Academic Writing UU Bar graphs are another of the most common types of questions asked during the IELTS Academic Writing test. For this type of question, you will be presented with an image of a bar chart and asked to describe the main features of this graph within a formal report of at least 150 words. As with any other IELTS Writing Task One, you have around 20 minutes for this task and it’s worth one third of your IELTS Writing test score. 54The bars are colored or symbol-marked rectangular blocks representing certain variables that can be compared, like in the following example: Industry sectors as % of France’s Economy 45% ay 2% a 2% 20% 19% 10% % % ating ESaonindnty— tomate egy Tom 200 B 2010 2020 * They can be placed in a horizontal or vertical position. © These types of graphs usually represent the rate of change of certain variables concerning time. * The information presented in bar charts is not necessarily dependent on any other variables and the data on the x-axis can be grouped by category. For example: Spending Type, Disease Type etc. * So it’s important to use effective vocabulary to express these trends in words. You might have to describe periods of sudden changes (both upwards and downwards) or periods of stability. 55,This section reveals the steps you need to follow to write a high- scoring IELTS bar chart report. These steps will be demonstrated using the following sample question. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The chart shows components of GDP in Australia from 2012 to 2020. ‘Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) from Automotive and Finance induotry in Auotralia ae a percentage of GOP 2012 2016 2016 2018 2020 © Finance © Automotive 56,Analyze The Question As mentioned in the previous chapter, it is important to read the question carefully before analyzing the data. Doing this ensures that you answer the question fully, which is an integral part of your Task Achievement score. Every bar graph question consists of a brief description of the graphic, and the instructions that tell you what you have to do, along with the bar chart. This gives us a great idea about the kind of data we will see. Make sure you understand what each bar and axis represent. The question statement also gives us exactly how to answer and what information we need to give the examiner within our description. You need to note down the main features of the graph, and you should also take note of any comparisons that can be made between the bars. Plan Your Report Next, we need to organize the information we’ve gathered during our question analysis and decide on how to lay out the most useful parts with our report. The typical structure for a formal bar graph report is: Paragraph 1 —Paraphrase the question Paragraph 2 — Give an Overview Paragraph 3 — Describe Main Feature 1 57,Paragraph 4— Describe Main Feature 2 Introduction Paraphrase the first sentence of the question. Try to reorder the words and use synonyms wherever appropriate. For example: Question words: The chart shows components of GDP in Australia from 2012 to 2020. Our introduction is as follows: The bar chart depicts the percentage of Gross Domestic Product from the Automotive and Finance industries in Australia between 2012 and 2020. How To Write An Overview An overview is a statement of the general trends found within a graph. You do not need to mention specific numbers or details in an overview, and it is usually just one or two sentences long. It would be sufficient to mention the overall trends, such as a downward or upward trend or an overall period of stability. For example: Overall, it can be seen that although both categories increased as a percentage of GDP, Finance had much more significant growth in ratio during the given time period. How To Write The Main Body Paragraphs 58For the 3° and 4 paragraphs, you will extend the main ideas mentioned in paragraph 2. You need to add more details in the form of exact figures and information to support the main ideas and trends mentioned in your overview. Remember to compare and contrast as well. When giving specific data, you have to include exact numbers/percentages and include as many details as possible. Since the exact numbers might be difficult to read in some cases, you can use words like around, about, and approximately. Take a look at the following sample main body paragraphs. Pay attention to how we’ve used the language in bold: To begin, in 2012, the Finance industry started at 6%, whereas the Automotive Industry accounted for 4% of the total GDP. During the next four years, the levels for both categories remained relatively stable at around 6% and 8%, with the Finance sector remaining slightly higher overall, despite a small decrease between 2014 and 2016. ‘However, a considerable change can be seen between the two categories in the next four years of the given period. The income generated from the Finance sector increased dramatically to 12% in 2018 and then nearly 15% in 2020, while the Automotive Industry saw little change, increasing to only 8 %. By the end of the period, the GDP percentage from the Finance sector was nearly double that of the Automotive industry at 15% and 8% respectively. 59Full Sample Response 1 The bar chart depicts the percentage of Gross Domestic Product from the Automotive and Finance industries in Australia between 2012 and 2020. Overall, it can be seen that although both categories increased as a percentage of GDP, Finance had much more significant growth in ratio during the given time period. To begin, in 2012, the Finance industry started at 6%, whereas the Automotive Industry accounted for 4% of the total GDP. During the next four years, the levels for both categories remained relatively stable at around 6% and 8%, with the Finance sector remaining slightly higher overall, despite a small decrease between 2014 and 2016. However, a considerable change can be seen between the two categories in the next four years of the given period. The income generated from the Finance sector increased dramatically to 12% in 2018 and then nearly 15% in 2020, while the Automotive Industry saw little change, increasing to only 8 %. By the end of the period, the GDP percentage from the Finance sector was nearly double that of the Automotive industry at 15% and 8% respectively. 60Adding Transitions into Your Sentences The U.S. produces over 2.2 billion tons of wheat every year. In contrast, Russia produces just over half a billion per year. Italy produced large amounts of dairy products. In comparison, Thailand produced very little. Finland imports some 10 million tons of flour per year, but produces none. Note: remember the word some can be used to mean about/ around, 50 you can use it to add some variety into your writing. While/Whereas/Although/Though These words are great for adding transitions within sentences without having to add a full stop and write a new sentence. They allow you to compare and contrast while keeping your text fluid and readable. Although Italy produces over 6 million tons of olives, Spain produces almost double that amount. Spain produces high levels of solar power, whereas/while Japan produces almost none. While Germany consumes nearly 80 million tons of rice per year, it produces none. Comparing and Contrasting Similar Data Austria produced the same amount of butter as Switzerland. 61Like Thailand, Malaysia produces 30,000 bottles. India consumes over 100 million tons of rice per year; Likewise/ Similarly, China consumes 118.8 million. Both India and China consume over 100 million tons of rice per year. Both the UK and Spain produce medium levels of carbon emissions. IELTS Bar Chart Exercise 1 Put the terms in bold in the right gap. Then, check your answers on the next page. remained relatively stable To begin, levels will see little change Whereas while ‘However Around remaining slightly higher overall accounted for ., in 2010, the Online Retail industry started at 11%, 7% of total the Highstreet Retail industry investment. During the next decade, the for both industries 62..15% and 8%, with the Online Retail sector .. , despite a small decrease between 2019 and 2020. a considerable change is expected between the two categories in the next ten years. Investment in the Online Retail sector will increase dramatically to 33% by 2025 and then nearly 45% in 2030, be ... the Highstreet Retail sector .. only 10%. sy increasing to 63Answers To begin, in 2010, the Online Retail industry started at 11%, whereas the Highstreet Retail industry accounted for 7% of total investment. During the next decade, the levels for both industries remained relatively stable at around 15% and 8%, with the Online Retail sector remaining slightly higher overall, despite a small decrease between 2019 and 2020. ‘However, a considerable change is expected between the two categories in the next ten years. Investment in the Online Retail sector will increase dramatically to 33% by 2025 and then nearly 45% in 2030, while the Highstreet Retail sector will see little change, increasing to only 10%. 64IELTS Bar Chart Exerc ise 2 The following chart shows five different industries’ percentage share of France's economy in 2000, 2010, and 2020. ‘Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main ‘comparisons where r Industry sectors as % of France’s Economy ee 38% 0% 28% 2% 18% 10% mang Service dusty Astomotve exec Touts [2000 B 2010 DB 200 65Exercise instructions: Write your response and compare it to Full Sample Response 2 on the next page. Write 150-180 words below: 66Full Sample Response 2 The bar graph depicts the actual shares of the French economy held by five major business sectors in 2000, 2010, and 2020. Of the five sectors, banking had the most growth, with a 30% market share in 2000, 35% in 2010, and just over 40% in 2020. In contrast, the automotive sector’s contribution decreased over the years, from 20% in 2000 to 5% in 2020. The IT Service Industry, which accounted for about 10% of the economy in 2000, grew in 2010 but declined back to its original level in 2020 at 10%. Similarly, tourism grew by 5% between 2000 and 2010 but then shrank to its original 25% by 2020. The Energy sector, which was booming in 2000 with a share of around 25%, dropped slightly by 5% and remained at the same level in the last decade. In summary, for the period, banking accounted for the biggest share of France’s economy, with steady growth from 2000 to 2020, while the automotive industry accounted for the smallest share of the economy, experiencing a steady decline throughout the period. 67