Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Air pollution levels by three different causes across four countries in 2021: 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.
  • 204 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The charts show air pollution levels by different causes among four countries in 2021.

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

Air pollution levels by different causes among four countries in 2021 (PPM)
020406080100ChinaAmericaJapanAustralia
  • Electricity generation
  • Transport
  • Industry
View the data
ChinaAmericaJapanAustralia
Electricity generation59311619
Transport70583018
Industry80294318

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 8204 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the levels of air pollution measured in PPM across four nations—China, America, Japan, and Australia—categorised by three distinct sources: electricity generation, transport, and industry in 2021.

Overall, it is evident that China experiences the most significant air pollution, with industry being the primary contributor. Conversely, Australia maintains the lowest and most stable emission levels across all three sectors.

China leads in all categories, with industrial pollution reaching a peak of 80 PPM, followed by transport at 70 PPM and electricity generation at 59 PPM. America shows a different pattern, where transport is the most significant source of pollution at 58 PPM, nearly double the levels recorded for electricity generation (31 PPM) and industry (29 PPM).

In contrast, Japan’s pollution levels are more moderate, with industry contributing the most at 43 PPM, while transport and electricity generation account for 30 PPM and 16 PPM, respectively. Australia presents the most uniform profile, with all three sectors contributing almost equally to air pollution, recording 19 PPM for electricity generation and 18 PPM for both transport and industry. Overall, the data highlights a stark contrast between the high industrial and transport emissions in China and America compared to the lower, balanced levels in Australia.

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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.
  • consistently

    happening in the same way over a period

  • exhibits

    to show or display a particular quality

  • primary contributor

    the main source or cause of something

  • peak

    the highest point or level of something

  • moderate

    average in amount, intensity, or degree

  • uniform

    remaining the same in all cases and parts

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

China consistently records the highest pollution levels across all sectors, while Australia exhibits the lowest and most uniform distribution of emissions.

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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