A bar chart is a graphical representation of data using rectangular bars. These bars represent different categories and their values or quantities. In the IELTS exam, bar charts often show comparisons between groups, categories, or time periods.
Bar charts may be:
Vertical (column charts) – bars go up and down
Horizontal – bars go left to right
Grouped or stacked – display multiple data series in one category
Understanding what the chart represents is your first and most important step.
What is being measured?
What are the units? (e.g., percentages, millions, number of people)
What time frame does the chart cover?
Look for highest and lowest values
Identify patterns: increases, decreases, similarities
Note any exceptions or anomalies
Categories with similar trends
Time-based groupings
Opposing patterns (e.g., countries with opposite growth trends)
A well-organized response improves Coherence and Cohesion, one of the key scoring criteria in IELTS Writing.
Paraphrase the task statement. Mention what the chart shows.
Example: The bar chart illustrates the number of international tourists visiting five different countries in 2010 and 2015.
Summarize main trends or notable comparisons without mentioning exact numbers.
Example: Overall, the number of tourists increased in all countries, with France receiving the highest visitors in both years.
Present specific data and make comparisons for the first half of the chart.
Continue with the rest of the data, focusing on contrasts, exceptions, or patterns.
A rich and varied vocabulary helps demonstrate your Lexical Resource, another critical scoring criterion.
Increase
Rise
Grow
Decline
Drop
Decrease
Gradually
Significantly
Slightly
Dramatically
Steep
Sharp
In comparison with
Whereas
While
Compared to
On the other hand
The number of tourists in Italy increased dramatically from 10 million to 20 million between 2010 and 2015.
Whereas France remained the most popular destination, Spain saw a moderate growth in visitors.
Germany and Japan had similar numbers of tourists in both years.
Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Many candidates lose marks due to predictable and avoidable errors.
Incorrect: France had 10 million, Italy had 7 million, Spain had 6 million…
Correct: France had the highest number of tourists, followed by Italy and Spain.
An overview is essential for Band 6 and above. Always include one to show general trends.
Avoid: France was way ahead of the others.
Use: France received significantly more tourists than the other countries.
Don’t use “increase” repeatedly. Use synonyms like “rise,” “grow,” “climb,” etc.
Make sure you understand what the axes represent before writing.
The bar chart below shows the number of students who studied in five different countries in 2010.
Introduction
The bar chart presents data on the number of students studying in five countries—Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, and Germany—in the year 2010.
Overview
Overall, the USA attracted the highest number of students, while Germany had the fewest. All countries showed notable differences in the volume of international students.
Body Paragraph 1
In 2010, the USA led with approximately 700,000 students. The UK and Australia followed, hosting around 500,000 and 400,000 students respectively.
Body Paragraph 2
Canada and Germany had fewer international students, with figures standing at roughly 300,000 and 250,000 respectively. The difference between the USA and Germany was particularly significant.
Focus on comparisons, not just numbers
Highlight notable patterns in the data
Keep your writing objective and formal
Use linking words for smooth flow
Always include a well-structured overview
Practice writing within the 20-minute time limit
Bar charts are one of the most frequent visual data types in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. They require you to compare quantities and highlight key trends clearly and concisely. By following a structured approach and using appropriate vocabulary, you can effectively communicate the visual information and maximize your score.
Identify what the chart is showing and group the data logically
Use formal academic language to describe comparisons
Include an introduction, overview, and two well-organized body paragraphs
Avoid listing data without analysis
Practice with a variety of sample tasks to improve speed and accuracy