Academic Writing Task 1 · mixed chart

Data regarding tourist demographics and preferences at an Australian holiday resort: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 mixed 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 mixed charts.
  • 185 words
  • Mixed charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart and table below give information about tourists at a particular holiday resort in Australia.

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

Tourist by region of origin (%)
  • Asia: 37%
  • Europe: 35%
  • US: 18%
  • Other: 10%
View the data
CategoryValue (%)
Asia37
Europe35
US18
Other10
Tourist characteristics by region
Tourists by region of originAsian TouristsEuropean TouristsAmerican TouristsTourists from other regions
Average length of stay7 days16 days14 days10 days
Most popular accommodation5-star hotelCamping or CaravanCamping or CaravanCamping or Caravan
Main activitySightseeingSwimming/SunbathingSightseeingSurfing

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 8185 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The pie chart illustrates the distribution of tourists at an Australian holiday resort by their region of origin, while the table provides details regarding their average length of stay, preferred accommodation, and primary activities.

Asian tourists represent the largest group at 37%, followed closely by Europeans at 35%. American tourists account for 18% of the total, while visitors from other regions make up the smallest proportion at 10%.

Regarding the length of stay, European tourists stay the longest, averaging 16 days, whereas Asian tourists have the shortest visits at 7 days. American tourists and those from other regions stay for 14 and 10 days respectively. Accommodation preferences also differ; Asian tourists favour 5-star hotels, while American visitors prefer 4-star hotels. Conversely, both European tourists and those from other regions opt for camping or caravan sites.

In terms of main activities, sightseeing is the primary choice for both Asian and American tourists. In contrast, European visitors prefer swimming and sunbathing, while tourists from other regions are most interested in surfing. Overall, the data highlights distinct travel patterns and preferences among the different groups of international visitors.

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Mixed charts

How to write about mixed charts: tips and vocabulary

  • →Write one overview sentence that links the two visuals.
  • →Give each visual its own detail paragraph.
  • →Point out where one chart explains the other.
  • constitute

    to be the parts that form something

  • proportion

    a part or share of a whole

  • favour

    to prefer one thing over another

  • conversely

    in a way that is the opposite

  • primary

    the most important or main thing

  • distinct

    clearly different or of a different kind

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While Asian and European tourists constitute the largest proportions of visitors, their preferences for accommodation and activities vary significantly, as do their average lengths of stay.

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 mixed charts?+

Write one overview sentence that links the two visuals. Give each visual its own detail paragraph. Point out where one chart explains the other.

Keep practising

More mixed charts

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