IELTS Bar Charts: Types, Guidelines & Samples for Academic Writing Task 1

Among all the other types of questions, you will also come across a question that will showcase a bar graph. Also known as a bar chart, the bar graph is evaluated similar to a IELTS line graph. Such a bar chart also comes with two axes, showing changes and diversifications over a given period of time.

Moreover, the bar graph has rectangular bars that could be either displayed vertically or horizontally, representing two or more values of data.

Types of IELTS Bar Graphs

When preparing for the IELTS Writing exam, you would have to prepare for two different types of bar graphs: vertical and horizontal.

Vertical Bar Graph

Here is how a vertical bar graph looks like:

Horizontal Bar Graph

Here is how a horizontal bar graph looks like.

If you need more information on IELTS bar graph/chart, have a look at the video below!

Steps to Write a Band 9 IELTS Bar Chart Essay

If you wish to learn more about writing a high-scoring IELTS bar graph report for IELTS Writing Task 1 for the Academic test, here is a comprehensive process that will help you out.

• Evaluating the Question

The first and foremost step is to evaluate and analyze the question. In the question, you will get a brief description of the bar chart along with instructions. Your job here will be to discover the central idea.

• Assessing the Given Data

The next step is to assess the data that you have in the question. Find out whether it is dynamic or static. If it is dynamic data, it will show two or more time periods. If it is static data, it will show only one time period. For both these data types, you will have to use different languages to write the description.

• Discovering Primary Features

Majorly, bar graph questions are meant to test your mathematical as well as language skills. Hence, you must know how to derive the primary features from the given data and write about it.

Important Elements to Describe an IELTS Bar Chart

Here is the complete format that should be used when describing a bar chart or a bar graph in the writing module of the IELTS Academic exam.

• The Introduction

In the introduction paragraph, you would have to paraphrase the asked question. This can be done by using synonyms and paraphrased words and sentences. Also, ensure that this section is sounding natural.

• The Overview

Usually, an overview forms the second paragraph of the essay. In this one, you would have to write down the main features. Also, you must discover available comparisons and talk about general trends occurring in the given data.

• The First Body Paragraph

In the first body paragraph, you will have to give detailed information and explain the given data. Here, you must focus more on language instead of facts. Making relevant comparisons is always useful.

• The Second Body Paragraph

This second body paragraph will have your explanation of the remaining features. It will be the same as the first body paragraph, but with different information.

Guidelines for Choosing Information from the Bar Graph

As you would already know, a bar graph question requires a report of 150 words to be written. To help you out with an easier way and score a top IELTS band score, you can follow (but not stick to) the below-mentioned guidelines.

Samples of IELTS Bar Graph/Chart with Model Answers

Now it is time to practice some sample IELTS Bar/Chart following the guidelines given above. So, let us check out some IELTS bar/graph from IELTS Writing recent actual tests.

Sample 1

Check out the Band 7,8 & 9 answers of the above IELTS bar graph on 'Estimated World Illiteracy Rates by Region and by Gender'!

Sample 2

Leisure time in a typical week in hour – by sex and employment status, 1998-99.

Check out the answer of the above IELTS bar graph on 'Amount of Leisure Time Enjoyed by Men and Women of Different Employment Statuses'!

Tips to Write IELTS Bar Chart Essay

Jotted down below are some tips on how to improve your IELTS writing band score that will help you write a relevant, on-point IELTS bar chart essay

1. Is it difficult for you to match the word count?

Most of the time, people find it difficult to match the word count. Hence, they start using complicated words to unnecessarily extend the sentences. While using high-end IELTS vocabulary is a pro, writing sentences that are difficult to be understood is a con.

2. Be straightforward in your writing

When describing the bar graph, try not to complicate the description. Be straightforward and on-point.

3. Do you only practise with one type?

While practising, do you only try working on one type of chart or graph, or do you expand your horizons as well?

4. Practise as much as possible

While taking IELTS Writing practice tests, work on varying bar charts or graphs to enhance your ability to explain whatever comes in the examination.

5. Are you always in a hurry for submission?

One of the common mistakes that people commit is not reviewing their answers before submission. This could lead to you missing out on errors and issues that can impact your marking.

6. Review your writings before submitting

Once written, double-check for grammatical errors. Review important details for IELTS Grammar and superlatives to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Here are 10 bar graph IELTS practice test examples:

• Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Example 4
• Example 5
• Example 6
• Example 7
• Example 8
• Example 9
• Example 10