Employment Types in 1998 and 2001
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Diagram

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
Write a report for a university tutor describing the information shown.

Common Questions for the Combination
1. Diagram Type: Bar Charts
2. Title: Employment Types in 1998 and 2001
3. What are the units of measurement? Percentage of the workforce
4. Who: University tutors, labor economists, researchers
5. When: 1998 and 2001
6. Where: General, potentially an international or national labor study
7. Topic: Changes in employment types between 1998 and 2001
Detailed Process and Observations
Summary of Data: The two charts illustrate the distribution of employment types—casual, unemployed, full-time job, part-time job, self-employed, and contract—among the workforce in 1998 and 2001. It is evident that full-time workers were the largest group in both years, although their percentage decreased, while the proportion of unemployed people and contract workers increased.
- Full-Time Employment: In 1998, full-time workers made up 37% of the workforce, but this dropped to 28% by 2001.
- Part-Time Employment: Part-time workers accounted for 27% in 1998 and fell to 20% in 2001.
- Self-Employed: The percentage of self-employed workers remained steady at 19% in both years.
- Contract Workers: The proportion of contract workers saw a significant rise from 12% to 18%.
- Casual and Unemployed: Casual workers remained at 3%, while the number of unemployed workers rose dramatically, increasing from 2% in 1998 to 7% in 2001.
Sample Answer
The two charts present data on various employment types in 1998 and 2001.
Overall, it is apparent that full-time employment was the most common form of employment in both years, though its share of the workforce declined, while other types of employment saw noticeable shifts.
In 1998, 37% of people held full-time jobs, followed by 27% in part-time positions, 19% self-employed, and 12% on contract. Casual workers and the unemployed made up just 3% and 2%, respectively.
However, by 2001, the percentage of full-time workers dropped to 28%, and part-time workers decreased to 20%. The proportion of self-employed individuals remained constant at 19%, but contract workers increased significantly to 18%. The most notable change occurred in unemployment, which more than tripled to 7%.
Top 27 Vocabulary
Vocabulary |
Meaning |
Synonyms |
Examples |
Vocabulary Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Proportion | The part or share of a whole | Percentage, fraction, part | Full-time workers made up the largest proportion of the workforce. | Noun |
Shift | A change or move in position or direction | Change, movement, alteration | There was a noticeable shift in the number of contract workers. | Noun |
Dramatically | In a striking, noticeable manner | Significantly, substantially | Unemployment rose dramatically between 1998 and 2001. | Adverb |
Steady | Constant or unchanging | Stable, consistent, constant | The proportion of self-employed workers remained steady. | Adverb |
Decline | A decrease or reduction | Fall, drop, decrease | The percentage of full-time workers showed a decline. | Noun |
Employment | The condition of having a paid job | Work, occupation | “Employment types varied significantly between 1998 and 2001.” | Noun |
Casual | Temporary or irregular in nature | Temporary, informal | “Casual workers accounted for only a small percentage in both years.” | Adjective |
Workforce | The total number of people employed or available for work | Labor force, employees | “The workforce composition shifted noticeably by 2001.” | Noun |
Contractual | Relating to an agreement or contract | Binding, formal | “Contractual employment saw a significant rise over the three years.” | Adjective |
Unemployment | The state of not having a job | Joblessness, redundancy | “Unemployment more than tripled between 1998 and 2001.” | Noun |
Proportionate | Corresponding in size or amount | Balanced, relative | “The rise in unemployment was proportionate to the drop in full-time jobs.” | Adjective |
Self-employed | Working for oneself rather than for an employer | Freelance, independent | “The percentage of self-employed individuals remained unchanged.” | Adjective |
Variation | A change or difference in condition or level | Fluctuation, diversity | “There was significant variation in employment types over the years.” | Noun |
Prominent | Standing out or being easily noticeable | Dominant, notable | “Full-time employment remained the most prominent category in both years.” | Adjective |
Increment | An increase or addition, especially in a series | Rise, gain | “The increment in contract workers was substantial.” | Noun |
Constitute | To make up or form a part of something | Comprise, account for | “Full-time workers constituted the largest share in 1998.” | Verb |
Surge | A sudden increase | Jump, escalation | “The unemployment rate experienced a surge between 1998 and 2001.” | Noun |
Distribution | The way something is spread or allocated | Allocation, division | “The distribution of employment types showed major changes over the years.” | Noun |
Fluctuate | To rise and fall irregularly in number or amount | Vary, oscillate | “Part-time employment fluctuated between 1998 and 2001.” | Verb |
Stagnant | Showing no change or growth | Unchanging, static | “Self-employment figures were stagnant over the period.” | Adjective |
Transformation | A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance | Change, shift | “There was a transformation in the composition of the workforce.” | Noun |
Notable | Worthy of attention or notice | Significant, remarkable | “The increase in contract workers was particularly notable.” | Adjective |
Contract | A formal agreement between two or more parties | Agreement, deal | “The rise in contract employment highlights a shift in work preferences.” | Noun |
Composition | The makeup or structure of something | Structure, arrangement | “The workforce composition saw notable changes over the three years.” | Noun |
Plummet | To fall or drop suddenly and steeply | Decrease, plunge | “Full-time employment plummeted by 9% over the observed period.” | Verb |

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