This IELTS bar chart example is about the participation of Australian 5-14-year-olds in certain leisure activities.
The comparison is between the participation of boys and girls.
Take a look at the question and the bar chart. What are the key features? How would you organize your answer? You need to do it in a clear and logical way.
IELTS Bar Chart Example
| You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The bar chart shows the participation of children is selected leisure activities in Australia. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. |
Model Answer
The graph indicates the level of participation in various leisure activities between Australian boys and girls aged 5 to 14 years old. It shows what percentage of each group has enjoyed these activities, and shows which activities are more popular by gender.
In general, the boys in this age group engage in a higher number of included leisure activities than the girls, with higher participation levels in all activities except arts and crafts.
As we can see, watching TV and videos is the most popular activity for children in this age group with 100% of the boys and girls surveyed having been involved. The least popular activity overall is skateboarding/roller-blading, as it saw the lowest overall participation rate amongst the boys and girls, at around 38% and 28% respectively.
The boys show a preference for electronic games, which were enjoyed by 80% of them, and outdoor activities, such as bike riding, in which 70% of all boys surveyed had participated. They were less interested in arts and crafts. The girls on the other hand took part in bike riding, electronic games, and arts and crafts at similar rates, with all at around 60% participation.
(196 words)
Evaluation of the model answer
Task Achievement: Band 7
The response provides a clear overview of the main trends in the graph and highlights the differences in participation rates between boys and girls. However, it could offer more specific data points for each activity (e.g., percentages for arts and crafts, or detailed comparison between boys and girls for each activity) to demonstrate a fuller understanding of the graph. It accurately addresses the task, but with limited detail in certain areas.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The structure of the report is logical, moving from a general overview to specific points of comparison. Cohesive devices such as “in general,” “as we can see,” and “on the other hand” are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the report could benefit from a smoother transition between sections, especially when describing boys’ and girls’ preferences, to enhance clarity.
Lexical Resource: Band 7
The vocabulary used is appropriate and mostly varied, with phrases like “preference for electronic games” and “similar rates.” However, there is some repetition, particularly with “participation” and “activities.” Introducing more synonyms or paraphrasing key terms would make the language more diverse and engaging.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8
The grammar is accurate, and a range of sentence structures is used effectively. Complex and compound sentences are employed well, with few noticeable errors. The sentence “The girls on the other hand took part in bike riding, electronic games, and arts and crafts at similar rates” is a little repetitive, but overall, the grammar is strong.
Overall Band: 7.5
This is a well-written response with a clear and structured approach. To achieve a higher score, the report could include more specific details from the graph, reduce repetition of key terms, and improve the use of transitions between different sections.
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