Samples of writing: Global Population

IELTS Writing Task 1

Example

The line chart compares the proportions of elderly individuals aged 65 and above among the populations of the United States, Sweden, and Japan over a century starting in 1940.

In general, although all countries saw an increase, Japan experienced the most significant rise.

At the beginning of the period, 9% of the US’s population was aged 65 and over, followed by 7% and 5% of Sweden’s and Japan’s, respectively. The next four decades saw the percentage of Americans at the surveyed age climb to 15% and nearly plateau until 2020. At the same time, the figure for Japan declined slightly and started to stabilise in 1960 before making a recovery three decades later. It is forecast that the researched age group will continue to account for a growing share of the Japanese and American populations, with the former ranking first at roughly 27% and the latter ranking last at approximately 23% in the final year. Despite slight past falls and another predicted one in the 2020s, the 65+-year-old population in Sweden is still expected to maintain its general growth and end at precisely a quarter.

Vocabulary

• Plateau (v): duy trì ổn định
• Stabilise (v): duy trì ổn định
• Make a recovery (v): phục hồi
• Share (n):
  phần (đóng góp)
• Maintain one’s growth (v): duy trì sự tăng trưởng

Analysis

– All countries' figures are on the rise.

– Japan's figures saw the most significant increase and stood highest in the final year.

IELTS Writing Task 2

Example

Rapid population growth is causing widespread concerns. Both developed and developing nations are grappling with its consequential impacts while implementing various measures to address these issues.

From policymakers’ viewpoint, a population boom burdens the national infrastructure. Shelter, medical care, and education must be secured among the living basics. This compels massive government spending on affordable housing, free or subsidised healthcare services and education. While developed nations could cope with such increasing expenditures with their national budgets, developing countries may resort to loans from international financial institutions to handle the situation, hence their vicious circle of being impoverished.

Domestic life in over-populated places helps further understand the implications of this phenomenon. When demand for housing soars, an escalation in property prices is inevitable. The unemployment rate is also bound to soar if the labour market does not expand as fast as the population grows. Consequential financial constraints may lead to dysfunctional families where proper childcare is not guaranteed as parents have to prioritise making ends meet.

Ameliorating overpopulation-related problems necessitates the cooperation of the authorities and the public. Firstly, policies to decrease the fertility rate, such as opening more family-planning clinics, should be proposed. Couples, meanwhile, need to fully prepare finances and parenting skills before having children and should not give birth to more than they can nurture. Secondly, alleviating taxation may facilitate the establishment of more start-ups, providing more job opportunities and a steady income for many households. Should there be emergencies, the Third World should appeal for international humanitarian aid, including funding and human resources.

In conclusion, the current surge in the world population is exerting undue pressure on politicians and the masses and therefore requires drastic actions from both parties to diminish its adverse effects.

Vocabulary

• subsidise (v): trợ giá
• international financial institution (n): tổ chức tài chính quốc tế
• a vicious circle (n): vòng lẩn quẩn
• impoverish (v): bần cùng hóa
• financial constraints (n): những hạn chế về tài chính
• dysfunctional family (n): gia đình bất hòa
• the fertility rate (n): tỷ lệ sinh
• family-planning clinic (n): phòng khám kế hoạch hóa gia đình
• alleviate taxation (v): giảm thuế
• the Third World (n): thế giới thứ ba (chỉ các nước đang phát triển)
• international humanitarian aid (n): viện trợ nhân đạo quốc tế
• exert undue pressure on (v): gây áp lực quá mức

Analysis 

Vấn đề:

– Imposing burdens on national infrastructure.

– Developing nations may need to rely on loans from international financial institutions to address the situation, potentially falling into a cycle of poverty.

– Unemployment rates will soar if the labor market does not expand rapidly.

– Families may struggle to provide adequate care for their children due to financial difficulties.

Giải pháp:

– Proposing policies to reduce birth rates.

– Couples need to prepare financially and acquire parenting skills before having children.

– Tax reductions to encourage the establishment of more businesses and create more job opportunities.