Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Percentage change in average house prices in five cities 1990-2002: 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.
  • 173 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart below shows information about changes in average house prices in five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with the average house prices in 1989.

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

Percentage change in average house prices in five cities 1990-2002 compared with 1989 (%)
-7.5-23.5914.5201990-1995 average1996-2002 average
  • New York (USA)
  • Madrid (Spain)
  • Tokyo (Japan)
  • Frankfurt (Germany)
  • London (UK)
View the data
1990-1995 average1996-2002 average
New York (USA)-55
Madrid (Spain)1.54
Tokyo (Japan)-7.5-5
Frankfurt (Germany)21.5
London (UK)-7.511.5

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 8173 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the percentage change in average house prices across five global cities during two periods, 1990-1995 and 1996-2002, relative to 1989 levels.

Overall, house prices in most cities showed a recovery or growth in the second period compared to the first, with London experiencing the most dramatic shift. While Tokyo remained the only city to record negative growth in both periods, other cities generally saw improved performance after 1995.

In the 1990-1995 period, London and Tokyo both experienced the steepest declines, with prices falling by 7.5% in each. New York also saw a decrease of 5%. Conversely, Madrid and Frankfurt bucked the trend, recording modest growth of 1.5% and 2% respectively.

During the 1996-2002 period, the market dynamics shifted significantly. London witnessed a remarkable turnaround, with prices surging by 11.5%. New York also moved into positive territory with a 5% increase, while Madrid saw its growth rise to 4%. Frankfurt experienced a slight dip in its growth rate to 1.5%. Tokyo continued to struggle, although its decline moderated to 5%.

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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.
  • bucked the trend

    to resist or go against the general tendency

  • surging

    rising suddenly and by a large amount

  • moderated

    became less extreme or intense over time

  • turnaround

    an abrupt or significant change for the better

  • relative to

    in comparison with a specific reference point

  • steepest

    having the most sharp or dramatic change

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Overall, house prices in most cities showed a recovery or growth in the second period compared to the first, with London experiencing the most dramatic shift.

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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