Full sample answers for Task 1 and Task 2, with notes on structure and technique.
The bar chart shows the percentage of households with internet access in five countries in 2005 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Sample answer: "The bar chart compares internet access rates among households in five countries, Country A to Country E, in 2005 and 2020.
Overall, internet access increased substantially in every country over the fifteen-year period, although the extent of this growth varied considerably, and the gap between the highest and lowest countries narrowed noticeably by 2020.
In 2005, Country A had by far the highest rate of household internet access, at around 65%, well ahead of the other four countries, which ranged between roughly 15% and 35%. By 2020, however, this gap had narrowed significantly: Country A's rate had risen only moderately, to approximately 90%, while Country D and Country E, which had the lowest starting rates in 2005, saw the sharpest increases, both reaching above 80% by 2020. Country B and Country C followed a broadly similar pattern to one another throughout the period, ending at just under 85% in 2020.
In summary, while all five countries saw considerable growth in household internet access, the countries that started furthest behind in 2005 generally experienced the fastest rates of growth, resulting in a much more even distribution across all five countries by 2020."
Why this works: It opens with a paraphrased introduction, gives a clear overview identifying the two key trends (overall growth; narrowing gap) before any specific figures, then supports this overview with grouped, compared data rather than a flat list of numbers.
You recently bought a piece of electronic equipment that stopped working after a few days. Write a letter to the shop where you bought it.
Sample answer: "Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to raise a concern about a laptop I purchased from your store on Elmfield High Street on the 3rd of this month.
Unfortunately, the laptop stopped turning on after only four days of light use. I have tried the basic troubleshooting steps listed in the manual, including checking the power connection and resetting the device, but the problem persists.
Given that the laptop was working perfectly when I left the shop and has been used exactly as intended, I do not believe this fault was caused by anything on my part. I still have the original receipt and packaging.
I would be grateful if you could arrange a replacement or a full refund at your earliest convenience, as I rely on this laptop for my studies. Please let me know what documentation or further information you require from me to process this.
I look forward to your prompt response.
Yours faithfully,
[Your name]"
Why this works: The tone is consistently formal, all three bullet points from the task (item and purchase date, the problem, and the desired outcome) are covered clearly, and the letter opens and closes with the correct formal conventions for an unnamed recipient ("Dear Sir or Madam" / "Yours faithfully").
Some people believe that university education should be free for all students, while others think students should pay for their own education. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Sample answer: "The question of who should bear the cost of university education is debated in many countries. While some argue that higher education should be fully funded by the state, others believe individual students should be responsible for their own tuition fees. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view.
Those who support free university education often point to its role in promoting equal opportunity. When tuition is funded publicly, students from lower-income backgrounds are not deterred from pursuing higher education by the fear of long-term debt. Countries such as Germany and Norway, which offer largely free tuition, are frequently cited as evidence that this model can produce highly educated populations without placing a financial burden on individual graduates.
On the other hand, those who favour tuition fees argue that a system in which students contribute financially tends to be more sustainable for governments, particularly as demand for higher education continues to grow. They also suggest that students who personally invest in their education may be more motivated to complete their studies and select courses with genuine career value, rather than treating a university place as a default option with no associated cost.
In my view, a moderate approach offers the best balance. Fully free education is admirable in principle, but may not be financially realistic for every country, and can strain public budgets in ways that ultimately reduce the quality of the education provided. At the same time, tuition fees should be paired with accessible loan systems and needs-based grants, so that cost never becomes the deciding factor in whether a capable student can attend university.
In conclusion, both funding models carry genuine advantages and drawbacks. Rather than adopting either extreme, governments should aim for a system that keeps higher education broadly accessible while remaining financially sustainable in the long term."
Why this works: The introduction paraphrases the question and previews the structure, each body paragraph focuses on one side of the argument with specific supporting reasoning, and the writer's own opinion is clearly stated and justified, not left ambiguous, in line with the task instructions.