Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Comparison of global oil resources and annual consumption by region: 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.
  • 197 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart below shows the proportions of the world's oil resources held in different areas, together with the proportions consumed annually in the same areas.

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

World oil resources and annual consumption by region (%)
020406080100Middle EastCanadaCentral and South Ameri…Eastern EuropeAfricaAsiaUnited StatesWestern EuropeAustralia and New Zeala…Other
  • Percentage of total world oil resources
  • Percentage of total world annual oil consumption
View the data
Middle EastCanadaCentral and South AmericaEastern EuropeAfricaAsiaUnited StatesWestern EuropeAustralia and New ZealandOther
Percentage of total world oil resources56.5214.848.126.586.382.891.851.470.31.05
Percentage of total world annual oil consumption6.152.486.76.563.3526.2125.4819.241.312.52

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 8197 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the distribution of global oil resources across ten distinct regions and compares these figures with the proportions of oil consumed annually in those same areas.

Overall, it is clear that there is a significant disparity between resource ownership and consumption rates. The Middle East possesses the largest share of oil reserves, while Asia, the United States, and Western Europe account for the highest levels of annual consumption.

The Middle East dominates in terms of resources, holding 56.52% of the world's total, yet it consumes only 6.15% annually. Similarly, Canada holds 14.84% of resources but uses a mere 2.48%. Central and South America, as well as Eastern Europe, show a relatively balanced ratio, with resources at 8.12% and 6.58% respectively, and consumption at 6.70% and 6.56%.

Conversely, Asia, the United States, and Western Europe are major consumers despite having limited reserves. Asia consumes 26.21% of the world's oil while holding only 2.89% of resources. The United States and Western Europe follow a similar pattern, consuming 25.48% and 19.24% respectively, despite possessing only 1.85% and 1.47% of global oil reserves. Other regions, including Africa and Australia and New Zealand, represent minor shares in both categories.

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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.
  • disparity

    a great difference between two or more things

  • dominates

    to have a commanding influence or largest share

  • possesses

    to have or own a particular quality or item

  • account for

    to make up a specific portion of something

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that reverses a previous one

  • proportions

    a part, share, or number considered in comparison

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The Middle East holds the vast majority of global oil resources, whereas Asia, the United States, and Western Europe are the primary consumers of oil.

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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