The bar chart below shows the main reasons for students choosing to study at a particular university in the UK in 1985 and 2005.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 1 question on IELTSX. The bar chart below shows the main reasons for students choosing to study at a particular university in the UK in 1985 and 2005.

Students Choosing University UK Reasons 1985 2005 Bar 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.

IELTS Writing Task 1 chart for Students Choosing University UK Reasons 1985 2005 Bar Chart
Chart supplied with the IELTS Writing Task 1 question: Students Choosing University UK Reasons 1985 2005 Bar Chart

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 ยท 177 words.

The bar chart illustrates the various reasons why students opted to attend a specific UK university in 1985 and 2005.

[Clear overview]: Overall, while the importance of teaching quality and sports facilities grew over the twenty-year period, the opposite trend was observed for proximity to home and university resources. The proportion of students prioritizing specific degree courses remained constant.

[Accurate data comparisons]: In terms of increases, approximately 35% of students chose the university for its teaching quality in 1985, a figure that rose [slightly] to nearly 40% by 2005. A more [dramatic rise] was seen in the category of sports facilities, which more than doubled from around 10% in 1985 to approximately 22% in 2005.

[Logical organization]: Conversely, the percentage of students who prioritized living close to home [fell significantly] from 18% to 10% between the two years. A similar decline occurred in the importance of university resources, which [dropped] from 21% to roughly 12%. Finally, the percentage of students selecting the university due to its degree programs remained [stable] at 36% in both 1985 and 2005.

Examiner feedback

This response is an exemplary model of a Band 9 Task 1 essay. It demonstrates perfect clarity, logical grouping of data, and high-level linguistic precision without unnecessary wordiness.

Task Achievement - 9

- All requirements of the task are fully satisfied, with a clear and concise summary of the data provided. - The overview is sophisticated, identifying both upward and downward trends as well as the stable variable. - Data points are selected with precision and used effectively to illustrate the comparisons between the two years.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Information is logically organized into thematic paragraphs (increases vs. decreases/stability), making the message effortless to follow. - Cohesive devices are used naturally and unobtrusively (e.g., 'In terms of', 'Conversely', 'Finally'). - Referencing and substitution are handled with high-level skill, avoiding repetitive phrasing.

Lexical Resource - 9

- There is a wide and natural range of vocabulary (e.g., 'opted to attend', 'proximity', 'doubled', 'prioritized'). - Lexical choices are precise and convey exact meanings without awkwardness. - Spelling and word formation are flawless throughout the response.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of complex structures is used with full flexibility (e.g., participial phrases and relative clauses). - The response is entirely error-free, demonstrating a masterly control of grammar and punctuation. - Sentence variety is excellent, blending simple and complex forms naturally.

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