IELTS Academic2024

The bar chart below shows household recycling rates in four countries (UK, Germany, Sweden, and Italy) in 2010 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

- Word count: at least 150 words. Going under loses points. - For Task 1, Lexical Resource means using a range of accurate data verbs (rise, climb, surge; fall, drop, plummet) and adjectives of degree (slight, marked, dramatic). - Avoid copying the prompt sentence-for-sentence — paraphrase the introduction. - The Power column upgrades word choice without changing the data or comparisons.

Bar chart — household recycling rates across four countries

The boring draft

Score: Band 6.0

The bar chart shows how household recycling rates changed in four European countries — the UK, Germany, Sweden, and Italy — between 2010 and 2020.

Overall, recycling rates went up in all four countries over the decade, with Germany leading the chart in both years. Sweden also did strongly, while Italy stayed the lowest performer despite some growth.

In 2010, Germany had the highest rate at around 50%, followed by Sweden at roughly 40%. The UK and Italy were considerably lower at about 25% and 18% respectively. By 2020, Germany's figure had gone up to nearly 65%, while Sweden caught up with a rate of approximately 60%.

The UK saw the most big improvement, jumping from 25% to 45% — almost doubling its rate over the decade. Italy went up more modestly, reaching roughly 30% by 2020. Despite this progress, Italy stayed around 30 percentage points behind Germany throughout the period, showing a big gap between northern and southern European recycling performance.

The power upgrade

Score: Band 8.0

The bar chart illustrates how household recycling rates evolved in four European countries — the UK, Germany, Sweden, and Italy — between 2010 and 2020.

Overall, recycling rates climbed in all four countries over the decade, with Germany topping the chart in both years. Sweden also performed strongly, while Italy remained the lowest performer despite some progress.

In 2010, Germany recorded the highest rate at around 50%, followed by Sweden at roughly 40%. The UK and Italy stood considerably lower at about 25% and 18% respectively. By 2020, Germany's figure had risen to nearly 65%, while Sweden narrowed the gap with a rate of approximately 60%.

The UK experienced the most dramatic improvement, surging from 25% to 45% — almost doubling its rate over the decade. Italy grew more modestly, attaining roughly 30% by 2020. Despite this progress, Italy remained around 30 percentage points behind Germany throughout the period, highlighting a persistent gap between northern and southern European recycling performance.