Academic Writing Task 1 · mixed chart

Demographic distribution and residential patterns of people living in Australia: 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.
  • 187 words
  • Mixed charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The Pie chart gives information about the country of birth of people living in Australia and the table shows where people born in these countries live.

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

Country of birth of people living in Australia (%)
  • Australia: 73%
  • UK: 7%
  • New Zealand: 3%
  • China: 2%
  • Netherlands: 1%
  • Other: 14%
View the data
CategoryValue (%)
Australia73
UK7
New Zealand3
China2
Netherlands1
Other14
Where people live in Australia
CountryCitiesRural areas
UK89%11%
Australia83%17%
China99%1%
New Zealand80%20%
Netherlands90%10%

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 8187 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The pie chart illustrates the birth countries of individuals residing in Australia, while the table provides a breakdown of their residential preferences between cities and rural areas. Overall, it is evident that the Australian-born population constitutes the overwhelming majority of residents. Furthermore, regardless of their country of origin, the clear preference for all groups is to live in cities.

Regarding the country of birth, Australia accounts for 73% of the population. The next largest group is categorized as 'Other' at 14%, followed by those born in the UK at 7%. New Zealand, China, and the Netherlands represent smaller proportions, at 3%, 2%, and 1% respectively.

In terms of residential location, the table highlights a strong urban concentration. People born in China show the highest preference for city living at 99%, with only 1% residing in rural areas. Similarly, those from the Netherlands and the UK show high urban occupancy rates of 90% and 89%. In contrast, individuals born in New Zealand and Australia are slightly more likely to live in rural areas, with 20% and 17% respectively, although the majority in both groups still reside in cities.

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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.
  • constitutes

    to be the parts that form something

  • overwhelming majority

    a very large proportion of a total

  • residential preferences

    the choices people make about where to live

  • urban concentration

    the tendency for people to live in cities

  • in contrast

    used to show a difference between two things

  • proportions

    the relationship of one part to the whole

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The vast majority of the population in Australia was born domestically, and across all specified nationalities, there is a clear preference for residing in urban areas rather than rural regions.

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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