Bar Chart

Bar Chart Explained (IELTS Writing Task 1)

What is a Bar Chart?

A bar chart is a graphical way to display data using rectangular bars. The
length or height of each bar represents the value or frequency of a category.

Common Features of a Bar Chart:

● Categories (e.g., countries, products, years) are shown on one axis

(usually the horizontal or x-axis).

● Values (e.g., numbers, percentages) are shown on the other axis (usually
the vertical or y-axis).

● Bars can be vertical or horizontal.

● It may compare different groups or show changes over time.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for Bar Charts

Describing trends:
 ● increase, rise, grow, climb, surge, soar

● decrease, fall, drop, decline, dip, plummet

● remain stable, stay constant, level off, fluctuate

Describing magnitude:

● significant, considerable, slight, sharp, steady, gradual

Comparing:

● higher than, lower than, the same as, twice as much as, the majority, a
minority

Time phrases:

● between 1990 and 2000

● over the period

● from 2010 onwards

● during the decade

Structures for description:

● The bar chart illustrates/ shows/ compares…

● It can be seen that…

● The highest/lowest value is…

● There was a steady increase/decrease in…

● The number of X rose sharply from … to …

● In contrast, Y remained stable at …

● Overall, …

Sample Bar Chart Question

The bar chart below shows the average monthly rainfall (in mm) in three
different cities in 2020.

Sample Answer (Band 9 Model)

The bar chart compares the average monthly rainfall in millimeters for three
cities — City A, City B, and City C — throughout 2020.

Overall, it is clear that City B received the highest rainfall, while City A had the
lowest figures. Additionally, all cities experienced fluctuations in rainfall over
the months.

City B started the year with approximately 120 mm of rainfall in January, which
rose sharply to a peak of around 180 mm in July before declining steadily
towards December. City C showed a more consistent pattern, with rainfall
ranging from 60 mm to 90 mm, peaking in September. In contrast, City A had
relatively low rainfall throughout the year, with values hovering between 20
mm and 50 mm, and a slight increase in November.

In summary, the data suggests that City B had the most rain overall, with a
notable peak in mid-year, whereas City A remained much drier in comparison.

Line Graph

a Line Graph?

A line graph shows changes, trends, or developments over time by connecting

data points with a continuous line. It’s great for showing how something rises,
falls, or remains stable across a period.
Common Features of a Line Graph:

● Time periods (years, months, decades) usually appear on the x-axis

(horizontal).

● Values (numbers, percentages, measurements) appear on the y-axis

(vertical).

● Multiple lines may represent different groups or categories.

● Used to highlight trends, patterns, or comparisons over time.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for Line Graphs

Describing trends:

● increase, rise, grow, climb, surge, soar

 ● decrease, fall, drop, decline, dip, plummet

● fluctuate, vary, oscillate

● remain stable, stay constant, level off, plateau

Describing speed and degree of change:

● sharply, rapidly, steeply, dramatically

● gradually, steadily, slowly, moderately

Comparing:

● higher than, lower than, the same as, equal to, surpassed, overtook

Time phrases:

● from 1990 to 2000

● over the decade

● during the period from… to…

● between 2010 and 2015

Useful sentence structures:

● The line graph illustrates/shows/compares…

● It can be seen that…

● There was a steady/gradual/sharp increase/decrease in…

● The number of X rose/fell from… to…

● After reaching a peak of…, the figure declined to…

● In contrast, Y remained stable at…

● Overall, …

Sample Line Graph Question

The line graph below shows the number of international tourists (in millions)
visiting three different countries between 2010 and 2020.

Sample Answer (Band 9 Model)

The line graph compares the number of international tourists visiting Country
A, Country B, and Country C from 2010 to 2020.

Overall, Country A saw the most significant growth in tourist numbers, while
Country C experienced a steady decline. Country B’s figures remained
relatively stable throughout the period.

In 2010, Country A had around 20 million tourists, which rose steadily to reach
approximately 60 million by 2020. Country B’s tourists fluctuated slightly,
starting at about 40 million, peaking at 45 million in 2015, and then dipping
back to 40 million by 2020. In contrast, Country C experienced a continuous
decline from 35 million tourists in 2010 to just 15 million in 2020.

In conclusion, the data highlights contrasting trends among the three countries,
with Country A’s tourism booming and Country C’s declining over the decade.

Pie Chart

Pie Chart Explained (IELTS Writing Task 1)

What is a Pie Chart?

A pie chart is a circular graph divided into slices to show proportions or

percentages of a whole. Each slice represents a category’s share of the total.
Common Features of a Pie Chart:

● The whole pie represents 100% of the data.

● Each slice’s size shows the proportion of each category.

● Usually labeled with percentages or fractions.

● Used to compare parts of a whole at a single point in time.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for Pie Charts

Describing proportions:

● percentage, proportion, share, segment, fraction, majority, minority

● almost half, just under a quarter, nearly one-third

Describing comparisons:

● larger than, smaller than, the same as, twice as much as

 ● the biggest/smallest segment

● accounted for, represented, made up, comprised

Sentence structures:

● The pie chart illustrates/shows the distribution of…

● X accounts for/represents/makes up …% of the total.

● The largest/smallest proportion belongs to…

● Nearly half of the total is…

● Together, X and Y constitute …% of the total.

● In contrast, …

Sample Pie Chart Question

The pie chart below shows the distribution of energy consumption by source in
Country X in 2020.

Sample Answer (Band 9 Model)

The pie chart illustrates the proportion of energy consumption by different

sources in Country X in 2020.

Overall, it is clear that fossil fuels made up the majority of energy consumption,
while renewable sources accounted for a smaller share.

Coal was the largest energy source, representing 40% of total consumption.
This was followed by natural gas, which accounted for 25%. Renewable energy
sources, such as wind and solar, made up 20% combined, with wind
contributing 12% and solar 8%. Nuclear energy and hydroelectric power
contributed smaller shares of 10% and 5%, respectively.

In summary, non-renewable energy sources dominate Country X’s energy

consumption, although renewable sources are gradually becoming more
significant.
Table

Table Explained (IELTS Writing Task 1)

What is a Table?

A table presents information in rows and columns, organizing data clearly to

compare categories, values, or features.

Common Features of a Table:

● Rows represent categories or time periods.

● Columns show different variables or groups.

● Values can be numbers, percentages, rates, or other measurable data.

● Used to compare data points across different categories or periods.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for Tables

Describing comparisons:

● higher than, lower than, equal to, the same as

● the largest/smallest value

● increased/decreased compared to
 ● remained constant/stable

● fluctuated

Describing data:

● figures, numbers, values, amounts, rates, percentages

Useful sentence structures:

● The table compares/shows/displays…

● According to the table, …

● The highest figure is…

● There was a significant increase/decrease in…

● X had the lowest/highest value in…

● Overall, …

Sample Table Question

The table below shows the population (in millions) of five countries in 2000,
2010, and 2020.

Countr 200 201 202

y 0 0 0
A 50 55 60
B 70 75 80
C 40 38 35
D 30 33 37
E 20 25 30

Sample Answer (Band 9 Model)

The table compares the populations of five countries in millions over three
decades: 2000, 2010, and 2020.

Overall, Countries A, B, D, and E experienced population growth during this

period, while Country C saw a decline.

Country B had the highest population throughout the years, increasing steadily
from 70 million in 2000 to 80 million in 2020. Country A also showed
consistent growth, rising from 50 million to 60 million. In contrast, Country C’s
population decreased from 40 million to 35 million over the 20 years.
Meanwhile, Countries D and E saw gradual increases, with Country D growing
from 30 million to 37 million and Country E from 20 million to 30 million.

In conclusion, the data indicates population growth in most countries except for
Country C, which experienced a steady decline.

Process Diagram / Flow Chart

Process Diagram Explained (IELTS Writing Task 1)
What is a Process Diagram?

A process diagram shows the stages or steps involved in a process, often

presented as a sequence of actions or events. It usually includes arrows to
indicate flow or progression.
Common Features of a Process Diagram:

● Shows how something is made, how it works, or how it changes.

● Usually presented in a cycle or linear sequence.

● Steps are numbered or connected by arrows.

● May include materials, inputs, outputs, or intermediate stages.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for Process Diagrams

Describing steps:

● first, initially, to begin with

● next, then, after that

● subsequently, following this

 ● finally, in the last step, ultimately

Describing the process:

● the process starts with…

● the material is heated/cooled/processed

● the mixture is stirred/mixed/filtered

● the product is packaged/distributed

● the water is pumped into…

Useful sentence structures:

● The diagram illustrates the process of…

● The process begins with…

● After [step], the [material] is…

● In the next stage, …

● Finally, the … is produced/sent to…

Sample Process Diagram Question

The diagram below shows the process of producing electricity from coal.

Sample Answer (Band 9 Model)

The diagram illustrates the process of generating electricity using coal as the
primary fuel source.

The process begins with the mining of coal from the ground. The coal is then
transported to a power plant where it is crushed into small pieces. These pieces
are burned in a furnace to produce heat energy, which is used to convert water
in a boiler into steam.

The steam is then directed into turbines, causing them to spin rapidly. The
spinning turbines drive generators that produce electricity. After passing
through the turbines, the steam is cooled and condensed back into water, which
is returned to the boiler to repeat the cycle.

Finally, the generated electricity is transmitted through power lines to homes

and businesses for use.

Map

Map Explained (IELTS Writing Task 1)

What is a Map?

A map question shows geographical changes, developments, or differences

between two or more maps — often representing the same place at different
times.
Common Features of Map Tasks:

● Compare two or more maps showing changes over time.

● Focus on differences in buildings, roads, land use, or natural features.

● Often involves describing developments, additions, removals, or

relocations.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for Maps

Describing location:

● to the north/south/east/west of…

● adjacent to, next to, near, opposite, across from

● in the center/middle of…

Describing changes:

● was replaced by, was converted into, was demolished

● was built/constructed/added

● expanded, reduced, extended

● relocated, moved to

● removed, disappeared

Describing comparison:

● compared to, in contrast with, similarly, on the other hand

Useful sentence structures:

● The maps show…

● In 1990, there was… whereas in 2020, …

● The area used for X was replaced by Y.

● A new road was constructed to the north of…

● The park was expanded in size.

● Overall, the town became more urbanized.

Sample Map Question

The maps below show the town of Springfield in 1990 and 2020.

Sample Answer (Band 9 Model)

The maps compare the layout of Springfield town in 1990 and 2020,
highlighting significant changes over the 30-year period.

In 1990, Springfield was a small town centered around a main road running east
to west. The northern area consisted mainly of farmland, while the southern part
included a few residential houses and a small park.
By 2020, the town had expanded considerably. The farmland in the north was
replaced by a large shopping mall and a parking lot. Several new roads were
built to improve access, including a highway extending northwards. The park in
the south was enlarged and a school was constructed adjacent to the residential
area.

Overall, Springfield transformed from a rural town into a more urbanized and
developed area with improved infrastructure and amenities.

Mixed Graphs (Combination of types)

Mixed Graphs Explained (IELTS Writing Task 1)

What are Mixed Graphs?

Mixed graphs combine two or more types of visual data representations in one
question. For example, a bar chart combined with a line graph, or a table with a
pie chart. The task is to describe and compare the information presented by each
type.

Common Features of Mixed Graphs:

● Different chart types (e.g., bar + line, pie + table) appear together.

● Each graph shows related but distinct data.

● The challenge is to describe each clearly and link comparisons or

contrasts.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for Mixed Graphs
Describing bar charts:

● bars, highest/lowest values, comparisons between categories

Describing line graphs:

● trends over time, increases, decreases, fluctuations

Describing pie charts:

● proportions, percentages, largest/smallest segments

Useful linking phrases:

● In contrast,

● Similarly,

● Compared to…,

● While the bar chart shows…, the line graph illustrates…

● The table provides additional data on…

● There is a clear correlation between…

Sample Mixed Graph Question

The bar chart shows the number of visitors to three museums in 2019, and the
line graph shows the average visitor satisfaction ratings for the same museums.

Sample Answer (Band 9 Model)

The bar chart and line graph present information about visitor numbers and
satisfaction ratings at three different museums in 2019.

According to the bar chart, Museum A attracted the highest number of visitors,
with approximately 500,000 people, followed by Museum B with around
350,000 visitors. Museum C had the lowest attendance at just over 200,000
visitors.

In terms of satisfaction ratings shown in the line graph, Museum C scored the
highest with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5, despite having the fewest visitors.
Museum A and Museum B had lower ratings of 4.2 and 3.8, respectively.

Overall, while Museum A was the most popular in terms of visitor numbers,
Museum C had the highest satisfaction ratings, suggesting quality rather than
quantity attracts visitors.