You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below shows the population of three cities in 1990, the population forecast of 2000 and the actual population of 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model Answer
The given table illustrates the actual population of Sao Paulo, Jakarta and Shanghai in 1990 and 2000. It shows the predictions made in 1990 for the expected population in 2000. It is clear that the predictions made were quite different from the actual populations.
Sao Paulo had the highest population in 1990, which was 15 million. It was closely followed by Shanghai, where the population was 13.5 million. Jakarta had the least population of only 9.5 million. It was predicted that in 2000, the population of Sao Paulo would increase significantly and reach 24 million. However, the actual population of Sao Paulo in 2000 was only 18 million, which was 6 million lesser than expected. The population of Shanghai was expected to increase moderately and become 17 million by 2000. Surprisingly, the population of Shanghai fell slightly and by the end of the decade it was 12.5 million. The population of Jakarta was expected to rise by 4.5 million by 2000, but here the actual population was almost double of that of 1990. It was 17.5 million in 2000.
Overall, Sao Paulo and Jakarta had almost equal population (18 and 17.5 million) in 2000, whereas actually Shanghai had significantly lower population (12.5 million) in 2000. The predictions made in all three cases proved wrong.