30 Perfect Essay Answers

Copyright © 2013 Julie Hall

Copyright the author 2013. All rights reserved. The author’s moral right has been asserted. Reselling or duplicating this e-Book is a crime under international criminal and civil laws.

About the Author: Julie Hall has been teaching IELTS preparatory classes for more than ten years, in the UK, the USA and New Zealand. In addition to teaching IELTS classes, she also teaches ESL teachers. Julie has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Education.

Before you take the IELTS test, it is helpful to read through and study some Band 9 sample answers to IELTS Writing questions. This book gives you an opportunity to familiarise yourself with well-written answers to IELTS questions.

ACHIEVE IELTS: 30 PERFECT ESSAY ANSWERS for the IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TEST provides 15 academic IELTS Writing questions, each including both a Task 1 and a Task 2 question and a complete Band 9 model answer for each essay question. In total, 30 perfectly-scored model answers are included in this book.

Task 1 Question 1

You should spend 20 minutes on this task.

The bar chart illustrates the use of cheques and electronic payments in New Zealand between 1993 and 2003. Summarise the information by reporting and selecting the main features of the graph and making appropriate comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

Band 9 Sample Answer:

The bar chart shows the percentage of people in New Zealand using cheque, direct debit cards and credit cards to make payments, between 1993 and 2003. Overall, the use of cheques decreased while the use of direct debit cards increased.

To begin, in 1993, cheques were by far the most popular payment method, at 55%, while direct debit cards and credit cards accounted for only 8% and 5%, respectively. After 1993, however, the percentage of people using cheques steadily decreased, finishing at only 11% in 2003. Conversely, direct debit cards increased in popularity, showing an upward trend in use until 2003, when almost 40% of all purchases were made by direct debit card. Credit card usage remained relatively stable; the use of credit cards rose in a fluctuating trend. The percentage of people using credit cards was equal to the percentage of people using cheques in 2001 (15%). In the final year shown on the chart (2003), credit card use accounted for approximately 12% of the total percentage of payments.

(170 words)

Task 2 Question 1

You should spend 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many people believe that a country’s wealth is dependant on the health of its citizens. Other people argue that education is a better indicator of a nation’s wealth and well-being. What is your opinion? What are some other factors that contribute to the growth and prosperity of a country?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Band 9 Sample Answer:

It has often been said that the wealth of a nation depends on the health of its citizens. In modern society, knowledge and education are also increasingly important factors behind a strong economy. In my opinion, healthcare and education are equally important priorities of a government.

Firstly, in order for a country to be economically strong, citizens must have access to good healthcare. If a citizen is unhealthy and weak, it can be assumed that that individual is not contributing his or her potential energy, optimum work abilities and knowledge to his or her community. By providing quality healthcare, a government can ensure that each citizen is as healthy and capable as possible. In this way, both developing and developed countries create stronger individual citizens and, in turn, stronger nations.

Good education is equally important in modern societies. In order for a country to advance in any area, its citizens must be educated so that they can actively contribute new ideas to the workforce and to the economy. …