Band 8 model answer
A model answer written to illustrate a Band 8 response to this question, with the rubric breakdown and what carries it. Written by us as a teaching example, not a verified exam script.
“The bar chart shows the share of the population aged 65 and over in six countries in 2010 and 2020.”8
Overall
8
Task response
8
Coherence & cohesion
8
Lexical resource
8
Grammar
The bar chart compares the proportion of the population aged 65 and over in six countries in 2010 and 2020.
Overall, the share of elderly people increased in all six countries over the decade, with Japan recording both the highest figures and the largest absolute rise. China had the lowest proportion in both years but showed a notable increase.
In 2010, Japan led with 23.1% of its population aged 65 or over, followed by Germany at 20.57% and Italy at 20.46%, with these latter two countries being almost identical. The UK, USA, and China trailed with 16.34%, 12.84%, and 8.66% respectively. By 2020, Japan's share had risen to 28.92%, an increase of nearly six percentage points, the largest gain among the six nations. Germany and Italy both remained in second and third place, reaching 21.84% and 23.38% respectively.
China's proportion grew from 8.66% to 12.65%, a rise of almost four percentage points, indicating relatively rapid ageing despite starting from a lower base. The USA moved from 12.84% to 16.07%, while the UK reached 18.61% by 2020. Across all six countries, the upward trend was consistent, with no nation recording a stable or declining elderly share over the period.
- •Overview correctly identifies Japan as both the highest and the fastest-growing without numbers.
- •Accurately notes the near-identical 2010 figures for Germany and Italy, showing close reading of the data.
- •China's growth is contextualised with 'despite starting from a lower base', a precise analytical observation.
- •Consistent use of accurate figures with varied phrasing: 'nearly six percentage points', 'almost four percentage points'.
- •Could make one explicit comparison between Japan's 2020 figure and the nearest competitor (Italy) to quantify the gap at the top.
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