IELTS Writing Task 1 · Academic

Bar chart: reasons for studying abroad in two age groups

A real-format chart task with a band 8 report written from its data, the plan behind it, and the phrases worth keeping. Aim for 150 to 190 words in 20 minutes.

The task

The chart below shows the main reasons that two groups of people gave for choosing to study abroad. Respondents could choose more than one reason. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Reasons for studying abroad (% of respondents)	Courses	Career	Culture	Lower cost	Family
Under 25	62	70	48	22	10
25 and over	51	78	31	35	24

Band 8 model answer

195 words. The minimum is 150, and anything under it is penalised on Task Achievement; a strong answer sits between 150 and 190, which leaves time to check the figures.

The bar chart compares the percentage of respondents under 25 and aged 25 and over who gave each of five reasons for choosing to study abroad, where each respondent could choose more than one. Overall, career prospects were the most popular reason in both groups, followed by the courses on offer, while family was the least popular. The younger group was more motivated by courses and culture, whereas the older group was more influenced by cost and family. Career was cited by 70 percent of the younger group and 78 percent of the older group, the highest figure in each case. Courses came next, at 62 percent for under-25s and 51 percent for the others, and the younger group was also much more interested in culture, at 48 percent against 31 percent. The pattern reversed for practical concerns. Lower cost was mentioned by 35 percent of people aged 25 and over, 13 percentage points more than the 22 percent of younger respondents, while family was chosen by 24 percent of the older group, more than double the 10 percent of under-25s. Because respondents could give several reasons, the percentages do not add up to 100.

Why this answer earns band 8

"Because respondents could give several reasons, the percentages do not add up to 100" shows that the writer has read the task and understood the data, a Task Achievement point that most candidates miss on a multiple-choice chart.
"The younger group was more motivated by courses and culture, whereas the older group was more influenced by cost and family" splits the five categories into two clear sets in the overview with no numbers, the selection that Task Achievement rewards.
"Career was cited by 70 percent" uses the reporting verb that fits survey data, and "the highest figure in each case" compares across both groups in one phrase, which is Lexical Resource.
"The pattern reversed for practical concerns." turns the report from one group's strengths to the other's in a single sentence, the Coherence and Cohesion link that avoids the stock linkers however and on the other hand.
"13 percentage points more than the 22 percent of younger respondents" keeps points and percent apart and reports a difference that checks out (35 less 22), accuracy that Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Task Achievement both reward.

The plan, reusable on any chart of this kind

Introduction (1 sentence, 30-40 words): the measure, the two groups and the topic, plus the fact that respondents could choose more than one.
Overview (2 sentences, 40-50 words): the reason that tops both lists, the one at the bottom, and which group leans which way. No numbers.
Body 1 (50-60 words): the top reasons and the culture gap, giving both groups' figures side by side.
Body 2 (60-70 words): the reasons where the older group is ahead, with the difference stated, and the note that the percentages do not total 100.

Phrases worth learning

was cited by	to report how many respondents gave a reason in a survey
the highest figure in each case	to say one category tops two separate groups
whereas the older group	to contrast the two groups in a single sentence
13 percentage points more than	to state a difference between two percentages exactly
do not add up to 100	to explain why survey percentages exceed the total

Read the sentence under the chart title carefully: here respondents could choose more than one reason, so the bars are not shares of a whole and should never be described as if they sum to 100. Missing that instruction, or misreading which group a figure belongs to, costs Task Achievement even when the English is fluent.

Questions about this answer

What band is this model answer?

It is written to band 8, and the notes under it quote the answer's own words to show why.

How long should a Task 1 answer be?

Aim for 150 to 190 words in 20 minutes. This model answer is 195 words, and anything under 150 is penalised on Task Achievement.

What is the most common mistake on Task 1?

Writing under the 150 word minimum, which is penalised on Task Achievement, or running out of time to check the figures.