IELTS Computer Delivered Tests + Band Score

October 2017 - Finding Line Graph Mistakes

by IELTS buddy

Proportion of Population Aged 65 and Over

Proportion of Population Aged 65 and Over

Yesterday I sent you these sentences describing the line graph, all of which are wrong.

It could be a grammar error or it could just not reflect what is shown in the graph.

You had to identify what is wrong with each.

The answers have now been posted below. And if you have any questions about it, you can post a question in the comments.

And well done to NT, who you'll see from the submissions below seems to have found all the errors, except number 5!

***


1. From 1960 to 1980, the proportion of elderly in the USA was increased by 5 per cent.

2. In 2017, the percentage of elderly in Sweden will reach a peak of 20 per cent.

3. Elderly people in Japan started at 5 per cent.

4. The proportion of elderly in Japan rises sharply from around 2030 to 2033.

5. In 1997, the proportion of elderly in the USA exceeded that of Sweden for the first time.

***

Answers


1. From 1960 to 1980, the proportion of elderly in the USA was increased by 5 per cent.

Correct: From 1960 to 1980, the proportion of elderly in the USA increased by 5 per cent.

Reason: 'Increase' is the verb, so it should be past simple. Don’t use the the passive by adding the verb 'to be' (was) for graphs. It’s the active.

2. In 2017, the percentage of elderly in Sweden will reach a peak of 20 per cent.

Correct: In 2017, the percentage of elderly in Sweden will reach (or 'hit') 20 per cent.

Reason: ‘A peak’ is the highest point on the graph. The highest point is not 20%, but 25% 23 years later. So that phrase should not be in there.

3. Elderly people in Japan started at 5 per cent.

Correct: The proportion (or percentage) of elderly people in Japan started at 5 per cent.

Reason: ‘Elderly’ is not the subject of the graph. It’s the proportion / percentage of elderly (or old people). See this lesson on getting the subject correct.

4. The proportion of elderly in Japan rises sharply from around 2030 to 2033.

Correct: The proportion of elderly in Japan will rise sharply from around 2030 to 2033.

Reason: This part of the graph is about the future, so future tenses should be used, not present or past.

5. In 1997, the proportion of elderly in the USA exceed that of Sweden for the first time.

Correct: In 1997, the proportion of elderly in Sweden exceeded that of the USA for the first time.

Reason: The countries were the wrong way round.


***

If you need more help with the academic IELTS Task 1, check out our Task 1 Lessons.

Comments for October 2017 - Finding Line Graph Mistakes

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 06, 2017
 Thanks
by: Mahmood

Very useful tips
Oct 05, 2017
 Corrected Line Graph Statements
by: NT

1. From 1960 to 1980, the proportion of elderly in the USA increased by 5 percent.

2. In 2017, the percentage of elderly in Sweden will hit 20 percent.

3. In 1940, the proportion of elderly people in Japan was 5 percent.

4. The proportion of elderly in Japan is projected to rise sharply between 2030 and 2040.

5. In 1997, the proportion of elderly in Sweden exceeded that of the USA for the first time since 1940.
Oct 05, 2017
 Line graph in future
by: DR HPSSandhu

Explaining line graph in future we can predict or prophecise, so it can be predicted that the population 65 and above can be predicted to rise up to such and such % or whatever is asked for.
Oct 05, 2017
 proportion of population
by: Rasheed MA

1. From 1960 to 1980, the proportion of elderly in the USA increased at the rate of 5 per cent.

2. In 2017, the percentage of elderly in Sweden reached to the peak of 20 per cent.

3. Elderly people in Japan started at the rate of 5 per cent .

4. The proportion of elderly in Japan rose sharply from around 2030 to 2033.

5. In 1997, the proportion of elderly in the USA exceeded more in Sweden for the first time.
Oct 05, 2017
 Mr.
by: Thomas

1. not 'was increased', but 'increased'
2. not 'will reach', but 'reaches'
3.
4. .... Will rise sharply..
5. 'the proportion of Sweden exceeded that of THE USA'
Oct 05, 2017
 0ctober 2017-Finding Line Graph Mistakes
by: Maria Lantzouraki

1)...was increasing
3)...5 percent the year 1940
4)...will rise ...
5)...exceeded equal...
Oct 05, 2017
 Sample answer
by: silisyarief

I need the sample answer to Finding Line Graph Mistakes to compare to my answer. Cheers

Click here to add your own comments

Return to IELTS Resources.
Show / Hide

Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

ielts buddy ebooks