Percentage of 18-25 year olds in universities in four Asian countries

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Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

The graph below shows the percentage of 18-25 year olds in universities in four different countries.

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

Percentage of 18-25 year olds in universities in four countries (%)

Singapore
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand

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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.

The line graph illustrates the proportion of 18-25 year olds enrolled in universities across Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand between 1961 and 2011.

Overall, all four countries experienced an upward trend in university attendance over the fifty-year period, with the Philippines and Thailand showing the most dramatic growth by 2011. While Singapore initially led the group, it was eventually overtaken by other nations.

In 1961, Thailand and Singapore had the highest university attendance rates at 24% and 15% respectively. Singapore’s figure fluctuated significantly, peaking at 36% in 1991 before dipping to 34% in 2001 and ending at 40% in 2011. Conversely, Thailand’s rate saw a gradual decline to 20% by 1991, followed by a sharp surge to reach 42% by the end of the period.

The Philippines and Malaysia started with lower participation rates of 7% and 2% in 1961. Malaysia experienced steady growth, plateauing at 15% from 1991 to 2011. Meanwhile, the Philippines saw a remarkable transformation, particularly after 1991, where the rate jumped from 15% to 30% in 2001, eventually matching Thailand at 42% in 2011, making them the countries with the highest university attendance.

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

Overview first: the overall direction of each line and which was highest.
Group lines that move together instead of describing each one in turn.
Give the start and end figures plus the peak or low point, not every value.

proportion: a part or share of a total amount
fluctuated: rose and fell irregularly in number or amount
surged: increased suddenly and powerfully in a short time
plateauing: reaching a state of little or no change
overtaken: caught up with and passed in progress
dramatic: sudden and striking in terms of change

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Overall, all four countries experienced an upward trend in university attendance over the fifty-year period, with the Philippines and Thailand showing the most dramatic growth by 2011.

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.

Philippines

Overview first: the overall direction of each line and which was highest. Group lines that move together instead of describing each one in turn. Give the start and end figures plus the peak or low point, not every value.