How to Describe a Bar Graph in IELTS Writing Task 1
IELTS bar graph is a common question type in the test of IELTS writing. Therefore, it is important for you to learn the method how to write in IELTS writing task 1. In this blog, I will guide you how to describe a bar graph in IELTS writing task 1.
An overview about IELTS bar graph
If I talk about IELTS writing task 1 question types, seven types of questions are in IELTS academic writing task 1. You face one of them and are assigned to describe that one. IELTS bar graph is also one of the question types in which you are given a question statement along with bar chart.
In this question type of IELTS bar graph, you are asked to analyze the data of the bar graph and describe by understanding it well. There are 20 minutes for bar graph to describe. You are asked to write at least 150 words for describing IELTS bar graph.
Summary of Bar Graph in IELTS Writing Task 1
IELTS bar graph is one of the question types of IELTS writing. To write a good structured answer report for IELTS bar graph, follow the techniques given in the article. Plan and structure your answer report by analyzing the question statement and bar graph. Follow the recommended structure of answer report and start describing IELTS bar graph. Some of the common mistakes and guidelines to avoid are discussed in it. Tips will help you to understand more about IELTS bar graph.
There are two types of bar graph in the question type of IELTS writing bar graph. You would have to prepare both of these bar graphs.
- Vertical bar graph
- Horizontal bar graph
In the vertical bar graph, you face vertical graph. An example is given below to know that how a vertical bar graph looks:
In the case of horizontal bar graph, you face horizontal bars. An example for horizontal bar graph is given below in terms to know that how a horizontal bar graph looks:
What to see in IELTS bar graph?
As there are two types of IELTS bar graph: horizontal bar graph and vertical bar graph, each bar consists of two axes: x-axis and y-axis.
These two axes are categorized in two different categories in the test of IELTS writing task 1 bar graph. One of the axes contains values of the data (such as any amount, percentage or numeric data) while the other axis contains the category of comparison.
How to write about an IELTS writing task 1 bar graph
In order to know that how to write an IELTS writing task 1 bar graph, you have to follow the following three steps for understanding and planning the answer report. These three steps are:
- Read the title first
- Look at time constraint
- Decide what to compare
Read the title first
The initial step to describe an IELTS bar graph is to read the title first. Most of the aspirants do not read the title while attempting IELTS bar graph; as a result they are not awarded good bands. Therefore, reading the title is the first responsibility to understand properly about the bar graph.
If you do not read the title, there might be chances to misunderstand the graph.
Look at the time constraints
Time period is also one of the essential components in IELTS bar graph. So, it is important to focus at the time constraint to describe IELTS bar graph in the answer report. There might be specific year in the graph, years for comparisons, or the data is about future or past.
By focusing on time constraint, you will get to know about the tense that which one is necessary to use while describing an IELTS bar graph.
Decide what to compare and to whom it is comparable
X-axis and y-axis are two axes that are used to categorize the data in IELTS bar graph. Focus on these axes and compare the data to describe IELTS bar graph.
Procedure to describe IELTS bar graph
Now, you are familiar with IELTS bar graph. It is time to know the procedure that how to describe a bar graph in IELTS writing task 1. To understand the describing method of IELTS bar graph, you are required to follow the structure of answer report. A structure for an answer report of IELTS bar graph is divided into three components.
- Introduction
- Overview
- Main body paragraphs
An introduction paragraph of answer report for Bar Graph in IELTS Writing Task 1
Introduction is the first paragraph of an answer report in IELTS bar graph. An introduction paragraph tells the examiner what the bar graph is about. It is the short paragraph of your answer report, usually consisting of one sentence.
Paraphrase the question statement in terms to write an introduction paragraph of IELTS bar graph. Paraphrasing means to restate the text in your own words along with changing the sentence structure. You must use synonyms instead of exact words while paraphrasing the question statement.
I am providing a question sample to make easy for you to understand this concept.
| You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The chart below gives information about the UK’s ageing population in 1985 and makes predictions for 2035. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. |
This is an IELTS bar graph question. The question statement for bar graph is “The chart below gives information about the UK’s ageing population in 1985 and makes predictions for 2035.”
To write an introduction for the question statement, we have to paraphrase it by the procedure mentioned above.
Sample introduction
| The graph presents the data of the old population of aged 65 or above in 1985 and the predictions are made for 2035, a period of 50 years. |
Overview paragraph
It is the second paragraph for an answer report of IELTS writing task 1 bar graph. In this paragraph, you have to summarize the information of the bar graph. You do not need to add factual data or numeric data in this portion of answer report. You have to write the data like which is highest or lowest, main features and comparisons.
An example of an overview is given below following the above bar graph question to guide you more that how to write an overview in IELTS writing bar graph.
Sample overview
| Overall, it is observed that there is not a huge difference of aged people of the provided countries in past and the predictions of increase in the population of old people. |
How to write body paragraphs in Bar Graph in IELTS Writing Task 1
Body paragraphs are the paragraphs in which you have to explain the data of the bar graph. In these paragraphs, you have to explain all about the bar graph such as main features, trends, and numeric data. You have to divide the graph of information in two parts and write them by following data categories.
To guide you that how to write body paragraphs, a sample for body paragraphs is mentioned below.
Sample for body paragraphs
| In 1985, the highest population of the people over 65 was in Wales i.e., 16%. The population of old people was equal in the country of England and UK that was 15%. 14% of the old population was in Scotland while there was 13% in Northern Ireland. In the case of predictions of 2035, Wales will maintain its level of highest from all the other countries. People of UK over 65 will be 27% and will be a second highest old population country. The aged population for Scotland will be 25%. The percentage for North Ireland will be 23% that will be almost double as compared to the population of 1985. |
Overall sample answer
The overall answer of the answer report for the mentioned IELTS graph question is:
The graph presents the data of the old population of aged 65 or above in 1985 and the predictions are made for 2035, a period of 50 years.
Overall, it is observed that there is not a huge difference of aged people of the provided countries in the past and the prediction of increase in the population of old people is discussed.
In 1985, the highest population of the people over 65 was in Wales, i.e., 16%. The population of old people was equal in the county of England and UK that was 15%. 14% of the old population was in Scotland and there was 13% in Northern Ireland.
In the case of predictions of 2035, Wales will maintain its level i.e., highest from all of the other countries. People of UK over 65s will be 27% and will be the second highest old population country. The aged population for Scotland will be 25% while the percentage for North Ireland will be 23% that will be almost double as compared to the population of 1985.
Words count: 174
Useful vocabulary for IELTS bar graph
IELTS bar graph is a writing test in which vocabulary plays an important role. If you have strong vocabulary, it will be easy for you to describe bar graph in IELTS writing test. As the IELTS is an English language test, most of the aspirants face the issue of vocabulary to present their understanding about bar graph.
One of the criteria of IELTS writing assessment criteria belongs to vocabulary and 25 percent marks are specified for it. Therefore, vocabulary practice is an essential factor to get success in IELTS writing.
5 tips on describing a bar graph in IELTS writing task 1
- Do not explain too much, make yourself to the point and write only the data given in the bar graph question.
- Most of the candidates forget to write an overview in their answer reports. If you want to get high bands, you must add overview paragraph in your answer report.
- Do not exceed your word limit, because doing this type of activity will consume more time. I recommend to write maximum 180 words.
- Use cohesive devices accurately. If you have any confusion to use it, avoid it.
- Proofreading of an answer report is important to perform best in the test.
In a nutshell: How to Describe a Bar Graph in IELTS Writing Task 1
In order to get success in IELTS bar graph, you have to understand the procedure that how to describe a bar graph in IELTS writing task 1. I assure you that you will get good bands by applying this procedure to write an answer report for IELTS bar graph.
