Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Average percentage of reported challenges faced by people living abroad by age: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 bar chart question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about bar charts.
  • 187 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart below shows information about the challenges people face when they go to live in other countries.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Average % number of reported challenges per person (%)
020406080100Over 5535-5418-34
  • Making Friends
  • Finding somewhere to live
  • Learning local language
View the data
Over 5535-5418-34
Making Friends233646
Finding somewhere to live223940
Learning local language543529

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8187 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the average percentage of challenges reported by individuals living in foreign countries, categorised by three age groups: 18-34, 35-54, and over 55.

Overall, it is evident that the nature of difficulties encountered varies significantly with age. While the oldest demographic identifies language acquisition as their most significant hurdle, younger people report higher levels of difficulty regarding social integration and housing.

For the 18-34 age group, making friends is the most frequently reported challenge at 46%, followed closely by finding accommodation at 40%, while learning the local language is the least problematic at 29%. A similar pattern is observed among those aged 35-54, where finding somewhere to live is the primary concern at 39%, followed by making friends at 36% and language learning at 35%.

In contrast, the over 55 age group reports a markedly different experience. Learning the local language is the most significant challenge for this demographic, cited by 54% of respondents. Conversely, making friends and finding somewhere to live are reported less frequently by this group, at 23% and 22% respectively, representing the lowest figures across all categories and age groups.

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Bar charts

How to write about bar charts: tips and vocabulary

  • →Compare the biggest and smallest bars before anything else.
  • →If the bars show years, describe change; if they show places, describe rank.
  • →Round sensibly and say 'just over' or 'nearly' rather than guessing decimals.
  • categorised

    divided into groups based on shared characteristics

  • demographic

    a specific section of the population

  • hurdle

    a problem or difficulty that must be overcome

  • markedly

    in a way that is easy to notice

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that reverses a previous one

  • respondents

    people who provide information for a survey

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Overall, learning the local language is the primary challenge for the oldest age group, whereas younger individuals find making friends and securing accommodation more difficult.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe bar charts?+

Compare the biggest and smallest bars before anything else. If the bars show years, describe change; if they show places, describe rank. Round sensibly and say 'just over' or 'nearly' rather than guessing decimals.

Keep practising

More bar charts

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