IELTS ACADEMIC
SAMPLE 9

The table below shows the results of a 20-year study into why adults in the UK attend arts events.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,  and make comparisons where relevant. 
Write at least 150 words.

Model answer
The table illustrates four reasons why adults in the UK have attended arts events  over the past twenty years. The major reason over the whole twenty-year period was a desire to see a specific performer or artist; while the least important reason was  attending arts events for work-related reasons.
The percentage of people who attended events out of a desire to see a particular  performer has remained relatively stable throughout the twenty-year period; varying from 58% twenty years ago to 56% today.
On the other hand, the percentage of people accompanying children has shown a  significant increase, from 9% 20 years ago to just under a quarter today. As far as  those who attended arts events because of special occasions or celebrations are  concerned, the percentage fell slightly from 27% 20 years ago to 20% a decade ago, dropping dramatically to 9% today. There has been a slight increase in the percentage of people attending arts events  for work or business, from 6% 20 years ago to just over 10% today.
Overall, there has been a rise in people attending events in order to accompany  children and for work-related reasons, while fewer people choose to attend an arts  event as a form of celebration.
(204 words)