You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below shows the comparison between the number of applicants and the number of students who were granted admission in a university.
Write a report for a university tutor describing the information shown in the diagrams below.
Write at least 150 words.
Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner
Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score
Sample Answer 1
The bar chart provides a comparative illustration of the number of applicants and the number of students who were granted admission to a university over the period from 1993 to 2003.
Overall, the chart reveals that while the number of applicants to the university grew significantly during the given period, the number of admitted students remained relatively stable. This indicates a considerable gap between the two figures, especially in the later years.
In 1993, around 250 applications were submitted, with almost all of them leading to successful admissions. However, by 1995, the number of applicants had increased to nearly 1,000, though admissions remained below 500. This trend of rising applications continued throughout the decade, with the number peaking at just over 3,000 in 2000. Notably, admissions remained between 500 and 700 each year from 1996 onward, irrespective of the sharp rise in applicants.
By 2002 and 2003, the university received approximately 4,000 to 4,500 applications, but only around 650 students were accepted in both years. The contrast between applications and admissions in 2003 was stark, with students facing heightened competition, requiring them to outperform several other applicants to secure admission. This pattern highlights the university's limited intake despite the growing demand.
Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score
Sample Answer 2
The bar chart presents a comparison between the number of applicants and the number of students who were granted admission to a university, spanning the years from 1993 to 2003.
In general, the chart shows a continuous rise in the number of applicants over the given period, while the number of students who were granted admission remained relatively steady. This trend highlights the growing gap between the rising demand for admission and the relatively constant intake of students.
In the early years, such as 1993 and 1994, the number of applicants was modest, with the majority of those seeking admission being accepted. However, by 1996, applications rose sharply to nearly 1,000, while only a small portion of these students secured a place. This widening disparity persisted throughout the decade, and in 2000, the university received more than 3,000 applications. Despite the sharp increase in applicants, the number of students admitted remained close to 600 that year.
In the final years of the graph, 2002 and 2003, the number of applicants peaked at roughly 4,500, but the number of students who were granted admission showed minimal fluctuation, staying just under 700. The consistent intake of students, even in the face of a growing volume of applicants, suggests that securing admission became increasingly competitive, especially toward the end of the depicted period.
Sample Answer 3
The bar chart illustrates the comparison between the number of applicants and the number of students who were granted admission to a university between 1993 and 2003.
Overall, the number of applicants surged significantly over the years, whereas the number of students who were granted admission remained relatively unchanged. This led to a growing discrepancy between the demand for admission and the university’s intake capacity, especially toward the end of the given period.
In the earlier part of the period, the university received relatively few applications, with most applicants successfully gaining admission. For example, in 1994, fewer than 1,000 people applied, and a substantial portion of them secured seats. However, from 1996 onwards, the number of applicants began to rise steeply, while the number of students admitted fluctuated within a narrow range of approximately 500 to 700 each year.
During the later years, particularly from 2000 to 2003, applications peaked, with figures nearing 4,500 by the final year. Despite this sharp increase, the number of students granted admission remained consistent at around 650 annually. This imbalance suggests that students faced increasingly fierce competition as the gap between applications and admissions widened year after year. As a result, by 2003, applicants had to outperform a significant number of competitors to secure admission, reflecting the limited intake compared to the rapidly increasing demand.
Sample Answer 4
The bar chart compares the number of applicants and the number of students who were granted admission to a university over a period of 11 years, from 1993 to 2003.
Overall, it is evident that while the number of applicants grew substantially throughout the years, the number of students who were granted admission remained relatively consistent. This suggests a noticeable disparity between the rising demand for admission and the stable intake capacity of the university.
In the initial years, such as 1993 and 1994, both the number of applicants and admissions were relatively low, with most applicants successfully securing a spot. However, starting from 1996, the number of applicants began to increase rapidly, reaching around 3,000 by 1999. Despite the increase, admissions remained limited to approximately 500 to 700 students annually, indicating a steady intake policy.
The gap between applications and admissions became more pronounced in the final years of the period. By 2003, the university had received around 4,500 applications, yet the number of students who were granted admission remained just under 700. This persistent growth in applications, coupled with a stable admission rate, suggests that competition intensified, with many more students applying each year for the same number of available spots.
Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner
Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score