WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task
The figures below compare the number of internet users in several European nations as well as the prevalence of online shopping in these countries
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model Answer A: IELTS Band 5+
The first figure compares the number of people connected to the Internet in five European countries in 1995, 2000 and 2004, while the second shows the level of internet shopping in these countries in 2004.
Clearly, Britain had the most internet users. The number of British people using the Internet increased dramatically from 16 million in 1995 to 22 million in 2000 and then 41 million in 2004. Germany was second. The number of internet users in this country rose from 5 million in 1995 to 14 million in 2000 and then 15 million in 2004. France had the third most users during this time, with 2 million in 1995, 3 million in 2000 and 6 million in 2004. Meanwhile, the countries with the fewest internet users were Switzerland and Spain.
Interestingly, Britain also had the highest level of internet shopping in 2004. It had twice as much online shopping as Germany and three times as much as Switzerland. Meanwhile, the levels of internet shopping in France and Spain were slightly lower than that of the UK.
(177 words)
Model Answer B: IELTS 7+
Given are two figures providing a comparison of internet use in five European countries (namely Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain and the UK) in 1995, 2000 and 2004, as well as the popularity of internet shopping in these countries.
It is evident from the information provided that Britain had by far the highest number of internet users in all three years. From 16 million in 1995, the number of British user climbed steadily to 22 million in 2000, before soaring to a staggering 41 million in 2004. Second in terms of internet use was Germany. This country saw a threefold increase during the period in question, from 15 million people in 1995 to 14 million in 2000 and 15 million in 2004. A similar increase took place in France. The two nations with the fewest internet users, meanwhile, were Switzerland and Spain.
It is also interesting to note that internet shopping was far more common in the UK than in any other country listed. In fact, the prevalence of internet shopping in Britain was double that of Germany and triple that of Switzerland. France and Spain, meanwhile, had moderate levels of online shopping.
(192 words)
