Writing Task 1 (practice test )

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and
over between 1940 and 2040 in three different countries.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and
make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

The graph shows the percentage of citizens that are 65 years old or more, in
three different countries. The graph has been structured using data from 1940 to
the present date and has been completed with projections regarding the
following years leading to 2040.

Firstly, we must notice that there was a steady increase in the percentage of the
elderly population from just below 10 % to 15 % in both the United States and in
Sweden. After 1980 the trend of these two Countries undergoes a slight
variation, as we can see from the data provided the number of over 65 years
old remains steady in America, whilst there was a higher registration of
elderly in Sweden ( 20%).

On the contrary, the data registered from the Japanese population is diametrally
opposite. Since 1940 there has been a stable percentage under 5 % of seniors.
Although this data might seem very settling, the projections aren’t so delightful
as for there will be an estimated growth of 20 % in the elderly population.

The population’s average age will continue to increase according to the

projections in the graph, leading to unsustainable life conditions and
economic disadvanteges for every country.

Comments:
Strengths Weaknesses
 Good and accurate description  Punctuation - ‘After 1980,
of information. ‘countries’
 Relevant range of vocabulary –  Grammar – ‘underwent’;
a flexible use of a range of ‘remained’; ‘as for there’
language.  Sentence connections -
 Logical sentences and ‘variation. As we can see from
connections between sentences. ....’ OR ‘variation: (;) as we can
 A well-organized and detailed see from ...’
answer.  Word choice - ‘higher tally’;
‘elderly citizens’; ‘percentage of
under 5 % of seniors’; ‘settled’;
‘delightful’ – predictable.
 Don’t add own ideas or opinions
(this is not asked for) - ‘leading
to unsustainable life conditions
and economic disadvanteges for
every country’

Overall score – 6.5 + - accurate and well-described.