IELTS Writing Task 1 - Combined Graph (Bar Graph and Table)

Today, we are going to continue our material on IELTS Writing Task 1. We are going to discuss a combination of bar graph and table. Take a look at this sample graph.





Before we discuss how the writing is done, take a look at the general writing structure of IELTS Writing Task 1 below.



Paragraph 1

  • Introduction
  • Explaining variables
  • Explaining major trend

Paragraph 2

  • Giving detailed information of the first graph (percentage, proportion, lowest/highest, increase/decrease)

Paragraph 3

  • Giving detailed information of the second graph (percentage, proportion, lowest/highest, increase/decrease)



Paragraph 1

As usual, we have to give a very general overview by introducing the graph and paraphrasing the original title, which can be done like this:


Introduction

The bar graph compares [...] while the table outlines [...] 


Paraphrasing

Original title

  • The number of foreign tourists visiting XCountry in 2007 and 2008

  • Annual income of various businesses in XCountry in 2007 and 2008


Paraphrased Title

  • The proportion of XCountry foreign visitors from in 2007 and 2008.

  • Yearly revenue of several businesses in XCountry in 2007 and 2008


Explaining Main Features

There are three main features that we need to explain in our writing. We have explained the year, so now we  only need to explain that the number of tourists is presented in thousands and that the annual income is presented in million dollars.


Explaining  Major Trend

From the graph, we know that the number of tourists and the annual income decreased. 


The whole paragraph 1 of our writing will look like this:



The bar graph compares the proportion of XCountry foreign visitors in 2007 and 2008, while the table outlines the revenue of several businesses yearly. The number of visitors is presented in thousands while the revenue is measured in million dollars. 
 


We are going to put information about the number of visitors and annual revenue in separate paragraphs, and use the major trend as the main idea of each paragraph.


Paragraph 2

In paragraph 2, we have to explain the bar graph first. Write the major trend as the main idea and then give some more detailed information. Take a look at a sample below.


The bar graph indicates that there has been a decrease in the number of foreign visitors. American and Canadian tourists witnessed the most significant fall from around 2500 visitors to less than 500 visitors. The same trend is also shown by European tourists. In 2007, the percentage was almost the same as that of American and Canadian, but then reduced by more than a half in 2008. Moving to Chinese and Japanese tourists, there were around 3000 people visiting XCountry in 2007, but the number declined by a third a year later. As far as Australian tourists are concerned, the number experienced the slightest decrease and still made up more than 2000 visitors in 2008.
 

 

Paragraph 3

In paragraph 3, you will explain the table. Use the major trend as the main idea of the paragraph, and then add some detailed information.


The table shows that income of several businesses has plummeted in 2008. In 2007, the annual income of hotel and resort was 3.5 million dollars. The number shrank to only half a million in 2008, representing the biggest fall in hospitality industry. Likewise, restaurant, bar and souvenir shops had an annual revenue of 2.4 million dollars in 2007. The number decreased by a half a year later. As for the transportation and travel agent, their income decreased by more than a half to less than half a million dollars. Unlike the three businesses aforementioned, tour guides, small vendors and other services witness the slightest fall in yearly income and still earned more than a million dollars in 2008.

 

The entire Writing Task 1 will look like this:



The bar graph compares the proportion of XCountry foreign visitors in 2007 and 2008, while the table outlines the revenue of several businesses yearly. The number of visitors is presented in thousands while the revenue is measured in million dollars. 

The bar graph indicates that there has been a decrease in the number of foreign visitors. American and Canadian tourists witnessed the most significant fall from around 2500 visitors to less than 500 visitors. The same trend is also shown by European tourists. In 2007, the percentage was almost the same as that of American and Canadian, but then reduced by more than a half in 2008. Moving to Chinese and Japanese tourists, there were around 3000 people visiting XCountry in 2007, but the number declined by a third a year later. As far as Australian tourists are concerned, the number experienced the slightest decrease and still made up more than 2000 visitors in 2008.

The table shows that income of several businesses has plummeted in 2008. In 2007, the annual income of hotel and resort was 3.5 million dollars. The number shrank to only half a million in 2008, representing the biggest fall in hospitality industry. Likewise, restaurant, bar and souvenir shops had an annual revenue of 2.4 million dollars in 2007. The number decreased by a half a year later. As for the transportation and travel agent, their income decreased by more than a half to less than half a million dollars. Unlike the three businesses aforementioned, tour guides, small vendors and other services witness the slightest fall in yearly income and still earned more than a million dollars in 2008.

Wordcount: 272
 


Follow these links to read the previous articles:


Line Graph and Table

Pie Chart and Table

Line Graph and Bar Graph


Pie Charts and Bar Graph   


The next article on IELTS Writing Task 1 combined graph can be read here

Line Graph and Pie Chart