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The bar chart below shows the different types of accommodation chosen by the
British when they went on holiday in 2012. Summarise the information by selecting
and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant
You should write at least 150 words.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Dominic Coles IELTS Blog

www.dcielts.com

Sample Answer
This bar chart shows the results of a survey on whether people in England,
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales stayed in hotels, caravans, campsites
or self-catering accommodation when they went on holiday in 2010.
The most striking feature of the chart is that in all four countries the
majority of people chose to stay in hotels. This figure was highest in
England at around 55%, almost twice the number of people who cooked for
themselves (27% of the sample) and far greater than the number who
stayed in campsites (12%) and finally caravans (6%). A similar pattern was
repeated for the Scots and the Welsh. In each case, around 50% of
holidaymakers went to hotels with around 30% in self-catering apartments.
The one difference being that caravan holidays at 12% were twice as
popular than camping holidays in Scotland.
The one country that shows a different pattern is Northern Ireland. It is
notable how there just over 30% of the population chose caravan holidays in
preference to self-catering accommodation and camping (both around
12%).

Notes on organisation
The report starts with the most significant detail
The general pattern of the chart is described in relation to England: giving
appropriate examples.
The situation in Scotland and Wales is compared to England: noting differences and
similarities. Not too much detail is included
There is a separate paragraph describing the situation in Northern Ireland to
emphasise the exception to the general pattern.

Dominic Coles IELTS Blog

www.dcielts.com
Notes on language
The most striking feature of the chart is that in all four countries the
majority of people chose to stay in hotels. This figure was highest in
England at around 55%, almost twice the number of people who cooked for
themselves (27% of the sample) and far greater than the number who
stayed in campsites (12%) and finally caravans (6%). A similar pattern was
repeated for the Scots and the Welsh. In each case, around 50% of
holidaymakers went to hotels with around 30% in self-catering apartments.
The one difference being that caravan holidays at 12% were twice as
popular than camping holidays in Scotland.
The one country that shows a different pattern is Northern Ireland. It is
notable how there just over 30% of the population chose caravan holidays in
preference to self-catering accommodation and camping (both around
12%).

There is a wide variety of comparison language used - a key part of the task.
Note in particular how similar and different are used to make comparisons
Also note how the word twice is used to avoid repeating numbers unnecessarily.