📊 IELTS Writing Task 1 – Topic 3

🎯 Question

The line graph below shows the population growth in three regions (Asia, Europe, and Africa) between 1960 and 2020.

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📝 Model Answer (Band 8–9, ~190 words)

The line graph compares population growth in Asia, Europe, and Africa between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, Asia experienced the most dramatic increase, while Europe’s population grew slowly before stabilising. Africa also saw rapid growth, particularly after 1990.

In 1960, Asia had the highest population, at about 1.5 billion, compared with 600 million in Europe and around 300 million in Africa. Over the following decades, Asia’s figure rose sharply, more than doubling to over 3.5 billion by 2020.

Africa’s growth was also notable. From a relatively low base of 300 million, its population increased steadily, accelerating after 1990 to reach approximately 1.3 billion in 2020 — more than four times its 1960 level.

By contrast, Europe showed the least growth. Its population climbed slowly from 600 million in 1960 to just over 700 million in 1990, before levelling off and remaining almost unchanged thereafter.

In summary, Asia and Africa saw substantial rises in population over the period, whereas Europe experienced only modest growth followed by stability.

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🔑 Useful Vocabulary

• Rose sharply / grew steadily / levelled off / remained stable

• Dramatic increase / gradual growth / modest rise / stabilised

• More than doubled / quadrupled / more than four times as high

• From a low base / by contrast / the most significant growth

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🔗 Linking Words

• Contrast: whereas, by contrast, while

• Time phrases: over the following decades, after 1990, thereafter

• Cause/Effect: as a result, consequently, therefore

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✍️ Guidelines for Writing This Essay

1. Plan (2–3 minutes)

   • Identify highest (Asia).

   • Identify lowest (Africa in 1960, but rapid growth later).

   • Identify slowest growth (Europe).

2. Structure

   • Introduction: paraphrase question.

   • Overview: main trends (Asia + Africa rapid growth, Europe stable).

   • Body 1: Asia + Africa.

   • Body 2: Europe.

   • Conclusion: summarise.

3. Topic Sentences

   • “Asia experienced the greatest population growth, more than doubling over the period.”

   • “Africa also grew rapidly, particularly after 1990.”

   • “In contrast, Europe’s growth was slow and eventually stabilised.”

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💡 Language Focus

• Verb vs. Noun forms:

  • The population rose sharply / There was a sharp rise in the population.

  • Europe’s numbers levelled off / Europe saw a period of stability.

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🔟 Practice Exercises

A. Fill-in

1. Asia’s population ______ from 1.5 to 3.5 billion.

2. Europe’s population ______ at around 700 million after 1990.

B. Rewrite with noun phrases

1. “Africa’s population grew steadily.” → …

2. “Europe’s population levelled off.” → …

C. Choose overview
a) Asia 1.5 → 3.5bn, Europe 600→700m, Africa 300→1.3bn.
b) Asia and Africa grew rapidly, while Europe remained relatively stable.

D. Comparisons

1. Asia’s population in 2020 was ______ Africa’s in 1960.

2. Africa’s population more than ______ between 1960 and 2020.

E. Spot the error
“Europe population was stable from 1990.”

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✅ Suggested Answers

A: 1. rose sharply 2. remained stable
B: 1. There was steady growth in Africa’s population. 2. There was a levelling off in Europe’s population.
C: b)
D: 1. more than ten times 2. quadrupled
E: Missing article → “Europe’s population…”