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Number of People Per Household by Percentage in the UK in 1981 and 2001 - Task 1 Bar Chart Band 9

Updated: Aug 29

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


The chart below compares the number of people per household by percentage in the UK in 1981 and 2001


Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.


Write at least 150 words.


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Task 1 Bar Chart Band 9 Sample Report prompt "The chart below compares the number of people per household by percentage in the UK in 1981 and 2001".

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IELTS Task 1 Bar Chart Band 9 Sample Report (1)

The chart elucidates the changes in household composition in the UK, as measured by the number of occupants, between 1981 and 2001.


Overall, there was a noticeable shift towards smaller households in the UK over the 20-year period, with an increase in one and two-person households and a decrease in larger households.


In 1981, two-member households constituted the largest segment, accounting for 31% of the total, and this figure saw a modest rise to 34% in 2001. Single-person households also increased notably, jumping from 17% to 26% over the two decades. Households of three persons experienced a slight decline, from one fifth in 1981 to 17% in 2001.


Contrastingly, larger households displayed a downward trend. In 1981, four-member families accounted for 18% of households, but this fell marginally to 15% in 2001. A similar pattern was observed for five-member households, whose share dropped from 8% to 6% during the same period. Notably, households containing six members were the least common in both years, representing less than 6% of the total.


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IELTS Task 1 Bar Chart Band 9 Sample Report (2)

The presented chart delineates the evolution of the number of people per household in the UK, by enumerating the number of inhabitants, from 1981 to 2001. It is compelling to note a significant transition towards smaller household units and a concurrent decline in more substantial familial arrangements.


In 1981, the dominant household structure comprised two occupants, accounting for 31% of the total. This segment saw a subtle uptick, reaching 34% by 2001. Singular dwellers also experienced a considerable surge, escalating from 17% to 26% over the two-decade span. The fraction of tri-member households diminished marginally, receding from one fifth in 1981 to 17% by 2001.


In stark contrast, households with larger numbers exhibited a waning trend. Four-member familial units, which represented 18% of total households in 1981, underwent a slight contraction to 15% in 2001. A congruent trajectory was observed amongst five-member households, dwindling from 8% to 6% over the same timeframe. Significantly, households embracing six inhabitants remained the least prevalent category, commanding less than 6% in both surveyed years.


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