IELTS Writing Task 1 - Line Chart (Advanced)
The line chart below illustrates the percentage of people aged 65 and over in Japan, Sweden, and
the USA between 1940 and 2040. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main
features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Exercise:
Complete the following body paragraphs by filling in the blanks with the most suitable words.
Body 1
In 1940, the proportion of elderly people was highest in the USA, at around 9%, followed by
Sweden (7%) and Japan (5%). Over the next four decades, the figures for all three nations rose (1)
________, reaching approximately 12% in the USA, 12% in Sweden, and just (2) ________ 7% in
Japan by 1980. While the growth in Japan was relatively (3) ________, the other two countries
showed a more (4) ________ increase.
Body 2
From 2000 onwards, the upward trends became more (5) ________. The percentage of elderly in
Japan grew (6) ________, overtaking Sweden and the USA after 2020, and is projected to peak at
about 27% in 2040. Sweden also witnessed a (7) ________ rise, climbing steadily to 25%. By
contrast, the USA’s figure increased more (8) ________, ending at 23% in 2040. Overall, Japan is
expected to undergo the most (9) ________ demographic change, whereas the USA will remain the
country with the (10) ________ proportion of older people among the three.
Word bank: gradually, slowly, sharply, modest, steady, consistently, dramatic, least, noticeable,
rapid