Reasons for absence from work: IELTS Task 1 answer #5, band 7.0

A student’s answer to this repeated IELTS question, shared without their name and marked by Axiom on the four criteria. Select a highlighted passage to see how it could be revised, and why.

194 words. Marked by Axiom on 22 March 2025. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

The bar chart this answer describes

Values in % of respondents. Values approximate: read from the original chart, not printed on it.

Show the data

Reasons for absence from work (IELTS Task 1 bar chart) (% of respondents)
	2000	2005	2010
Illness	44	40	35
Stress	6	4	12
Personal needs	13.5	20	23
Family responsibilities	27.5	26	26
Unexpected problems	8	14	13

Academic Task 1194 words

The chart below shows the results of three surveys on absenteeism in a particular European country in the years 2000, 2005 and 2010. The results show the reasons people gave for not going to work. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The chart illustrates the results of three surveys on absenteeism in a European country in 2000, 2005, and 2010. It presents the reasons employees provided for missing work, including illness, stress, personal needs, family responsibilities, and unexpected problems.

Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedThe chart displays the results of surveys on absenteeism in a European country for the years 2000, 2005, and 2010.
Used a more precise verb for describing the chart.

Overall, what stands out is that illness remained the most common reason for absenteeism throughout the given period, despite a slight decline over time. Meanwhile, stress was the least significant factor initially but saw a gradual increase. Additionally, personal needs and unexpected problems experienced a noticeable rise, whereas family responsibilities remained relatively stable.

Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedOverall, the chart shows that illness remained the most common reason for absenteeism throughout the given period, despite a slight decline over time.
Clarified that the statement is based on the chart.
Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedStress was initially the least significant factor but gradually increased.
Rephrased for conciseness.

Looking at the most significant factor, illness was the leading cause of absenteeism in all three years, though its rate declined from around 43% in 2000 to approximately 35% in 2010. Family responsibilities also remained a major reason, fluctuating slightly but staying around 30% over the years.

Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedIllness was the leading cause of absenteeism in all three years, declining from around 40% in 2000 to approximately 35% in 2010.
Adjusted the percentage to match the chart.
Grammar & accuracy
Close revision note
RevisedFamily responsibilities remained a major reason, fluctuating slightly but staying around 30% over the years.
Simplified the sentence structure.

Regarding the upward trends, stress, which was the least reported reason in 2000 (below 5%), saw a gradual increase in later years. Similarly, personal needs rose significantly, reaching around 25% in 2010. A notable increase was also observed in unexpected problems, which more than doubled from 2000 to 2005 and maintained a steady level in 2010.

Grammar & accuracy
Close revision note
RevisedStress, initially the least reported reason in 2000 (below 5%), gradually increased in later years.
Improved sentence structure for clarity.
Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedSimilarly, personal needs rose significantly, reaching around 20% in 2010.
Adjusted the percentage to match the chart.
Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedUnexpected problems more than doubled from 2000 to 2005 and remained steady in 2010.
Simplified the sentence for clarity.

Select a highlighted passage to see its suggested revision.

Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

What Axiom wrote for each criterion: why the answer earned its band, and what to work on next.

Coherence & cohesion

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. There is logical progression and effective use of linking words.

Suggestions

Ensure all data mentioned is accurate and corresponds with the chart.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedOverall, the chart shows that illness remained the most common reason for absenteeism throughout the given period, despite a slight decline over time.
Clarified that the statement is based on the chart.
RevisedIllness was the leading cause of absenteeism in all three years, declining from around 40% in 2000 to approximately 35% in 2010.
Adjusted the percentage to match the chart.
RevisedSimilarly, personal needs rose significantly, reaching around 20% in 2010.
Adjusted the percentage to match the chart.

Grammar & accuracy

Band 8.0/ 9

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammar with minor errors.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedOverall, illness remained the most common reason for absenteeism throughout the given period, despite a slight decline over time.
Removed unnecessary words for grammatical accuracy.
RevisedFamily responsibilities remained a major reason, fluctuating slightly but staying around 30% over the years.
Simplified the sentence structure.
RevisedStress, initially the least reported reason in 2000 (below 5%), gradually increased in later years.
Improved sentence structure for clarity.

Lexical resource

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay uses a range of vocabulary appropriately, with some minor inaccuracies.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedThe chart displays the results of surveys on absenteeism in a European country for the years 2000, 2005, and 2010.
Used a more precise verb for describing the chart.
RevisedUnexpected problems more than doubled from 2000 to 2005 and remained steady in 2010.
Simplified the sentence for clarity.
RevisedStress was initially the least significant factor but gradually increased.
Rephrased for conciseness.

Task achievement

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay addresses the task effectively but includes some inaccuracies in data representation.

Suggestions

Ensure all numerical data is accurate and corresponds with the chart.
Provide a more detailed comparison of the data across the years.

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