The charts below show the comparison of time spent, in minutes per day, by UK's males and females on household and leisure activities in 2008.

UK Males Females Household Leisure Time Minutes 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 8 · 191 words.

The provided charts compare the average daily time spent on leisure and household activities by men and women in the UK in 2008.

Overall, men spent significantly more time on leisure activities, particularly media consumption and sports, while women dedicated more time to most household tasks, with the exception of DIY and repairs.

In terms of leisure activities, 'TV, Video and Radio' was the most popular pursuit for both genders, with men spending 137 minutes per day compared to 118 minutes for women. Men also led in sports, spending 15 minutes daily, while women spent 11. Conversely, women spent slightly more time reading (19 minutes) than men (18 minutes).

Regarding household chores, women spent the most time on 'Cooking and washing up' at 74 minutes, more than double the 30 minutes spent by men. A similar trend was seen in 'Clothes washing and ironing', where women spent 25 minutes compared to a mere 11 minutes for men. However, men spent more time on 'Repairs', averaging 18 minutes, while women spent only 9. Shopping was more balanced, though women still spent more time at 35 minutes compared to 26 minutes for men.

Examiner feedback

This is a high-level response that demonstrates a clear understanding of the data. The overview is excellent, and the comparisons between genders are sophisticated and accurate. To reach a Band 9, the response could benefit from including all data points (even the smaller ones) and slightly more varied vocabulary for repetitive actions.

Task Achievement - 8

- The response covers all requirements of the task, including a clear overview identifying the main trends for both genders. - Key features are skillfully selected and compared rather than just listed mechanically. - Data is used accurately to support all descriptions, though some minor categories (like 'other leisure') were omitted for brevity.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Paragraphing is logical and follows a clear organizational strategy based on the two different chart categories. - Cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'However', and 'A similar trend' are used naturally to guide the reader through comparisons. - There is a smooth progression from the overview to detailed data points.

Lexical Resource - 8

- Uses a wide range of vocabulary related to data description (e.g., 'pursuit', 'dedicated', 'balanced', 'mere'). - Lexical choice is precise and conveys meaning fluently. - Minor opportunity for more varied synonyms for 'spent' existed, but the current use is appropriate and professional.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- Demonstrates full flexibility and control with a wide range of complex structures. - Sentences are error-free with precise punctuation throughout. - Effectively uses comparison structures (e.g., 'more than double the 30 minutes spent by men') to convey data accurately.

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