IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Electrical Appliances and Housework
The Task:
The charts below show the changes in ownership of electrical appliances and amount of time spent doing housework in households in one country between 1920 and 2019.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Percentage of households with electrical appliances (1920-2019)
Task 1
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Band 9 Model Answer
The provided line graphs illustrate the proportion of households in a specific country possessing three different electrical appliances from 1920 to 2019, alongside the corresponding weekly hours spent on domestic chores per household.
Overall, there was a dramatic and consistent increase in the ownership of household appliances over the century. Consequently, this technological advancement inversely correlated with the amount of time required for housework, which plummeted significantly.
Looking at appliance ownership, refrigerators and vacuum cleaners experienced the most substantial growth. In 1920, refrigerators were non-existent in homes (0%), while vacuum cleaners were present in 30% of households. Both saw a rapid, exponential rise, with refrigerators reaching full saturation (100%) by 1980, and vacuum cleaners achieving the same ubiquitous status by the year 2000. Washing machines, conversely, began at a higher baseline of 40% in 1920. However, their growth was much more moderate, peaking at roughly 70% around 1960 and plateauing near 75% by 2019.
Turning to the impact on domestic labor, the second graph reveals a striking decline in housework. In 1920, households dedicated an arduous 50 hours per week to chores. As the adoption of the aforementioned modern appliances surged, the hours spent on housework dropped precipitously, falling to exactly 20 hours per week by 1960. This downward trajectory continued, albeit at a slower pace, concluding the period at a mere 10 hours per week in 2019.
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Achievement: The answer flawlessly summarizes both charts, completely replacing the grammatical errors and repetitive phrasing of the original draft. The overview perfectly highlights the overarching cause-and-effect relationship (appliance ownership went up, housework hours went down).
- Coherence & Cohesion: Paragraphs are logically organized. One paragraph focuses exclusively on the appliance ownership data, while the next details the resulting decline in housework. Transition phrases are used naturally (Looking at appliance ownership, Conversely, Turning to the impact).
- Lexical Resource: Uses precise, advanced vocabulary appropriate for describing statistical data and historical trends (inversely correlated, plummeted significantly, full saturation, ubiquitous status, arduous, precipitously, downward trajectory).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Employs a superb mix of complex sentence structures flawlessly while maintaining highly accurate phrasing (“As the adoption of the aforementioned modern appliances surged, the hours spent on housework dropped precipitously…”).
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Researching House History
The Task:
In some countries, more and more people are becoming interested in finding out about the history of the house or building they live in.
What are the reasons for this?
How can people research this?
Write at least 250 words.
Task 2
Band 9 Model Essay
In recent years, there has been a growing fascination among homeowners and tenants regarding the historical background of their residences. This trend is primarily driven by a desire for a deeper personal connection to the past and the practical needs of architectural restoration. Fortunately, investigating a property’s history has become highly accessible through digital archives and local civic records.
The primary reason individuals are drawn to researching their homes is the psychological and emotional appeal of historical continuity. In an increasingly fast-paced, modern world, discovering that a Victorian-era family lived in the same rooms, or that the building survived significant historical events, provides residents with a profound sense of rootedness and identity. Furthermore, there is often a highly practical motivation. Many homeowners purchase older properties with the strict intention of renovating them. Understanding the original architectural blueprints, the materials used during the initial construction, or the building’s previous structural alterations is absolutely essential for conducting safe, authentic restorations that honor the property’s original character.
For those wishing to trace their property’s lineage, there are several highly effective investigative methods available. The most reliable starting point is local government archives. City councils and municipal planning departments preserve decades of public records, including historical deeds, census data, and original building permits. These documents can reveal the names and professions of former occupants, as well as the exact year of construction. Additionally, the digital age has revolutionized this process. Numerous genealogical websites and digitized local newspaper databases allow individuals to search for their specific address, uncovering fascinating news articles, old photographs, or historical maps that feature their neighborhood. Finally, simply speaking with elderly neighbors or joining local historical societies can yield invaluable oral histories that official documents might lack.
In conclusion, the rising curiosity about residential history stems from a blend of emotional nostalgia and the practical requirements of home renovation. By utilizing local municipal archives, exploring digitized public records, and engaging with the community, individuals can easily uncover the rich, hidden narratives embedded within the walls of their homes.
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Response: The essay perfectly addresses both questions in the prompt. It thoroughly explains the reasons (emotional connection, practical renovation needs) and clearly outlines how to research (municipal archives, digital databases, oral histories).
- Coherence & Cohesion: The essay utilizes a highly effective four-paragraph structure. Transition phrases guide the reader effortlessly through the complex arguments (The primary reason, Furthermore, For those wishing to trace, Additionally, Finally, In conclusion).
- Lexical Resource: Showcases an exceptional, sophisticated vocabulary suited for a sociological and historical discursive essay (historical continuity, sense of rootedness, authentic restorations, trace their property’s lineage, genealogical websites, oral histories).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Uses a wide variety of complex grammatical structures perfectly, creating a highly persuasive, authoritative, and academic tone.
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