WT / 1 Reasons for studying and employer support	

Answer 1 (221 words)
The charts below show the main reasons for studying among students of different age groups and the amount of support they receive from their employers,
We can see that in the under 26 age group, many more people – eight times as many - study for their careers rather than for interest. In the 26 – 29 age group, slightly more study for interest but still around five times more students study for their careers than out of interest. In the 30 – 39 age group, yet again, more study for their careers but this time the difference is less – just over twice as many study for their careers. In the 40 – 49 age group, the numbers studying for careers and interest are the same, while in the over 49 age group, far more – over three times as many – study out of interest.
As for employer support, this is greatest for the under 26 age group at around 60 per cent. The figure drops for the 26 – 29 age group to 50 per cent. For the 30 – 39 age group it drops again to around 30 per cent and then rises again for the 40 – 49 age group to around 35 per cent. Finally, the over 40 age groups see another rise in employer support to over 40 per cent for those over 49.
Answer 2  (156 words)
The bar charts shows how reasons for studying vary among different age groups from under 26 to over 49, and the  extent to which different age groups are supported by their employers.
It is immediately apparent that under the age of 40 most students study for their careers. This is particularly true for those under 26 where eight times as many students study for their careers than out of interest. This pattern weakens as they get older so that by the time they are in their forties similar numbers are studying for careers and interest and in the over 49 age group, significantly more – around three to four times as many are studying out of interest. 
Employer support is greatest for the younger age groups at around 60 per cen.  This falls to roughly a third 30 in the 30 – 39 age group and then rises to over 40 per cent for the over 49 group.
Answer 3   (191 words)
The bar charts shows the main reasons for studying among students of different age groups from under 26 to over 49, and the  extent to which different age groups are supported by their employers.
We can see that under the age of 40 most students study for their careers, reflecting the importance of qualifications for young people. However, as people get older and gain qualifications, the need to study for their careers becomes less important and more people study out of interest so that by the time they are in their forties similar numbers are studying for careers and interest. By the time they are in their fifties, people no longer need qualifications as they already have them so if they study, it is likely to be out of interest.
Employer support is greatest for the younger age groups at around 60 per cent.  This is no doubt because extra training will benefit employers. During middle age, employer support falls off but rises again in the older age groups perhaps reflecting the need of some older employees to catch up with new technology or re-train for new positions within an organization. 
Notes on these answers	

Answer 1

Although it contains no grammar errors, this is a poor answer. The introductory statement has been copied word-for-word from the question paper. The summary of data contains far too much detail and is poorly organized – simply describing the figures for each age group in turn. It would be difficult for the reader to get a clear idea quickly.

Answer 2

This is quite a good answer. The introductory statement paraphrases the description on the question paper without losing any detail, but it is not a copy.

The main features of the data are clearly and concisely summarized with some detail being selected to illustrate the main points. It would be easy for the reader to get a clear idea of the data quickly.

However, there is no concluding statement, so some marks would be lost.

Answer 3

There are some good points to this answer. The introductory statement paraphrases the description on the question paper and there is a good attempt at summarizing the main features. However, the writer has wasted time and space by offering explanations for the data. This is irrelevant in Writing Task 1. You are supposed to summarize the data only. Marks would be lost for irrelevance.