IELTS Academic Writing Practice Test 2

Model Answer (Band 8+)

The line graph illustrates how much households in a European city spent each month on four categories, namely housing, food, transport and leisure, over the period from 2015 to 2021. Overall, housing was consistently the largest expense and rose steadily throughout, whereas transport was the only category to decline. Spending on food and leisure both increased, although leisure grew far more sharply in relative terms. Housing costs began at 820 euros in 2015 and climbed continuously to reach 1,010 euros by 2021, remaining well above every other category at all times. Food followed a similar upward path, moving gradually from 430 to 470 euros before jumping to 520 euros in the final year. Leisure spending showed the most dramatic proportional growth, more than doubling from 180 euros to 300 euros. In contrast, transport fell steadily across the period, dropping from 310 euros in 2015 to just 210 euros in 2021, and by the end it had become the smallest category of the four.

Model Answer (Band 8+)

The question of whether public funds are better directed towards physical libraries or digital online resources divides opinion. While I recognise the reach of online platforms, I believe that well funded public libraries continue to deliver benefits that digital services alone cannot replace. Those who favour digital resources argue, with some justification, that the internet offers unmatched convenience and scale. A single online database can hold millions of books, journals and courses that anyone with a connection may access at any hour, without travelling or waiting for a title to become available. Because digital content requires no shelving, buildings or large staff, the same budget can arguably serve a far greater number of people. For younger generations who already study and read on screens, investing in reliable online platforms may feel like the more forward looking choice. However, I am persuaded that physical libraries remain essential. They function as shared public spaces where people without home internet or devices can study, apply for jobs and receive help from trained librarians. This role matters most for the poor, the elderly and children, precisely the groups a purely digital strategy tends to leave behind. Libraries also host reading groups, language classes and community events that build social ties in ways a website cannot. A local library where I grew up, for instance, offered free after school programmes that kept many children engaged and safe. In conclusion, although digital resources clearly deserve continued funding, they should complement rather than replace physical libraries. Governments should sustain both, ensuring that the benefits of technology do not come at the expense of equal access.