Task 1 Bar Chart – Average Percentage Change

In this writing task 1 bar chart sample you have to make comparisons of house prices over three time periods. 

Organization

Having a well-organized answer is a key factor in scoring well on Task 1 as an answer that is not well-planned will be difficult to follow and confuse the examiner. 

So ensure you take some time at the beginning to decide how best to present the information given to you in the chart. 

This chart looks at little confusing at first, but you are basically comparing the first bar chart to 1989, then the second one to 1989, in terms of whether prices are higher or lower.

You should always make sure you note the main changes or features. In this case it is immediately noticeable how much lower the prices are in the first chart, while in the second chart two cities in particular (Tokyo and London) have seen a turnaround. 

So you must refer to these in your response. 

Task 1 Bar Chart – Average Percentage Change

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The chart below shows changes in average house prices in five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with the average house prices in 1989. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Model Answer

The bar chart compares the average prices of houses in five cities in 1990-1995 and 1996- 2002 with average prices in 1989. Overall it can be seen that while the first period saw quite a significant drop in average prices compared to 1989 in several cities, the following time frame tended to experience a reversal of this trend in most of the locations.

From 1990-1995, three of the cities, namely New York, Tokyo, and London, saw average prices that were around 5% to 7.5% lower than in 1989. On the contrary, the cost of houses in the cities of Madrid and Frankfurt were slightly higher, by approximately 2% and 2.5% respectively. 

Turning to 1996-2002, prices looked very different. Madrid and Frankfurt continued to see higher prices comparative to 1989, but while in Madrid they were now 4% higher, in Frankfurt they were only 2% above 1989 levels. In Tokyo, the only city to remain in negative territory, prices were still below 1989 levels, standing at -5%.

The most noticeable changes, however, were evident in both New York and London, with the former seeing average prices at 5% above those of 1989, the exact opposite of the previous period. London, though, had had a significant turnaround, with prices now 12% higher. 

(210 words)

Evaluation of the model answer

Task Achievement: Band 8

The response effectively addresses the task, presenting a clear summary of the key trends in house prices over two distinct time periods. The description is well-organized and provides a clear comparison between cities, highlighting significant trends and changes. There is a logical progression in the explanation, with the use of appropriate data to support the key points. To reach a 9, you could include a clearer explanation of what might cause the differences, or further insights.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8

The essay is well-organized, with a clear structure that logically presents the information. Transitional phrases like “on the contrary,” “turning to,” and “however” are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparisons. However, the final sentence could be smoother, as the repetition of “had had” disrupts the flow slightly. Overall, cohesion is strong, but a bit more variety in sentence structures could push it higher.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The vocabulary is appropriate for the task, with a good range of phrases used to describe trends and comparisons (“significant drop,” “reversal of the trend,” “most noticeable changes”). However, there is some repetition, such as “higher prices” and “above/below 1989 levels.” To score higher, you could vary word choice slightly to avoid redundancy (e.g., using “increased” or “rose” instead of “higher” multiple times).

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8

The response demonstrates a strong command of grammar with accurate use of complex structures and passive voice (e.g., “prices that were around 5% to 7.5% lower”). There are very few errors, though the phrase “had had a significant turnaround” could be reworded for simplicity and clarity. Additionally, a bit more variety in sentence structures, including more complex or compound sentences, would improve the score.

Overall Band: 8

This is a well-structured, accurate response with strong language control. With slight improvements in sentence variety, flow, and word choice, it could potentially reach a band 8.5 or 9.