Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Quarterly percentage sales of four trainer brands over one year: 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.
  • 192 words
  • Bar charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The graph below shows the percentage sales of trainers made by a sportswear company in one year.

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

Percentage sales of trainers by a sportswear company in one year (%)
010203040501st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr
  • High rollers
  • Zed runners
  • Golden feet
  • Flying boots
View the data
1st Qtr2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr
High rollers2010510
Zed runners3020208
Golden feet35353547
Flying boots15354035

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 8192 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The bar chart illustrates the quarterly percentage sales of four different trainer brands—High rollers, Zed runners, Golden feet, and Flying boots—throughout a single year.

Overall, it is evident that Flying boots and Golden feet became increasingly popular as the year progressed, whereas the market shares for High rollers and Zed runners declined significantly. By the final quarter, Golden feet had emerged as the dominant brand in terms of sales.

In the first quarter, High rollers accounted for 20% of sales, but this figure dropped to 10% by the second quarter, dipped to 5% in the third, and recovered slightly to 10% in the final quarter. Similarly, Zed runners started at 30% in the first quarter, fell to 20% in the second and third quarters, and reached a low of 8% by the fourth quarter.

Conversely, Golden feet began the year with 35% of sales, maintaining this level through the third quarter before rising to 47% in the fourth. Flying boots showed the most dramatic growth, starting at 15% in the first quarter, doubling to 35% in the second, peaking at 40% in the third, and finishing at 35% in the final quarter.

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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.
  • accounted for

    represented a particular amount or proportion of something

  • declined

    decreased in quantity, quality, or importance over time

  • dominant

    having the most power, influence, or market share

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that reverses a previous one

  • peaking

    reaching the highest point or level of value

  • proportion

    a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While Flying boots and Golden feet generally saw their market share increase over the year, High rollers and Zed runners experienced a downward trend in their proportions of total sales.

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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