Bridges
Writing Task
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below shows three types of bridge construction and their characteristics.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Sample Answer
The diagram illustrates three types of bridge construction—arch bridges, concrete girder bridges, and suspension bridges—along with key details such as height, length, location, and the size of ships they accommodate.
Looking from an overall perspective, concrete girder bridges are potentially the tallest and longest, though their ship clearance is moderate. Suspension bridges, while not as tall, span great distances and are ideal for the largest ships, whereas arch bridges are the most limited in both height and length, accommodating only small vessels.
The arch bridge has a maximum height of 100 meters and spans less than 200 meters in length. It features a conical shape and is typically constructed over lakes. These bridges have low clearance, allowing only the smallest ships to pass underneath.
Concrete girder bridges, in contrast, can reach up to 300 meters in height with potentially unlimited length. They are supported by piers spaced less than 200 meters apart and are usually built over rivers. Suspension bridges range between 400 and 2000 meters in length and are constructed over deep seas, provided there is shallow land at either end. Their wide spacing between piers allows even the largest ships to pass beneath.