Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Percentage of International Graduates in Canadian Universities by Province 2001 and 2006: 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.
  • 178 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The chart below shows the percentage change in the share of international students among university graduates in different Canadian provinces between 2001 and 2006.

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

International Graduates, Canadian Universities, 2001 & 2006 (%)
048121620New BrunswickNova ScotiaQuebecAlbertaBritish ColumbiaManitobaNewfoundland and Labrad…Ontario
  • 2001
  • 2006
View the data
New BrunswickNova ScotiaQuebecAlbertaBritish ColumbiaManitobaNewfoundland and LabradorOntario
200176.564.54.53.53.53
200611.510.58.5710.56.56.56

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 8178 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the percentage of international students among university graduates across eight Canadian provinces in 2001 and 2006. Overall, it is evident that every province recorded an upward trend in the share of international graduates over the five-year period.

In 2001, New Brunswick held the highest proportion of international graduates at 7%, followed closely by Nova Scotia at 6.5% and Quebec at 6%. Conversely, Ontario had the lowest share at 3%, while Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador both stood at 3.5%. By 2006, New Brunswick maintained its lead, with its figure rising significantly to 11.5%. Nova Scotia and British Columbia also saw substantial increases, both reaching 10.5%.

Regarding the remaining provinces, Quebec’s share grew to 8.5%, while Alberta, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador all experienced growth, reaching 7%, 6.5%, and 6.5% respectively. Ontario, despite having the lowest percentage in 2006 at 6%, still managed to double its 2001 figure. In summary, while the starting points varied, the consistent growth across all regions highlights a widespread increase in the internationalisation of Canadian university graduates during this timeframe.

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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.
  • upward trend

    a general direction in which something is developing

  • proportion

    a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation

  • substantial

    of considerable importance, size, or worth

  • followed closely

    occurring immediately after in a sequence or rank

  • timeframe

    a specified period of time in which something occurs

  • consistently

    in every case or on every occasion

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The proportion of international graduates increased across all listed Canadian provinces between 2001 and 2006, with New Brunswick and British Columbia experiencing particularly notable growth.

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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