The chart below show UK workers' average time spent and methods to work in 2009.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 1 question on IELTSX. The chart below show UK workers' average time spent and methods to work in 2009.

UK Workers Average Commute Time Methods 2009 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 UK Workers Average Commute Time Methods 2009 Chart
Chart supplied with the IELTS Writing Task 1 question: UK Workers Average Commute Time Methods 2009 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 8.5 ยท 218 words.

The provided charts summarize the average duration of commutes for UK workers in 2009 and compare the transport methods used between London and the rest of the country.

Overall, the majority of UK workers experienced relatively short commutes, with those travelling for under 30 minutes making up the bulk of the workforce. Regarding transportation, cars were the primary choice outside the capital, whereas Londoners relied significantly more on rail and underground networks.

According to the pie chart, the largest segment of the workforce (42%) spent between 1 and 15 minutes travelling to work, while a further 33% commuted for 16 to 30 minutes. In contrast, longer journeys were far less common; only 12% of workers travelled for 31-45 minutes, and a minimal 5% spent over an hour on their daily commute.

The bar chart illustrates clear contrast in transportation preference of London and the rest of the UK. In London, despite being the most popular, car use was comparatively moderate at slightly above 30%. Meanwhile, it was a dominant choice elsewhere, at just over 70%. Conversely, London relied heavily on trains (roughly 25%) and underground (15%) compared negligible figures of 3-5% in other parts of the UK. Walking, cycling and bus witnessed marginal levels of use in both areas, albeit these were a bit more common in London.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptionally strong response that demonstrates a high level of English proficiency. The description is clear, the data selection is professional, and the vocabulary is varied. To reach a perfect Band 9, ensure that every minor article and preposition is in place, as the grammatical range is already sufficient.

Task Achievement - 9

- The response fully satisfies all requirements of the task, providing a comprehensive summary of both charts. - The overview is clearly identifiable and captures the most significant trends (the prevalence of short commutes and the disparity in transport modes between London and the rest of the UK). - All key features are highlighted and supported with accurate data from the charts.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Information is logically sequenced; the first paragraph handles the pie chart while the second handles the bar chart, maintaining a clear progression. - Cohesive devices (e.g., 'Regarding transportation', 'In contrast', 'Conversely', 'Meanwhile') are used naturally and effectively. - Paragraphing is skillfully managed, separating the overview and the specific data sets for clarity.

Lexical Resource - 9

- The vocabulary is sophisticated and varied, featuring precise terms like 'bulk of the workforce', 'dominant choice', 'negligible figures', and 'marginal levels'. - Collocations are natural and academic (e.g., 'relatively short commutes', 'transportation preference', 'experienced... commutes'). - Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- A wide range of structures is used flexibly, including complex subordinate clauses and comparative structures. - The majority of sentences are error-free. - There are a few very minor slips, such as the omission of an article in 'illustrates clear contrast' (should be 'a clear contrast') and a missing preposition in 'compared negligible figures' (should be 'compared to negligible figures').

Related prompts

Start Practice