IELTS Writing Task 1: Double Bar Chart - Complete Sample Answers (Band 6-9)

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The Prompt

The following double bar chart shows the percentage of students who preferred studying at home versus in libraries in five different countries in 2020 and 2025.

!Double Bar Chart

Band 6 Sample Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Achievement: 5 - Presents a clear overview but some details are omitted
• Coherence and Cohesion: 6 - Logical organization with some cohesive devices
• Lexical Resource: 6 - Adequate range but some inaccuracies
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 6 - Makes frequent errors but meaning is clear

Answer: In 2020 and 2025, students in five countries were surveyed about their preferred study locations. Generally, more students preferred libraries over studying at home in both years.

For the USA, 60% of students preferred libraries in 2020, which decreased to 50% in 2025. The preference for home studying increased from 40% to 50% in the same period. In the UK, there was a slight increase in library preference from 55% to 58%, while home studying decreased from 45% to 42%. Canada showed a significant shift, with library preference dropping from 70% to 60% and home studying rising from 30% to 40%.

In Australia, library preference remained stable at 65%, but home studying increased from 35% to 40%. Japan saw a decrease in library preference from 80% to 70% and an increase in home studying from 20% to 30%.

Band 7 Sample Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Achievement: 7 - Presents a clear overview and most key features
• Coherence and Cohesion: 7 - Logical organization with clear cohesive devices
• Lexical Resource: 7 - Adequate range with some less common vocabulary
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 7 - Some errors but generally accurate

Answer: The double bar chart illustrates the preferences of students in five countries regarding their study locations in 2020 and 2025. A notable trend is the overall decrease in library preference and the corresponding increase in home studying.

In the USA, there was a noticeable decline in library preference from 60% to 50%, while home studying increased from 40% to 50%. The UK showed a slight increase in library preference from 55% to 58%, with a corresponding decrease in home studying. Canada experienced a significant shift, with library preference dropping from 70% to 60% and home studying rising from 30% to 40%.

Australia remained relatively stable, with library preference maintaining at 65% and home studying increasing slightly from 35% to 40%. Japan witnessed a decline in library preference from 80% to 70%, with home studying increasing from 20% to 30%.

Band 8 Sample Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Achievement: 8 - Presents a clear overview and all key features
• Coherence and Cohesion: 8 - Logical organization with clear cohesive devices and paragraphing
• Lexical Resource: 8 - Adequate range with some less common vocabulary and some sophistication
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 8 - Some errors but generally accurate with a mix of simple and complex sentence forms

Answer: The double bar chart compares the preferences of students in five countries for studying at home versus in libraries in 2020 and 2025. Overall, there is a clear trend of decreasing library preference and increasing home studying across all countries.

In the USA, the percentage of students preferring libraries decreased from 60% to 50%, while home studying increased from 40% to 50%. The UK showed a slight increase in library preference from 55% to 58%, with a corresponding decrease in home studying. Canada experienced a significant shift, with library preference dropping from 70% to 60% and home studying rising from 30% to 40%.

Australia remained relatively stable, with library preference maintaining at 65% and home studying increasing slightly from 35% to 40%. Japan witnessed a decline in library preference from 80% to 70%, with home studying increasing from 20% to 30%.

Band 9 Sample Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Achievement: 9 - Presents a clear overview and all key features with precise data comparison
• Coherence and Cohesion: 9 - Logical organization with clear cohesive devices and paragraphing
• Lexical Resource: 9 - Adequate range with some less common vocabulary and sophistication
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 9 - Few errors with a mix of simple and complex sentence forms

Answer: The double bar chart illustrates the preferences of students in five countries for studying at home versus in libraries in 2020 and 2025. A notable trend is the overall decrease in library preference and the corresponding increase in home studying, reflecting a shift in study habits over the five-year period.

In the USA, the percentage of students preferring libraries decreased significantly from 60% to 50%, while home studying increased from 40% to 50%. This indicates a growing preference for home studying among American students. The UK showed a slight increase in library preference from 55% to 58%, with a corresponding decrease in home studying, suggesting a steadfast preference for libraries.

Canada experienced a significant shift, with library preference dropping from 70% to 60% and home studying rising from 30% to 40%. This substantial change may be attributed to various factors such as the availability of online resources and the comfort of studying at home. Australia remained relatively stable, with library preference maintaining at 65% and home studying increasing slightly from 35% to 40%, indicating a balanced preference between the two study locations.

Japan witnessed a decline in library preference from 80% to 70%, with home studying increasing from 20% to 30%. This trend, although less pronounced than in other countries, still signifies a notable shift towards home studying.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Preference - The fact that something is liked or chosen more than another thing.

• Example: The preference for libraries decreased over the five-year period.

1. Significant - Important or noticeable.

• Example: There was a significant shift in study preferences in Canada.

1. Corresponding - Matching or equivalent in some way.

• Example: There was a corresponding decrease in home studying in the UK.

1. Stable - Not changing or fluctuating.

• Example: Australia remained relatively stable in its study preferences.

1. Witnessed - Experienced or observed.

• Example: Japan witnessed a decline in library preference.

1. Reflecting - Showing or indicating.

• Example: This trend reflects a shift in study habits.

1. Availability - The state of being available or accessible.

• Example: The availability of online resources may have influenced study preferences.

1. Comfort - The state of being physically or mentally comfortable.

• Example: The comfort of studying at home may have contributed to the shift in preferences.

1. Substantial - Large in amount or extent.

• Example: The change in Canada was substantial.

1. Pronounced - Clearly noticeable or evident.

• Example: The trend in Japan was less pronounced than in other countries.

1. Attributed - Assigned or credited to a particular cause.

• Example: The shift in preferences may be attributed to various factors.

1. Balanced - Having a state of equilibrium or equal distribution.

• Example: Australia showed a balanced preference between home and library studying.

1. Habits - Regular patterns of behavior.

• Example: The trend reflects a change in study habits.

1. Indicating - Showing or suggesting.

• Example: The slight increase in home studying indicates a growing trend.

1. Notable - Worthy of attention or notice.

• Example: There was a notable trend of decreasing library preference.

Common Mistakes

1. Omitting Key Data - Failure to include all relevant data points can lead to a lower score in Task Achievement.

1. Inaccurate Vocabulary - Using incorrect or inappropriate vocabulary can negatively impact Lexical Resource.

1. Poor Cohesion - Lack of clear cohesive devices can make the response difficult to follow, affecting Coherence and Cohesion.

1. Grammatical Errors - Frequent grammatical mistakes can lower the score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

1. Inadequate Overview - A weak or missing overview can significantly reduce the Task Achievement score.

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