted, such as the reversal in proportions for learning and TV.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information and ideas are logically sequenced with a clear progression from the overview to chronological data analysis. - Paragraphing is used appropriately, separating the general trends from specific year-by-year details. - Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'meanwhile', 'with respect to', and 'whereas' are used effectively to signal comparisons.

Lexical Resource - 7

- A good range of vocabulary is used to describe trends and figures (e.g., 'plunged', 'plateaued', 'marked drop', 'accounted for'). - There is some flexibility in the use of less common items, though some expressions could be more sophisticated to reach Band 8/9. - Spelling and word formation are accurate, and collocations are generally natural.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- A wide range of structures is used, including complex sentences and varied grammatical forms (e.g., 'remained dominant', 'amounted to', 'were reversed'). - The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is well-managed throughout the response. - Tense usage is consistently correct for the historical context provided (2007 and 2009).

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