The chart below shows the unemployment rate and the number of people leaving Ireland from 1988 to 2008.

Unemployment Rate People Leaving Ireland 1988-2008 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 · 204 words.

The chart illustrates the unemployment rate in Ireland and the number of people emigrating from the country over a 20-year period between 1988 and 2008.

Overall, it is clear that both unemployment and emigration followed similar trends. When unemployment was high, more people tended to leave Ireland, while both figures declined significantly during the late 1990s and early 2000s before rising again towards the end of the period.

In 1988, the unemployment rate was relatively high at around 17%, and approximately 60,000 people left the country. Over the next few years, both figures fluctuated slightly but remained at elevated levels. However, from the early 1990s onwards, there was a noticeable downward trend. By 2000, unemployment had dropped sharply to about 5%, and emigration fell to its lowest point of roughly 20,000 people.

This downward trend continued until the mid-2000s, when both indicators reached their minimum levels. Nevertheless, after 2005, the situation began to reverse. Unemployment started to rise again, reaching around 8% by 2008, while the number of people leaving Ireland also increased significantly to approximately 50,000.

In conclusion, there is a strong correlation between unemployment and emigration in Ireland, with both decreasing during periods of economic growth and increasing again during economic decline.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional response that serves as a model for Band 9. It perfectly balances data reporting with trend analysis, using sophisticated language that is both precise and natural. The overview is particularly strong as it identifies the relationship between the two datasets rather than just describing them individually.

Task Achievement - 9

- The response fully satisfies all requirements of the task, providing a comprehensive and accurate summary of the data. - The overview is sophisticated, correctly identifying the strong correlation between the two variables across the twenty-year period. - All key features, including the initial peaks, the significant decline in the mid-period, and the sharp rise at the end, are clearly highlighted and supported with precise data.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- The information is logically organized chronologically, which allows the reader to follow the progression of the trends effortlessly. - Cohesive devices are used with such naturalness that they are barely noticeable (e.g., 'Over the next few years', 'Nevertheless', 'This downward trend'). - Paragraphing is used skillfully to separate the initial overview from the detailed temporal analysis.

Lexical Resource - 9

- The response demonstrates a wide and natural range of vocabulary (e.g., 'fluctuated slightly', 'elevated levels', 'noticeable downward trend', 'indicators', 'reversal'). - Lexical features are used with precision and sophistication, showing an excellent awareness of collocation and style appropriate for an academic report. - There are no errors in spelling or word formation.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of complex structures is used with full flexibility and accuracy (e.g., the use of participle phrases 'reaching around 8%...' and complex conditional/temporal clauses). - Punctuation is flawless throughout, aiding the clarity and flow of the report. - The majority of sentences are error-free, representing the highest level of grammatical control.

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