Writing task 1

Dangerous Sports 1
IELTS Study

Should dangerous sports such as boxing or motor-racing be banned?

Should dangerous sports be banned? Yes!

Some sports are nothing but an excuse for violence. Boxing is a perfect example. The last thing
an increasingly violent world needs is more violence on our television. The sight of two men (or
even women) bleeding, with faces ripped open, trying to obliterate each other is barbaric. Other
sports, such as American football or rugby, are also barely-concealed violence.

Some people argue that the players can choose to participate. However this is not always the
case. Many boxers, for example, come from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are lured by
money or by social or peer pressure and then cannot escape. Even in richer social groups, schools
force unwilling students to play aggressive team sports, claiming that playing will improve the
students' character (or the school's reputation), but in fact increasing the risk of injury.

Even where people can choose, they sometimes need to be protected against themselves. Most
people approve of governments' efforts to reduce smoking. In the same way, governments need
to act if there are unacceptably high levels of injuries in sports such as football, diving,
mountaineering, or motor-racing.

I accept that all sports involve challenge and risk. However violence and aggression should not
be permitted in the name of sport. Governments and individuals must act to limit brutality and
violence, so that children and adults can enjoy and benefit from sport.

272 words
Gold Sales
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The line graph shows estimated sales of gold in Dubai for 12 months in 2002 in millions of
dirhams. There were two main seasons for gold sales.

The main season for sales is in the December to May period. Sales were consistently above 200
million dirhams per month, rising sharply to a peak of 350 million dirhams in March. However,
for the next four months, sales declined steadily, reaching an annual low of 120 million
dirhams in July.

In August, there was a sudden increase. Sales almost doubled, rising from 120 million dirhams
in July to 210 million dirhams in August. This was followed by a drop in September, back to
the July figure.

From September to October, sales recovered, from 120 to 180 million. In October and
November, sales remained steady, and there was a small increase in December to 190 million
dirhams.

In conclusion, the main sales period is in the early part of the year, slumping in the summer,
except for a sudden increase in August.

 
Tourism in Dubai
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The graph shows the numbers of tourists in hundreds of thousands visiting Dubai between 1990
and 1994. There are several features in the graph.

First of all, the total number of tourists increased rapidly between 1990 and 1994. In 1990 there
was a total of 450,000 tourists in Dubai. This rose sharply to 625,000 in 1991, an increase of
more than 30%, and rose slightly again to just under 700,000 in 1992. In the following two
years, the number of visitors started to pick up again and reached 1 million in 1994. This was
more than double the figure for 1990.

The second trend is that there was a huge increase in the number of tourists from Russia. In
1990, Russian tourists comprised only 20,000 or less than 5% of visitors. This number shot up
to 50,000 in 1991 and doubled again to more than 100,000 in 1992. Between 1992 and 1994,
the number trebled, from 110,000 to 330,000. This meant that Russian tourists made up one-
third, or 33%, of Dubai’s 1 million visitors in 1994. In comparison, the number of tourists from
other countries increased only slightly, from 550,000 in 1991 to 580,000 in 1994.

In conclusion, although the number of tourists from all countries is increasing, Russian tourists
are becoming more and more important for the tourism industry in Dubai.

London Underground
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The graph shows the fluctuation in the number of people at a London underground station over
the course of a day.

The busiest time of the day is in the morning. There is a sharp increase between 06:00 and
08:00, with 400 people using the station at 8 o'clock. After this the numbers drop quickly to less
than 200 at 10 o'clock. Between 11 am and 3 pm the number rises, with a plateau of just under
300 people using the station.

In the afternoon, numbers decline, with less than 100 using the station at 4 pm. There is then a
rapid rise to a peak of 380 at 6pm. After 7 pm, numbers fall significantly, with only a slight
increase again at 8pm, tailing off after 9 pm.
Overall, the graph shows that the station is most crowded in the early morning and early evening
periods.

Fish Catches
IELTS Study

Annual Fish catch (million of tonnes) N. America

Click here for image

The graph shows changes in fish catches for the US and Canada over the last 30 years.

The most significant feature is that fish catches have declined drastically in both the US and
Canada since the mid-1980s. Although Canadian production is much lower, its echoes US
figures, declining or increasing at the same rate.

Between 1972 and 1977, US fish catches averaged between 2.5 and 2.75 million tonnes per year,
while Canadian landings fluctuated between 800,000 and 1.1 million tonnes. In 1997, however,
there was a big increase in fish caught in the US, and this rise continued up to a peak of 5.5
million tonnes in 1987. During the same period, Canada's catch increased from 1 million tonnes
to 1.5 million tonnes, an increase of 50%.
From 1987 onwards, there was a sudden decline in both countries. US figures tumbled to 4
million tonnes in 1995, a drop of 28%, and Canadian catches plunged to 0.5 million tonnes, a
drop of 66%. In the following four years, US catches fluctuated around the 4 million tonne mark,
while Canadian catches rose very slightly.

In general, both Canadian and the much larger US catch have declined dramatically since their
peak in the mid-1980s.

Heart Attacks
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The graph shows how age and gender influence the frequency of heart attacks in the US.

Less than 6% of all heart attacks occur in the 29-44 age group. The number of women who suffer
heart attacks in this group is negligible -  only 3000 per year, compared to 123,000 men.

However the proportion of men and women with heart attacks rises dramatically between 45 and
64, with over half a million per year. Over 420,000 men a year in this age group have heart
attacks. The incidence amongst women increases -  women have one heart attack for every three
men in this age group.
Over the age of 65, the number of men suffering heart attacks only increases slightly. However
there is a huge increase in the number of women with heart attacks - they comprise over 40% of
all victims.

In conclusion, men are more likely to be the victims of heart attacks at all ages, but women are
increasingly likely over the age of 65.

Oil Production
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The graph shows Oil Production Capacity in millions of barrels per day for selected Gulf
countries. There are several features in this graph.

The most significant feature is that oil production will increase sharply in almost all the
countries shown. Kuwait and Iraq are both expected to double their output between 1990 and
2010, with Kuwait's production rising from 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in 1990 to 3.8 in
2010. Iran will also increase its output by a slightly smaller amount. After remaining steady at
2.5 million bpd from 1990 to 2000, the UAE's output is expected to approach 4.0 million bpd in
2010. Only Qatar's production is predicted to fall, back to 0.8 million bpd after a slight rise in
2000.
However, the greatest increase will be from Saudi Arabia. In 1990, its output capacity at 8.5
million bpd exceeded the combined production of Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. This lead is expected
to continue with a 75% increase in production to 14.5 million bpd 2010.

In summary, while most of the countries are expected to show increases, Saudi Arabia will
maintain and strengthen its position as the major producer.

(194 words)

College Graduates
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The chart shows male and female graduates from the Higher Colleges of Technology colleges in
the UAE.

The most outstanding feature of the graph is female graduates outnumber males in all the
colleges. For example, in Dubai, there are 30% more women graduates than men. There are also
large differences in Al Ain and in Ras Al Khaimah. However, the number of men and women is
almost equal in the colleges in Abu Dhabi.

There are also big differences in the sizes of the colleges. Ras Al Khaimah has less than 300
students altogether, while Abu Dhabi has about 600 and Dubai has almost 1000

In summary, women outnumber men in all the colleges, and there are significant differences in
the sizes of the colleges.
124 words

Internet Use
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The graph shows changes in the age profile of Internet users in Taiwan between 1998 and 2000.

The main users of the Internet in Taiwan are young adults between 16 and 30 years old. In 1998,
they accounted for more than half of all users. In 1999 the number dropped slightly to 45%, but
even in 2000 they were the biggest group.

The second biggest group of users is aged between 31 and 50. They made up 41% in 1998,
falling slightly to 37% in 2000. When combined with the 16-30 age group, over 94% of users in
1998 were between 16 and 50.

However this number is dropping steadily as more children and older users log on. In 1999, the
number of children online quadrupled from 2% to 8%, and it continued to increase in 2000.
There were similar increases for older users, rising from 4% in 1998 to 10% in 2000.

In summary, while adults between 16 and 50 still represent the great majority of  Internet users
in Taiwan, their share is declining as more children and older users join the web.

(180 words)
Computer Use
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The chart shows striking differences in the level of computer and Internet penetration in the
Arab world.

The UAE and Kuwait are by far the most computerized countries, with Lebanon a distant third.
The UAE has over 150 computers for every 1000 inhabitants, compared to Kuwait's 130 and
Lebanon's 60. In contrast, countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Syria have less than 20
computers per 1000 inhabitants.

There are also great differences in Internet use and availability. The UAE has by far the highest
proportion of users, with more than one-third of its population using the Internet. Kuwait and
Lebanon are second and third again, with 100 users per thousand in Kuwait and 80 in Lebanon.
In some countries the number using the Internet is negligible: Saudi Arabia has less than 20
users per thousand, and there are fewer than 5 users per thousand in Syria.

One unusual feature of the graph is that Internet use does not seem to be directly related to the
number of computers. In several countries (the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan and Oman), there are
more Internet users per thousand people than computers. However, in other countries, such as
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria, the number of Internet users is lower than the number of
computers.

In summary, there are major differences between computer use and Internet use in the Arab
world, but the UAE clearly leads the area in both number of computers and number of internet
users per capita.

 
US Spending
IELTS Study

Click here for image 1

Click here for image 2

The pie charts show changes in American spending patterns between 1966 and 1996.

Food and cars made up the two biggest items of expenditure in both years. Together they
comprised over half of household spending. Food accounted for 44% of spending in 1966, but
this dropped by two thirds to 14% in 1996. However, the outlay on cars doubled, rising from
23% in 1966 to 45% in 1996.

Other areas changed significantly. Spending on eating out doubled, climbing from 7% to 14%.
The proportion of salary spent on computers increased dramatically, up from 1% in 1996 to
10% in 1996. However, as computer expenditure rose, the percentage of outlay on books
plunged from 6% to 1%.

Some areas remained relatively unchanged. Americans spent approximately the same amount
of salary on petrol and furniture in both years.

In conclusion, increased amounts spent on cars, computers, and eating out were made up for by
drops in expenditure on food and books.

Fast Food 2
IELTS Study
 Click here for image

The graph shows changes in the amount of fast food consumed in the UK between 1970 and
1990. Several trends are apparent. First, Britons are eating more and more fast food. Secondly,
the type of fast food has changed.

In 1970, the most popular fast food was fish and chips. Over 300g were consumed each week.
By 1990, however, this had fallen to just over 200g - a 50% drop. Consumption of other fast
foods such as pizza and hamburgers increased, however. The amount of pizza eaten shot up from
about 20g a week to more than 270g, overtaking fish and chips in the late 1980s. Hamburger
consumption also increased, rising from about 80g in 1970 to almost 300g in 1990.

Accompanying this change in the choice of foods was an increase in the amount of fast food
consumed. In 1970, British consumers ate about 450g a week of fast food. In 1990, on the other
hand, this had more than doubled, to 1000g.

163 words

Alternative Answer

The graph shows the amount of fast food eaten between 1970 and 1990 in grams per person per
week. Overall, the amount of fast food eaten more than doubled.

The amount of fish and chips eaten declined slightly. In 1970, the consumption was about
300g/week. This fell to 220g/week in 1990.

In contrast, sales of hamburger and pizza rocketed. In 1970, very little pizza was eaten - less than
50g/week. This rose to 280g/week by 1990. In the same period, hamburger sales shot up by more
than 500%, from 100g/week in 1970 to 500 grams in 1990.

In conclusion, although there was a big increase in the consumption of pizza and hamburger,
sales of fish and chips decreased.
Fast Food 1
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The graph shows weekly expenditure on fast food in Britain by food and income group. There
are two main trends. First, the expenditure is directly related to income. Secondly, there are
differences in the types of fast food eaten by each group.

The amount of money spent on fast food is related to income. People in the high-income group
spent the most - over 85 pence per person per week. People in the low-income group spent the
least - less than half of what the high-income earners spent.

The type of fast food eaten also depends on the group. High-income earners spent 3 times more
on hamburgers than people in the low-income group. Pizza was generally the least favorite food.
Fish and chips was the most popular food with the low-income group but consumption was fairly
similar among all groups.

138 words
health Education
IELTS Study

UAE Moves Ahead in Health, Education

Click here for image 1

Click here for image 2

Graph 1 shows the percentage of GDP spent on health and education between 1985 and 1993.
There were big increases in both areas. Health spending stood at about 8% in 1985 but rose to
9% in 1990 and 10% in 1993. Spending on education was even higher. It was 10% in 1985, and
shot up to 14% in 1990 and 15% in 1993, a 50% increase in just 8 years.

Graph 2 shows improvements in life expectancy and infant mortality between 1970 and 1992.
Life expectancy was just 60 in 1970 but rose to almost 72 in 1992. In contrast, the number of
babies dying dropped dramatically, from 60 per 1000 in 1970 to only 22 in 1992.

In conclusion, people in the UAE are living longer and healthier lives because of the
government's spending on education and medical facilities.
College Enrollment
IELTS Study
Higher Colleges of Technology Student Profile
The graphs show enrolment in different colleges in the Higher Colleges of Technology in 1999.

Write a total of 150 - 200 words about the information in the three graphs.

Graduates by College

Click here to show image 1

Graduates by Level and Gender

Click here to show image 2

Total Graduates by Level

Click here to show image 3

The charts shows student enrolment by gender and level in different colleges of the Higher
Colleges of Technology colleges in the UAE.

There are clear differences in male and female enrolment. Females outnumber men in all the
colleges, with almost 25% more students in Dubai Women's college than in Dubai Men's. Ras
Al-Khaimah Women's College has almost 180 students, compared to only 100 in the Men's
college.

Females also outnumber males by level, with almost double the number of men at Higher
Diploma level (330 compared to 181). Only at Diploma level does the number of men slightly
exceed that of women.

Over half the students are in Certificate level, with less than a quarter at Higher Diploma or
Bachelor level.

In conclusion, most students in the Higher Colleges are enrolled at Diploma level or below, and
the majority of students are women.

143 words
Transport
IELTS Study

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.

Write at least 150 words.

The graph below shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one
European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.

Click here for image

The graph shows the changing patterns in commuting by train, car, tube or bus for commuters  in
London in the years 1960, 1980 and 2000.  
The number of people using trains at first rose from just under 20% in 1960 to about 26% in
1980, but then fell back to about 23% in 2000.

Use of the tube has been relatively stable, falling from around 27% of commuters in 1960 to 22%
in 1980, but climbing back to reach 25% by 2000.

On the other hand, the use of cars increased steadily from just over 5% in 1960 to 23% in 1980,
reaching almost 40% by 2000, whereas the popularity of buses has declined since 1960, falling
from just under 35% in 1960 to 27% in 1980 and only 15% in 2000.
The graph indicates the growing use of cars for commuting to work between 1960 - 2000, and
the corresponding decline in the popularity of buses from being the most popular mode of
transport in 1960 to the least popular in 2000.

Fertility Rates
IELTS Study

Click here for image

The chart shows striking changes in the fertility rate of women in six Gulf countries – Saudi
Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain between 1990 and 2000.

In the ten year period, there was a decline in the number of births per woman in all countries.
The biggest declines were in two countries which had low fertility rates at the start of the decade,
Bahrain and the UAE.

Fertility rates vary greatly between the six countries. Oman and Saudi Arabia had the highest
rates, with over seven births per woman in 1990. This compared with around 4 births per
woman in Bahrain and the UAE, and just 3.75 in Kuwait
By 2000, the rate had fallen below three births per woman in Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE,
with a drop of over 25% in a decade in the UAE. However, in Saudi Arabia and Oman, the rates
fell by just 20%, from 7.0 to 5.5.

In summary, there were major decreases in birth rates in all countries, but some countries in the
region have double the fertility rate of others.