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IELTS Bar Chart Sample Essay

Static or Dynamic?

Before writing an IELTS task 1 bar chart or line graph answer it is important that we analyse the question correctly. Taking a few minutes to do this will help us write a clear answer that fully responds to the question. Just what the examiner wants us to do.

The first thing we need to do is decide if the bar chart is static or dynamic. Static means that the data comes from one point in time. Dynamic means the data comes from more than one point in time.

Whether a chart is static or dynamic will affect the information we choose to include in our answer and the kind of language (tense, grammar etc.) we use.

If it is dynamic we will have to compare the different times and comment on the general trends over the time period.

If it is static we will have to compare the different variables, in this case countries, car price, GDP and time it takes for one person to buy a car.

Main Features

Every IELTS academic task 1 question asks us to ‘select and report the main features’.

This means that we have to not only pick the most significant information from the graph and include it in our essay, but also decide which information is not important and should therefore not be included in our essay. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in task 1 is including all the information you see.

So which information should you choose?

You should look for:

• highest/lowest values
• biggest differences
• similarities
• significant exceptions
• anything else that really stands out

There are 3 main features in this graph

1) It takes over 26 years for a Vietnamese person to buy a car.

2) Vietnam has the second highest average costs but the second lowest wages.

3) Cost of a car in Singapore is nearly 3 times the next most expensive.

I advise my students to follow a basic four paragraph structure for these kinds of questions.

Paragraph 1 

Paraphrase the question using synonyms.

Paragraph 2 

Provide an overview of the main features. No need to include any data in this paragraph, just tell the examiner what is happening in general terms. If you had to describe the main features in two sentences, what would you say?

Paragraph 3

This is where we get more specific and use data. Take 2 of the main features (from your overview) and describe them in detail using data from the chart.

Paragraph 4 

Simply do the same thing as you did in paragraph 3, but with two other main features (from your overview).

Sample Answer 

The graph compares the GDP per capita, cost of a Toyota Camry and approximate length of time it takes for 1 citizen to purchase that mode of transport in eight Asian countries.

Despite having the second lowest average yearly income, it costs more to buy this car in Vietnam than in all but one other Asian nation. It also takes significantly longer for a standard person to buy an automobile in Vietnam than in any other state in Asia. On the other end of the scale, Singaporeans have to pay nearly three times more for their cars than the Vietnamese and it takes them the least amount of time to afford a motor vehicle.

It costs $49,944 to buy a Toyota Camry in Vietnam, but this dwarfs the average yearly income per person at just $1,910. It would therefore take a normal man or woman 26.1 years to save up for that particular car.

This is in contrast to Singapore where it costs $126,245 for that model of motorcar, however the average salary is much greater at $55,182. This means that it generally takes just over 2 years for a typical individual from Singapore to acquire this vehicle.

(200 words) Band 9.

It should be noted that this is not a real IELTS task 1 question. This is just a chart that I saw on the internet, but it allowed me to make a very important point- you don’t have to mention everything on the graph. I only talked about 2 out of the 8 countries and I still wrote 200 words and answer the question fully. The key is finding the most significant data and not talking about anything else. Don’t worry, you won’t lose marks for not talking about everything, quite the opposite.

This graph is also good for demonstrating how important it is to vary your vocabulary. There were four words that could have been overused in this essay- car, average, country and people. Instead of repeating them over and over again I used synonyms to show the examiner I have a wide vocabulary and gain extra marks. Here are the synonyms:

Car- Toyota Camry- automobile- vehicle- motor vehicle- motorcar

Average- approximate- normal- typical- standard

Country- countries- nation- state

People- citizen- man or woman- individual

Next time you see a chart or graph in a newspaper, in a textbook or on the internet, think about what the main features are and what common words would you have to vary with synonyms.

I hope you have found these tips useful. If you have any questions, let me know below.

For more band 9 sample essays check out our task 1 sample essay page.

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I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

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How to score high on a bar graph question in writing task 1

The bar graph task 1 essay accounts for a third of your marks in the writing test so we recommend spending around 20 minutes on it, as this is a third of your time. There are a couple of different structures you can follow when describing an IELTS bar chart .

A strategy for bar graph questions

Essay structure, or how you organise your answer, is very important in academic writing. Today we will teach you a new method – a structure where you assign each sentence of your text to a topic – kind of the opposite of what you usually do when writing task 2 . It may look a little confusing, but this method really works! Just follow our lead for IELTS task 1.

Remember that bar chart and bar graph are synonyms and you can use the phrases interchangeably. Although each bar graph will be different, you are not required to be an expert on the information it shows, just to summarise the information, identify trends and make comparisons. Each bar graph IELTS question is different, so look at as many bar graph examples as you can and practice this strategy until you feel really confident.

How to choose information from the bar graph?

A bar graph sample question and answer.

Now that we have figured out what we want to write about in the description of the bar graph, it’s time to put our data selection skills to use and make comparisons where relevant. It is easy to get lost in all of the information provided by a bar chart as there can be so much data. That’s why it’s important to keep in mind what you are looking for when you are analyzing the chart.

Sample Answer Bar Graph Essay

Sample answer analysis.

In this essay, the introduction paragraph restates the writing prompt. It is not the overview paragraph, which can be either the first or the last paragraph. In this case, the overview appears at the end in which the writer states the overall trends of the bar graph. While the horizontal axis contains information relating to the question keywords, it’s important not to overlook the vertical axis and state clearly how the data is given (for example, is it as percentages, in kilos, or tonnes, or hours?) Make sure you have included this information in the first part of the essay.

Some notes on structure

Tips on describing a bar graph in ielts, bonus tips to score high on ielts bar graph questions.

Check out one of our free lessons here by clicking on the following link !

Video:  How to describe a bar graph

Frequently asked questions (faqs), how to describe bar graph in ielts task 1, how to write task 1 bar graph, how do you write a description of a bar graph, audio tutorial: how to describe a bar chart for the ielts exam, sample bar chart questions and model answers.

Take a look at these bar chart model answers to help you prepare

IELTS Bar Chart/Graph – Samples, Tips to Describe Bar Graphs

Updated On Mar 07, 2022

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Amidst all the other types of questions, you will also come across a question that will showcase a bar graph. Also known as a bar chart, the bar graph is evaluated similar to a line graph . Such a bar chart also comes with two axes, showing changes and diversifications over a given period of time. Furthermore, the bar graph has rectangular bars that could be either displayed vertically or horizontally, representing two or more values of data.

Types of IELTS Bar Graphs

When preparing for the IELTS exam , you would have to prepare for two different types of bar graphs: vertical and horizontal.

Vertical Bar Graph

Here is how a vertical bar graph looks like:

Horizontal Bar Graph

Here is how a horizontal bar graph looks like:

A Comprehensive Guide to Write IELTS Bar Chart Essay

If you wish to learn more about writing a high-scoring IELTS bar essay, here is a comprehensive process that will help you out.

Evaluating the Question

The first and foremost step is to evaluate and analyze the question. In the question, you will get a brief description of the bar chart along with instructions. Your job here will be to discover the central idea.

Assessing the Given Data

The next step is to assess the data that you have in the question. Find out whether it is dynamic or static. If it is dynamic data, it will show two or more time periods. If it is static data, it will show only one time period. For both these data types, you will have to use different languages to write the description.

Discovering Primary Features

Majorly, bar graph questions are meant to test your mathematical as well as language skills. Hence, you must know how to derive the primary features from the given data and write about it.

Describing a Bar Chart

Here is the complete format that should be used when describing a bar chart or a bar graph.

The Introduction

In the introduction paragraph, you would have to paraphrase the asked question. This can be done by using synonyms and paraphrased words and sentences. Also, ensure that this section is sounding natural.

The Overview

Usually, an overview forms the second paragraph of the essay. In this one, you would have to write down the main features. Also, you must discover available comparisons and talk about general trends occurring in the given data.

The First Body Paragraph

In the first body paragraph, you will have to give detailed information and explain the given data. Here, you must focus more on language instead of facts. Making relevant comparisons is always useful.

The Second Body Paragraph

This second body paragraph will have your explanation of the remaining features. It will be the same as the first body paragraph, but with different information.

Choosing the Information from the Bar Graph

As you would already know, a bar graph question requires a report of 150 words to be written. To help you out with an easier way, you can follow (but not stick to) the below-mentioned guidelines.

Tips to Write IELTS Bar Chart Essay

Jotted down below are some tips that will help you write a relevant, on-point IELTS bar chart essay

1. Is it difficult for you to match the word count?

Most of the time, people find it difficult to match the word count. Hence, they start using complicated words to unnecessarily extend the sentences. While using high-end vocabulary is a pro, writing sentences that are difficult to be understood is a con.

2. Be straightforward in your writing

When describing the bar graph, try not to complicate the description. Be straightforward and on-point.

3. Do you only practise with one type?

While practising, do you only try working on one type of chart or graph, or do you expand your horizons as well?

4. Practise as much as possible

While practising, work on varying bar charts or graphs so as to enhance your ability to explain whatever comes in the examination.

5. Are you always in a hurry for submission?

One of the common mistakes that people commit is not reviewing their answers before submission. This could lead to you missing out on errors and issues that can impact your marking.

6. Review your writings before submitting

Once written, double-check for grammatical errors . Review important details and superlatives to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Here are 10 bar graph IELTS practice test examples:

Also check :

• IELTS Writing tips
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet
• IELTS map vocabulary
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bar chart?

What is the structure of a bar graph?

What is the difference between introduction and overview? Can I skip the overview because I feel introduction is enough?

Can I have just one body paragraph where I give almost all the information?

What is the expected word count for describing a bar chart?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 1 based on report types

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Janet had been an IELTS Trainer before she dived into the field of Content Writing. During her days of being a Trainer, Janet had written essays and sample answers which got her students an 8+ band in the IELTS Test. Her contributions to our articles have been engaging and simple to help the students understand and grasp the information with ease. Janet, born and brought up in California, had no idea about the IELTS until she moved to study in Canada. Her peers leaned to her for help as her first language was English.

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IELTS Writing Task 1: How to Describe a Bar Chart

If you’re not sure where to start, that’s ok! In this piece, we’ll provide an overview of how to describe a typical IELTS Writing Task 1 bar chart. We also suggest taking a look at resources in this piece on useful words for writing an IELTS Graph Essay

Table of Contents

What will you see in an ielts writing task 1 bar diagram, how to write about an ielts writing task 1 bar chart, how to describe an ielts writing task 1 bar chart, a final word on describing ielts academic bar charts.

A bar chart uses either horizontal or vertical bars to show comparisons among two or more categories. The bar chart has two main features: an X-axis and a Y-axis. One axis of the chart shows the specific categories being compared, and the other axis of the graph shows a given value (usually a percentage or a dollar amount).

To effectively write about an IELTS Writing Task 1 bar chart, follow these tips.

1. Start by Reading the Title

First and foremost, you should read the title. Often, I have students report on the essay in an inverted order because they didn’t read the bar chart title.

For example, an IELTS Writing Task 1 bar chart that I give students has the chart title “Expected City Visits by Country of Origin for 2018.” Yet I often get sample sentences back that read: “It is predicted that people from France will be the most likely to visit the United States in 2018.” The correct answer should be “It is predicted that Americans will choose France as their favorite city to visit in 2018.”

2. Look at the Time Frame

Look at the given period of time covered in the chart. Are you looking at a specific year? Are there multiple years being compared? Are we talking about something in the future? This will determine your grammar and style to some extent. For example, whether you need to use past tense language, the language of change, or future tense language when discussing your data.

3. Decide What You Are Comparing

What titles are given to the Y- and X-axis? This important information will form the language that you will use in the essay and the corresponding synonyms you should also use.

For example, the bar chart above compares the gross earnings of fiction books in five categories (Young Adults, Classics, Mystery, Romance and Sci-Fi and Fantasy) between 2006 and 2010. (Incidentally, this sentence is exactly what you would say for your introduction!)

Now that you know what the IELTS Writing Task 1 bar chart is about, these are the vital elements to include in your essay:

• Start with an introduction. The introduction explains what the chart is about, and gives an overview of the main points. Make sure you include one! Your introduction can be short, but it must be there. If you’ve spent time examining the chart this should be easy to write.
• Look for the key data and make sure that you are comparing and contrasting the data, NOT just listing the data from one section to the next. If you just write about what happened to X, what happened to Y, and what happened to Z, without showing any relationship between them, you will not get a high score.

To do this, you will need to look for similarities and differences when you first analyze the chart and you will need to decide what can logically be put together or not. This means that you don’t have to describe everything that you see in the bar chart, just the key points!

For example, for the above chart, you might say: It is interesting to note that Romance novels earned the most income each year between 2006 and 2010 with sales ranging from $70,000 to $115,000. In contrast, Sci Fi and Fantasy novels were the poorest revenue generators of the five categories earning only $20,000 at its highest point in 2007 and a mere $10,000 at its lowest point in 2009.

• Group the data together so that you have a well-organized and coherent answer. It is a good idea to divide your answer into two or three paragraphs so it is well organized. To do this, you should group similar ideas together into paragraphs or sections. Cohesion and coherence are key!
• Use a wide variety of sentence structures. Include complex sentences and simple sentences.
• It is equally important to use appropriate transitions between describing each data point.
• Always provide a short summary conclusion of what you included in your essay. One line is enough here. For example, It can be seen from the chart that overall, 2007 was the best year for book sales in all five categories.
• Finally, make sure that your word count is 150.

Overall, describing a an IELTS academic bar chart is a pretty straightforward task on your exam. Remember that in order to write well about a bar chart, you’ll want to be very clear on the relationship being expressed in it, so be careful not to rush past this step.

That said, you won’t want to spend more than about 20 minutes on IELTS writing task 1, so save most of your time for essay writing.

We hope we answered all of your IELTS Writing Task 1 bar diagram and bar chart questions! For more advice, we recommend taking a look at this IELTS writing task 1 vocab guide .

Good luck on your IELTS writing test!

Eliot Friesen-Meyers is the Senior Curriculum Manager for Magoosh IELTS and TOEFL. He attended Goshen College (B.A.), New York University (M.A.), and Harvard University (M.T.S.), gaining experience and skills in curriculum development, ESOL instruction, online teaching and learning, and IELTS and TOEFL test prep education. Eliot’s teaching career started with Literacy Americorps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later, taught ESL programs at Northeastern University, University of California-Irvine, and Harold Washington College. Eliot was also a speaker at the 2019 TESOL International Conference . With over 10 years of experience, he understands the challenges students face and loves helping them overcome those challenges. Come join Eliot on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram . Recent blog posts Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 2

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3 responses to “IELTS Writing Task 1: How to Describe a Bar Chart”

Thank you so much for your units and sharing.

We’re so glad we can help! 🙂

The bar chat illustrates the total amount of earning in sales of fiction books(young adults,classics,mystery,romance,sci-fi and fantasy) between 2096 and 2010. Overall,the total amount of sales of earning in romance book has highest through out the give decades while sci-fi and fantasy books has lowest amount of sales. In 2097 romance book earings has raised more than 10000000 respectively and then decreased to 9ne third in 2008 about 70,000,00 whereas the last two decades 2009 and 2010 upsurge arround 79,999,99 and 35,000,00 while the total gross earnings in the mystery books in 2006 arround 60,000,00 and increased in 2006 arround 82,000,00 has highest constant more than 40,000,00 same in 2009. On other hand,the total amount earings in young adults and classic book in 2007 and 2009 remains same about 25,000,00 meanwhile in 2006 and 2019 young adults books gross earnings has highest about 15,000,00 and 14,000,00 classic downsurge arround 99,999,99 however from 2006 to 2019 sci-fi and fantasy books earings has lowest sales less than 20,000,00 approximately.

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IELTS bar chart writing task 1 overview and tips

1. introduction to ielts bar chart writing task 1.

Bar chart or Bar graph, in IELTS Writing Task 1, share several similar features with Line chart which has two axes (x-axe and y-axe). This feature helps people see how a trend has changed over time. On the other hand, instead of lines, IELTS Bar chart Writing Task 1 contains rectangular bars in horizontal or vertical orientation that illustrate the ratio of each category.

Being a visual representation of data using bars, bar graphs aim to simplify the data and show the difference between volumes and things of categories more easily. 

These are some examples for IELTS Bar chart Writing Task 1 :

2. Structure of IELTS Bar Chart Writing Task 1 

To write an IELTS Bar Chart Writing Task 1 , you need to get to know the structure to stick to. To be specific, there are four different parts:

2.1. Introduction

In this very first part, you need to take theses criteria into account: 

• Topic (e.g. frequency of eating at fast food restaurant)
• Place (e.g. the USA)
• Time period (e.g. 2003-2013)
• Unit of measurement (% of people)

Then, you have to paraphrase the information given in your own words in about one or two sentences.

e.g. The bar chart compares the proportion of Americans who had meals at fast food eateries in three separate years (2003, 2006 and 2013).

2.2. Overview

You need to look at the general trend of the graph as well as some highlighted features (highest, lowest, equal figures, etc.). This part should be also described in approximately 1 to 3 sentences.

e.g. Overall, most Americans went to fast food restaurants once a week, between 2003 and 2006, and once or twice a month in 2013. People eating fast food daily accounted for the lowest percentage in all three years.

As usual, you should separate this part into two different paragraphs that describe details of the bar chart. Each paragraph should consist of 3 to 4 sentences. 

You can refer to 2 ways to split up the body:

• Group comparison items together and divide into two paragraphs (e.g. paragraph 1 – increasing trend; paragraph 2 – fluctuating trend) 
• Each body paragraph describes the data of each category (e.g. country, males and females, city, etc.)

>>> Read more: IELTS writing task 1 line graph

3. Steps to write an IELTS Bar Chart Writing Tasks 1 essay effectively 

3.1. Step 1: Analyse the question 

When reading the question, identify these features and highlight or underline those:

• Brief description of the chart 

(e.g. The bar chart below shows the expenditure that people in two different countries spent on consumer goods in 2010 .)

• Type of the chart:

bar chart, line chart, table, pie chart, etc. dynamic or static chart

• Requirements: Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The task asks you to select and report main features, and compare those features. Remember that you do not need to list all the features, just pick out key features that are outstanding. Also, the word limit and time alloted should be noticed: you should spend 20 minutes to complete Task 1 with at least 150 words.

3.2. Step 2: Point out main features of the bar graph

You need to answer these questions:

• What information do both horizontal and vertical bars give?
• What is the period of time?
• What are the most outstanding features?
• Are there any similarities among categories?
• How to group the data? (for Body part)

Now, you’re about to begin your essay. 

3.3. Step 3: Write the essay

Remember that the structure includes 4 paragraphs:

• Paragraph 1: Introduction
• Paragraph 2: Overview
• Paragraph 3: 1st detailed features
• Paragraph 4: 2nd detailed features

3.4. Step 4: Re-check your essay

Make sure that you won’t lose any point for incorrect spellings or ungrammatical structures. So, don’t forget to double check your IELTS Bar Chart Writing Task 1 before moving to Task 2.

➡️➡️ See more: IELTS Writing Practice Test

4. IELTS Bar Chart Writing Tasks 1 Tips 

4.1. Making the most of transition words

Throughout the essay, you need to continuously use linking words to maintain the connection among ideas. Use those words properly, suitably and your score will be higher. 

Apart from some linking words like Next, Besides, In addition, etc., you should use other in-between linking words such as compared to, in comparison with, opposing, whereas, while, etc. 

4.2. Be careful with word and time limit

You will have a total of 60 minutes for the IELTS Writing test, so try to spend around 20 minutes for the IELTS Writing Task 1. Also, with the requirement of at least 150 words, you need to write the task with three parts (Introduction, Overview, and Body). 

4.3. Don’t express your point of view

IELTS Bar Chart Writing Task 1, as well as other types of Academic Writing Task 1, will be a task of describing or illustrating a graph, so there will be no personal opinions given on the task. 

4.4. Use proper vocabulary and grammar

A wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures will be an advantage for your IELTS Bar chart Writing Task 1 essay, which can boost your lexical score. To consult more vocabulary for IELTS Task 1, please visit this article IELTS Academic Writing Task 1   on our web.

IELTS Bar Chart Writing Task 1 will no longer be a barrier for you if you prepare enough for the test and practice as much as possible. With IELTS TEST PRO , you can refer to a variety of model samples and useful tips for you to deal with this type of chart in IELTS Writing Task 1.

How to Write IELTS Bar Chart Essay?-Step-By-Step Guide

An IELTS writing task 1 is about writing a report. As it is known that various Types of illustrations are asked in task one. So in this article, a detailed explanation of writing a bar chart essay will be discussed.

What is a Bar Chart?

A bar chart is a type of illustration in which the data is represented in the form of rectangular horizontal and vertical bars on the X-axis and Y-axis. One variable is shown on the X axis and another one is on Y-axis. The data can be of two or more components over some years or in some quantity etc.

How to Write a Bar Chart Essay?

There are particularly three stages in writing a bar chart:-

• Planning stage
• Writing stage
• Re-reading stage

Stage 1 ( Take 2 to 3 minutes)

Planning stage.

Two tasks have to be done in the planning stage. As we know, a report of 150 words is to be written in approximately a time period of 20 minutes and it should not take more than 20 minutes. The planning stage requires at least two to three minutes of planning. One work that has to be done in the planning stage is analyzing the question and the other work is to identify the main features .

• Analyzing the question -It means the question has to be read and it should be understood. Analyze the two components given which can be anything like years or sales, companies or sales, etc.

For example-

The graph below shows the percentage of part-time workers in each country of the United Kingdom in 1980 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

So here, in this question, two components are percentages and countries. The data is represented for two years. The green-colored bars are for 1980 and a blue one for 2010.

The percentage is of part-time workers. (Part-time workers can also be written as spare time workers)

• Identifying the key features- Key means important or regarding majors or minors of the graph. After reading and understanding the question, recognize the special characteristics of the components. For example- in the above graph

1. Wales had the highest count of part-time workers in both years.

2. The proportion of part-time workers in Scotland almost doubled over the time period of 3 decades.

3. The rate of working capital as part-time in the UK increased over the period except for the country of Northern Ireland.

Stage 2 (Take 15 to 16 minutes)

Writing stage.

The writing part is divided into paragraphs which are an introduction, overview, Body paragraphs 1 and 2.

• Introduction- The question is to be rewritten in starting of the report but in a rephrased manner using synonyms. It is highly required to write

Name of the illustration that is, a bar graph or bar chart

What it shows , is, the percentage of workers

Years that is, 1980 and 2010

• Overview-  The overview is a conclusion paragraph which can be after the introduction or at the end of the report. It should include one key feature of the whole report. For example- in the above graph, Wales had the highest count of part-time workers in both years.

The rate of working capital as part-time in the UK increased over the period except for the country of Northern Ireland.

• Body paragraphs 1 and 2- These paragraphs from the body of the report. Each and every figure is needed to be presented here along with the mentioned years and countries. All the identified key features are to be explained here, depending upon the need of the paragraphs. It can be one or two but not more than two.

1. Remember that it is not essential to write about each and every bar. You can just write it by mentioning the key features only.

2. Don’t forget to mention the percentages which is an important variable of the graph here.

3. Take care of the years mentioned and write the correct one against the correct country name.

Final Sample Answer of Above Example

The bar chart shows the percentage of people who have part-time jobs in the countries of the United Kingdom, both in 1980 and in 2010.

Overall, The rate of working capital as part-time in the UK increased over the period except for the country of Northern Ireland.

In 1980, 25% of people in England worked part-time. The only country with a greater percentage of part-time workers was Wales, with around 33% working part-time. Both countries saw an increase in the percentage of people working part-time in 2010. In England, the percentage rose to over 30%, and in Wales, the percentage rose to just over 35%.

Scotland had the smallest percentage of part-time workers in 1980, with just over ten percent. However, this rose to almost 20% in 2010 which is a large increase. Lastly, Northern Ireland was the only country that had a decreasing percentage of part-time workers. In 1980, it had around 15% of people in part-time work. This decreased by a couple of percent in 2010.

Stage 3 (Take 2 minutes)

Rereading stage.

The proof Reading stage is a very crucial stage and it should take two minutes at least after your writing. In this stage, you have to read and take out the mistakes if any, about what you have written above.

• Take out any of the mistakes In grammar parts or spelling.
• Take out the mistake of tenses if any verb is written in the wrong tense.
• Ensure that all the key features have been responded to and the task is complete.
• Check out the word limit also which is 150 words.

So in the above discussion, it is clear that identification of the key features is very important here. Once you have identified what you have to write, it makes it easier for you to write. The writing of the overview part and the body paragraphs get simpler after this recognition of the important key features. Following are some example questions in which the key features are mentioned for your reference.

The chart shows components of GDP in the UK from 1992 to 2000.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.

Key features

• Overall, the GDP rate of the service industry Escalated throughout the time whereas it showed fluctuations for the IT industry..
• The GDP rate from the IT industry had always been more than the GDP rate of the service industry.
• The GDP contribution of the IT industry escalated at a higher rate than an increase in the GDP rates of the service industry.
• Both the industries showed a peak GDP rate in the year 2000.

The graph gives information about the age of the population of Iceland between 1990 and 2020.

• The percentage of the young population aged 25 to 54 is highest And increasing in all the years.
• The population aged 0 to 24 had Declined over the period of three decades.
• The middle-aged population of Iceland has remained constant in all the years, that is, approximately 10% to 13%.

The chart below shows the proportion of male and female students studying six art-related subjects at a UK university in 2011.

• Interest in the subject of English language and literature was highest among both genders in the year 2011.
• The least   count of Females had opted for philosophy subject whereas, among males, history and archaeology subject was least likable.
• A high difference in the count of boys and girls can be seen in philosophy subject.
• Approximately the same count of men and women opted for communication and media subjects.

The chart below gives the distribution of worldwide car sharing schemes (%) in 2008 and 2016.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where necessary.

Here, for different years, two different Body paragraphs can be formed.

• The highest percentage of Europeans opted for the worldwide car-sharing scheme in the year 2008 whereas South Americans showed the least interest which was almost negligible.
• After a period of 8 years, North America had the highest count of people opting for a worldwide car-sharing scheme.
• But the situation was constant in the case of South America which had the least percentage of car sharers in 2016 too.

I hope the above article brings the clarity of identification of the key features in detail and it makes you feel confident of writing bar graph in an appropriate manner.

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Pie Chart and Bar Chart for IELTS Writing Task 1

It is possible to be given two charts together in IELTS writing task 1. Below you will see two pie charts followed by a bar chart. This exercise will focus on how to structure your report and how to highlight the key features of both charts in one overview.

The charts below show the males and females arrested over 5 years and the reasons for the most recent arrests.

Source: The above charts were not created by IELTS Liz.

Two Charts: Structure and Overview

Answer the questions below in order to decide your paragraphing for your task 1 report.

• Will you put the introduction separately?
• Will you have an overview or conclusion?
• How many body paragraphs will you have?
• What order will you put your paragraphs in?
• Will your body paragraphs be equal lengths?
• Yes, the introduction should go in a separate paragraph.
• You must have an overview not a conclusion. The overview can go after the introduction.
• You should have 4 paragraphs in total.
• You should have an introduction, an overview, one body paragraph for the pie chart detail and one body paragraph for the bar chart detail.
• The body paragraph with pie chart detail will be shorter than the body paragraph with details about the bar chart

Recommended

• Pie chart lesson in easy steps – a complete report, click here
• Bar chart model: Band 9
• Pie Chart Model: Band 9
• How to Describe a Bar Chart: Essential Tips Video Tutorial

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The pie chart illustrates the percentage of people arrested in a period of five years ending in 1994. The bar chart elucidates the causes for which people were taken into custody.

Overall, males were arrested in greater proportion than females and majority of arrests were made due to public drinking for both genders whereas a small number of arrests were made for which there was no answer given by the officials.

The majority of women (more than 35%) were arrested for public drinking. This figure dropped to close to 20% for crimes of assault and offences committed for other reasons .The figure dropped further as much as close to 15 % for drunk driving and a stable downward trend continues against offences committed in terms of breach of order and theft ( about 12%), finally plunging to as low as just above 5% for arrests for which no answer was given.

Like wise, majority of males (just above 30%) were also taken into custody for public drinking as opposed to just above 25% for drunk driving.Close to 20% were arrested for breaching the order and for other reasons and the figure slightly dipped (about 16%) for crimes of assault and theft. Lastly, the number hit the lowest to as low as nearly 4% for arrests made for which no answer was given.

Two charts explain the percentage of people who arrested and the reasons behind it from the years 1989 to 1994. Overall, there were 25% of males and 9% of females arrested in the specified time. whereas, the public drinking was the major reason of arresting, inmates were not provided answers contributed to only few percentages. In 1994, the reasons why prisoners have arrested were investigated. It was six reasons beside one category with no answers, starting from driving while drinking with 14% for females and 26% for males, public drinking constituted 31% of males and 37% females, breach of order included 18% males and 12% females, assault prisoners were 17% males and 19% females, robbery category was 16% males and 13% females, the bar with other reasons showed 19% males and 18% females, and finally, prisoners who were not answers compromised minimum percentage with 4% males and 7% females.

The pie charts and bar chart illustrate why people were mostly detained according to gender between 1989 and 1994. Information is divided into seven reasons in the bar chart and by gender in the pie charts. The unit was measured in percentage. Overall, significant percentage of arrested men was more than that of women over five years finishing in 1994. Public drinking was the majority of arrest while no answer was insignificant minority for both genders. Due to the charts, women were arrested significantly intern of public drinking around 60%, assault nearly 20% and no answer well over 5% compared with the figures for drink driving over 25%, breach of order around 18%, theft over 15% and other reason nearly 20% were the most recent of arrested men. As can be seen in the pie charts, nearly one-third of males were arrested as opposed to a tiny portion of females over five years.

The charts provide information on females and males arrested and their causes of incarceration. This was evaluated over a period of five years, coming to an end in 1994, in terms of percentage.

The pie charts demonstrate a noticeable difference between the arrests among both genres. Women make up the smallest percentage, while men make up the majority. According to the bar graph, the reasons for their arrests were divided into seven categories, with public driving being the most common.

Taking a deeper look at the pie charts, the number of men arrested is nearly four times the percentage of women. Furthermore, despite the fact that two-thirds of the male population was not incarcerated, females outnumbered them by more than 90 percent.

In contrast, the bar graph reveals that for women, public drinking is the major reason for their arrest, having the greatest percentage over both populations, 37 percent approximately. For men, that answer is the most popular too, but in a smaller number, about 30 percent. The other situations have a similar range among them, with the “no answer” option having the smallest percentage of 4 and 5 for males and females, respectively. 

The pie chart below illustrates the percentage of women and men captured over five years. The bar chart shows seven different reasons for the new captures. (Measured in percentage)

Overall, the masculine genre was more arrested than the women. Moreover, the principal argument was drunk in public areas for both genres. But just a few people did not answer about the reason for the crime.

First, most people caught committing a crime were men, 32% of criminals. In comparison with the female genre, just 9%. On the other hand, in both genres, more than 50% were not arrested.

Turning to the reasons for the most recent arrests. Man and women have the same result in the assault with a difference of 3% approximately. The same with the category of other reasons, both genres have a similar percentage, over 15%, being the male, the genre with the worst behavior, having a significant portion in each argument.

The pie charts show the number of men and women arrested during the last 5 years until 1994. The bar graph provides detailed information of reasons (public drinking, assault, drinking driving, breach order, theft, other reasons, and no answer) for their arrests. Overall, the number of arrested men was higher as compared to women during the given period. Drinking in public was the major reason for arrests while not answering was the least for both genders. The total percentage of people arrested was 41% which comprised 32% of men and 9% of women. The utmost reason for being legally detained was due to public drinking with nearly 38% for females and around 30% for males. A similar trend is evident for assault cases which recorded to almost 20% for ladies and around 17% for gents. Drinking while driving was the highest reason why men were arrested than women (about 26% and 14 % respectively). The reason for not providing an answer was the smallest percentage with only around 7% for ladies and just 4% for gents. The breach of order, theft, and other reasons were logged higher by men than women with percentile differences of approximately 1%, 3% and 6% respectively.

Hi Liz, Greetings.. you are a great teacher i have learnt so much from your website… but i am bit confused regarding use of bracket in writing task 1 to explain data likewise electricity generated from thermal was higher(27%) than renewals(10%). I am going to give exam on 1st june please clear my doubt… and kindly wish me gud luck its my ist attempt in IELTS

It’s fine to use brackets in your writing task 1 report. But don’t over use them. Make sure you use a range of grammar structures and language. Lots of luck!! See this page for all writing task 1 tips: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

First, I would like to thank you very much for this great effort you are putting here. The content id definitely helpful for everyone who would like to improve their scores in the IELTS test. I have written my response to the above chart and would appreciate your feedback:

The pie chart illustrates the percentage of males and females who were arrested from 1989 to 1994 while the bar graph gives more information about the reasons for their arrests, breaking it down into seven different categories.

Overall, the proportion of males who were arrested over five years was significantly higher than that of their females’ counterpart. The biggest reason behind males and females’ arrest was drinking in public as opposed to having no answer for an arrest which accounted for the least percentage.

Total percentage of people arrested was 41% with males representing 32% and just 9% for females. In terms of males, drinking in public scored the highest reason for arrest at just above 30% as opposed to the people who chose not to answer which was the lowest at approximately 4%. The second highest reason for male arrests was drinking driving at slightly over 25% while the remaining reasons had almost similar proportions scoring an average of about 17%.

Similarly, the most popular reason for females’ arrest was public drinking which reached a peak of just over 30%, accounting for six folds of no answer (just below 5%). Apart from that, drink driving, breach of order and theft consistently accumulated almost the same percentage of about 13%. Furthermore, reasons for people who were convicted for assault and other reasons showed an average rate of just below 20%.

Please check it for me. The charts provide the information regarding the proportion of arrests made by police over the five year period(1990-1994), and illustrate the causes of their latest arrests in terms of percentage.

Overall, majority of the males was involved in committing crimes as opposed to a small proportion of women. The drinking at public places was the most recent cause of the arrests of both genders. In contrast, few individuals were captured due to giving no response.

In regard to pie chart, it is conspicuous that about one-third of males had arrested as compared to only 9% of females over the five year period finished in 1994 according to the given data.

Turning towards bar chart, it is explicitly viewed that about two-fifth of women caught recently due to public drinking as opposed to around one third males arrested due to the same cause. Females dominated in assaulting cases and giving no answers with around 5% higher figure than their male counterparts. Males were showing two fold increase in arrests due to drink driving than females according to recent report. While, break of order and theft cases were demonstrated the same trends around 17%males’ and 13%female’s arrests. The arrests for no reason equally popular among both genders(well below than 20%).

HI LIZ, Atfirst I want to tell you one thing ,thank you for being such an amazing person. I am sure if there were a nobel prize for best teacher, you would get it! Another fantastic lesson, congrats for your great job. Please share with us more essay topics. I am about to book my exam slot @march. Need your help more. Essay on summer vacation is it important or not ? like a positive aspect of spend time n summer time and side by side drawback also.

Hi, It seems to me that it could be a good idea to construct 3 body paragraphs for this particular task (a, to comment about pie chart; b, to comment about crimes which lead to female arrest more frequently; c, for males ones). Could you comment if my reasoning is corect? Thanks a lot Cezar

A bar chart usually requires comparing. If you put males and females in separate paragraphs, you won’t be able to compare them.

Please, for this particular question, I wrote up to 211 words. Is it wrong to write above 150 words?

You should aim for between 160 and 180 words in task 1 – on the whole.

hi liz….i have got an exam on jan 9….this site is helping too much for me

to be true with you…..i have been love with you although i am younger than you..looking your videos on youtube

love you lizz

I’m glad my blog is useful 🙂 Good luck!

hlo mam m having exam on 16 july . I am having problem in managing task 1 length , i often exceed the give limit . plz suggest me how to ellaborate all the data given without increasing length, moreover give me some reading tips too. thanku

You are supposed to select information, not just relate it all. Start learning how your writing is marked: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-band-scores/

Hi Liz, I was confused in the sentence “The majority of arrests were due to…”. I wonder if there is “were” or “was” here? Would you please help me? Thank you in advance

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Hi Tuan, After “the majority……” verb could be either singular or plural. It only depends on the context. Here It has to be plural according to context. Hope you got the answer ! For more information please search internet…

Difficult to write about all the reasons for recent arrest in the body paragraph, so is it ok to write about only the major reasons?

It stead of missing out categories, try grouping them together. Liz

Hi Liz, I would like to know if it is fine to describe some features that I did not put in the overview?

For example, I observed that there was a significant percentage difference in the reason of drunk driving between males and females. It I didn’t mention it in my overview, can I add this point later paragraphs?

When you choose your key features, you also consider the length of your report. This has both pie charts and a bar chart. So, best to choose about one key feature from each and then start the body paragraphs. Try adding your sentence and then count the number of words. It might be lengthy and time consuming – remember you only have 20 mins for this. All the best Liz

Hi Liz, does this overview get good band or not?

Overall, the percentage of males was considerably higher than that of females. Most number of males and females ended up in the prison for public drinking whereas the least percentage was shown for no reason in both gender.

also i am confused between the use of ” than ” and ” than that of” in comparison.

Sorry I don’t mark writing. You can use both “than” or “than that of”. Liz

Maam, I wrote about 200 words in task 1 and it was comparison chart (pie charts and table)So,Please tell me would this thing affect my band score??

If your overview contained key features and your body paragraphs contained obvious details, then it should be ok. Some charts contain a lot of information and it is possible to write around 200 words. But it depends on the charts you get and how you write. Without seeing your writing and the charts, I can’t comment exactly. All the best liz

I love your site, I’m a frequent visitor. I was wondering if in this case would it be a good idea to add to the overview the sentence: “The biggest difference between female and male arrest was in drink driving. ” ? Thank you for your answer.

It is often good to add the main difference in the overview. But it depends on how much detail there is to write in the body paragraphs. Here you can see we have both a pie chart and a bar chart to describe. That means we need to limit the length of the overview or the report will get too long. But it is your choice. All the best Liz

i want ask you how I can improve my writing skill because I always get just 4 score Can you tell me please?? Because my exam in the next Saturday

With only a few days left, I recommend you look at my model essays and pay attention to structure, content of paragraphs and linking devices. However, to get more than 4, you will need to be able to produce more accurate English. More errors = lower score. All the best Liz

Hi Liz , Excuse me mum ,, in which time are you gonna read candidates` work ? ,, is there any particular appointment or when you are free ?? Thanks Regards,

Sorry, but at present I do not have time to offer any free marking. All the best Liz

Dear Liz , kindly , can you read my introduction and overview ? . and could you please evaluate them .. The pie chart depicts some information about the numbers of people from both genders who were arrested in five years , by the end of 1994 , while the bar chart illustrates seven features for why they were taken down.

Overall, men who had been arrested, exceed more than women in the same five years .However, the most popular cause for that detention , was the general drinking for males and females, whereas no reason was given for the minimal numbers of arrests.

Please read my notice: https://ieltsliz.com/posting-writing/ Liz

Hello Liz, Thank you for everything you did and you do In task 1, if have for example pie chart and bar chart should i write an introduction for each ,then i start the body paragraph with the keys features for the both of them.

You introduce both in the introduction. You write the key features for both in your overview. Then you describe each in separate body paragraphs.

Hi Liz, I wanna ask if we can put percentages or any information like numbers or years in the overview ? or it must be only in the body paragraphs ??! Thanks,

The overview is just a description of the key features without details of numbers. Unless, you have totals to give, for example in a table. All details usually go in the body paragraphs. All the best Liz

okay Thanks ,you are the best teacher 🙂

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IELTS Academic Table Chart Guide

• Task 1 Guide
• Table & Bar
• Bar & Pie
• Table & Pie
• Compare Contrast
• Identifying Trends

This guide will help you to prepare to answer table questions in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 part of the exam. Read on for example questions, tips, sample answers and much more!

Table of Contents

1.1 objective, 1.2 skills used, 2.1 tables with one year.

• 2.2 Tables with Multiple Years

3.1 Introduction

3.2 overview, 3.3 main body paragraphs.

• IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors Explained

5.1 Comparative Language

6.1 comparative structures, 7.1 sample answer commentary.

• Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Quiz- Check Your Understanding

2. IELTS Table Overview

One type of IELTS writing task 1 is a table that presents information in columns and rows.

You may be given one table, two tables, or a combination question ( see our guides on combination questions with tables and pie and bar charts ).

You need to produce a formal report that summarises the key information given in the table(s). Your IELTS report should be factual (do not include your opinion) and you must write at least 150 words . You may need to compare data from different periods of time, only one given year, or there may be no date provided.

This IELTS writing task is testing your ability to select and summarise key information from a table and make comparisons between categories. You must also show that you understand the difference between a formal report (IELTS writing task 1) and an essay (writing task 2). To do this, your report should:

• Not include the first person ‘I’ at any point (e.g. write ‘ The graph shows …’ not ‘I think the graph shows’)
• Not use contractions (e.g. use ‘ It is …’ not ‘it’s)

IELTS External links

Also, read the following IELTS Report Writing Guides

• IELTS Bar Chart
• Line Graph IELTS
• Pie Chart for IELTS
• IELTS Academic Table
• IELTS Academic Process Diagram
• Maps for IELTS
• Combined - Table and Bar Chart
• Combined - Bar Chart and Pie Chart
• Combined - Table and Pie Chart
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Guide

2. IELTS Task 1 Table Questions

Here is an example of what a typical table might look like:

2.2 Tables With Multiple Years

Here is a table where you are given data to compare from the past and present:

Reasons for adults attending the theatre (in %) in London

3. Structure for IELTS Table Questions

The first paragraph of your report for an IELTS writing task 1 table should paraphrase (rewrite in your own words) the given statement. The IELTS statement is usually given above the table and will give you a brief description of the data shown.

Here are some ways you could start your report :

• The table shows…
• The table gives details about…
• The table provides information about…
• The table summarises information about…
• The table compares…

Paraphrasing means writing something into your own words and maintaining the same meaning. You can do this by using synonyms , similar phrases , changing the word order of the sentence in some way (such as changing the active to the passive voice) or changing the word class of words (e.g. changing a noun to a verb form).

See this example of a paraphrased statement:

Original statement: The table below shows the figures for genres of TV programmes watched on a streaming service by country in millions.

Paraphrased statement: The table compares four countries in terms of the number of people, in millions,  who watched four different genres of television programmes (comedy, horror, documentary, and true crime) on a streaming service.

Main changes :

• ‘The table below…’ becomes the table ‘ The table compares …’
• ‘…the figures for genres of TV programmes’ becomes ‘ four different genres of television programmes ’
• Brackets are used to give the specific television genres. Note- do not put a very long list within brackets, and do not over use brackets in your report.
• …in millions…’ becomes ‘… people, in millions ,…’

With all IELTS writing task 1 reports, you must always include an overview paragraph after your introduction. Your overview should provide the general trends shown in the table without going into detail.

Here are some things to consider when writing an overview for tables :

• Start your overview with ‘ Overall …’ to make it easy for the examiner to locate your overview paragraph. Other possible words / phrases are:
• In summary ,…
• Broadly, it can be seen that ..
• To summarise ,…
• Mention each category in the table but do not describe all the data for each category (e.g. if four countries are mentioned you should write something about all four countries, but not all the figures related to each one)
• Try to group the data in some way using your general knowledge e.g. group sweet and savoury food
• Look for the key features of the table (the highest/lowest/ most significant figures)

Your main body paragraphs are where you go into detail about the features mentioned in your overview.

You should consider the following points :

• Decide if you need to use language to compare and contrast, or language to describe changes over time
• You can describe the average of a range of data
• Do not try and describe all the data given in the table(s)
• Vary your sentence structures (use a range of simple and complex sentences)
• If you are given dates, make sure to use a range of correct tense
• Use linking phrases
• Use a range of comparative language to compare date on the table (see Vocabulary for IELTS Tables )
• Organise your body paragraphs according to the categories you used in your overview
• Leave a line between each paragraph to make your report structure clear for the examiner

4. IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors Explained

Our section on IELTS Writing Band descriptors   for IELTS writing Task 1 explains how to succeed in: Task achievement , Coherence and Cohesion , Lexical Range and Accuracy , and Grammatical Range and Accuracy .

5. Vocabulary for IELTS Tables

Here are some useful phrases to use when comparing data from a table:

Examples: Spanish was far more popular for men than women.

Twice as many women as men chose to study Welsh.

A considerably higher number of men than women chose to study Arabic.

The number of women who studied French was slightly higher than that of men.

Far more men than women studied French.

Japanese was equally popular for women and men.

6. Grammar for IELTS Writing Task 1 Table

Form X is as _____ as Y X is not as _____ as Y

Examples: A one-bedroom flat is as expensive in the UK as in the USA, at £700 and £720 per month. A woman’s haircut in the USA is not as expensive as in the UK, at £35 and £45. A burger from a UK restaurant is not as expensive as a burger in the USA, at £1.20 and £2.00.

Other useful structures

• X is 50% the price of Y
• X is double the price of Y
• X is the same price as Y
• X is much less expensive than …
• X is slightly less expensive than …
• X is not quite as expensive as …
• X is twice/ three times cheaper than Y

7. IELTS Writing Task 1 Table Sample Answer

The table shows a breakdown of the most popular languages taken by native English speakers studying at the UK Centre for Foreign Language Learning in 2020.

Summarise the charts by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The table highlights information about the percentage of English native speaking women and men that studied one of nine foreign languages at a foreign language school in the UK in 2020.

Overall , what stands out from the table is that Arabic was the most popular language for men, while Mandarin was more popular than other languages for women. Another interesting point is that the biggest difference in percentage between genders related to Mandarin.

In detail , if we look at Welsh, it was twice as popular with men than with women, at 8% and 4% respectively. Similarly, German was two times as popular for men with 14% as opposed to women at 7%. The largest difference in language studies for men and women was Mandarin, at  14% and 27%.

Conversely , Spanish was as popular with women as with men at 19% for both genres. Likewise, there was a slight difference in the number of men (9%) and women (10%) studying Japanese. Finally , Italian, this was the least popular language for women coming in at only 3% followed closely by men at 5%.

The report above would receive an estimated 9.0 overall in the IELTS writing task 1 Academic paper.

It has been organised into four logical paragraphs that are clearly divided into an introduction, overview, and two separate body paragraphs.

The overview paragraph has been clearly signposted using ‘overall’ and the key features introduced with the phrase ‘what stands out from the table’. Only the key features have been stated and the writer has not gone into detail. The superlative ‘the most popular language’ has been used to rank the information. A range of other comparative language has been used successfully, such as ‘the most popular’, ‘more popular than’, ‘the biggest difference’, ‘two times as popular’ and ‘twice as popular’.

A range of linking devices have been used successfully such as ‘conversely’, ‘similarly’, and ‘finally’.

Further details have been given in the main body paragraphs using comparative structures ’ e.g. ‘Spanish was as popular with women as with men’.

8. Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

8.1 problem 1.

Problem 1 Difficulty locating the key features of the table.

Solution 1 IELTS Candidates often struggle with identifying the key features of a table as it might not be as clear as a graph or chart. One solution is to look for the highest and lowest numbers on your table and ask yourself:

• What are the largest numbers?
• What are the smallest numbers?
• Which numbers show the biggest difference?
• Which numbers are similar?

The answers to these questions will help you to identify the key features of the table.

8.2 Problem 2

Problem 2 Only writing about one table when more than one are given

Solution 2 If you are given more than one table, then you need to summarise data from each table to do well in the task achievement’ marking component. Remember, you do not need to write about every single detail, only the main trends.

9. Quiz- Check Your Understanding

Take this short quiz to test your understanding of writing task 1 and tables:

• Graphs/charts Answer: A. Graphs/charts Exp × A lot of the comparative language you will need for a table can also be used when summarising charts and graphs.
• Process diagram

Explanation: Some tables will have dates ranging from the past to the present and future.

Explanation: You may also be given two tables.

Explanation: Grouping your data into logical categories is useful to create coherence in your report, for example, grouping healthy and unhealthy foods together.

• A considerably higher number of men than women chose to study Arabic. Answer: A.
• A considerable higher number of men than women chose to study Arabic.
• Far more men women studied French.
• Far more men than women studied French. Answer:B.
• A one-bedroom flat is as expensive in the UK as in the USA, at £700 and £720 per month respectively. Answer: A. This sentence refers to detailed figures from the table.
• A one-bedroom flat is as expensive in the UK as in the USA.
• A burger from a UK restaurant is not expensive as a burger in the USA, at £1.20 and £2.00.
• A burger from a UK restaurant is not as expensive as a burger in the USA, at £1.20 and £2.00. Answer: B. This sentence uses the structure …not as expensive as….
• Bread was double the price of tea in 2020. Answer: A. ‘double the price of’ is a comparative structure
• The cost of bread was high in England in 2020.
• England had the highest price of break in 2020. Answer: A. ‘the highest…’ is an example of a superlative
• Bread was very expensive in England in 2020 at £2.30 per loaf.

3 thoughts on “IELTS Academic Table Chart Guide”

There is an error in answers of 9th and 10th question. It is being impossible to select the answer for 10th question, if you already choose the answer for 9th one. It will be great, if the problem is fixed.

fixed, thanks.

Hello, Thank you for the great article. I just want to point out that the following sentence in TASK 1 sample answer seems incomplete; fragment.

“Another interesting point is that the biggest difference in percentage between genders related to Mandarin.”

Can you account for it please as I am not sure how to fix it?

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How To Write an IELTS Multiple Graph Essay

IELTS multiple graph questions are quite common in the Academic Task 1 Writing test. Students often panic when they see these as they are worried about having to interpret two different types of data.

However, as long as you’ve learnt how to write essays on each type of graph, you will have no problem with multiple graphs questions.

A question could include any combination of the following:

• Table Chart

You'll find lessons on each of them via the links above or in the menu at the bottom of this page.

The process for planning and writing IELTS multiple graph essays is the same as for any other Academic Task 1 essay.

Here is the 5 steps process I recommend that you use:

1)  Analyse the question

2)  Identify the main features

3)  Write an introduction

4)  Write an overview

5)  Write the details paragraphs

I’m going to take you through the whole process step-by-step as we work on a practice question.

Before we begin, here’s a model essay structure that you can use as a guideline for all IELTS Academic Task 1 questions.

Ideally, your essay should have 4 paragraphs:

Paragraph 1  – Introduction

Paragraph 2  – Overview

Paragraph 3  – Details of 1 st graph or chart

Paragraph 4  – Details of 2 nd graph or chart

Now that we have all these tools we need, we’re ready to begin planning and writing our IELTS multiple graph essay.

Here’s our practice question, which includes a pie chart and a table:

The pie chart shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive. The table shows how these causes affected three regions of the world during the 1990s.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Source: IELTS past paper

Step 1 –  Analyse the question

The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same, with the instruction sentence (highlighted below) identical in every question. Here is our practice question again.

Every question consists of:

• Sentence 1 – A brief description of the graphic
• Sentence 2 – The instructions
• The graphic – chart, graph, table, etc.

Sentence 2 tells you what you have to do.

You must do 3 things:

1.     Select the main features.

2.     Write about the main features.

3.     Compare the main features.

All three tasks refer to the ‘ main features ’ of the graphic. You  do not  have to write about everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty to write about.

Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

The graphics in IELTS multiple graph questions should not be difficult to interpret. Each question has been created to  test your language skills, not your mathematics ability.

All you are looking for are the main features. These will usually be the easiest things to spot. In most Task 1 questions, you will be looking for two main features in one graph, chart or table. In multiple graph questions, look for one main feature in each graphic.

There will be lots of information in the graphics to help you identify them.

Here are some useful questions to ask? The first question relates specifically to bar charts and line graphs but the rest apply to all graph and chart types.

• What information do the 2 axes give?
• What are the units of measurements?
• What are the time periods?
• What can you learn from the title and any labels?
• What is the most obvious trend?
• Are there any notable similarities?

(I give more detail on how to use these questions, plus downloadable checklists for identifying the main features of all 7 different types of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions, in the lesson on  How To Understand & Analyse Task 1 Questions .)

So,  what main feature stands out in each of the graphics in our practice question? Here are the pie chart and table again.

The main features are:

Pie chart:  The biggest cause of land degradation worldwide is over-grazing.

Table:  Europe had the highest percentage of degraded land.

We’re now ready to begin writing our essay. Here’s a reminder of the 4 part structure we’re going to use.

Step 3 – Write an Introduction 

In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a different way. You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure. For example:

Introduction (Paragraph 1): 

The pie chart illustrates the primary causes of land deterioration across the globe while the table outlines how three different regions were affected by these damaging factors in the 1990s.

This is all you need to do for the introduction.

Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you have identified, giving only general information. The detail comes later in the essay. However, with just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1, and a requirement of only 150 words, you won't be able to include many details.

Here are the features we picked out above.

Now form these ideas into two or three sentences with a total of around 40 words. State the information simply using synonyms where possible. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.

For example:

Overview  (Paragraph 2): 

It is clear from the pie chart that the main reason why farmland becomes less productive is over-grazing. The data in the table reveals that Europe had the highest percentage of degraded land compared to North America and Oceania for the period recorded.

Step 5  – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Paragraphs  3 and 4 of your IELTS multiple graph essay are where you include more detailed information about the data in the graphics. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first key feature.

Here it is again:

And this is an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 3 :

The pie chart presents two additional key reasons for the decrease in the productivity of agricultural land. These are deforestation and over-cultivation. Although tree clearance is almost as damaging as grazing too many animals, at 30%, it has a 5% lower impact than over-grazing. Excessive cultivation is the least problematic at just over a quarter of the total.

Step 6  – Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your second key feature. 

Here’s an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 4 :

According to the table, 23% of Europe’s agricultural land was affected by these damaging practices. This was almost double the percentage in Oceania, the next most affected region. North America experienced by far the lowest level of productivity loss with a figure of just 5% of its total agricultural land.

Here are the four paragraphs brought together to create our finished essay.

Finished IELTS Multiple Graph Essay

This  sample essay is over the minimum word limit so you can see that you don’t have space to include very much detail at all. That’s why it is essential to select just a couple of main features to write about.

Now use what you’ve learnt in this lesson to practice answering other IELTS multiple graph questions. Start slowly at first and keep practicing until you can plan and write a complete essay in around 20 minutes.

Want  to watch and listen to this lesson on how to write an IELTS Multiple Graph essay?

Click on this video.

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Ielts academic writing task 1 – all lessons.

IELTS Academic Writing  –  A summary of the test including important facts, test format & assessment.

Academic Writing Task 1  – The format, the 7 question types & sample questions, assessment & marking criteria.  All the key information you need to know.

Understanding Task 1 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 1 Essay  –  Discover  3 reasons why you must plan, the 4 simple steps of essay planning and learn a simple 4 part essay structure.

Vocabulary for Task 1 Essays  –  Learn key vocabulary for a high-scoring essay. Word lists & a downloadable PDF.

Grammar for Task 1 Essays   – Essential grammar for Task 1 Academic essays including, verb tenses, key sentence structures, articles & prepositions.

The 7 Question Types:

Click the links below for a step-by-step lesson on each type of Task 1 question.

• Process Diagram
• Multiple Graphs
• IELTS Writing
• IELTS Multiple Graph
• Back To Top

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Describing graphs, charts, diagrams and tables for band 9 in IELTS writing + Best structures and useful vocabulary

The ability to describe graphs, charts, diagrams, and tables is crucial for achieving a high score on the IELTS writing test. This skill demonstrates your proficiency in English and ability to analyze and communicate complex information clearly. This article provides a comprehensive guide on excelling in describing various types of graphs, charts, diagrams, and tables in IELTS writing.

Understanding the nuances of different types of visual data is the first step toward mastering their description. Each type of graph or chart presents unique challenges and opportunities for analysis. Here’s how to approach each one:

Line Graphs

Line graphs depict data points over time, illustrating trends, growth rates, declines, and periodic fluctuations. They can feature single or multiple lines to allow comparisons between different datasets over identical time periods, making them invaluable for showing changes and trends.

Answering Strategies

To excel in describing line graphs, consider the following strategies:

• Start with paraphrasing the information provided by the line graph in your introduction. This involves rewording the graph’s title and any accompanying descriptions to introduce the topic without directly copying the text.
• Include essential axis information in your introduction if necessary, such as the categories being compared (e.g., years, quantities) and the units of measurement. This sets a clear context for your analysis.
• The overview or overall statement is crucial. It should summarize the main trends observed in the graph, including any significant changes or patterns. This part is considered the most important statement in your IELTS Writing Task 1, as it provides a snapshot of your analytical abilities.
• Ensure that each sentence in your body paragraphs is supported by specific numbers and dates from the graph. This factual support is vital for credibility and accuracy. Double-check to make sure all the data mentioned is correct.
• Use a variety of linking words to connect your ideas and ensure the coherence of your essay. Try to avoid repeating the same linking words, as a range of connectors demonstrates linguistic flexibility.
• Aim for around 180 words for Writing Task 1. This is generally considered an appropriate length to adequately describe and analyze the data without being overly verbose or too brief.

Best Essay Structure

• Introduction : Paraphrase the line graph’s title and introduce the main categories and units of measurement.
• Overview : Provide a summary of the main trends and key features. This is the pivotal part of your essay.
• Discuss each main trend in detail, including rises, falls, and periods of stability. Use data points, including numbers and dates, to support your descriptions.
• Compare and contrast data where multiple lines are present, highlighting significant differences or similarities.
• Conclusion : Reinforce the most significant trend(s) observed or conclude by comparing the initial and final data points.

Basic Vocabulary to Use

• Increase: rise, grow, climb
• Decrease: fall, drop, decrease
• Stability: remain stable, level off, maintain

Advanced Vocabulary to Use

• Sharp increase: surge, skyrocket, sharply rise
• Gradual decrease: gradually decline, slowly fall, taper off
• Long-term stability: consistently maintain, remain steady, show no significant fluctuation

Read Also : IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types and Structures + Samples

Bar charts are utilized to compare quantities across different categories or time periods. Each bar represents a category, and its height or length corresponds to its value or quantity. Bar charts can effectively showcase differences or similarities between groups.

• Paraphrase the bar chart information for a concise introduction, typically fitting into one sentence.
• Include units of measurement in the introduction if relevant (“Units are measured in…”).
• Add essential details such as country names, category names, and dates in the introduction to set the context.
• Identify key features of the bar chart, such as the highest and lowest bars, main differences, or notable trends, for the overview.
• Compile key features into a coherent overview, crucial for Task Achievement score.
• Ensure the essay contains more than one body paragraph, ideally two, to adequately cover the chart’s information.
• Organize the information logically across paragraphs, deciding on a logical division for each paragraph’s focus.
• Support each statement in the body paragraphs with specific numerical data from the chart.
• Use a range of complex sentence structures to demonstrate linguistic capability and enhance readability.
• Employ a variety of linking devices to articulate comparisons and contrasts, improving Coherence and Cohesion.
• Linking devices examples include “whereas,” “compared to,” and “in comparison with” to structure your analysis clearly.
• Practice using model answers to learn effective sentence structures and linking word applications.
• Introduction : Introduce the chart by paraphrasing the title.
• Overview : Offer a summary of the most significant data points or overall trends.
• Detail comparisons between categories.
• Discuss any noticeable trends or patterns.
• Conclusion : Provide insights or implications based on the data.
• High: high, higher, highest
• Low: low, lower, lowest
• Average: average, moderate, middle
• Substantial difference: significant disparity, marked difference, considerable variance
• Slight variation: minor fluctuation, slight deviation, negligible difference
• Steady growth: consistent growth, steady increase, uniform rise

Read Also : Cohesive Devices for Band 9 in IELTS Writing: The ultimate guide

Pie charts display data as circular charts divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportions as a whole. Each slice’s size indicates the proportion of the part it represents, making pie charts ideal for showing the distribution or composition of a dataset.

• Start by paraphrasing the pie chart information for a clear, concise introduction.
• Include “Units are measured in…” if units of measurement are relevant and not previously mentioned.
• Always highlight the largest and smallest proportions in the overview to provide a clear snapshot of the data distribution.
• For tasks with two pie charts from different time periods, emphasize key changes or trends observed.
• Use specific pie chart language such as “accounts for,” “comprises of,” and “represents” to describe data accurately.
• Structure body paragraphs to focus on comparing and contrasting key changes or trends over time when describing multiple pie charts.
• Point out significant proportions, including dominant or notably small categories, to give a balanced view of the data.
• Mention significant categories that have seen growth or decline, supporting observations with specific data points.
• Ensure the essay flows logically, starting with notable features in the overview and moving to specifics in the body paragraphs.
• Use a range of linking words and phrases for cohesion and smooth transitions between points.
• Support each point made with accurate data from the chart, demonstrating attention to detail and factual accuracy.
• Incorporate complex sentence structures to convey comparisons and changes effectively, showcasing language proficiency.
• Vary vocabulary when describing proportions and changes to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.
• Introduction : Describe what the pie chart shows, including the dataset and period if applicable.
• Overview : Give an overview of the distribution or the most notable proportion(s).
• Compare and contrast different slices of the pie.
• Discuss any notable data points or trends.
• Conclusion : Sum up the key findings or the significance of the distribution.
• Large part: majority, largest portion, most significant section
• Small part: minority, smaller segment, least significant section
• Equal parts: equally divided, similar size, comparable sections
• Predominant section: overwhelmingly dominant, largest share, majority stake
• Insignificant fraction: negligible portion, minor slice, insignificant piece
• Proportional distribution: equitable distribution, proportional allocation, balanced share

Read Also : 15 Sentence Structures for Band 9 Writing in IELTS + Sample passage

Tables organize data in rows and columns, allowing for comparison of information across different variables. Tables can display a wide range of data types and are versatile in presenting detailed information for analysis.

• Include all key features in the overview to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the table’s data; merely mentioning one key feature is not enough for a high score.
• Organize your essay into structured body paragraphs, focusing on different aspects or sets of data for clarity.
• Avoid detailing every single data point; instead, group details by providing averages, ranges, or summaries to convey the information efficiently.
• Be selective with the information you include in your report to avoid overwhelming with too many details.
• Ensure your essay exceeds 150 words but aim for it to be under 200 words to meet task requirements while maintaining conciseness.
• Utilize a variety of linking devices such as “compared to,” “as opposed to,” “in terms of,” and “while” to enhance coherence and demonstrate analytical depth.
• Strive for variety in sentence structures to keep the description engaging and avoid monotony.
• Accept that some words will be repeated due to the limited number of synonyms for certain terms; focus on demonstrating paraphrasing skills and maintaining accuracy to show linguistic competence.
• Remember, the goal is to present the table’s data in a clear, organized manner that highlights your ability to analyze and summarize complex information effectively.
• Introduction : Present the table and what it represents.
• Overview : Summarize the key findings or general trends observed.
• Provide detailed comparisons and analyses of the data presented.
• Highlight significant trends, outliers, or patterns.
• Conclusion : Conclude with the implications or insights gained from the table.
• Increase: rise, grow, upsurge
• Decrease: fall, decline, reduction
• Consistency: consistent, steady, uniform
• Marked increase: significant rise, sharp increase, notable growth
• Steep decline: dramatic fall, steep downturn, sharp drop
• Statistical significance: statistically significant, notable discrepancy, significant divergence

Read Also : Common grammar mistakes to avoid in the IELTS writing section

Flowcharts/process diagrams

Flowcharts and process diagrams are graphical representations of a process or a sequence of steps and decisions. They depict the flow from one step to the next, using different symbols to represent actions, decisions, and outcomes, making them useful for explaining complex processes.

• Study and understand the question first, comprehending the task, the type of the diagram, the number of steps, and the relationship between each step.
• Start with the first step and describe each stage sequentially until you reach the end, ensuring a logical flow of information.
• Write a single sentence in the introduction by paraphrasing the question, but remember that an overview is essential and contributes significantly to the score. This overview should offer a brief explanation using the key stages of the process.
• Avoid simply transcribing diagrammatic information into words; instead, organize the data well for better understanding and clarity.
• Use correct linking words to effectively transition and connect the stages of the process, enhancing the coherence of your description.
• Include supporting information from the diagram to enrich the discussion in the body paragraphs, avoiding overly generic statements.
• Pay attention to the speech and tense used, favoring simple present and present perfect tenses, and be mindful of using active and passive verbs appropriately.
• Introduction : Introduce the process depicted by the flowchart.
• Overview : Provide a brief overview of the process stages.
• Detail each step in the process, including decision points.
• Use sequential language to maintain clarity.
• Conclusion : Summarize the outcome of the process or its overall efficiency.
• Start: begin, start, initiate
• Next: then, next, following
• End: end, conclude, finish
• Initiation: commencement, inception, initiation
• Progression: subsequent step, following phase, next stage
• Culmination: culmination, conclusion, finalization

Read Also : How to use Complex Sentences in IELTS writing?

Mastering the art of describing various types of graphs, charts, and diagrams is a pivotal step toward achieving your desired score in IELTS Writing Task 1. However, understanding these strategies is just the beginning. To truly excel, consistent practice and feedback are crucial.

This is where Preptical shines as an invaluable resource. By taking Preptical’s online IELTS mock tests , you gain the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in a simulated exam environment. More importantly, Preptical offers personalized feedback from experienced examiners, providing you with actionable insights into your performance.

Embrace the chance to refine your skills, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and approach your IELTS preparation with confidence. Start your journey with Preptical today—it’s the best way to practice, improve, and succeed.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types and Structures + Samples

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7 Steps to Structuring an IELTS Task 2 Essay

Posted by David S. Wills | Apr 6, 2020 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In this week’s article, I want to show you how to structure an IELTS writing task 2 essay. I’ve written about this many times in the past, but today I want to show you a simple, 7-step approach that can guide you to the perfect essay.

First of all, I want to mention that there are lots of ways to write an amazing essay. There are also 5 different kinds of question, hundreds of topics, and lots of different combinations. This means that you cannot just memorise an answer or even memorise a structure. You can learn about that in my IELTS books :

However, this article will give you a guide to writing a great essay structure by logically sequencing your ideas. This can help you to score highly for Coherence and Cohesion, which is worth 25% of your writing score.

IELTS Essay Structure: The Basics

Before we begin with the 7 steps, I would like to give you a short overview. Writing an IELTS essay requires many skills and you have a lot of different criteria to meet in order to get a band 7 or above. Your essay will be judged in four ways, each accounting for 25% of the total score:

• Task Achievement
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

When thinking about structuring an essay, we are essentially talking about Coherence and Cohesion . Being able to produce a strong structure with logically sequenced ideas will give you a good chance of a high score in this section.

There are lots of different approaches, but most IELTS trainers agree that a four-paragraph structure is the best approach, with five paragraphs sometimes being appropriate. [ Read about 4 vs 5 paragraphs ] You should aim to divide your ideas sensibly and then build them in order to support your thesis or explain the issues as necessary.

Today, the steps that I will describe for you are as follows:

• Analyse the Question
• Brainstorm Ideas
• Plan your Overall Structure
• Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure
• Write a Strong Introduction
• Link your Sentences
• Write a Good Conclusion

1. Analyse the Question

Every IELTS question is different and so it is really important that you read it carefully in order to understand it fully. If you just read it quickly, you might get the wrong idea. It is natural for our brains to see a word and jump to a conclusion. For example, a question that mentions climate change might really be asking about solutions to fossil fuel emissions rather than the consequences of global warming. If you don’t understand the question, you cannot write a good answer.

Before you begin brainstorming , read the question at least twice. Let’s look at an example:

Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to make people recycle more is to make it a legal requirement. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

When you first look at this question, your eyes will be drawn to keywords like “waste” and “recycle.” That is good, but we need to understand the full sentence. What sort of waste are we talking about? Waste from homes . What does “legal requirement” mean? It means make it a law .

You will always see a statement of some sort above and then the question below. Once you understand the statement, you should read the question. In this case, the question is “To what extent do you agree…?”

Therefore, you need to choose a position ( agree/disagree ) and then write an essay that explains your position.

Note: Some IELTS candidates believe that you have to give a balanced viewpoint. This is not necessarily true. You can read about it in this article .

2. Brainstorm Ideas

Once you understand the question, you can begin to think of ideas to use in your essay. My biggest piece of advice here is: DON’T CHOOSE TOO MANY IDEAS!!

Seriously, it is not helpful to use lots of different ideas or examples in your essay. Yes, this might help you reach 250 words easily, but your essay will definitely get a low score for Coherence and Cohesion (and possibly Task Achievement) because it will not be well organized and probably will lack sufficient development of ideas.

I encourage my writing students to follow the idea of ONE PARAGRAPH, ONE IDEA. In some essay types, this is easy. For example, in an advantages/disadvantages essay , you can just devote one body paragraph to advantages and the other to disadvantages. Simple!

However, in other types of essay, you might find it harder. With agree/disagree essays, you might have two reasons why you agree. In this case, you just put one reason in each body paragraph.

Let’s brainstorm now.

Personally, I agree that laws should be passed that require people to recycle their household waste. Therefore, I would consider the following ideas:

Those are just some ideas. Sometimes you will struggle to think of even two ideas and sometimes you will easily think of five or six. The important thing, though, is to choose the most important ones. Think about what would make the most convincing argument.

3. Plan your Overall Structure

By “overall structure,” I mean your basic paragraph plan. Every IELTS writing task 2 essay should have an introduction and conclusion , and at least two body paragraphs. This is the standard essay format and I highly recommend that you practice with it. Essays that have lots of paragraphs are usually a mess and will receive low scores for Coherence and Cohesion.

I want to write an advanced essay that will score band 9, so I am going to use an interesting structure that will allow me to show off my essay-writing skills. My first body paragraph will look at opposing viewpoints and then refute them, before the second body paragraph concisely states why we do need laws that make people recycle.  

For this essay, my overall structure would look like this:

This is a pretty simple and flexible paragraph structure. I highly recommend that you use it because once you become comfortable with it, you can really adapt it a lot. Even though it is basic and you can use it for scoring band 6, you can also use this structure for band 9 essays.

The reason is that you can vary the content of your body paragraphs greatly. Here, I have tried to give balance to the argument, even though I agree with one side – the need for laws. However, rather than simply state two compelling reasons, I will first dismiss the counter-arguments and then give an argument in favour of my viewpoint.

4. Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure

This is the most difficult part of structuring an essay and it is the reason why most people struggle to get a high score for Coherence and Cohesion.

It is really, really important for IELTS writing that your ideas are sequenced logically. That means they go from one idea to the next in a logical way. Look at these two example passages. One contains a logical flow of ideas and the other does not. Can you tell which is which?

• The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced.
• These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable.

Which one is correct? Answer: #1.

In this answer, I began with a topic sentence . This is a sentence that introduces an idea. I then explained that idea in more detail. Finally, I added another sentence that built upon the previous two. Both the second and third sentences supported the first. When you put them in the wrong order, they make no sense.

Finally, notice that I used certain words to refer back to previous ideas: these laws , do this .

5. Write a Strong Introduction

It’s really important with any kind of writing to give a strong introduction. This grabs your reader’s attention but also tells them what to expect from your writing. If an examiner reads a really terrible introduction, they will think that your body paragraphs are likely to be very bad, too.

As such, it is important that you devote a little time to writing an excellent intro.

What does that involve?

I recommend that people generally write a three-sentence introduction. (However, remember that there is no one perfect way to write an essay and so there are other good possibilities.)

I suggest this:

• General statement that addresses the topic.
• Slightly more specific statement that relates wider topic to specific question.
• A sentence that shows essay intention or overview. (This is often called an outline sentence .)

For the above question, I would write an introduction like this:

Pollution remains a significant problem all around the world and this is causing people to debate possible solutions. One such solution is for governments to impose laws requiring citizens to recycle certain kinds of waste from their homes. This essay will argue that environmental laws are essential to reducing waste and thereby saving the planet.

Let’s look at how those sentences are structured:

• A very general statement: pollution is a problem; people discuss solutions.
• More specific statement: introduce potential solution with simple detail
• Essay statement: state that laws are essential for solving problem

6. Link your Sentences

Next, you are going to need to write the body paragraphs. With your essay structure already written, it should not be too hard to do this. You need to follow a simple but effective internal paragraph structure that develops and supports each idea.

When you do this, it is important that you link your sentences. Now, if you have a good enough structure, your sentences will already be linked. That is because your ideas will flow naturally from one to the next.

As you will know, it is possible to use “ cohesive devices ” (also called transitional or linking words/phrases etc). These include words and phrases like: however, therefore, next, after that, meanwhile, on the other hand . They are very useful and help guide your reader, but you should not overuse them or it will make your writing weak.

Let’s look at my third paragraph as an example.

The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. In the United Kingdom, people are required to recycle most of their household waste, and the environment is far cleaner than other countries, such as China, where people can throw any trash away without consequences.

How many cohesive devices did I use?

None. My sentences were already well-organized, so I did not need to use any.

You can read all about not using too many cohesive devices here .

7. Write a Good Conclusion

Finally, you must finish all your IELTS writing task 2 essays with a conclusion . This means a final paragraph that summarizes everything you have said so far and then references your key ideas. This can be either one or two sentences, but don’t write much more than that.

A conclusion will also differ according to the question type. Some might require you to make a suggestion or state an opinion, while others will really just require you to summarize you have said.

It is a pretty good idea to follow a structure like this:

• Paraphrase your main idea.
• Re-state your main arguments.

For example, here is my conclusion from the above question:

In conclusion, laws are absolutely essential to ensure that people recycle their household waste. Without such laws, very few people would actually go to the trouble of recycling; however, if governments enforce these laws, almost everyone would have to comply.

In this conclusion, the first sentence paraphrases my main idea (laws are necessary) and the second sentence re-states my main arguments (people would not recycle without laws; laws make people recycle).

Note that I have avoided repeating myself. In these two lines, I have simply referred to my previous arguments but I have not copied the things I already said. I have used new language for it.

Sample Band 9 Answer

Next, I will show you my answer for this question. Remember that this is just one possible answer. There are other ways to write a band 9 score. However, I do think that this is the best way because it is easy to learn and apply to your own essays. I recommend that you download the essay as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file because I have annotated it fully. You can see a clear explanation of what purpose each sentence has.

Sample Answer

Pollution remains a significant problem all around the world and this is causing people to debate possible solutions. One such solution is for governments to impose laws requiring citizens to recycle certain kinds of waste from their homes. This essay will argue that environmental laws are essential to reducing waste and thereby saving the planet. The case against laws imposing mandatory recycling revolve around the notion that people can learn to recycle by themselves, and this is true to an extent. With the improvement of education, people typically litter less and recycle more. However, our planet is presently in the grips of environmental catastrophe and it would take several generations for people to make changes to their lives. It is also sometimes argued that poor people cannot afford to make the sacrifice necessary to use less plastic and switch to sustainable products, and it is therefore unfair to punish them. However, mandatory recycling would not require people to immediately give up plastics; instead, they would simply be required to dispose of them in an ethical manner at a government-run recycling facility. The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. In the United Kingdom, people are required to recycle most of their household waste, and the environment is far cleaner than other countries, such as China, where people can throw any trash away without consequences. In conclusion, laws are absolutely essential to ensure that people recycle their household waste. Without such laws, very few people would actually go to the trouble of recycling; however, if governments enforce these laws, almost everyone would have to comply.

You can download a copy of that sample essay here . This will allow you to see all of my annotations like this:

Improving your Writing Skills

If you really want to get better at IELTS writing, the best way is to have an expert check your work. People who use my writing correction service find that they can quickly identify their mistakes and improve their overall IELTS score.

E-mail me at david [at] ted-ielts [dot] com to find out more, or check the above link.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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IELTS Essay: Two Graphs (Pie and Bar Charts)

by Dave | Sample Answers | 9 Comments

This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay featuring two graphs, a pie chart and a bar chart, related to students in Singaport for 200 to 2010.

For more sample answers like the one below, follow my Patreon here .

The bar chart records how long students spent in school by gender in two year intervals from 2000 to 2010, while the pie charts break down where they were studying. In general, both males and females saw steady rises in years spent at school, though male figures were always higher. In 2000, there were largely equal proportions for secondary, college, diplomas and university degrees but by 2010 university had more students, largely at the expense of secondary school.

In Singapore in 2000, males spent around 7.5 years in school and females were at 5.5. This difference of 2 years remained nearly identical over the period as the numbers for males rose steadily to over 9 to finish the period and women had narrowed the gap slightly to just under 8 years.

Turning to the types of schooling, in 2000 most students were in secondary school (27.7%) which was 1.2% higher than college, 3.7% more than those studying for diplomas and well above university degrees at 21.8%. By 2010, university degrees had surged to 44.5% and secondary declined to 8%. College students also made up a smaller proportion at 16.3%, while diploma students rose by about a third to 31.2%.

1. The bar chart records how long students spent in school by gender in two year intervals from 2000 to 2010, while the pie charts break down where they were studying. 2. In general, both males and females saw steady rises in years spent at school, though male figures were always higher. 3. In 2000, there were largely equal proportions for secondary, college, diplomas and university degrees but by 2010 university had more students, largely at the expense of secondary school.

• Paraphrase what the graph shows.
• Start your general overview .
• Make sure that you include the complete trend and some of the overall rankings.

1. In Singapore in 2000, males spent around 7.5 years in school and females were at 5.5. 2. This difference of 2 years remained nearly identical over the period as the numbers for males rose steadily to over 9 to finish the period and women had narrowed the gap slightly to just under 8 years.

• Begin with the first chart and include all the data.
• Be sure to compare the data and cover the beginning and end of the period.

1. Turning to the types of schooling, in 2000 most students were in secondary school (27.7%) which was 1.2% higher than college, 3.7% more than those studying for diplomas and well above university degrees at 21.8%. 2. By 2010, university degrees had surged to 44.5% and secondary declined to 8%. 3. College students also made up a smaller proportion at 16.3%, while diploma students rose by about a third to 31.2%.

• Move on to the pie charts and describe the data.
• I worte about the years separately but you could combine the years and write about how they rose from …. to ….
• Finish with all the data and double check the accuracy of your data and your general overview.

What do the words in bold below mean?

The bar chart records how long students spent in school by gender in two year intervals from 2000 to 2010, while the pie charts break down where they were studying. In general , both males and females saw steady rises in years spent at school, though male figures were always higher. In 2000, there were largely equal proportions for secondary , college , diplomas and university degrees but by 2010 university had more students, largely at the expense of secondary school.

Turning to the types of schooling , in 2000 most students were in secondary school (27.7%) which was 1.2% higher than college, 3.7% more than those studying for diplomas and well above university degrees at 21.8%. By 2010, university degrees had surged to 44.5% and secondary declined to 8%. College students also made up a smaller proportion at 16.3%, while diploma students rose by about a third to 31.2%.

records details

gender male or female

two year intervals every 2 years, two year gaps

break down are made up of

in general overall

steady rises consistent increases

figures numbers

largely equal proportions mostly the same percentages

secondary high school

college an institute of higher learning

diplomas certificates

university higher education

largely at the expense of mostly because of

spent put time into

difference gap

remained nearly identical over the period were mostly the same for that time

rose steadily increased consistently

narrowed the gap slightly reduced the difference a little

just under a little less than

turning to the types of schooling considering what kind of school

higher more than

well above a lot over

surged increased a lot

declined decreased

made up constituted

smaller proportion lower percentage

rose increased

a third 33%

Pronunciation

ˈrɛkɔːdz   ˈʤɛndə   tuː jɪər ˈɪntəvəlz   breɪk daʊn   ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl ˈstɛdi ˈraɪzɪz   ˈfɪgəz   ˈlɑːʤli ˈiːkwəl prəˈpɔːʃənz   ˈsɛkəndəri ˈkɒlɪʤ dɪˈpləʊməz   ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsɪti   ˈlɑːʤli æt ði ɪksˈpɛns ɒv   spɛnt   ˈdɪfrəns   rɪˈmeɪnd ˈnɪəli aɪˈdɛntɪkəl ˈəʊvə ðə ˈpɪərɪəd   rəʊz ˈstɛdɪli   ˈnærəʊd ðə gæp ˈslaɪtli   ʤʌst ˈʌndə   ˈtɜːnɪŋ tuː ðə taɪps ɒv ˈskuːlɪŋ ˈhaɪə   wɛl əˈbʌv   sɜːʤd   dɪˈklaɪnd   meɪd ʌp   ˈsmɔːlə prəˈpɔːʃən   rəʊz   ə θɜːd  

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The bar chart r____________s how long students spent in school by g__________r in t____________________s from 2000 to 2010, while the pie charts b_______________n where they were studying. I______________l , both males and females saw s_______________s in years spent at school, though male f___________s were always higher. In 2000, there were l__________________________s for s________________y , c___________e , d_____________s and u_____________y degrees but by 2010 university had more students, l_______________________f secondary school.

In Singapore in 2000, males s___________t around 7.5 years in school and females were at 5.5. This d______________e of 2 years r___________________________________d as the numbers for males r___________________y to over 9 to finish the period and women had n_____________________________y to j______________r 8 years.

T_______________________________g , in 2000 most students were in secondary school (27.7%) which was 1.2% h________r than college, 3.7% more than those studying for diplomas and w__________e university degrees at 21.8%. By 2010, university degrees had s____________d to 44.5% and secondary d___________d to 8%. College students also m__________p a s______________________n at 16.3%, while diploma students r_______e by about a__________d to 31.2%.

Listening Practice

Learn about Singapore’s schooling system below:

Reading Practice

Read more about the eduation gap between men and women below:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/the-degrees-of-separation-between-the-genders-in-college-keeps-growing/2019/10/25/8b2e5094-f2ab-11e9-89eb-ec56cd414732_story.html

Speaking Practice

Answer the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam related to study:

• Are you studying or working?
• Do you prefer to learn in the morning or in the evening?
• What subject do like to study best?

Writing Practice

Write about the related graph below about education levels by age range in the UK and then check with my sample answer:

IELTS Task 1 Essay: Bar Chart (Education)

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Hello Dave, here is my answer, can you evaluate it. I was surprised that i finished 212 words in almost 20 minutes. Thank you for this amazing website.

The bar chart records the years spent at school between male and female adults in the intervals from 2000 to 2010. Furthermore, the pie charts illustrate the percentage of the highest achievements they have got in the years 2000 and 2010.

Overall, male adults tend to study more years in comparison with female adults. Moreover, more adults achieve university degrees as their highest achievement than they did before and less students obtained a secondary school certificate than before.

It is clear that the number of years spent at the school had gradually increased for both male and female adults where the male adult spent more years (7.5 years) than female adults (5.5 years) where the difference is 2 years in the year 2000. However, female adults, although still spending less years than male adults, had a slight increase in the numbers of years spent, 9.5 for males and 8.5 for females in 2010.

According to the pie charts, in 2000, more adults achieved secondary school certificates as their highest achievement followed by collage, diploma and university degree (27.7%, 26.5%, 24%, and 21.8% respectively.). However, in 2010, the number of adults achieving a university degree had almost doubled, reaching 44.5% followed by diploma with 31.2%, college with 16.3% and secondary school with 8%.

Great work on the timinig first of all!

Your overview has to cover all the areas – not just select a couple of main ones – to reach above band 5 for task achievement. So unfortunately your task achievement score is capped at 5 right away!

Try not to use ‘where’ twice in a sentence (or at all, since it is a slightly odd construction).

Good description of the data!

The bar chart illustrates how long students spent in school by genders and the pie graph depicts their greatest qualifications between the year 2000 and 2010 in Singapore.

Overall, male students spent the most years on studying compared to the female students. Both groups has shown an upward trajectory. In addition, at the beginning of the period, secondary students was the most significant sector.On the other hand, at the end of period, university degree became the largest segment.

In the year 2000, males spent approximately 7.5 years while females spent around 5.5 years. The difference of 2 years maintained identical. As the male adults increased to roughly over 9 years and the female adults to 8. The gap between the two groups has been tighten.

In terms of schooling, in the year 200, high school makes the largest proportion of the total (27.7%) and outraced college at 1.2%, 3.7% greater than those who are studying for diploma and much higher than university degree at 21.8%. Within ten years, university degree skyrocketed to 31.2%, whereas college students made up a smaller percentage at 16.3%

Well done, Mychaela!

You covered everything in your overview and you describe the data well.

There are a lot of small mistakes with present perfect and your verbs in particular.

thank you for the feedback. Can you point out my mistakes and tell me what band score will i get, please?

by point out i mean can you show me how to correct and avoid repeating the same mistake, please? I am currently aiming for band 7 or higher

Sure Mychaela, but I do that as a service that you can order here: course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections

The bar chart presents how long students spent in school according to gender from 2000 to 2010, while the pie charts shows the breakdown of their attendance per educational level.  As an overview, there was a steady increase in the number of both male and female students from 2000 to 2010, although male students spent longer years in school compared to female students. In 2000, there were equal proportions o f students’ attendance per educational level with secondary school as the highest. However, by 2010, a surge of students were perceived in universities, colleges,and diploma levels as a result in the decline of attendance in secondary schools.

In 2000, males spent 7.5 years in school, while women spent 5.5 years at school —two (2) years less than male students.This two-year difference trend continued until 2010 with male students’ years in school reaching nine (9) years while women only spent seven (7) years in the academe.

In 2000, there were equal proportions of students per educational level but secondary school has the highest attendance at 27.7%. However, in 2010, there was a drastic decrease in students’ attendance in secondary schools dropping more than half from 27.7% to only 8%. Consequently, student’s attendance in university degrees doubled from 21.8% to 44.5%, while diploma and college experienced a 7.2% and 10.2% increase of students’ attendance from 2000 to 2010. 

Great, Claire!

The overview is too long and detailed though – keep it to two shorter sentences.

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How to answer table chart essay in IELTS writing task 1 Academics

• IELTS Writing Academics Task 1

Table chart essay is one of the most important questions asked in IELTS writing task 1 Academics.

In this, you are provided with one or two data tables. You will need to compare the data between different entities for a given time. You don’t need to include everything that you notice in the questions instead focus on mentioning the main points in your essay.  Grouping the data is one of the key skills that you need here.

In this article, we will discuss how to answer a table chart essay in IELTS Writing task 1 Academics.

What is a table chart essay?

A table chart essay is a form of the question asked in the IELTS Writing Task 1 Academics in which you are given a table with information and you have to explain the table in your words citing the main points with supporting facts, figures given in the question.  In any table chart, the horizontal and vertical axis is the two major points to be talked about in the essay.

The table contains words, numbers, or both displayed in boxes or columns.  There can be a single table or a combination of two.

In the task, you will be required to describe the table in a 150-word report. You are not supposed to give your opinion in the essay. Just walk by the facts given in the question to frame your answer.

What is the purpose of the Table Chart Essay assessment in IELTS Writing Task 1?

The purpose of the Table Chart Essay Assessment in IELTS Writing task is to judge a student based on the following skills:

• The information described in the answer
• Clarity of Compare and contrast are done in the answer
• Making a report on an impersonal topic
• Use of language in the answer

What are the different parts of the table chart essay questions?

Part 1:  Part1 one of the table chart essay talks about the information given in the question and the table

Part 2:  Part 2 directs you what to do in the question. It talks about the context and the comparisons

Part 3: Part 3 of the essay is the graphical representation of the question.

Structure of the Table chart Essay

Introduction Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Conclusion

     Or

Introduction Overview paragraph Body paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2

Introduction- Write the introduction within 3-4 lines. Your introduction should cover the main points mentioned in the question. You can begin the introduction by paraphrasing the question.

Body paragraph 1- You can talk about the main issue in the body paragraph 1 that aligns well with your introduction.

Body Paragraph 2- Talk about the second main point in body paragraph 2

Conclusion- Introduction, and conclusion are the 2 major points that decide the score. So, frame your conclusion concerning your understanding of the question.

Marking Criteria of the IELTS Writing Test 1. Task Achievement

Task Achievement is all about how well you answer the question.

To increase your score for TA:

• Present the information accurately
• Answer all parts of the task
• Provide a clear overview
• Highlight the key features

2. Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence and Cohesion are all about testing the organization of the essay, the paragraph used, and the linking devices.

To increase your score for Coherence and Cohesion you can:

• Have 4 paragraphs
• Organize your ideas logically
• Use a range of linking  words
• Make sure each paragraph share an idea

3. Lexical Resource and Vocabulary

Lexical resource tests how good your vocabulary is. Apart from that, it tests spelling and paraphrasing.

To score more on lexical resource and vocabulary front you can:

• Pay attention to the collocations
• Use a range of words appropriate for the topic
• Spell the words correctly
• Avoid using informal language

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

In the IELTS Writing task 1 Academics, you will be examined based on your grammar, i.e., the tense used in the paragraph, the tone, use of complex sentences, and the number of errors.

To score well on the grammatical Range and Accuracy front, you can:

• Use a wide range of grammatical structures
• Manage punctuation
• Avoid errors in sentences
• Pay attention to the order of the words in the sentence

Keeping a tab over these points will help you in creating a good essay structure and help you achieve the desired band score.

Each of these parameters is equally weighted. (25%)

How to plan your essay in Writing task 1 Academics Planning is one of the most important things in conquering the IELTS battle.  You can follow the steps below to plan your easy:

1. Analyze the Question Analyze the question by reading the instructions and analyzing the figures, facts mentioned in the information.

2. Identify the main features Pick 2-3 most important trends by analyzing the table chart and write about it in your essay.

3. Brainstorm the ideas and vocabulary Brainstorm the ideas to design your introduction and overview of the essay.

Introduction- paraphrase the question

Overview- summarize the chart

Detailed paragraphs- You can talk about or elaborate on the main features of your essay in the paragraph.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 1-Academics Incomplete analysis of the data For attempting the question perfectly, you need to understand its base. Therefore incomplete analysis of data will hamper your answer. Take time to read the question and form your answer for the same. Writing Explanation for the data Though you have to write an essay on the data, you don’t have to talk about every single point in the essay.  Try skimming the passage and focus on the explanation of the main points. Not Writing an Overview The overview is critical to your answer formation and completion. Therefore, missing out on an overview can cause your marks. And, of course, you don’t want that to happen!  Write a complete overview of what the question is all about. You can include the overview at the beginning or the end of the essay. Mentioning every detail As mentioned in the 2nd point, you don’t need to include everything in your essay. Just include the main points asked in the question. Exceeding the word limit Although there is no upper limit, most of the IELTS aspirants think that exceeding the word limit is cool. Well, that’s not the case. You should try to complete the essay within 160-190 words and avoid going beyond it. Illogical structure Follow a logical structure while writing the essay Not Planning before writing Planning accounts for one of the crucial steps in writing the essay. Therefore, always plan your essay and organize the structure before writing it.

This is how you can answer the Table Chart questions in IELTS Writing Task 1 Academics. Always take time in reading, organizing the question, and grouping the information. This accounts for an important skill in IELTS Academic Writing and helps you score well.

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Frequently asked questions, 1) how to describe a table in ielts writing, 2) what are the ielts essay writing rules, 3) how to score high in the ielts writing task 1 academics, 4) how to get 8 in ielts writing task 1 academics, 5) how to schedule the ielts exam,  of , how would you rate this course overall, write a public review.

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20 Recent IELTS Graph samples with answers

The chart below shows how much money is spent in the budget on different sectors by the uae government in 2000..

The charts below show the growth in the population in some of the world’s largest cities as well as the population distribution in urban and rural areas.

The average prices per kilometre of clothing imported into the European Union from six different countries in 1993 and 2003 are shown in the bar chart below.

The bar charts below show the number of hours each teacher spent teaching in different schools in four different countries in 2001.

The line graphs below show the production and demand for steel in million tonnes and the number of workers employed in the steel industry in the UK in 2010.

The bar charts and line graph below show the results of a survey conducted over a three-year period to discover what people who live in London think of the city.

The pie charts below show the online sales for retail sectors in New Zealand in 2003 and 2013.

The number of tourists visiting Malaysia and Dubai from 1995 to 2003 is presented below.

The bar chart below shows the estimated sales of jeans for two companies next year in Turkey. The pie chart shows the projected market share of the two companies in jeans at the end of next year.

The graph below shows a survey result of 4000 participants who expressed what important aspects they have learned from the internship they have completed.

The graph below shows the top priorities by business companies in the USA in 2016.

The graphs below show the average monthly expenditure on children’s sports and participation in different sports in the UK from 2008 to 2014.

The pie charts below show the online shopping sales for retail sectors in Australia in 2010 and 2015.

The bar chart below shows Scotland’s exports to the rest of the UK and the rest of the world for the year 2014.

The chart below shows the changes in sales of four different types of books from 2002 to 2012.

The diagram shows the procedure for university entry for high school graduates.

The chart below shows Morocco’s income from different economic sectors in 2003 as well as its income from fishing from 1982 to 2003.

The bar chart below shows the proportions of English men and women of different ages who were living alone in 2011. The pie chart compares the numbers of bedrooms in these one-person households.

The diagram below shows the life cycle of a salmon, from egg to adult fish.

The table below shows the worldwide market share of the notebook computer market for manufacturers in the years 2006, 2007 and 2014.

• Academic Writing Task 1

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How to Write An IELTS Task 1 Table Band 9 Report

In IELTS Writing Task 1, you might be given one or two tables containing data. Your task will be to compare the information provided between different time periods or entities. This is a common type of question in this task.

It's important to focus on only one or two significant features in each table, rather than trying to include everything you see. This advice applies to all types of Writing Task 1 questions.

To tackle a Table Chart question, follow these seven major steps:

Analyse the question

Identify the major features

Remember the 4 paragraph structure

Paraphrase the question sentence

Write an Overview paragraph

Write the Body paragraph 1

Write the Body paragraph 2

This will guide you through the process and help you produce a well-structured response.​

However, if you want to ensure the band score you need in the IELTS exam, you can use our IELTS Writing Feedback   service. A former IELTS examiner will give you detailed feedback on how to reach your target score.

We also offer you  eBooks   loaded with in-depth discussion that are guaranteed to help you achieve a high band score. These  eBooks  have been written by a team of former IELTS examiners and contain top-quality content, including powerful tips and strategies that reveal band 9 secrets.

In these eBooks , our team of examiners has shared their step by step detailed illustration how to write high band IELTS essays, covering all possible question types in the Writing part.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below shows expenditures of four car companies on advertising in the UK in 2002.

Write at least 150 words.

Source: Cambridge English IELTS Past Papers

1. How to Analyse A Task 1 Table Question

To answer an IELTS question effectively, we must identify three key elements in the question sentence: topic words, micro keywords, and action words.

Topic words refer to the general area of the question topic, such as the advertising expenditure of car companies.

Micro keywords help us to prepare a specific answer by providing details such as the companies involved (Renault, Rover, Vauxhall, Cetirizine) and the media used (Press, Cinema, Outdoor, Radio, and TV).

Action words are the words that tell us what to do, such as "compare." Even if these words are not directly stated, we must understand what the examiner expects us to do. For example, if there are multiple diagrams or issues to discuss, we should focus on comparing the major features.

If you want further detailed discussion on question analysis, if you want experienced examiners' special tips and strategies on how to analyse a question most effectively, you can check the dedicated chapter in the  eBook.

Once we have analysed the question, we can identify the major features in the diagrams and proceed with answering the question effectively.

2. How to Identify the Main features in A Task 1 Table

Finding the major features in an IELTS Task 1 table question is an essential skill to master. The following steps can guide you through the process:

Understand the Data: Before anything else, you need to thoroughly understand the data presented in the table. Take your time to read the title, the column and row headers, and the units of measurement. This will give you a general idea about the content of the table.

Identify Trends: Look at the data and identify any noticeable trends. These could be increases or decreases over time, patterns of growth or decline, or consistent patterns.

Note Extremes: Find the highest and lowest figures, or any data that stands out because it's significantly different from the rest. This includes sudden increases or decreases, or numbers that are particularly high or low compared to others.

Make Comparisons: Look for comparisons that can be made. These could be between different categories in the table, or between different periods of time. For instance, one category might consistently perform better or worse than others, or there might be noticeable changes from one year to the next.

Look for Similarities and Differences: If there are multiple categories or periods of time, look for any similarities or differences between them. This could be in terms of trends, patterns, or individual data points.

Summarize: Finally, try to summarize the main features of the data. This is what you'll need to present in your IELTS Task 1 report.

Remember, finding the major features isn't about presenting every single piece of data in the table. Instead, you're looking for the key points that give a broad overview of the data as a whole. Practice this skill regularly, and you'll find that it becomes much easier to quickly and accurately identify the major features in any IELTS Task 1 table question.

Let's apply the above-mentioned strategy and find the key features in our sample table question:

Renault (among the car companies) was the leading spender: 132 million dollars in total

TV (among the media) attracted the highest advertising expense: 239 million dollars

Study area: UK in 2002. Units are measured in millions of dollars.

3. IELTS Task 1 Table Report Writing Structure

We can complete the essay using only 10 sentences! Yes, it is that much simple! Take a look how we place the 10 sentences in our 4 paragraph essay structure. The  eBook gives you step by step detailed demonstration on how to write each paragraph perfectly.

1. Paraphrasing the Question Sentence

Paraphrase the question statement using just one or two sentences. 

2. Overview Paragraph

Sentence 1: summary statement 1(preview of the essay without presenting data)

Sentence 2: summary statement 2 (more preview without presenting data)

3. Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1: first major point

Sentence 2: second major point

Sentence 3: extension sentence 1 (compare/combine the major points stated above)

Sentence 4: extension sentence 2 (extension of the previous sentence, or adding an exceptional feature).

4. Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1: exceptional feature 

Sentence 2: extension of the exceptional feature

Sentence 3: final sentence (wrapping-up the whole essay, completely based on the discussion above, nothing new)

Let's develop the answer step by step applying the above-stated 4 paragraph essay structure.

Before jumping on to give you a step by step detailed discussion, let's ask you a question:

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4. Paraphrasing the Question Sentence

This is the first paragraph of our IELTS Task 1 essay. This paragraph is all about paraphrasing the question statement. That means you will restate the question sentence in your language without changing the meaning of the original sentence. If you want to write this paragraph perfectly, you need to have a good grip on paraphrasing techniques. You can check the  eBook for powerful tips and strategies on how to paraphrase effectively.

This paragraph conveys an impression to the examiner how well you have understood the question.

Let's look at the actual question statement that we are using on this page:

"The table below shows expenditures of four car companies on advertising in the UK in 2002."

We can paraphrase the statement above as:

"The data table displays the advertising expenditure of the four car companies in millions of dollars, in the United Kingdom during 2002."

That concludes the first paragraph, which only consumed 23 words out of the 150-word limit. Moving forward to the next section, the Overview Paragraph.

5. Overview Paragraph

Overview is the second paragraph of our IELTS Writing Task 1 essay. This is the most important paragraph as well. Because without an overview paragraph in Task 1, you cannot expect more than band 5 in IELTS Writing section. Therefore, you need to take a very special care for this paragraph.

An Overview simply means a summary of the main features that you are going to discuss in the body paragraphs. Don't use any data in this paragraph, just state the most significant changes of the data that you can see in the Table. Remember, you are writing this paragraph only for conveying a general idea about your essay to the readers, not any details. For more in-depth discussion on how to write a smart overview paragraph, you can check the  eBook written by a team of vastly experienced former IELTS examiners.

Overview Paragraph Structure

Remember our Overview paragraph structure:

Sentence 1: summary statement 1(preview o f the essay without presenting data)

Let's form the paragraph:

Sentence 1(Summary Statement 1)

"Overall, Renault was the top spender on advertisement, with TV attracting the highest expenditure."

Sentence 2(Summary Statement 2)

"The companies' expenses varied for Press, Cinema, and Outdoor advertising, but they allocated identical budgets towards radio promotion."

Complete Overview Paragraph

"Overall, Renault was the top spender on advertisement, with TV attracting the highest expenditure. The companies' expenses varied for Press, Cinema, and Outdoor advertising, but they allocated identical budgets towards radio promotion."

It's pretty straightforward. In the previous section, we used 23 words to rephrase the question sentence, and now we have added another 32 words to complete the Overview paragraph. This indicates that we have finished two of the four paragraphs required for the IELTS Task 1 essay, and we're already halfway there. Let's proceed to the next sections, Body Paragraph 1 and Body Paragraph 2.

6. Body Paragraph 1

In the overview paragraph, we have given just a ge neral statement of significant features, we haven't discussed any detail. Now it's time to explain them in the two body paragraphs.

Body Paragraph 1 Stru cture

Remember our Body Paragraph 1 structure:

Let's form the paragraph following the above-stated structure:

Sentence 1( First Major Point )

"Renault took the top spot for promotional expenses, investing a total of 132 million dollars, while the other three companies each spent 100 million dollars."

Sentence 2( Second Major Point )

"TV received the highest advertising expenditure, with a total of 239 million dollars from all four companies."

Sentence 3( Extension Sentence 1 )

"The advertising type hierarchy consisted of TV, followed by Press, with Renault leading the advertising companies, and Vauxhall coming in second place."

Sentenc e 4( Extension Sentence 2 )

"In terms of radio promotion, ea ch of the four companies invested an equal sum of 15 million dollars."

Complete Body Paragraph 1

"Renault took the top spot for promotional expenses, investing a total of 132 million dollars, while the other three companies each spent 100 million dollars. TV received the highest advertising expenditure, with a total of 239 million dollars from all four companies. The advertising type hierarchy consisted of TV, followed by Press, with Renault leading the advertising companies, and Vauxhall coming in second place. In terms of radio promotion, each of the four companies invested an equal sum of 15 million dollars."

We've completed 75% of the IELTS Task 1 essay by adding 82 words to write the first body paragraph. It's a simple process of describing the obvious features shown in the pictures. In total, we've used 137 words so far for three paragraphs, and we only have one more paragraph left to write. It's okay to add a few more words, preferably 170-220, but never write less than the minimum required 150 words.

Awesome! Now, it's time to move to the final paragraph, Body Paragraph 2.

7. Body Paragraph 2

Body paragraph 2 is the final paragraph of our IELTS Task 1 essay. This is the easiest paragraph in the whole essay. Because here we're just stating other features briefly in the first sentence, adding another overall comparison statement in the second sentence, and then writing a final sentence summarizing the whole essay. Let's apply our structure for the second body paragraph:

Body Paragraph 2 Structure

Sentence 1(Exceptional Feature)

"On the other hand, Cetirizine spent the most, 70 million dollars, on TV advertisements, with Vauxhall following behind."

Sentence 2(Extension of the Exceptional Feature) 

"Outdoor and cinema promotions received the least amount of expenditure."

Sentence 3(Final Sentence)

"Finally, TV obtained the largest percentage of advertising expenses among all four companies, and Renault was the top spender for advertisement purposes."

Complete Body Paragraph 2

"On the other hand, Cetirizine spent the most, 70 million dollars, on TV advertisements, with Vauxhall following behind. Outdoor and cinema promotions received the least amount of expenditure. Finally, TV obtained the largest percentage of advertising expenses among all four companies, and Renault was the top spender for advertisement purposes."

We have included 47 extra words to the earlier 137, and wrapped up our 4-paragraph essay. This means we accomplished an IELTS Task 1 essay with 184 words, surpassing the required minimum of 150 words.

Well, mastering the art of crafting a compelling IELTS Task 1 Table Band 9 Report doesn't happen overnight. It takes persistence, dedication, and a good understanding of the format, content, and structure. However, with the right strategies such as focusing on language accuracy, task achievement, and coherence and cohesion, you can significantly increase your IELTS Writing Band score. Remember to make clear comparisons, interpret the data accurately, and provide a suitable overview.

The path to perfecting your IELTS Task 1 report writing is no doubt challenging, but it becomes significantly easier when armed with effective strategies and practice. So, don't be disheartened if your first attempts don't fetch you a Band 9. Keep practicing, keep improving, and use the tips in this blog post to guide your journey.

Acing your IELTS Task 1 Table Band 9 report is within your reach, so take the necessary steps today. From understanding the structure to meticulously proofreading your work, every step counts towards your success. Keep perfecting your writing skills and watch your IELTS scores soar!

Don't forget to check the following resources:

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Get Detailed IELTS Essay Feedback from An Examiner

Check the detailed discussion on all the question types

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Free online IELTS Listening practice tests

The IELTS Listening test will take about 30 minutes, and you will have an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

The four parts of this practice Listening test are presented over four separate web pages. Make sure you move swiftly from one page to the next so that your practice is as realistic as possible.

Download the question paper and blank answer sheet before you start, and write your answers on the question paper while you are listening. Use a pencil.

Listen to the instructions for each section of the test carefully. Answer all of the questions.There are 40 questions altogether. Each question carries one mark.

For each part of the test, there will be time for you to look through the questions and time for you to check your answers.When you have completed all four parts of the Listening test you will have ten minutes to copy your answers on to a separate answer sheet.

We can make special arrangements for test takers with disabilities. If you require a modified version of the test, for example, in Braille, contact your test centre three months in advance to discuss your requirements.

Instructions to test takers

In the actual test you will be given the following instructions:

• do not open this question paper until you are told to do so
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• listen to the instructions for each part of the paper carefully
• answer all the questions
• while you are listening, write your answers on the question paper
• you will have 10 minutes at the end of the test to copy your answers onto the separate answer sheet; use a pencil

At the end of the test you will be asked to hand in the question paper.

Once you have completed the practice test, download the answers and see how well you have done.

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IELTS scoring in detail

Understanding ielts test scores.

When you receive a Test Report Form you will see the test taker's overall test score as well as their scores for the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections of the test.

Overall band score

The overall band score is the average of the four section band scores rounded to the nearest half band.

Understanding overall band scores

Ielts band score: 9 skill level: expert.

• The test taker has fully operational command of the language.
• Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding.

IELTS Band Score: 8 Skill Level: Very good

• The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage.
• They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well.

IELTS Band Score: 7 Skill Level: Good

• The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations.
• They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning.

IELTS Band Score: 6 Skill Level: Competent

• The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings.
• They can use and understand reasonably complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

IELTS Band Score: 5 Skill Level: Modest

• The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes.
• They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field.

IELTS Band Score: 4 Skill Level: Limited

• The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations.
• They frequently show problems in understanding and expression.

IELTS Band Score: 3 Skill Level: Extremely limited

• The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations.
• There are frequent breakdowns in communication.

IELTS Band Score: 2 Skill Level: Intermittent

• The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

IELTS Band Score: 1 Skill Level: Non-user

• The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words.

IELTS Band Score: 0 Skill Level: Did not attempt the test

• The test taker did not answer the questions.

Section band scores

The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in Listening section. The precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.

Marks out of 40

• Band Score 5: Listening 16
• Band Score 6: Listening 23
• Band Score 7: Listening 30
• Band Score 8: Listening 35

The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

The IELTS Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale. The Academic Reading test may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. It is usual that a greater number of questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score.

Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in Academic Reading, and General Training Reading sections. The precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.

• Band Score 5: Reading 15 
• Band Score 6: Reading 23 
• Band Score 7: Reading 30 
• Band Score 8: Reading 35

General Training

• Band Score 4: Reading 15
• Band Score 5: Reading 23
• Band Score 6: Reading 30
• Band Score 7: Reading 35

Examiners use assessment criteria to award a score for each of the following four criteria:

• Task achievement (for task 1) and task response (for task 2)
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy.

Each task is assessed independently. The criteria are weighted equally and the score on the task is the average. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.

Find out more about the key assessment criteria (PDF 111 KB - 4 pages)  and how examiners assess the Writing section .

Examiners use assessment criteria to award a score for each of the following four areas:

• Fluency and coherence
• Grammatical range and accuracy
• Pronunciation

Each of the criteria carry equal weighting and the overall average gives the IELTS score for Speaking. Find out more about the key assessment criteria and how examiners assess the Speaking section .

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Are you taking the IELTS exam? Are you confident about task 2 in the writing test (Academic and General Training?) Do you know about the different types of essay you might need to write - and how to plan, structure and create each essay in advanced English? Even if your English is strong, writing task 2 can be a huge challenge. To help with this, thousands of people around the world have successfully followed the methods from our five books of IELTS task 2 writing advice. This new edition ebook contains these five books, covering the aspects of vocabulary, grammar, structure and advanced essay writing techniques which will raise your IELTS score to the band you need. In total, this edition gives you 100 band 9 model essays, together with examiner's comments explaining how you can use the examples to get a high score in your essays. There's a full explanation of how to plan and organise your essay, how to use advanced grammar techniques, and a guide to mastering the essential IELTS vocabulary topics. The books included are: Book 1 40 Band 9 Model Essays Book 2 Task 2 Essay Planning Book 3 IELTS Grammar Secrets Book 4 IELTS Vocabulary Secrets Book 5 25 More Band 9 Model Essays With your life plans often depending on getting a high IELTS score, don't risk the exam until you're really sure that your task 2 writing is good enough. About the authors: We are a team of IELTS trainers and examiners based in Cambridge, UK. We began publishing IELTS advice guides in 2015, and we update our range of books each year to keep pace with changes in the exam and new topics which may appear in the tests. Read less