Academic Writing Task 1 · mixed chart

Arrest rates and reasons for arrest by gender in 1994: 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.
  • 176 words
  • Mixed charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The pie chart shows the percentage of persons arrested in the five years ending 1994 and the bar chart shows the most recent reasons for arrest.

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

Persons arrested in five years ending 1994 (Males)
  • Arrested: 32
  • Not arrested: 68
View the data
CategoryValue
Arrested32
Not arrested68
Persons arrested in five years ending 1994 (Females)
  • Arrested: 9
  • Not arrested: 91
View the data
CategoryValue
Arrested9
Not arrested91
Reasons for most recent arrest (%) (%)
01020304050Drink drivingPublic drinkingBreach of orderAssaultTheftOther reasonNo answer
  • Males
  • Females
View the data
Drink drivingPublic drinkingBreach of orderAssaultTheftOther reasonNo answer
Males2630.51816.516194.5
Females1437.5121912.5187

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 8176 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided charts illustrate the proportion of males and females arrested in the five-year period ending in 1994, alongside the primary reasons for their most recent arrests. Overall, it is clear that men were far more likely to be arrested than women, with distinct differences in the offences committed by each gender.

Regarding arrest rates, 32% of males were arrested during the five-year period, compared to only 9% of females. Conversely, 91% of women remained free of arrest, while 68% of men were not arrested.

In terms of the reasons for arrest, public drinking was the most frequent cause for both groups, accounting for 37.5% of female arrests and 30.5% of male arrests. Males were more likely to be arrested for drink driving (26% versus 14%), breach of order (18% versus 12%), and theft (16% versus 12.5%). In contrast, females were more frequently arrested for assault, at 19% compared to 16.5% for males. Both genders showed similar figures for other reasons, at 19% for males and 18% for females, while a small minority provided no answer.

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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.
  • proportion

    a part or share of a whole number

  • illustrate

    to show or explain by using visual aids

  • conversely

    in a way that is the opposite

  • frequent

    happening or doing something often

  • minority

    a smaller number or part of a group

  • distinct

    clearly different in nature or appearance

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Males were significantly more likely to be arrested than females, and while public drinking was the most common reason for both genders, the specific motivations for arrest varied notably between them.

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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