Key Points
The sample answers for these Cambridge IELTS 12 writing questions are provided by native English speakers.
Cambridge 12 Test 1
- Task 1 Bar chart: Percentage of Australian men and women, regular physical activity
- Task 2 Essay: Children should/should not make their own choices, selfish society
Cambridge 12 Test 2
- Task 1 Map: A small town called Islip, plans for development
- Task 2 Essay: Spending large sums of money on new railway lines, fast trains, or public transport
Cambridge 12 Test 3
- Task 1 Chart: How frequently people in USA ate in fast food restaurants
- Task 2 Essay - Population of some countries, large number of young adults compared with older people
Cambridge 12 Test 4
- Task 1 Diagram: How geothermal energy produces electricity
- Task 2 Essay - Is it good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business and the academic world?
Cambridge 12 Writing Task 1 (Test 1)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The bar chart below shows the percentage of Australian men and women in different age groups who did regular physical activity in 2010.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Cambridge 12 Writing Task 1 Sample Answer
The bar chart illustrates the proportion of the Australian the male and female population participating in some form of physical activity on a regular basis in 2010. The data is divided into 6 age groups, ranging from 15 to 65 years old and over.
The main points of interest are that in the youngest age group (15-24) more men than women take part in regular physical activity. However, this then changes and women do more physical activity than men from 25 to 65, at which point both men and women do almost the same amount of physical activity.
Overall, the proportion of men involved in physical activity decreases between the ages of 24 and 44 and then begins to increase again. In the case of women, the trend is reversed, somewhat, with younger women being involved in less physical activity and doing more physical activity between the ages of 25 and 64, before returning to virtually the same level of physical activity as the youngest age group (15-24).
How is IELTS Writing Scored?
Both tests are evaluated based on whether or not the ideas make sense, how broad your vocabulary is, and if you have any spelling errors.
Your answer should be organized logically into paragraphs with your ideas clearly connected.
Is Task 2 more important than Task 1?
Task 1 is worth one-third of the total score. The minimum word count for Task 1 is 150 words, and should not take more than 20 minutes to complete. Task 2 is worth two-thirds of the total marks, and should not take more than 40 minutes. Learn more about the IELTS Academic Writing Test.
Cambridge 12 Writing Task 2 (Test 1)
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices on everyday matters (such as food, clothes and entertainment) is likely to result in a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people believe that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.Write at least 250 words.
Cambridge 12 Writing Task 2 Essay Answer
The question of how involved children should be in decision making which impacts them is probably best considered as a balancing act, in which the severity of potential consequences should be considered before allowing children to make their own decisions.
While children should be encouraged to make decisions about things which directly impact them, this must be tempered with common sense and the fact than in some cases children may not be aware of all the pertinent facts in order to make an informed decision.
Children being allowed to choose the clothes they wear offers little risk to the child in the long term, and as long as parents agree on a reasonable budget, their children could be encouraged to make their own decisions in this regard, thus encouraging their critical thinking process and building decision-making confidence.
On the other hand, if children are left to choose the food they eat, without parental intervention or guidance, more likely than not they will opt for conveninence food or food which is not necessarily good for their health in the long term. Good as well as bad habits can be formed at an early age, and it is important that children are encouraged to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet; something they are likely to be uninterested in, and unknowledgeable about, and hence parents play a crucial role in tempering their children’s preferences with sound nutritional advice.
However, it could be argued that there is little correlation between children making their own decisions about such aspects of their lives and any future narcissistic tendencies, and lack of consideration for the needs of others. Most adults chose their own clothes, food and forms of entertainment; therefore, it is only logical that children should be taught, or guided, to develop the necessary skills regarding such decision making.
Nobody would argue that adults only consider their own wishes, so there is little reason to think that allowing children to make their own decisions will lead to those children being any more self-centered than their parents are when they reach adulthood.
Cambridge 12 Writing Task 1 (Test 2)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Cambridge 12 Writing Task 1 Answer (Test 2 )
The town currently consists of the main road which is flanked by countryside to the north and a residential area to the south. There are shops along the main street, on both sides, which runs through the center of the town. There is also a school on the west side and a park on the east side of the town, between which is the main residential area of the town.
The proposed plans for development would transform the town and result in a ring road bypassing the center of the town, which will become a pedestrian zone. The plans also include a reduction in the size of the park compared to previously, the addition of a bus station, shopping center and car park on the north side of the pedestrian zone, replacing the existing shops in that area. Two new residential areas will also be developed, one on the north side of the pedestrian zone and the other on the east side of the park.
Overall, apart from the addition of new amenities such as the bus station and shopping center, the principal result of the development would be the augmentation of housing provision for the town.
Cambridge 12 Writing Test 2 Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:
In a number of countries, some people think it is necessary to spend large sums of money on constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities. Others believe the money should be spent on improving existing public transport.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.Cambridge 12 Writing Test 2 Task 2 Answer
While there is a strong argument for the development of high-speed rail infrastructure in some countries, in others the case is less convincing. The need and feasibility vary from country to country and so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Many people see high-speed rail as a vanity project, which showcases the latest construction technology and railway engineering developments. While such projects may create many jobs over several years during the construction phase, it is sometimes challenging to quantify the longer-term benefits to the country as a whole.
While in some countries there may be demand for such high-speed rail services, the practical aspects of terrain and cost may make such infrastructure development unfeasible. In other countries, it may be feasible but demand is not sufficient to warrant the investment.
Moreover, in today's rapidly changing markets and economies in which more people are working from home using technology and do not need to travel other than for leisure, it begs the question as to the real need for such rail projects. Transportation of cargo is already handled efficiently by air and road in many places. So it is highly likely that demand for large volume passenger traffic in the future would be sufficient to sustain such rail services. In fact, in many countries, rail services are currently suffering cutbacks due to lack of demand.
Overall, it is difficult to see the need for such projects which require huge investment over many years, and often run over budget, while inner-city bus systems are less than perfect. Rail infrastructure is also much harder to adapt to changing needs in the future. Buses can be re-routed to meet changing demand and traffic flow. This may suggest that existing public transport systems should be prioritized first, as they require less investment and are likely to produce immediate improvements in traffic flow.
Cambridge 12 Writing Task 1 (Test 3)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below shows how frequently people in the USA ate in fast food restaurants between 2003 and 2013. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Cambridge 12 Writing Test 3 Task 1 Answer
The bar chart depicts the frequency with which Americans ate at fast food restaurants during a 10-year period (2003-2013) using three data points: 2003, 2006, and 2013.
In 2006, there was an increase in the percentage of people eating at fast food restaurants several times a week. However, by 2013, fewer people were doing so than in 2003; an overall decline over the 10-year period.
In contrast, the percentage of people who ate at fast food restaurants once or twice a month dropped from 2003 to 2006 but then increased dramatically by 2013; showing considerable growth over the 2006 level.
Notably, the only frequency period showing growth, in terms of percentage of people, in recent years (2006-2013) is that of once or twice a month; in all other cases, the percentage of people either remained stable or decreased.
Overall, on average, approximately 60% of the population ate at a fast food establishment either once a week or once or twice a month.
[161 words]
Cambridge 12 Writing Test 3 Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:
At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people.
Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.Cambridge 12 Writing Test 3 Task 2 Answer
The average age of a population often influences much social policy such as investment in education and health. This essay will examine some advantages and disadvantages of a predominantly young population, as exists in some countries.
Firstly, a clear disadvantage associated with young people is the fact that they generally pay less tax than older people, which means they contribute less to the overall tax revenue received by the government. This affects public spending. Secondly, although the younger demographic are prolific consumers, the goods they purchase frequently, for example, food, technology, and clothes are not typically high-value items. However, one of the main advantages of young people is their lack of need for intensive healthcare services. Moreover, young people are, typically, more dynamic and creative than older people and often drive economic change within a country by adopting new disruptive technologies and consumer concepts. Young people are the engine of change, and, therefore, the future.
However, older people tend to pay more in tax, as many of those working hold senior positions, or own businesses, which is good for tax revenue and government spending. Older consumers also tend to purchase or invest in higher-value goods such as luxury cars, homes, second homes, retirement, and other such expenditure which most young people are incapable of at a young age. Older people are therefore essential to certain sections of the economy which provide such good or services. Despite these positive attributes, the major disadvantage of an older population is the greater need for costly health services and pension provision for those unable to fund such services privately. For much of the older population, these costly services need to be supplied by the state, to ensure the social well-being of the elderly. Often, the expenditure involved can be draining on the public purse.
Overall, the advantages of a predominantly young population do not outweigh the disadvantages, as both younger and older citizens offer distinct benefits to society. Moreover, a young population of today will, in the future, become a predominantly older population. It is, therefore, a cyclical process and the benefits of each group should be enjoyed while they last.
Cambridge 12 Writing Task 1 (Test 4)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below shows how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons Where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Cambridge 12 Writing Test 4 Task 1 Answer
The diagram shows the process of electricity generation from cold water through the use of a geothermal power planet. This is a process which converts cold water, through using a geothermal area of rock 4,5 kilometres below the earth’s surface, into electricity ready for consumption.
There are 5 essential stages or functions which constitute the electricity generation process. First, cold water is pumped into the injection well underground, where it then undergoes natural heating via hot rocks, converting the cold water into hot water via the natural geothermal properties of the rock.
Once the water is heated it is extracted from the production well and enters into a condensing chamber in which it vaporizes and turns into steam. The steam is then fed into a steam-powered turbine which drives a generator, and this converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into electrical energy.
The electricity produced is then fed into the electrical grid distribution network.
Cambridge 12 Writing Test 4 Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.Cambridge 12 Writing Test 4 Task 2 Essay Answer
The need to share scientific, business and academic information is one which should be considered on a case by case basis. There are advantages and disadvantages to the free flow of such information among those interested.
With regard to scientific information, science is a very broad umbrella term that encompasses many fields of research and development such as health and technology. Sharing some information may be beneficial, for example, in the health sector, for the public good. However, other information, for example, relating to technology research that could be weaponized, clearly presents a danger if shared with the wrong people and national security interests must be a priority.
In the world of academe, there is much competition between top scholars regarding ideas and research. While collaboration may be a good thing in some cases and frequently happens, much research has no worldwide impact nor generates large fortunes for individuals. However, when the stakes are high enough, and professional reputation is on the line, sharing critical data may not be the best option.
Business markets are fiercely competitive and being able to launch a new disruptive product before others can lead to market domination and lucrative revenue streams. Business intelligence allows various brands to compete against each other and there is little sharing of critical information for the good of the industry overall. It is, and always has been, a race to be the market leader and all the positive benefits that come with such a position.
In conclusion, there is no simple one-rule-for-all solution that can be applied to the sharing of important information or data in the fields mentioned. Each case needs to be assessed and the people involved should choose the best option: to share or not to share, according to the priorities and circumstances surrounding the data in question.
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