Writing Exercise
1. The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type of fast food consumed by
Australian teenagers from 1975 to 2000.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The graph above shows the trend of fast-food consumption by Australian teenagers
over 25 years. There are three types of food: (1) pizza, (2) fish and chips, and (3)
hamburgers. As depicted on the graph, the trend varies for each type of food. In the
1975, fish and chips were the favorite food among the Australian teenagers. This was
approximately twenty times higher than pizza and hamburgers, which were eaten
approximately five times per year. From 1975 to 1980, the consumption of pizza and
hamburgers kept increasing. The graph for pizza consumption kept increasing from
1975 until 1995, and after 1995, it was stagnant at approximately eighty-five times
eaten per year. The number of hamburger were eaten kept on increasing throughout
the 25 years, and in the year 2000 it reached one hundred times eaten per year. Hence
the increasing trend for pizza and hamburgers, fish and chips consumption declined.
Although there was a small incline in 1985, the consumption of fish and chips
drastically declined through 15 years afterwards, with only under forty times eaten per
year. From the graph it can be concluded that over the course of 25 years, Australian
teenagers’ favorite food altered and preferred hamburgers and pizza over fish and
chips.
2. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The bar chart shows the number of times per week (in 1000s), over five weeks, that
three computer packages were downloaded from the internet.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The bar above illustrates the number of software packages downloaded over five
weeks. ActiveX was the most popular package to download among the three
packages. Overall, software ActiveX and Java had increasing downloads every week.
However, the purchase of ActiveX remained significantly higher compared to the
other packages. On week one, ActiveX started at approximately 75,000 downloads,
Java at approximately 45,000 downloads, and Net had the lowest download, starting
at below 40,000 downloads. ActiveX package’s downloads kept rising each week,
except at week four, where it had a slight fall to approximately 90,000 downloads and
reached a peak at week five with over 120,000 downloads. Java package also showed
a similar pattern. It kept increasing steadily over 5 weeks, with most downloads at
week five at 80,000 downloads. Meanwhile, Net software’s download history
decreased from week one to week three, it went from approximately 30,000
downloads to 18,000 downloads. Net download increased again in week four and
week five, going from 18,000 downloads in week 3 to 50,000 downloads at week 5.
From this bar graph we can conclude that ActiveX was the most popular package
among the user, whilst Net was the least liked package.
3. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The pie charts show the main reasons for migration to and from the UK in 2007.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The pie chart shown above illustrates the primary reason for migration in the UK in
2007. In the UK, the largest proportions of people migrated from and to the UK were
for employment reasons. People who had already got a definite job, accounted for
30% and 29%, immigrated and emigrated to and from the UK, respectively. As for the
percentage of people who were looking for work, it was lower. Over a fifth of the
people emigrated from the UK to look for a job outside the UK, and more than one in
ten people immigrated to the UK seeking employment.
The proportions of immigration and emigration for formal study reasons were
significantly different. Twenty-six percent of people came into the UK for formal
study and in contrast, only a minority (4%) left UK for this purpose. The percentages
of people who immigrated or emigrated to or from the UK for accompany/join
slightly differs, accounting of 15% and 13%, respectively.
The other reason people immigrated and emigrated to or from the UK was for no
reason or not stated. People who had no reason to immigrate to the UK was 6%,
whilst those who emigrated was higher, accounting for 18%. Meanwhile, a little over
then one in ten did not give their reason to immigrate to the UK and 14% did not state
their reason to emigrate from the UK.
4. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building
industry.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
2.10
The process of manufacturing bricks is shown at the diagram above. To make bricks,
the first step in the whole process is to dig up the clay. After the clay is dug up by the
digger, it is then filtered by using a metal grid and a roller to separate the big and the
small chunks of clay. Once separated, the factory adds sand and water to the clay, and
it is shaped into bricks by using a wire cutter or a mould. For 24 to 48 hours, the
brick-shaped clay is put into the drying oven. After it dries, the brick is then heated in
a kiln in moderate temperature of 200 to 980 degrees Celsius and it is put into a high-
temperature kiln with the temperature of 870 to 1300 degrees Celsius. Following this,
the fresh-from-the-oven hot brick is cooled in the cooling chamber for about 48 to 72
hours. Approximately three days next, the manufacturer packs the brick and it is ready
to deliver to the consumers.
5. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The line graph shows visits to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999, and the bar graph
shows the most popular countries visited by UK residents in 1999.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
8.11
The line graph above shows visits made to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999, while
the bar graph shows the top countries visited by UK residents in 1999. The line graph
illustrates that visits from and to the UK gradually increased each year from 1979 to
1999. As shown by the line graph, the number of UK citizens who visited countries
outside the UK was much higher than foreigners who visited the UK each year. The
number of trips abroad made by UK residents in 1999 was approximately 55 million,
much higher than the number of visits made to the UK, which reached under 30
million visits. In 1999, there were over 50 million people who went abroad from the
UK, and from the bar graph, France was the most favorable country to visit according
to UK citizens in 1999, with over 10 million people visiting France. Aside from
France, Spain was the second favorite place to visit. Almost 10 million people from
the UK visited Spain in 1999.
6. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The following table gives statistics showing the aspects of quality of life in five
countries.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
8.41
The data regarding five countries’ aspects of quality of life is illustrated in the table
above. In the first category, USA had the largest GNP per head at 13,160 US dollars in
1982, a significantly much higher number, with almost 20 times higher than Egypt,
which placed second at 690 US dollars. In contrast, Bangladesh had the lowest GNP
per head, with 140 US dollars.
As a developed country, the USA also placed first in daily calorie supply per head and
year of life expectancy at birth, with 3653 calories and 74 years, respectively.
Unfortunately, Bangladesh also ranked last in both of those categories, with its calorie
supply was 1877 and life expectancy at birth at 40 years.
Egypt, Indonesia, and Bolivia had similar quality of life. It ranked second, third, and
fourth, respectively, in three of the categories mentioned. Their GNP ranging from
570 to 690, daily calorie supply in the 2000s, and life expectancy at 49 to 56 years.
Bangladesh’s infant mortality rate was the highest among these countries, at 132
deaths per 1000 live births. Meanwhile, USA had the lowest infant mortality rate, only
at 12 deaths per 1000 live births. This table showed that USA had the better quality of
life aspects compared to the other four countries, and unfortunately, Bangladesh had
the poorest quality of life among these countries in 1982.
7.
The line graph above shows the comparison of the number of vehicles stolen during
the 1990s in Canada, France, Sweden, and Great Britain. Overall, it can be seen in the
graph that Great Britain’s car thefts were far more higher than in the other three
countries.
In the first five years, Canada, France, and Sweden showed a similar trend of thefts,
ranging from 5 to 10 thefts per 1,000 vehicles. The line between 1990 and 1999 for
Canada and France declined from the initial number, which started at approximately 7
and 6 thefts, respectively, and both ended up having around 6 thefts in 1999. The
number of thefts in Sweden started a little higher than in Canada and France, with
almost 10 thefts in 1990. The line then kept going up over time, and in 1999, the
number of stolen vehicles peaked at approximately 13.
Great Britain’s number of car thefts was alarmingly much higher than the other
countries. The number fluctuated over the next nine years, reaching a peak in 1996 at
around 20 thefts. At the end of the period, it was slightly lower than where it began, at
approximately 16,000 per thousand.
8.
Now 1t’s 2015.
The past and projections of the local authority’s financial state in New Zealand from
2012 to 2022 are shown in the line graph above. As we can see in the graph above,
while the rates revenue and user charges are predicted to increase over the time
period, the trend of borrowings and grants and subsidies will fluctuate.
In the first two years, the line of the four indicators kept going up. Rates revenue
stood at the highest number, at around 1.4 billion dollars, followed by user charges at
1 billion dollars and borrowings at 800 million dollars, while grants and subsidies had
the lowest amount, starting at 400 million dollars. Rates revenue and user charges are
predicted to continuously increase over the time frame. By 2022, it is expected that
rates revenue will end up at 2.3 billion dollars and user charges will end up at 2 billion
dollars.
On the other hand, in 10 years, borrowings and grants and subsidies are projected to
show considerable fluctuation. Borrowings are predicted to have its peak in 2020,
estimated at around 1.4 billion dollars, before dropping again in the next two years
and finishing at 800 million dollars. Grants and subsidies will peak next year at
around 800 million dollars and are predicted to decrease gradually until 2022.
9.
The graph above illustrates the five important factors considered when purchasing a
new home based on the age range. Generally, the most important factor to look at
when buying a new house is the crime rate.
For the first two age groups, the factors to look at in buying a new house is similar.
The biggest percentage is the crime rate, which represents around 80% to 85% of the
two age groups. Followed by school, at around 60% for the younger age group, but
dropping slightly to 55% for 35 to 44 years old. Meanwhile shopping facilities, parks,
and public transports are considered less important factors for people aged 25 to 44
years old.
Turning to those aged over 45%, similar to those in the younger age groups, a low
crime rate is a very significant factor, accounting for approximately 80%. In contrast
to the younger groups, schools are not considered important to these age groups, only
below 25% of people finding school as an key factor in buying a new house. On the
other hand, shopping facilities are seem to be much more important than schools to
the older age groups. In fact, shopping facilities, parks, and public transport all
become more important factors as people get older.
10.
The number of people from four countries who came to Australia for education
between 1982 and 2000 is shown in the line graph above. Overall, the trend to study
in Australia increased over the time period.
In 1982, the only country who came to study in Australia is Malaysia, started at
approximately 4,000 students per year. After an initial increase at 1984, the number
kept increasing steadily until it reached 10,000 students in 1994. Indonesia,
Hongkong, and Singapore followed a similar pattern to each other over this time
period, rising more sharply to around 10,000 students per year by the mid-1990s.
After this, the line for all four countries followed a similar rapid increasing pattern.
Indonesia, Hongkong, and Malaysia reached its peak at around 1998, which at that
time Indonesia sent 28,000 students, Hongkong sent 20,000 students, and Malaysia
sent 19,000 students per year before the line fluctuated until 2000. Meanwhile,
Singapore sent the most students in the 2000, compared to its previous periods. In
2000, Singapore sent just below 20,000 students per year to Australia.
1. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Earlier technological developments brought more benefits and changed the lives of
ordinary people more than recent developments ever will.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
experience or knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.
Development in technology over so many years have changed the world and the way
we live. Some people think that earlier advances in technology had bigger impacts
and benefits to the lives of ordinary people than modern technology. I agree with this
statement, as modern technology is still associated with earlier technology, but with
more advanced features that past technology could not do.
There is no doubt that earlier technology has been very influential, such as those
related to technology around the house. Devices such as microwave, television,
refrigerator, and washing machines were invented many years ago, and now every
household has all or some of these in their home, making life much easier.
In the modern time, these devices still carry out the same purpose as when they were
first invented. However, with some added features and changes, those devices now
can serve not only its primary purpose, but also it can do something else too. For
example, television used to be only used to watch movies and shows offered by the
local TV channel. But now, television can even access the internet, making it easier to
watch your favorite shows that is not available in your country.
Another example we can analyze is the microwave. Microwave is a device that was
primarily invented to warm your meals. With technological advancement, some
manufacturers added features that allow you to bake pastries or even air-fry your
food. With this added functionality, people will not have to buy three separate device
anymore. In that way, they can save some space in their home. This has had incredible
impacts on the way people live their lives. People can save money and space with
these modern technologies.
To conclude, I would argue that modern technological developments have changed
the lives of ordinary people than older technological developments. Even though the
earlier technology has paved the way to make lives easier, the recent advances in
technology has helped people to be even more effectively and efficiently in living
their lives.
2. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Languages are dying out all the time. The result of this is a world with fewer
languages. This is a good thing for people everywhere.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
experience or knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.
Intro
There are over 7,000 languages in the world. Some of them are spoken by millions of
people in the world, while others are spoken by a smaller number of people.
Languages, especially the ones that are only spoken by certain people in a certain
place, are at risk of dying out. This would result in fewer languages in the world. I
would disagree with the statement that a dying language is a good thing for people
everywhere.
A dying language is a sad tragedy, as language is a way for a culture to represent
itself. A dying language means that a culture is dying. They have lost a culture, a way
of expressing themselves, and their way of experiencing the world. They will never be
able to express themselves fully in their new language. The quality of communication
will also be limited since they are writing, reading, and speaking in an acquired
language, not in their native language. People also might not be able to express some
phrases that only exist in their original language.
However, as stated above, dying language will result in fewer languages. This will
help in greater ease in communication since people are sharing the same language.
There would be no need for translations since translations can be costly. Thus,
internationally, the flow of ideas and information is facilitated through the common
language.
In brief, language death is a tragedy. Those whose language dies lose part of their
identity and a way to express their deep thoughts and feelings. There would be also
loss of diversity. As a language dies, a culture also dies along with it. What makes the
world so interesting is the diversity of cultures around the world. If language dies one
by one, there would be nothing interesting anymore, since everyone now is in
uniform.
3. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
It is a natural process that animal species become extinct, as the dinosaurs did in the
past. There is no reason for people to prevent this from happening.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
experience or knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.
Many animal species have become extinct over the time. As we all know, the
dinosaurs became extinct many million years ago because of the natural disaster.
However, human behavior can be one of the factors that’s speeding the process of an
animal extinction. In my opinion, I believe that we can prevent this extinction to some
point.
In modern times, a lot of animal species have become extinct because of human
behavior. Industrialization is one of the sample. The waste from the factories polluted
the environment, and it led to the reduction of the number of vivid colored butterflies,
since the predators could see the more colorful butterflies better than the darker
butterflies in the dirty environment. This could lead into an extinction of the vivid
colored butterflies. If the factory’s waste management system is controlled more
efficiently and strictly so that no waste is polluting the environment, it might be
possible to prevent the extinction of animal species.
However, there are some factors that we cannot control, such a natural disaster. We
don’t know when or where a natural disaster might occur, or how big it will affect the
environment. A disaster that has an enormous impact might wipe out an entire species
in the affected area. At this point, I have to say that extinction is impossible to
prevent.
In brief, animal extinction is preventable to some extent. Preventing a man-made
disasters such as waste pollution, forest fire, or floods, can ensure the future
generations to see the diversity of life that we have today.
Listening
1. Litter 27. C (A)
2. Dogs 28. B (E)
3. Insects 29. F
4. Butterflies 30. E (C)
5. Wall 31. Puzzle
6. Beach (island) 32. Logic
7. Boots 33. Confusion
8. Beginners 34. Meditation
9. Spoons 35. Stone
10. 35 36. Coins
11. A 37. Tree
12. A (C) 38. Breathing
13. B 39. Paper
14. B 40. Anxiety
15. A Total: 34
16. D
17. B Reading
18. C 1. Population
19. B (D) 2. Suburbs
20. E 3. Businessmen
21. A 4. Funding
22. B 5. Press
23. B 6. Soil
24. A 7. F
25. C 8. NG
26. C 9. T
10. T 14. A
11. F 15. F
12. F 16. E
13. NG
17.
18. D
19. Fortress
20. Bullfights
21. Opera
22. Salt
23. Shops
24. C
25. D
26. E
27. B
28. H
29. J
30. A (F)
31. B
32. D
33. NG
34. N
35. N
36. Y
37. B
38. C
39. A
40. B
41. C (D)
Total: 38
Writing
The illustration of the present day Norbiton industrial area and its planned future
development is shown in the map above. The present-day Norbiton industrial area consists of
factories, a river, and a farmland. There are several factories in the complex, and the farmland
is located in the northern area, separated by a river. However, in the future, the developer
plans to change the Norbiton industrial area to become a residential area with shops, a
medical centre, a playground, and a school.
Compared to today, the place where the factories are located near at the center of the ring
road is going to be replaced with housings, shops, and a medical centre. They also planned to
extend the road in the northwest area to accommodate the people who will live there. After
that, the area near the river, where the farmland used to be separated from the factories by a
river, is going to be connected by a bridge and a residence is planned to be built near the
farmland.
The factories that was located in the eastern part of the area are going to be replaced with
residential complex complete with its playground and school.
It is important for people to take risks, both in their professional lives and their personal lives.
Do you think the advantages of taking risks outweigh the disadvantages?
Risks are something people have to take some time in their lives, whether they like it or not.
However, taking risks in both professional and personal lives has its own advantages and
drawbacks.
Taking risks might change some people’s lives for the better. For example, someone who
works in a business field might have to take a risk, by agreeing to buy a stock that no other
company wants to buy. If this stock is proven to make big profits, then that person may be
promoted to a higher career level. Another example is having surgery. Some patients might
not want to go to surgery with their disease, but taking this risk may be going to fully heal
their disease. These kinds of advantages of risks are going to make people’s lives better.
In spite of the advantages, risks also have its own disadvantages. Taking a very big risk may
make people lose all of their belongings. For example, gambling is a very risky activity.
Gambling could make people gain money with ease, but it also can lead to addiction. This
could make people to go all-in to gambling, and even commit crimes to fulfill their gambling
desire. At this state, people would get caught by the police and get prisoned. People could
lose their property, and even their loved ones could leave them.
To conclude, there are two sides of risks. You can take risks as long as you calculate the
consequences to your live. If it is worth taking the risks, then take it and commit to it.
