Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Number of members in various leisure center clubs by age group: 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.
  • 185 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The bar graph below represents data about the clubs joined by people of two different age groups at a leisure center in a small city.

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

Club membership by age group (Number of members)
020406080100GardeningPhotographyFitnessArts and CraftsMusic/danceCycling
  • 25-35
  • 55-65
View the data
GardeningPhotographyFitnessArts and CraftsMusic/danceCycling
25-35254555605365
55-65554550205010

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 8185 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the membership numbers for six different clubs at a local leisure centre, categorised by two age groups: 25-35 and 55-65. Overall, it is evident that the younger demographic is more active in most clubs, with the notable exception of gardening, where the older age group dominates. Conversely, the 55-65 age group shows the lowest participation in cycling.

Regarding the younger cohort, cycling is the most popular activity, attracting 65 members, followed closely by arts and crafts at 60. Fitness and music/dance also see strong engagement, with 55 and 53 members respectively. Photography has 45 members, while gardening is the least popular choice for this group, with only 25 participants.

In contrast, the 55-65 age group shows a marked preference for gardening, which has 55 members, significantly higher than the 25 members in the younger group. Participation in photography and music/dance is balanced between the two groups, both at 45 and 50 members respectively. However, the older group's interest drops sharply for arts and crafts and cycling, with only 20 and 10 members respectively, representing the lowest figures across the entire chart.

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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.
  • demographic

    a specific section of the population being studied

  • dominates

    has a much larger share than others

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that reverses the previous one

  • cohort

    a group of people with a shared characteristic

  • marked preference

    a very clear and noticeable liking for something

  • balanced

    having equal or nearly equal proportions or values

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While the 25-35 age group shows a clear preference for more active or creative pursuits like cycling and arts, the 55-65 age group is significantly more inclined towards gardening.

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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