Step-by-step guide to answering this type of IELTS Writing Task 1 question. Covers structure, key language, and band-scoring criteria.
Originally published May 2018. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at a Writing Task 1 Academic bar chart essay example from the IELTS writing task 1 Academic Test. Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the type of chart or graph can be.
There are so many questions written each year, you may find you practice answering various questions on different topics. It is best practice to learn how to answer each one of the various types of writing task 1 questions, from bar charts, line graphs, maps, process etc.
If you would like to learn how to structure a charts and graphs essay please click the button below >
Take a look at the IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic essay example below >>
*This chart question and answer were provided by a student. IELTS Achieve did not design this bar chart question*
The bar chart illustrates comparative statistics on the number of males and females who underwent further education, studying in full time and in part-time education in Britain in the years; 1970-1971, 1980-1981 and 1990-1991. The number of students was measured in thousands.
Overall, part-time education had the highest number of enrollees in all three periods from both men and women while in full-time education, the highest number of students can be seen in the time period of 1990-1991 where both sexes had an equal amount of enrollees.
On the one hand, the graph shows that part-time education was consistently high, never below the 800 thousand mark in males and 600 thousand marks in females, even though the trend differs from both genders. According to the data, males had the highest part-time enrollees in 1970-1971 (1000 thousand) then the trend fluctuated and rose again over the next three year period 1980-81 (900 thousand) and 1990-91 (950 thousand), while in the female part-time enrollees they had an upward trend as the years went by with 750 thousand in 1970-71, 800 thousand students in 1980-81 and the highest peak of almost 1150 thousand students by the period of 1990-91.
On the other hand, the bar chart reveals that both genders in full-time education experienced an increasing number of students within the three time periods. Male students started at below 200 thousand in 1970-71 and rose steadily until they reached 200 thousand in 1990-91, the same can be said in the number of females enrolled, they started from 50 thousand in 1970-1971 and gradually rose as the years passed by until reaching 200 thousand female students in 1990-1991.
Word count – 274 / Band score – 8
Task Achievement – The answer provides a paraphrased question, to begin with, followed by an overview that gives the reader key information.
Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs.
Lexical Resource – There is evidence of paraphrasing, synonyms and some less common words.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences are mainly made up of multiple clauses and have a variety of structures.
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
Step-by-step guide to answering this type of IELTS Writing Task 1 question. Covers structure, key language, and band-scoring criteria.
Originally published May 2018. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at a Writing Task 1 Academic bar chart essay example from the IELTS writing task 1 Academic Test. Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the type of chart or graph can be.
There are so many questions written each year, you may find you practice answering various questions on different topics. It is best practice to learn how to answer each one of the various types of writing task 1 questions, from bar charts, line graphs, maps, process etc.
If you would like to learn how to structure a charts and graphs essay please click the button below >
Take a look at the IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic essay example below >>
*This chart question and answer were provided by a student. IELTS Achieve did not design this bar chart question*
The bar chart describes comparative statistics on the number of products exported by Someland in 2005 and 2015 and its projected exports for 2025. The units were measured in USD billion.
Overall, the most profitable export Someland had from 2005 and 2015 was from international tourism, while the lowest can be seen in meat produce. It can also be seen in the data that by 2025 they are still expecting that international travels will dominate the Someland export industry whereas meat produce will still bring in the least amount of revenue.
On the one hand, the graph shows that International tourism was consistently high, with nearly 6.5 billion USD earned in 2005 and almost 7 billion USD in 2015. Similarly, this can be said in dairy products where roughly 5 million USD and approximately 8 million USD was grossed in 2005 and 2015 respectively. Meat products started at 4 million USD dollars in 2005 but decreased after 10 years (3.5 million USD, 2015).
On the other hand, a projected study was also included in the data, where they are expecting an increase by 2025 in International tourism which could receive 8 million USD, while decreases in both dairy products (7.5 billion USD) and meat products (3 billion USD) are also expected.
Word count – 211 / Band Score 8
Task Achievement – The answer provides a paraphrased question, to begin with, followed by an overview that gives the reader key information.
Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs.
Lexical Resource – There is evidence of paraphrasing, synonyms and some less common words.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences are mainly made up of multiple clauses and have a variety of structures.
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
A detailed guide to this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay type, with structure templates, useful vocabulary, and techniques to achieve Band 7+.
Originally published May 2018. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post you will find a list of recent IELTS exam questions that were in the IELTS Test during March and April 2018, you can view the questions look at the topics and practice writing answers to them during your IELTS preparation.
The questions below have been reported to us by our students and other people who have taken the IELTS Exam recently.
Please take a look below and if you know of more questions, please leave a comment and help your fellow students.
If you need help to write answers to any of the questions below, please take a look at how to write each type of essay in the Writing Task 2 section >
You can also view band score 8 essay examples to some of the questions listed below in the section above in the drop-down menu for agree/disagree, etc.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions – April 2018
Agree/Disagree
1. Pollution and other environmental damage are caused by a country developing and becoming richer. This problem cannot be avoided. To what extent do you agree?
2. Once children start school, teachers have more influence on their intellectual and social development than the parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree.
3. it is important for public money to be spent on promoting a healthy lifestyle to prevent illness rather than spending money treating people who are ill. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4. The key to solving the environmental problems is for the present generation to sacrifice their easy lifestyle for the sake of the future generations. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Positive/Negative
1. The number of people interested in cosmetic surgery is increasing in order to improve their physical appearance. Why do people want operations to change the way they look? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
2. These days a lot of movies and music are free to download online. Is this a positive or negative development?
3. Organised tours are choosing more and more to visit remote places and communities. Do you think it is a positive or negative development for the local people and the environment?
4. In society today, more and more people are choosing to live on their own. What are the reasons behind this? Is it a positive or negative trend?
Advantage/Disadvantage
1. Some cities have days when cars and other forms of transport are banned from the city centre. Only buses, bicycles and taxis are allowed to be in the city centre. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Discussion Essay
1. It is believed that some people should take a yearly driving test in order to ensure safety on the roads, while others do not agree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
2. Some people prefer hobbies that require technology, while some people prefer hobbies that do not. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Direct Question Essay
1. In the world today of advanced science and technology, people still value artists such as painters, musicians and writers. How can art make a difference in our society, that science and technology cannot?
IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions – March 2018
Agree/Disagree
1. Some people think that the government should take care of disadvantaged people like the homeless and the unemployed. Do you agree or disagree?
2. When designing a building the intended use of the building should be taken into account rather than its outward appearance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
3. In many countries around the world, plastic shopping bags are the main type of rubbish, they cause water pollution and land pollution, so they should be banned. To what extent do you agree?
Advantage/Disadvantage
1. Social media has replaced the traditional methods of communicating and people use more and more social media to communicate and to follow news and events. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Discussion Essay
1. Some people believe bicycles have a lot of advantages, whereas others believe bicycles have more disadvantages. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
3. Some people believe that sleeping is the only way that people can get enough rest. Others believe that physical activities such as playing games and exercises also provide relaxation. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
IELTS Preparation
To help you with your IELTS preparation, here is a free PDF download of the most recent IELTS writing task 2 questions.
They are a mix of both General Training and Academic questions, you can prepare for all the topics mentioned.
