Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Percentage of Households with Internet Access by Region from 1999 to 2004: 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.
  • 179 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes
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The question

The bar chart below shows various data trends. The graph below shows the percentage of urban/suburban and rural households in a European country that had Internet access between 1999 and 2004. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. --- Instructions: You are presented with a bar chart and must summarize the main trends, compare data, and make observations in at least 150 words. Assessment Criteria: Task Achievement (25%) - Presents a clear overview of main trends - Highlights key features with relevant data - Makes appropriate comparisons - Meets the 150-word minimum requirement Coherence and Cohesion (25%) - Logically organizes information - Uses paragraphing effectively - Uses cohesive devices appropriately - Maintains clear progression throughout Lexical Resource (25%) - Uses appropriate vocabulary for data description - Shows flexibility and precision - Uses less common lexical items - Has minimal errors in word choice and spelling Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%) - Uses a variety of sentence structures - Produces error-free sentences - Uses grammar and punctuation appropriately - Shows good control of grammar Tips for Bar Chart Description: - Start with an introduction paraphrasing the title - Write an overview highlighting the main trends - Describe specific data in body paragraphs - Make comparisons between categories - Use appropriate vocabulary: "significantly higher/lower", "the highest/lowest", "compared to", "whereas", "while" - Include specific figures from the chart - Group similar data together logically

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

Household Internet Access (%)
020406080100199920002001200220032004
  • Urban/Suburban
  • Rural
View the data
199920002001200220032004
Urban/Suburban153040505255
Rural2510152535

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 8179 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the percentage of households with Internet access in urban/suburban and rural areas of a European country between 1999 and 2004. Overall, it is clear that Internet penetration grew steadily in both regions throughout the period, although urban and suburban areas consistently remained ahead of rural locations in terms of connectivity.

In 1999, only 15% of urban/suburban households had Internet access, compared to a negligible 2% in rural areas. By 2001, the urban/suburban figure had climbed to 40%, while rural access reached 10%. This upward trend continued for both groups; by 2002, half of all urban/suburban households were connected, whereas rural access stood at 15%.

By the end of the period in 2004, the gap between the two regions remained significant. Urban/suburban access reached a peak of 55%, representing a substantial increase from the initial 15% in 1999. Meanwhile, rural access experienced its most rapid growth between 2002 and 2004, rising from 15% to 35%. Despite this late surge in rural connectivity, urban/suburban households remained the dominant group with Internet access throughout the entire six-year timeframe.

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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.

  • penetration

    the extent to which something has spread

  • steadily

    in a regular and even manner

  • negligible

    so small as to be not worth considering

  • upward trend

    a general direction of increasing values

  • substantial

    of considerable importance, size, or worth

  • dominant

    having the most influence or highest proportion

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Internet access increased in both regions over the six-year period, with urban and suburban households consistently maintaining a significantly higher proportion of connectivity than rural households.

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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