The bar graph shows the list of the top eight countries in the world offering the highest number of hospital beds per 1000 citizens. Japan leads the tally with 13 beds per thousand people, followed by South Korea with 12.4. Germany is at the third position with 8 beds, succeeded closely by Russia with 7.1. This is followed by France, the USA, and the UK with 5.9, 2.9, and 2.5 beds, respectively. India occupies the bottom position with less than a single bed per 1000 citizens.

The list has three countries each from Europe and Asia, one from North America, and one transcontinental country. Most of these are developed nations.

Since the number of hospital beds per thousand people is not an indication of available intensive care units, one cannot infer that countries occupying the lead positions here are better than the remaining in terms of their capability to combat widespread epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan makes a better provision for hospital beds under a national policy to support geriatric care. Also, there is a significant difference between developed and underdeveloped countries with respect to the universal quality of healthcare infrastructure, which impacts the effectiveness of their emergency measures when fighting epidemics.

COHERENCE AND COHESION

• The candidate opens with a strong and comprehensive overview of the information provided in the graph/chart.

• The candidate uses the information provided in the Additional Details to their advantage, enabling them to conclude that because “the number of hospital beds per thousand people is not an indication of available intensive care units, one cannot infer that countries […] are better […] in terms of their capability to combat widespread epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic”.

• Similarly, the candidate notes the significance of Japan’s policies relating to geriatric care.

GRAMMAR

• Note that the tense used throughout is Present Simple. This is the most common tense used for such things as news reports, informal storytelling, and observational humour. Using the Present Simple (or Simple Present) makes things imminent and relevant to the present moment, creating a sense of connection.

LEXICAL RESOURCE

leads the tally - a strong way of saying that someone or something is at the top or leads by numbers/scoring

respectively - a great word to use when commenting on lists of information. It helps to link two sets of interconnected data. For example, “A, B, and C are like 1, 2, and 3, respectively.”

transcontinental - a sophisticated composite word to describe a country spanning more than one continent

infrastructure - the underlying or basic structures or systems of a country (in this context); e.g. transport, water, energy, healthcare, etc.