The chart below shows the percentage of Australian people who were born in different places of the world.

Australian People Born Different Parts World Percentage 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 8 · 205 words.

The line graph compares the percentages of Australian residents who were born in different regions of the world between 1976 and 2011.

Overall, the proportion of overseas-born residents in Australia declined initially before rising towards the end of the period. The percentages of people born in Asia and other countries increased overall, whereas the figure for UK-born residents fell steadily throughout the timeframe.

Looking first at Asia, the proportion of Australian residents born there stood at just 3% in 1976. This figure then rose gradually over the following decades, reaching 15% in 2011, making it the largest group by the end of the period.

Similarly, the percentage of residents born in other countries was relatively high at 11% in 1976. After falling sharply to 8% in 1986, the figure recovered and peaked at 13% in 2006 before declining slightly to 12% in the final year.

By contrast, UK-born residents represented the largest group at the beginning of the period, accounting for 14% in 1976. However, this figure declined steadily to just under 5% by 2011, making it the smallest category.

As for the total proportion of overseas-born residents, it fell significantly during the first 15 years before rising sharply and finishing at 33% in 2011.

Examiner feedback

This is a very strong response that accurately captures the main trends and provides clear data points. The structure is logical, and the language used is precise and varied, resulting in a high band score.

Task Achievement - 8

- The response covers all key features of the graph, including the 'Total' line and the individual regions. - A clear overview is provided, highlighting the main trends for all categories. - Data is accurately selected and presented to support the description, though slightly more detail on the 'Total' line's fluctuations could have been included.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Paragraphing is logically managed with a clear introduction, overview, and grouped details. - Cohesive devices like 'Similarly', 'By contrast', and 'As for' are used effectively to link ideas. - There is a clear progression of information that is easy for the reader to follow.

Lexical Resource - 8

- A wide range of vocabulary is used fluently to convey precise meanings (e.g., 'rose gradually', 'accounted for', 'peaked at'). - Lexical items for describing data trends are used skillfully and appropriately. - There are no noticeable spelling or word formation errors in the response.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- A wide range of structures is used with accuracy, including complex sentences and varied clause types. - The majority of sentences are error-free, particularly in describing trends and timeframes. - Punctuation is used correctly throughout the response to enhance clarity.

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