Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Daily minimum and maximum air pollutant levels in four major cities: 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.
  • 192 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart below shows the average daily minimum and maximum levels of two air pollutants in four big cities in 2000.

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

Air Pollution in Four Big Cities, 2000
050100150200250Los AngelesCalcuttaBeijingMexico
  • Min Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
  • Max Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  • Min Dinitrous Oxide (N2O)
  • Max Dinitrous Oxide (N2O)
View the data
Los AngelesCalcuttaBeijingMexico
Min Sulphur dioxide (SO2)1472580
Max Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)1059130200
Min Dinitrous Oxide (N2O)393014113
Max Dinitrous Oxide (N2O)1045254207

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 8192 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the daily minimum and maximum concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and dinitrous oxide (N2O) across four major cities in the year 2000.

Overall, Mexico exhibited the most significant air pollution levels among the four cities, recording the highest figures for both pollutants. Conversely, Los Angeles and Calcutta generally maintained lower levels, although Los Angeles showed a notable disparity between its minimum and maximum dinitrous oxide readings.

Regarding sulphur dioxide, Mexico reported the highest range, with levels spanning from 80 to 200. Beijing followed with a maximum of 130, despite a relatively low minimum of 25. Calcutta showed moderate levels between 47 and 59, while Los Angeles recorded the lowest sulphur dioxide concentrations, peaking at only 10.

In terms of dinitrous oxide, Mexico again led with values between 113 and 207. Los Angeles, while having minimal sulphur dioxide, displayed a substantial range for dinitrous oxide, rising from 39 to 104. Beijing and Calcutta showed more stable, lower figures for this pollutant, with maximums of 54 and 52 respectively. Overall, the data highlights that Mexico faced the most severe air quality challenges in 2000 compared to the other three cities.

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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.
  • exhibited

    showed or displayed a particular quality or level

  • disparity

    a great difference between two or more things

  • spanning

    extending from one point to another in range

  • peaking

    reaching the highest point or level of value

  • substantial

    of considerable importance, size, or worth

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that reverses a previous one

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Mexico experienced the highest levels of both pollutants, while Los Angeles recorded the lowest minimum sulphur dioxide levels.

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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