IELTS Writing · Task 1
IELTS Writing Task 1: bar chart
Bars comparing categories, sometimes across several years or groups.
- 4 practice questions
- 20 minutes · 150 words
What the examiner looks for
- The overview names the largest and smallest categories and the widest gaps between them.
- The body compares rather than lists: bar against bar, group against group, with the figures that show it.
- The report is at least 150 words and gives no opinion and no reasons: it says what the figure shows.
Bar chart questions to practise
1. Household workAcademic test: Household work
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The bar chart below shows the average number of hours per week spent on unpaid domestic work by men and women in five age groups in one country in 2023.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
- Women
- Men
Bar chart: Average hours per week of unpaid domestic work, by age group and sex, 2023 (values: Hours per week) - Women: 18–29: 12 hours; 30–44: 21 hours; 45–59: 18 hours; 60–74: 16 hours; 75 and over: 13 hours - Men: 18–29: 7 hours; 30–44: 11 hours; 45–59: 10 hours; 60–74: 12 hours; 75 and over: 11 hours
2. Reasons not to exerciseAcademic test: Reasons not to exercise
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below shows the reasons given by men and women in one country for not taking more exercise, according to a survey carried out in 2023.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
- Men
- Women
Bar chart: Reasons given for not taking more exercise, by sex, 2023 (values: Percentage of respondents) - Men: Lack of time: 52%; Too tired after work: 38%; Cost of facilities: 31%; No one to exercise with: 19%; Health problems: 24%; No interest in sport: 27% - Women: Lack of time: 61%; Too tired after work: 44%; Cost of facilities: 36%; No one to exercise with: 28%; Health problems: 22%; No interest in sport: 15%
3. Household wasteAcademic test: Household waste
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below shows how household waste was dealt with in four countries in 2022.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
- Recycled
- Composted
- Incinerated
- Sent to landfill
Each column totals 100% of the household waste collected in that country.
Stacked bar chart: Treatment of household waste in four countries, 2022 (values: Percentage of household waste) - Recycled: Germany: 48%; Japan: 20%; United Kingdom: 28%; Mexico: 6% - Composted: Germany: 18%; Japan: 2%; United Kingdom: 16%; Mexico: 3% - Incinerated: Germany: 30%; Japan: 74%; United Kingdom: 44%; Mexico: 5% - Sent to landfill: Germany: 4%; Japan: 4%; United Kingdom: 12%; Mexico: 86% Note: Each column totals 100% of the household waste collected in that country.
4. Carbon per personAcademic test: Carbon per person
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below shows the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in six countries in 2000 and in 2020.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
- 2000
- 2020
Bar chart: Carbon dioxide emissions per person (tonnes), 2000 and 2020 (values: Tonnes per person per year) - 2000: United States: 20.5; Australia: 17.2; Germany: 10.4; China: 2.7; Brazil: 2; India: 0.9 - 2020: United States: 14.2; Australia: 15.1; Germany: 7.7; China: 8; Brazil: 2.2; India: 1.8