Student expenditure over a three-year period in the United Kingdom

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 with answer.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The chart shows student expenditure over a three-year period in the United Kingdom.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

student expenditure

(1) includes non-essential consumer items and credit repayments
* Source: Student Income and Expenditure Survey. Department for Education and Employment.

Sample Answer:
The given bar graph shows expenditure of UK students for the year 1996 and 1999. As is observed from the given data, a large portion of total expenses by UK students were made for accommodation and entertainment.

The data were collected by the Department of Education and Employment from a survey for the given years and it shows students’ expenses in 8 different categories. Initially in 1996, around 23% expenses made by students were for housing and more than 25% of their total expenses were made for the entertainment purposes. In this year, they spent 20% on their foods, household goods and utility bills. Course expenses were 10% while travels (both essential and non-essential) made just over 10% of their total expense. Students, who had children, spent only 2% for their kids. All other expenses in this year were less than 15% that included non-essential consumer items and credit repayments.

After three years, the expenses on accommodation decreased by 3% while the expenses on entertainment increased by 5%. Interestingly the course expenditure in 1999 was less than that of 1996. Expenses for non-essential consumer items and credit card repayment increased around 4% while the cost for non-essential travel and daily livings got reduced.