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BEST IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, 18th June
IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1
IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1
The table below gives the results of two surveys, in 1997 and 2006, in which people were asked which communication skills were essential in their jobs.
SAMPLE ANSWER
The table shows changes in the percentages of people who considered that various communication skills were essential in their jobs between 1997 and 2006. The skills were divided into two categories; external (with people outside the company) and internal.
The most common skill required was dealing with people and the highest percentage of people in both years said that this was essential. This was the only skill considered essential by more than half of the people in both years. The next most essential external skill in 2006 was communicating knowledge of particular products and services, which was essential for 35% of people in 1997 and 41% of people in 2006.
The highest figure for communication with people within the company or organisation was listening carefully to colleagues, which nearly half of people in 2006 said was essential. This figure was 9% higher than the one for 1997. Other important skills were advising or caring for customers or clients, instructing or training people and analysing problems together with others. The least required skills involved making speeches or presentations and planning the activities of others.
For all skills except selling a product or service, the percentage increased between 1997 and 2006, meaning that more people saw these skills as essential in 2006. So, the requirement for almost all these skills grew over the period, the biggest rise being in listening to colleagues.
