Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Comparison of worker distribution across three economic sectors in four countries: 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.
  • 193 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The charts below show the percentage of workers in three sectors across four countries in 1980 and 2010.

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

Percentage of workers in three sectors: 1980 (%)
020406080100GermanyUSAJapanChina
  • Agriculture
  • Industry
  • Services
View the data
GermanyUSAJapanChina
Agriculture591170
Industry60515040
Services50493950
Percentage of workers in three sectors: 2010 (%)
020406080100GermanyUSAJapanChina
  • Agriculture
  • Industry
  • Services
View the data
GermanyUSAJapanChina
Agriculture26950
Industry82707940
Services41393022

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 8193 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar charts illustrate the distribution of the workforce across the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors in Germany, the USA, Japan, and China during 1980 and 2010. Overall, it is evident that while the industrial sector grew significantly in the three developed nations, China saw a substantial decline in agricultural employment, though it remained the primary sector there.

In 1980, China had the highest proportion of agricultural workers at 70%, compared to only 5% in Germany. By 2010, this figure in China had dropped to 50%, whereas the other three countries saw agricultural employment fall to below 10%. Conversely, the industrial sector saw marked growth in the developed nations. Germany’s industrial workforce rose from 60% in 1980 to 82% in 2010, while Japan experienced a similar increase from 50% to 79%. The USA also saw its industrial sector expand from 51% to 70%.

Regarding the service sector, all four countries showed a downward trend between 1980 and 2010. Germany’s service sector fell from 50% to 41%, and the USA saw a decline from 49% to 39%. Japan and China also experienced decreases, with Japan dropping to 30% and China to 22% by 2010.

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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.
  • proportion

    a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation

  • marked

    clearly noticeable or evident in a significant way

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that reverses a previous one

  • substantial

    of considerable importance, size, or worth

  • distribution

    the way in which something is shared among people

  • decline

    a gradual and continuous loss of strength or number

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Overall, the industrial sector became the dominant employer in Germany, the USA, and Japan by 2010, while China experienced a significant shift away from agriculture.

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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