The pie charts show the size of classes in primary schools in four states in Australia in 2010.

Size of classes in primary schools in four states in Australia - 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 · 281 words.

The pie charts compare the distribution of primary school students across four class-size categories in four Australian states in 2010.

Overall, classes containing 21–25 students accounted for the largest proportion of pupils in all states except South Australia, where classes of 20 students or fewer were the most common. In contrast, classes with 30 or more students represented the smallest category in every state.

In the Australian Capital Territory, just over half of pupils (51%) were in classes of 21–25 students, the highest figure among the four states. This was followed by classes with 20 students or fewer, at 38%. By comparison, only 10% of pupils studied in classes comprising 26–30 students, while the largest class size accounted for a negligible 1%.

A broadly similar pattern can be observed in Western Australia and New South Wales, where classes of 21–25 students were the most prevalent, representing 42% and 37% of pupils, respectively. In New South Wales, classes of 26–30 students made up one-third of all classes, compared with just over a quarter (27%) in Western Australia. Meanwhile, approximately a quarter of pupils attended classes with 20 students or fewer in both states, at 26% in Western Australia and 26% in New South Wales. The proportion of pupils in classes of at least 30 students remained relatively low, accounting for only 5% and 4%, respectively.

South Australia differed from the other states, with classes containing 20 students or fewer constituting the largest share, at 36%. Classes of 21–25 students ranked second at 33%, followed by those with 26–30 students, at 28%. As in the remaining states, classes accommodating 30 or more students were by far the least common, accounting for only 4%.

Examiner feedback

This is a model Band 9 response. It provides a sophisticated overview, organizes data logically through effective grouping of states, and employs high-level vocabulary and error-free grammar throughout.

Task Achievement - 9

- All requirements of the task are fully satisfied with a clear and comprehensive overview. - Key features are skillfully selected, highlighting the dominance of the 21–25 class size while identifying South Australia as the exception. - Data points for all states are accurately reported and effectively compared.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Paragraphing is skillfully managed, separating the overview, specific state data, and comparisons logically. - Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'By comparison', and 'Meanwhile' are used naturally to link ideas. - The progression from the overall trend to specific regional differences is effortless to follow.

Lexical Resource - 9

- The writer uses a sophisticated range of vocabulary including 'prevalent', 'negligible', and 'constituting'. - Collocations such as 'accounted for the largest proportion' and 'broadly similar pattern' are used with native-level naturalness. - Precise terminology is used to describe data distributions and class categories.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and control. - Sentences are consistently error-free with sophisticated use of punctuation. - Complex structures like 'A broadly similar pattern can be observed...' and '...constituting the largest share, at 36%' are used accurately.

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