Academic Writing Task 1 · mixed chart

Global population trends and urban population growth by region type

The graphs below provide information on global population figures and figures for urban populations in different world regions.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Global population figures (millions)

View the data

	1800	1820	1840	1860	1880	1900	1920	1940	1960	1980	2000	2020	2040	2060	2080	2100
Global population	1,000	1,000	1,200	1,300	1,400	1,600	1,900	2,100	2,500	3,500	4,500	6,000	7,500	8,000	7,900	6,600

Urban populations in developed and developing regions (millions of people)

Developed regions
Developing regions

View the data

	2015	2020	2025	2030	2035	2040
Developed regions	1,300	1,300	1,300	1,300	1,300	1,300
Developing regions	2,200	2,500	2,800	3,200	3,700	4,000

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Band 8 sample answer

The provided charts illustrate global population trends from 1800 to 2100 and compare urban population figures between developed and developing regions from 2015 to 2040.

Overall, the global population shows a long-term upward trajectory, peaking mid-century before a projected decline. Meanwhile, urban populations in developing regions are set to increase consistently, whereas developed regions maintain a static urban population.

Regarding global figures, the population remained relatively stable at approximately 1,000 million until the mid-19th century. Growth accelerated thereafter, reaching 3,500 million by 1980 and 6,000 million by 2020. The peak is anticipated around 2060 at 8,000 million, followed by a decline to 6,600 million by 2100.

In terms of urbanisation, developed regions show a constant urban population of 1,300 million throughout the 2015–2040 period. Conversely, developing regions show rapid growth. Starting at 2,200 million in 2015, the urban population in these areas is projected to rise by 300 to 400 million every five years, reaching 4,000 million by 2040. This indicates a widening gap between the two regions, with developing nations becoming the primary drivers of global urban population expansion.

180 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about mixed charts

Write one overview sentence that links the two visuals.
Give each visual its own detail paragraph.
Point out where one chart explains the other.

trajectory: the path or direction something is following
static: lacking in movement, action, or change
accelerated: increased in rate, amount, or extent
projected: estimated based on current trends or data
conversely: introducing a statement that reverses the previous
expansion: the action of becoming larger or more extensive

Write your own report and get a band

Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS Academic writing

On your phone? Get the BandLadder app.

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While the global population is projected to rise significantly before declining after 2060, urban populations in developing regions are expected to grow steadily, contrasting with the stable figures in developed regions.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How do I describe mixed charts?

Write one overview sentence that links the two visuals. Give each visual its own detail paragraph. Point out where one chart explains the other.