Bar Chart Tips: How to tackle Bar Chart in IELTS Writing Task 1

• Comparing Categories: Identifying the highest and lowest categories and making comparisons.

• Grouped Bar Charts: Understanding and comparing multiple categories or groups within each category.

• Using Appropriate Language: Employing a variety of language to make comparisons, describing quantities and differences between the bars.

• Summarizing Main Features: Selecting the essential details without listing every single value.

The 5-step process is still applicable but with a focus on comparisons:

1. Analyze the Chart: Understand the chart type and what it represents.

2. Identify Main Features: Note the key comparisons between categories.

3. Plan Your Response: Create a structure that prioritizes comparison.

4. Write the Response: Use specific language to describe and compare categories.

5. Review and Refine: Proofread and check your writing.

Let's examine a bar chart example-

Title: Number of Books Read Annually by People in Four Different Countries in 2023

Data (Simulated):

Here is how the bar chart would visually look like-

 

Bar Chart in IELTS

• Overall View-

  • The bar chart provides a snapshot of number of books read in four different countries in 2023

  • There is noticeable difference in number of books read across different countries

• Specific Features-

  • People from D country read the highest number of books, i.e. 30

  • People from C country read lowest number of books - 10.

  • People from country A & B country read 15 & 25 books respectively.

Logical structure for IELTS Writing bar chart includes-

1. Introduction- 1-2 sentences

2. Overview- 2-3 sentences

3. Body Paragraph- 1 4-5 sentences

Here's an example response based on the plan-

Introduction-

Bar chart presents data on quantity of books read annually by people in four distinct countries in the year 2023.

Overview-

Overall there were considerable variations in the amount of books read across the four countries. Country D recorded highest reading figures whilst Country C had lowest.

Body Paragraph 1-

As shown in bar chart, population in Country D read highest number of books with 30 in 2023. In contrast, people in Country C read least, averaging only 10 books per year. 

Important Vocabulary-

• Comparison- compared to, in contrast, whereas, while, by comparison, significantly higher/lower, notably, relatively

• Quantities- highest, lowest, small number, large number, moderate number, significant amount

• Describing values- approximately, nearly, slightly more/less than, precisely

• General statements- overall, in general, generally, as can be seen, it is evident 

Example of a Grouped Bar Chart-

Let's say above chart was grouped chart showing book reading trends across different age groups within these countries. Let's add some hypothetical data-

Title- Number of books read annually by different age groups in four countries in 2023

Grouped Bar Chart

Analysis-

• Now we have comparisons within each country for different age groups.

• Country D still reads most overall but we see that reading decreases within age groups from youngest to oldest.

Revised Body Paragraph Example for Grouped Chart-

Bar chart reveals that within each country - 18-30 age group read most books; followed by 31-50 age group - with the 51+ age group consistently reading least. In Country D - 18-30 year olds read 32 books, 31-50 year olds read 30 and 51+ read 28. Country A showed similar pattern with 18,12 and 10 books read while country B's reading habits were 28, 25 and 22 books respectively. Country C showed overall lowest readings with groups reading 12, 10 and 8 books.

This will follow the same process as we discussed under line chart-

• Make sure your sentences are grammatically correct.

• Does information flow logically?

• Ensure you're following word limit.

• Ensure you are not using same words or phrases repeatedly.

Tips for Bar Charts-

• Use language that highlights the differences between categories.

• Summarise the main points without listing every single value.

• Use a range of comparative and descriptive terms.

• Practice with single and grouped bar charts.