Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Global population and wealth distribution percentages across eight distinct world regions: 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.
  • 196 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart below gives information about global population percentages and distribution of wealth by region.

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

Population and wealth shares by region (%)
01020304050North AmericaLatin America and Carib…EuropeAfricaChinaIndiaRich Asia-PacificOther Asia-Pacific
  • Population Share (%)
  • Wealth share (%)
View the data
North AmericaLatin America and CaribbeanEuropeAfricaChinaIndiaRich Asia-PacificOther Asia-Pacific
Population Share (%)6815102315517
Wealth share (%)3443012.51243

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 8196 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the global distribution of population and wealth across eight distinct regions. Overall, it is evident that wealth is highly concentrated in specific areas, whereas population is more evenly spread, highlighting a stark economic imbalance.

North America, Europe, and the Rich Asia-Pacific region exhibit the most significant wealth-to-population ratios. North America, for instance, accounts for only 6% of the global population but possesses 34% of the world's wealth. Similarly, Europe holds 30% of global wealth with a 15% population share, and the Rich Asia-Pacific region commands 24% of wealth despite representing just 5% of the population.

In contrast, other regions face a reverse situation where their wealth share is significantly lower than their population proportion. China and India, which represent 23% and 15% of the global population respectively, hold only 2.5% and 1% of the world's wealth. Africa and the Other Asia-Pacific region follow a similar pattern, with Africa holding a mere 1% of wealth despite a 10% population share. Latin America and the Caribbean also show a wealth share of 4% against an 8% population share, indicating that the majority of the world's population resides in regions with relatively low wealth accumulation.

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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

  • concentrated

    gathered together in one place or area

  • stark

    severe or bare in appearance or outline

  • accumulation

    the process of gathering or increasing in amount

  • proportion

    a part, share, or number considered in comparison

  • imbalance

    a lack of proportion or relation between things

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The data reveals a significant disparity between population and wealth distribution, with North America, Europe, and the Rich Asia-Pacific region holding the vast majority of global wealth despite smaller population shares.

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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