✍️ IELTS Academic Writing Test – Latest questions with sample answers for Band 8

Task 1: Academic Report Writing

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

📊 The charts below show the percentage of water used for different purposes in six areas of the world.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. You should write at least 150 words.

Model Answer 📊 Water Consumption by Sector in Six Global Regions

The bar chart provides a comparative analysis of the percentage of water used for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes across six distinct global regions: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and South-East Asia.

A clear dichotomy emerges between industrialized and developing regions. In North America and Europe, industrial usage is predominant, constituting 45% and 53% of total water consumption, respectively. These figures reflect the advanced manufacturing bases and technological infrastructure in these regions. Domestic usage in these areas is also relatively substantial, at 16% and 15%, whereas agricultural water use accounts for a comparatively smaller share—39% in North America and just 32% in Europe.

In contrast, water usage in Africa, Central Asia, and South-East Asia is overwhelmingly skewed toward agriculture, with figures reaching 84%, 88%, and 81%, respectively. These regions, heavily reliant on primary sectors and subsistence farming, demonstrate minimal industrial water consumption, ranging from 5% to 10%. Domestic use remains marginal, rarely exceeding 10%.

South America presents a more balanced distribution, with agriculture dominating at 71%, followed by domestic usage at 19%—the highest among all regions—and industrial use at only 10%.

Overall, the data underscores a significant regional disparity in water usage patterns, strongly correlated with levels of economic development and industrialization. While developed economies prioritize industrial processes, developing regions remain reliant on agriculture as the primary consumer of water resources.

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Task 2: Essay Writing

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

📄 Essay Question:

In some countries, the gap between the rich and the poor is becoming wider. Some people believe that this creates serious social problems, while others think it is simply a result of economic growth and not much can be done about it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

You should write at least 250 words.

Model answer

The growing disparity between affluent and impoverished populations has become a defining challenge of the modern era. While some argue that income inequality poses a serious threat to societal cohesion, others contend that it is an unavoidable consequence of economic advancement. This essay will critically evaluate both positions before articulating a reasoned perspective.

Advocates for addressing income inequality assert that unchecked disparities can destabilize social structures. Excessive economic gaps often lead to reduced social mobility, concentrated wealth, and systemic disadvantages for lower-income groups. Such conditions erode public trust and perpetuate cycles of poverty, fostering alienation and, in some cases, civil unrest. Empirical studies by the OECD have demonstrated that high inequality correlates with lower life satisfaction, diminished educational outcomes, and elevated crime rates—issues that ultimately hinder national development.

Conversely, proponents of economic liberalism argue that inequality is a byproduct of meritocratic systems in which individuals are rewarded based on effort, innovation, and entrepreneurial risk. In this view, some level of disparity is both inevitable and even desirable, as it incentivizes productivity and economic dynamism. Furthermore, as long as basic living standards improve and poverty levels decline, income inequality need not be viewed as inherently detrimental. Nations such as the United States and China exemplify this model, where rapid economic growth has occurred alongside widening wealth gaps.

Nevertheless, the argument that inequality is an unavoidable feature of progress is overly reductive. While it is unrealistic to expect absolute equality, tolerating extreme disparities can be socially corrosive and economically inefficient. Inclusive growth—characterized by equitable access to education, healthcare, and employment—is essential for long-term stability. Progressive taxation, targeted social investments, and regulatory reforms are not antithetical to growth; rather, they are prerequisites for sustainable development.

In conclusion, although income inequality may stem in part from economic evolution, its consequences demand robust intervention. A nuanced approach that fosters both growth and equity is not only possible but imperative for a just and prosperous society.