You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The line graph below shows the population size, birth and death rate of England and Wales from 1700 to 2000.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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Model Answer 1 (Band 9)
The line graph delineates the population size alongside the birth and death rates in England and Wales from the years 1700 through to 2000, presenting a comprehensive overview of demographic changes over three centuries.
An overview of the graph indicates that the population experienced a pronounced surge post-1800, whilst the death rate exhibited a consistent decline from the mid-19th century onwards. Contrastingly, the birth rate demonstrated a notable rise post-1950.
Initially, in 1700, the population stood at a modest 3 million. Over the next half-century, this figure experienced a threefold increase, peaking at approximately 9 million before witnessing a sharp decline back to just above the initial count at the dawn of the 19th century. The subsequent years, however, marked a period of exponential growth, culminating in a population size of 50 million by the year 2000.
The birth rate commenced at 30 births per 1,000 people, ascending to 40 by 1750. The death rate mirrored this trajectory, almost converging with the birth rate at a high of 38 per 1,000 individuals. The ensuing century saw a gradual descent in both rates, stabilizing at slightly above 20 around 1950, amid some oscillation. The latter half of the 20th century was characterized by a stark increase in the birth rate, which soared to 34, while the death rate maintained a steady plateau at 20 per 1,000 people by the end of the millennium.
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Model Answer 2 (Band 9)
The provided line graph meticulously charts the trajectory of population size, birth, and death rates in England and Wales, spanning a substantial period from 1700 to 2000.
In broad strokes, the data reveals a substantial population growth commencing in the 19th century, coupled with a declining death rate, while the birth rate shows a marked increase post-mid-20th century. These overarching trends encapsulate the significant shifts in demographic patterns across the three hundred years under scrutiny.
Delving into specifics, the dawn of the 18th century saw the population at a mere 3 million. This number then climbed steeply, reaching around 9 million by 1750, only to experience a precipitous drop back to initial levels at the onset of the 19th century. Following this fluctuation, a dramatic surge ensued, with the population size escalating to a staggering 50 million by the year 2000. This exponential rise signals a transformative era in the demographic development of the region.
On examining the birth and death rates, both commenced at similar points in 1700, with 30 and 27 per 1,000 people respectively. The mid-century saw these figures ascend, with the birth rate peaking at 40 and the death rate closely tailing at 38. Thereafter, a steady decline was observed, reaching a nadir of just above 20 in the 1950s, after which the birth rate exhibited a sharp upturn, culminating at 34, whereas the death rate plateaued at 20 as the millennium closed.
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Model Answer 3 (Band 9)
The line graph presents an analytical comparison of the population size, birth rate, and death rate in England and Wales, covering an extensive timeline from 1700 to 2000.
The most striking features highlighted by the graph are the pronounced escalation in population size post-1800, paralleled by a steady decline in the death rate and a notable increase in the birth rate after the mid-20th century. These trends stand out as the defining characteristics of the demographic shifts within the period.
At the outset of the 18th century, the population was recorded at a modest 3 million, which experienced a dramatic swell to approximately 9 million by 1750. This zenith was short-lived as the population sharply retracted to its original figure by 1800. This contraction was succeeded by a momentous population explosion, propelling the numbers to an unprecedented 50 million by the end of the millennium. This trajectory marks a significant population boom, reflective of the changing societal and health conditions.
In terms of birth and death rates, the graph indicates an initial birth rate of 30 per 1,000 people, which climbed to a peak of 40 fifty years later. The death rate initially mirrored this upward trend, reaching nearly 38 per 1,000. However, both rates experienced a gradual decline towards the mid-20th century, stabilizing at just over 20. Post-1950, the birth rate reversed its course, surging to 34 per 1,000, while the death rate plateaued at 20, indicating a demographic shift towards higher birth rates while maintaining a stable death rate as the 20th century concluded.
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