Internet Users in Three Countries

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Writing Prompt

The line graph below shows the percentage of the population using the internet in three countries between 1998 and 2018. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The vertical axis shows the percentage of the population, from 0 to 100, and the horizontal axis shows the years 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018. In 1998, internet use was low in all three countries: Canada stood at about 35 per cent, Japan at around 15 per cent and Mexico at just 5 per cent. Canada rose steadily to reach roughly 90 per cent by 2018. Japan climbed more sharply, overtaking Canada briefly around 2008 before levelling off at about 85 per cent. Mexico grew more slowly throughout, reaching only around 60 per cent by the end of the period, though its rate of growth increased after 2013.

Show Band 8–9 model answer

The line graph compares internet usage, as a proportion of the population, in Canada, Japan and Mexico between 1998 and 2018.

Overall, internet penetration rose markedly in all three countries, but Canada and Japan reached near-universal access while Mexico remained well behind. Japan experienced the most dramatic growth, briefly surpassing Canada, whereas Mexico’s increase was slower and later accelerated.

In 1998, usage was relatively modest everywhere, at about 35% in Canada, 15% in Japan and only 5% in Mexico. Over the next decade, both Canada and Japan saw rapid adoption. Canada’s figure climbed steadily, exceeding roughly three-quarters of the population by 2008. Japan, however, grew more sharply and overtook Canada around 2008, when its proportion reached a slightly higher level.

After 2008, Canada continued to rise, albeit more gradually, and by 2018 about 90% of Canadians were online, the highest proportion of the three. In contrast, Japan’s growth slowed and then levelled off, stabilising at around 85% by the end of the period. Mexico’s trajectory was different: although it increased continuously to about 60% in 2018, its progress was relatively slow overall, with a noticeable quickening in growth after 2013.

Why this response works

This response provides a clear summary with a well-focused overview highlighting the main trends and contrasts, supporting a very high band for Task Achievement. Key data points are accurately selected and compared without inventing figures, and the time period and countries are consistently referenced, contributing to strong Coherence and Cohesion. Paragraphing is logical, and a wide range of vocabulary (e.g. penetration, adoption, stabilising) and complex grammatical structures are used naturally with a high degree of accuracy, matching Band 8–9 descriptors for Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.