Academic Writing Task 1 · mixed chart

Fast food expenditure by income and consumption trends in Britain: 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.
  • 188 words
  • Mixed charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart below shows the amount of money per week spent on fast food in Britain. The graph shows the trends in the consumption of fast food.

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

Weekly fast food expenditure by income level (pence)
01020304050High IncomeAverage IncomeLow Income
  • Hamburger
  • Fish & Chips
  • Pizza
View the data
High IncomeAverage IncomeLow Income
Hamburger453314
Fish & Chips172517
Pizza19127
Fast food consumption trends 1970-1990 (grammes)
010020030040050019701975198019851990
  • Pizza
  • Hamburgers
  • Fish & Chips
View the data
19701975198019851990
Pizza305090110290
Hamburgers80100150300500
Fish & Chips300280220200210

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 8188 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates weekly expenditure on three types of fast food across different income levels, while the line graph depicts consumption trends in Britain from 1970 to 1990.

Overall, it is evident that hamburgers and pizza experienced substantial growth in popularity over the two decades, whereas fish and chips became less popular. Furthermore, high-income households consistently spent more on hamburgers than other groups.

Regarding consumption, hamburgers saw the most dramatic increase, rising from 80 grammes in 1970 to 500 grammes by 1990. Pizza consumption followed a similar upward trajectory, climbing from 30 grammes to 290 grammes over the same period. Conversely, fish and chips, which started as the most consumed item at 300 grammes in 1970, witnessed a steady decline, reaching a low of 200 grammes in 1985 before a slight recovery to 210 grammes in 1990.

In terms of expenditure, high-income earners spent 45 pence weekly on hamburgers, significantly more than average (33 pence) and low-income (14 pence) groups. Interestingly, average-income earners spent the most on fish and chips at 25 pence, while pizza expenditure was highest among the high-income bracket at 19 pence per week.

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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.
  • expenditure

    The total amount of money spent on something

  • upward trajectory

    A path or trend that is moving upwards

  • conversely

    Used to introduce a statement that is opposite

  • witnessed

    To see or experience a change or event

  • bracket

    A group or category defined by a range

  • dramatic

    A sudden, striking, or very noticeable change

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While hamburger and pizza consumption rose significantly between 1970 and 1990, fish and chips saw a decline, and high-income earners spent the most on hamburgers.

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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