Recent Exam: 05/2025
The charts below show the main reasons why students chose a particular university in the UK in 1997 and 2007.
Provide an overview of the information by identifying and describing the key details, and include comparisons where appropriate.
Your report should comprise a minimum of 150 words.
📌 Essay Structure
1. Introduction
Paraphrase the question.
2. Overview
Summarize the general trends without specific numbers.
3. Body Paragraph 1
Describe the 1997 chart with key figures.
4. Body Paragraph 2
Describe the 2007 chart and make comparisons.
📑 Band 8+ Sample Answer
The two pie charts illustrate the primary factors influencing students’ choice of university in the UK in the years 1997 and 2007.
Overall, while “suitable degree courses” remained the most significant reason across both years, notable changes occurred in other areas such as the importance of proximity to home and social activities. Students appeared to value academic-related factors more in 2007 than in 1997.
In 1997, 35% of students chose a university based on suitable degree courses, making it the most common reason. This was followed by quality of resources (21%) and good sports and social activities (19%). Quality of teaching accounted for 15%, and only 10% selected a university due to its closeness to their parental home.
A decade later in 2007, the popularity of “suitable degree courses” increased to 37%, and quality of teaching also became more valued, rising slightly to 18%. However, “good sports and social activities” dropped to 6%, showing a decreased emphasis on extracurricular offerings. Interestingly, the percentage of students who prioritized proximity to home rose to 22%, indicating a shift in student preferences toward convenience.
💡 Useful Vocabulary (with meanings & examples)
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Proximity | Nearness or closeness in distance | The increased value of proximity to home suggests changing priorities. |
| Extracurricular offerings | Activities outside the standard academic curriculum | Students placed less emphasis on extracurricular offerings in 2007. |
| Academic-related factors | Aspects directly related to education and courses | Academic-related factors gained more importance over time. |
| Illustrate | To show or explain with a visual or example | The pie charts illustrate the reasons for university choice. |
| Remain dominant | Continue to be the most important or strongest | Suitable degree courses remained the dominant reason in both years. |
