Urban/Suburban and Rural Households That Had Internet Access
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below shows the percentage of urban/suburban and rural households in a European country that had Internet access between 1999 and 2004.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
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 illustrates the percentage of urban/suburban and rural households that had Internet access in a European country from 1999 to 2004.
Overall, the proportion of urban/suburban households with Internet access was consistently higher than that of rural households throughout the period, with both categories showing a marked increase over time. Urban/suburban households experienced steady growth in Internet access, while rural households showed a slower start but significant improvement towards the later years.
In 1999, urban/suburban households with Internet access stood at around 15%, while rural households were much lower, at a mere 2%. By 2000, urban/suburban Internet penetration had climbed to about 30%, compared to approximately 5% in rural areas. This upward trend continued in 2001, with nearly 40% of urban/suburban households having access, while rural households remained at a modest 10%.
The trend accelerated further from 2002 to 2004. In 2002, over 50% of urban/suburban households were online, compared to 20% in rural areas. By 2003, the percentage for urban/suburban households had reached approximately 55%, whereas rural households saw a significant rise to around 25%. Finally, in 2004, Internet access among urban/suburban households peaked at roughly 55%, while rural households closed the gap somewhat, reaching around 35%, demonstrating a substantial increase over the five-year span.
Sample Answer 2
The bar chart illustrates the proportion of urban/suburban and rural households that had Internet access in a European country between 1999 and 2004.
Overall, urban/suburban households consistently maintained a higher level of Internet access than rural households, with both groups experiencing significant growth over the five-year period. While urban/suburban areas showed a steady increase in Internet penetration, rural households saw a slower start but eventually narrowed the gap to some extent.
In 1999, the percentage of urban/suburban households with Internet access was roughly 15%, whereas rural households lagged significantly at about 2%. By the year 2000, urban/suburban access rose sharply to around 30%, while rural access increased to approximately 5%, still a considerable disparity between the two groups. This growth pattern continued in 2001, where urban/suburban households neared the 40% mark, compared to a modest 10% in rural areas.
From 2002 to 2004, Internet access surged further in both regions. By 2002, over half of the urban/suburban households were online, in contrast to only 20% of rural households. This trend persisted in 2003, with around 55% of urban/suburban households connected, while rural access expanded to nearly 25%. By 2004, urban/suburban households peaked at approximately 55%, whereas rural areas saw a significant rise, reaching close to 35%, marking a substantial growth over the period.
Sample Answer 3
The bar graph displays the percentage of urban/suburban and rural households that had Internet access in a European country from 1999 to 2004.
Overall, the data reveals a notable upward trend in Internet accessibility for both urban/suburban and rural households, with urban/suburban households consistently leading in Internet adoption. Although rural households initially had minimal connectivity, they demonstrated substantial growth by the end of the period.
In 1999, the proportion of urban/suburban households that had Internet access was roughly 15%, while rural households were at a mere 2%. By the year 2000, the rate for urban/suburban households surged to nearly 30%, whereas rural areas showed a slower increase, reaching approximately 5%. In 2001, Internet access among urban/suburban households continued its steady rise to around 40%, in contrast to rural households, which only saw a slight increase to 10%.
The trend intensified between 2002 and 2004, with urban/suburban areas crossing the 50% threshold in 2002, while rural households reached around 20%. In 2003, urban/suburban Internet access peaked close to 55%, and rural households improved further to nearly 25%. By 2004, the percentage of urban/suburban households that had Internet access remained steady at about 55%, while rural households made significant strides, reaching roughly 35%, marking a substantial rise over the period.
Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner
Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score