The population of three cities in 1990, the population forecast of 2000 and the actual population of 2000

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Tables

 

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Question

The graph below shows the population of three cities in 1990, the population forecast of 2000 and the actual population of 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Common Questions for the Table

1. Graph Type: Table

2. Title: Population and Forecasted Population of Three Cities in 1990 and 2000

3. What are the units of measurement?: Number of people (in millions)

4. Who: Populations of three cities (Sao Paulo, Jakarta, and Shanghai)

5. When: Years 1990 and 2000

6. Where: Cities in Brazil (Sao Paulo), Indonesia (Jakarta), and China (Shanghai)

7. Topic: Comparison between the actual and forecasted population figures for three cities over a decade

Comparison Showing and Trends Any change over time (such as an increase or a decrease) is a trend.

Comparison 1 : Actual vs Predicted Population in 2000

  •  Details:

1. Sao Paulo’s actual population (18 million) was 6 million less than predicted.

2. Shanghai’s actual population in 2000 (12.5 million) was lower than the forecast (17 million).

3. Jakarta’s actual population exceeded the forecast, rising to 17.5 million.

    Comparison 2 : Changes from 1990 to 2000

    Details:

    1. Sao Paulo’s population increased from 15 million to 18 million.

    2. Jakarta’s population almost doubled from 9.5 million to 17.5 million.

    3. Shanghai’s population decreased slightly from 13.5 million to 12.5 million.

    Sample Answer

    The given table outlines the population figures of Sao Paulo, Jakarta, and Shanghai in 1990 and compares the actual population with the predicted figures for 2000. It is evident that the population forecasts made in 1990 did not align with the actual outcomes.

    In 1990, Sao Paulo had the highest population at 15 million, followed by Shanghai at 13.5 million and Jakarta at 9.5 million. By 2000, the population of Sao Paulo was expected to reach 24 million but only increased to 18 million—6 million less than predicted. Jakarta’s population was forecasted to grow by 4.5 million but actually surged to 17.5 million, nearly double its 1990 figure. Conversely, Shanghai’s population was predicted to rise moderately to 17 million, but unexpectedly, it decreased to 12.5 million.

    Overall, while Sao Paulo and Jakarta experienced significant population growth, Shanghai’s population declined. The predictions made in 1990 overestimated the growth in Sao Paulo and Shanghai, whereas Jakarta’s actual growth far exceeded expectations.

    Top 28 Vocabulary

    Vocabulary  Type Meaning Synonyms Examples

    Forecasted

    Adjective

    Predicted or estimated

    Projected, anticipated

    “The forecasted population of Jakarta was exceeded by the actual figures.”

    Surged

    Verb

    Increased suddenly

    Soared, spiked

    “Jakarta’s population surged to 17.5 million in 2000.”

    Exceeded

    Verb

    Went beyond expectations

    Surpassed, outstripped

    “The actual population exceeded the predicted figure.”

    Align

    Verb

    Match or agree with

    Correspond, concur

    “The predictions did not align with the actual data.”

    Moderately

    Adverb

    To a certain extent

    Reasonably, slightly

    “Shanghai’s population was expected to grow moderately.”

    Outlined

    Verb

    Summarized or presented the main points

    Described, Highlighted

    “The table outlined the population figures of three cities in 1990.”

    Figures

    Noun

    Numerical data or statistics

    Numbers, Statistics

    “The population figures show a significant increase for Jakarta.”

    Predicted

    Verb

    Estimated to happen in the future

    Forecasted, Projected

    “The predicted population for Sao Paulo in 2000 was 24 million.”

    Outcomes

    Noun

    Results or consequences

    Results, Consequences

    “The outcomes of population growth varied between the cities.”

    Exceeded

    Verb

    Went beyond or surpassed

    Surpassed, Outperformed

    “Jakarta’s population exceeded expectations by a large margin.”

    Declined

    Verb

    Decreased in size, amount, or importance

    Reduced, Dropped

    “Shanghai’s population declined unexpectedly by 2000.”

    Estimated

    Verb

    Roughly calculated or judged

    Assumed, Approximated

    “The estimated growth for Shanghai did not match reality.”

    Unexpectedly

    Adverb

    Not as anticipated

    Surprisingly, Unpredictably

    “Shanghai’s population unexpectedly decreased to 12.5 million.”

    Significant

    Adjective

    Important or notable

    Substantial, Considerable

    “Sao Paulo experienced significant population growth.”

    Growth

    Noun

    Increase in size or development

    Expansion, Rise

    “Jakarta witnessed rapid population growth between 1990 and 2000.”

    Forecasts

    Noun

    Predictions or estimations of future trends

    Projections, Predictions

    “Population forecasts for Sao Paulo were overestimated.”

    Actual

    Adjective

    Real or existing

    Real, Factual

    “The actual population figures for Jakarta were much higher than predicted.”

    Comparison

    Noun

    The act of examining similarities and differences

    Contrast, Juxtaposition

    “The table provides a comparison of predicted and actual figures.”

    Overestimated

    Verb

    Assumed something to be larger or greater than it is

    Exaggerated, Misjudged

    “The growth in Sao Paulo was overestimated by 6 million.”

    Far exceeded

    Verb Phrase

    Greatly surpassed

    Greatly outpaced

    “Jakarta’s growth far exceeded the forecasted figures.”

    Decline

    Noun

    A reduction or drop in number

    Decrease, Reduction

    “Shanghai saw a decline in its population by 2000.”

    Marked

    Adjective

    Noticeable or clear

    Distinct, Evident

    “There was a marked increase in Jakarta’s population.”

    Contrary

    Adjective

    Opposite to what was expected

    Opposite, Opposed

    “Contrary to predictions, Shanghai’s population decreased.”

    Surpassed

    Verb

    Went beyond in amount or degree

    Exceeded, Outperformed

    “Jakarta’s population growth surpassed the predictions made in 1990.”

    Population trends

    Noun Phrase

    Patterns in population growth or decline over time

    Demographic changes

    “Population trends reveal a steady increase in Jakarta.”

    Unexpected

    Adjective

    Not anticipated

    Surprising, Unforeseen

    “The decline in Shanghai’s population was unexpected.”

    Moderate

    Adjective

    Average or reasonable in degree

    Modest, Medium

    “Shanghai was expected to experience moderate growth.”

    Variation

    Noun

    A change or difference in condition or amount

    Fluctuation, Difference

    “There was a significant variation between predicted and actual figures.”

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