Writing Task 1Suggested: 20 min · At least 150 words
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.
The charts below show the number of Japanese tourists travelling abroad between 1985 and 1995 and Australia's share of the Japanese tourist market.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
Japanese tourists travelling abroad (in millions)
Approximate reference values (millions)
Category
Tourists (millions)
1985
4.8
1986
5.5
1987
7
1988
8.5
1989
9.5
1990
11
1991
10.8
1992
12
1993
12
1994
13.5
1995
15.5
Australia's share of Japan's tourist market (%)
Values are approximate readings of the reference chart (percent).
Charts redrawn from the reference diagrams. Numeric labels are estimates, not exact underlying data.
0 / 150 words20:00
Model Answer
The two charts illustrate the number of Japanese tourists travelling abroad between 1985 and 1995, and Australia's share of this market between 1985 and 1994.
The first chart shows that the number of Japanese tourists travelling overseas rose overall across the decade. In 1985, approximately 5 million Japanese travelled abroad, and this figure had almost doubled to about 10 million by 1989. After a slight dip in 1991, the number increased again, reaching a peak of approximately 15 million in 1995.
The second chart shows that Australia's share of the Japanese tourist market also grew overall, though with some fluctuations. Starting at only about 2% in 1985, Australia's share climbed steadily to reach 5% in 1988. There was a small dip to around 4.5% in 1989, but the upward trend resumed, and by 1993 the share had reached its peak of just over 6%. It then levelled off slightly to around 6% in 1994.
Overall, it is clear that both the total number of Japanese tourists and Australia's share of that market increased significantly over the ten-year period.
Writing Task 2Suggested: 40 min · At least 250 words
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write at least 250 words.
Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic:
"Popular events like the football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way."
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.
0 / 250 words40:00
Sample Answer (Band 4)
Examiner's comment: The majority of this answer has no relation to the task set: the first half is completely irrelevant and the second part is only marginally related to the topic. The candidate has therefore been penalised for this. There is little meaningful message, and grammatical control is weak.
I DISAGREE
Nowadays, football is the most popular game in the world. We can find there are many different teams who plays this football. There are dividing into 3 division: division one, division two and division three. Each divisions have different skills. The skills that they have are depend on the manager. He is the one who teaches the player how to play. By playing football, there are many advantages and disadvantages. Firstly, the team can earn a lot of money. If we compare the income in division one and division two are really different. The division one will get more than division two. Because as we know, the team in division one, they shows to the people that they are able to play better than the others. For example: David Beckham (the player of Manchester United). He can earn for about 45.000–50.000/week. It's unbelievable. Even the prime minister in the UK just got for about 110.000/year. Secondly, they can get a lot of spectators which makes the income increased. In one match, they can earn for about 20 or 30 million pounds. Actually, it's really high. For one ticket (VIP) it can cost us a lot of money. I think for about 100 or over. That is for one person. How if we count for a million person? There are also many disadvantages: like from the task which says that the releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way. Actually, I don't really agree about that: like 2 weeks or 3 weeks ago, there are 2 fans of Leeds United got shots. And it makes them died. Many people come and give them flowers and also the clothes which shown they're sad about that.
There are other sport games like tennis. Tennis is also popular. In playing tennis there are also have advantages and disadvantages. This games shows how they against each other. The advantages are can earn a lot of money, can attract the spectators (audience). There are also have disadvantages of this games, for example: two years ago, when Monica Seles and Steffi Graf are on the match. They play against each other then, one of the Steffi's fan can't stand anymore, he killed (shots) Monica Seles. That makes Monica Seles have to stop the game. The people are all thinking to take her to the hospital. Because of that, it makes Monica Seles stopped from playing tennis for about a year. But now, she has started again.
In my opinion, these sport can ease the international tensions and also can make death from year to year become increase. So, it is very dangerous.
Self-Check Checklist
Task 1
I wrote at least 150 words
I described both charts (bar + line)
I compared data using appropriate language
I included an overview of the main trends
I did NOT give my opinion
Task 2
I wrote at least 250 words
I clearly stated my position
I gave reasons and examples
I used a clear introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion
I used formal, academic language throughout
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