WRITING TASK 1 Jay Nguyen IELTS

BAR CHARTS
(Coffee Production)
STEPS:
1. Check the timescale
2. Find the general trend(s) and noticeable features
3. Group information
4. Describe the chart in detail
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.
The charts show information about the percentage of men and women aged 60-64 who were employed in
four countries in 1970 and 2000.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

+ Overview:
_ upward or downward trends
_ comparisons (highest/lowest)
Bar charts (Coffee Production) Page 1
WRITING TASK 1 Jay Nguyen IELTS
Fill the gaps below using these words: under, drop, slightly, fell, genders, decreased
The bar charts detail men and women between the ages of 60 and 64 working in Belgium, the USA, Japan, and
Indonesia in 1970 and 2000. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that men had higher
employment figures for all countries in both years, with the largest disparity being the difference between men
and women in Belgium and the USA in 2000. Proportions of males and females employed 1 …………………….
across all nations, especially in Belgium.
In the United States in 1970, 88% of men between 60 and 64 were employed compared to just 2 …………………….
80% of women. These proportions were broadly similar to Belgium (79% and 62%) and Indonesia (83% and
63%). The disparity in Japan was 3 ……………………. larger, with 78% of men working and 55% of women.
By 2000, figures for the United States had declined to 79% of men and 41% of women, the second largest 4
……………………. recorded. Belgium had the largest fall for female employment (down to fewer than 10%
working) with a more moderate fall for men to 51%. In Indonesia, employed males 5 ……………………. to 72% as
their counterparts slipped by 12% to 50%. Finally, Japan displayed the narrowest gap between 6 …………………….,
with 51% of men working and 48% of women.

Let’s analyze this model answer.

INTRODUCTION
Exam tip: Do not copy exactly the question. You need to paraphrase it.
The charts show information about the percentage of men and women aged 60-64 who were employed in four
countries in 1970 and 2000.
→ The bar charts detail men and women between the ages of 60 and 64 working in Belgium, the USA,
Japan, and Indonesia in 1970 and 2000.
✓ remove the word ‘below’
✓ Instead of using ‘show’, we have other options, namely illustrate, detail, indicate, give/provide
information about, compare.
✓ between year X and year Y → from year X to year Y
✓ in 1999 → in the year 1999
OVERVIEW
You should find:
✓ the highest, the lowest
✓ the general trend (upward or downward)
You can start with:
✓ Overall, it is clear that
✓ Overall, it is noticeable that
✓ Overall, it can be seen that
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that men had higher employment figures for all
countries in both years, with the largest disparity being the difference between men and women in
Belgium and the USA in 2000. Proportions of males and females employed decreased across all nations,
especially in Belgium.
_ largest disparity: biggest difference

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WRITING TASK 1 Jay Nguyen IELTS
_ across all nations: in all countries

BODY PARAGRAPH
Exam tip:
✓ You can increase your coherence and cohesion score by using paragraphing.
BODY PARAGRAPH 1: The first bar chart
In the United States in 1970, 88% of men between 60 and 64 were employed compared to just under 80%
of women. These proportions were broadly similar to Belgium (79% and 62%) and Indonesia (83% and
63%). The disparity in Japan was slightly larger, with 78% of men working and 55% of women.
_ broadly similar: relatively/pretty similar
_ just over & just under
o 11 or 12 → just over 10
o 8 or 9 → just under 10
_ slightly/marginally/modestly + higher. Don’t write “a bit higher” because it is informal.
_ compared to
o The medical facilities nowadays are much better compared to the past.
o Mortality rates are lower for women compared with men.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: The second bar chart

By 2000, figures for the United States had declined to 79% of men and 41% of women, the second largest
drop recorded. Belgium had the largest fall for female employment (down to fewer than 10% working)
with a more moderate fall for men to 51%. In Indonesia, employed males fell to 72% as their
counterparts slipped by 12% to 50%. Finally, Japan displayed the narrowest gap between genders, with
51% of men working and 48% of women.
_ Grammar: Past perfect
o By 2010, expenditure on fast food had fallen by 4% in Canada.
_ slip /slɪp/ (v): to fall slightly
* counterpart /ˈkaʊntəpɑːt/ (n): a person or thing that has the same position or function as sb/sth else in a
different place or situation
o corporations that trade with their counterparts in other countries
o The president met his French counterpart.
o The women's shoe, like its male counterpart, is specifically designed for the serious tennis player.
o Bars in Madrid offer more, and better, food than their American counterparts.
o Women soldiers will join their male counterparts at the army base.

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WRITING TASK 1 Jay Nguyen IELTS

FULL MODEL ANSWER

The bar charts detail men and women between the ages of 60 and 64 working in Belgium, the USA, Japan,
and Indonesia in 1970 and 2000. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that men had
higher employment figures for all countries in both years, with the largest disparity being the difference
between men and women in Belgium and the USA in 2000. Proportions of males and females employed
decreased across all nations, especially in Belgium.

In the United States in 1970, 88% of men between 60 and 64 were employed compared to just under 80%
of women. These proportions were broadly similar to Belgium (79% and 62%) and Indonesia (83% and
63%). The disparity in Japan was slightly larger, with 78% of men working and 55% of women.

By 2000, figures for the United States had declined to 79% of men and 41% of women, the second largest
drop recorded. Belgium had the largest fall for female employment (down to fewer than 10% working)
with a more moderate fall for men to 51%. In Indonesia, employed males fell to 72% as their
counterparts slipped by 12% to 50%. Finally, Japan displayed the narrowest gap between genders, with
51% of men working and 48% of women.
(208 words, written by David Lang, amended version)

LET’S PRACTICE!
The graph below shows coffee production in four different countries from 1990 to 2010.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

I never dreamed about success. I worked for it. — Estée Lauder

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