Time Series Chart – Bar

• Techniques for Reporting Data from Time Series Bar Charts

Reporting data from time series bar charts requires a focus on change over time,
emphasizing trends, growth, or decline across the bars. Here are refined techniques to
use:
Trend Analysis: Identify and describe overall trends shown by the sequence of bars:
"The ascending height of the bars from 2010 to 2020 highlights a decade of steady
growth in renewable energy usage."
Year-over-Year Comparison: Compare bars from consecutive years to show annual
changes: "Between 2015 and 2016, there was a noticeable uptick in the bar height,
corresponding with the policy changes introduced to promote renewable energy."
Anomaly Identification: Point out any unusual patterns or anomalies in the data: "The
year 2018 stands out with a bar significantly lower than its predecessors, an anomaly
likely due to the temporary suspension of government subsidies."
Use of Averages: When applicable, calculate and discuss the average bar height to
provide context: "On average, the annual increase in sales was modest, but the bar for
2019 soared above this average, suggesting an outlier in performance."
• Vocabulary for Time Series Bar Charts
Expanding your vocabulary ensures precise and varied descriptions of trends and
changes in bar charts:
o Increment (noun/verb): An increase or addition, especially one of a series on
a fixed scale. "The chart shows a year-on-year increment in electric car sales, with
each bar surpassing the last."
o Dip (noun/verb): A temporary or small decrease. "After several years of solid
growth, there is a slight dip in the bar for 2018, before the upward trend
resumes."
o Spike (noun/verb): A sharp rise in the magnitude or frequency of something.
"There is a sharp spike in the 2020 bar, indicating an unexpected surge in demand
for streaming services during the pandemic."
o Plateau (noun/verb): A state of little or no change following a period of activity
or progress. "After a rapid rise in users, the bars plateau from 2017 to 2018,
suggesting market saturation for the social media platform."
The bar chart provides information about the percentages
of the weekly income of families in a nation spent on eight
different categories in 1968 and 2018.
Overall, the percentages of a family’s weekly spending on
food, fuel and power, clothing and footwear, and personal
goods decreased, while the reverse was true for the
remaining sectors. Remarkably, the share of spending on
household goods remained unchanged between 1968 and
2018.
Although initially spending on food accounted for the
largest part of the weekly income, housing and leisure
expenses comprised the most substantial parts in 2018. In
1968, food expenditure took up 35% of the total spending,
while only around 9% to 10% was allocated for housing and
leisure. However, after fifty years, a family spent only
around 17% of their weekly income on food, while
approximately 18% and 22% were for housing and leisure,
respectively.
In the sectors of fuel and power, clothing and footware, and
personal goods, the percentage of spending plummeted
between 1968 and 2018. In 1968, a family spent around 6 to
10% on these sectors, while the percentage dropped to only
around 4% to 5% in 2018. In contrast, the proportion of
spending on transport escalated from about 8% to 14%,
while about 8% was allocated for household goods in both
years.

The share/percentage of [mẫu số] bổ nghĩa bằng tử số

The share of students who are in Grade 12 is 50%.
Grade 12 / toàn bộ học sinh = 50%.

Introduction - viết lại đề

The bar chart provides information about the percentages
of the weekly income of families in a nation spent on eight
different categories in 1968 and 2018.
Overall, the percentages of a family’s weekly spending on
food, fuel and power, clothing and footwear, and personal
goods decreased, while the reverse was true for the
remaining sectors. Remarkably, the share of spending on
household goods remained unchanged between 1968 and
2018.

Overview – main trends/main differences or main

stages
Main

Food – 35% - 1968

In 1968, 35% of the weekly income of an average family in
this nation was spent on food. -> In 1968, 35% of income
was spent on food. -> In. 1968, 35% of the income of an
average family was allocated for food.
35% = tử số/ mẫu số x 100%
Tử số chiếm bao nhiêu mẫu số.
Tử số chiếm 35% mẫu số.
In 1968, spending on food accounted for/comprised 35% of
the total income of an average family in a week.
In 1968, food expenses accounted for 35% of an average
family’s weekly income.
In 1968, the percentage/proportion/share of the weekly
income of families spent on food (restrictive relative clause)
was 35%.
Housing – 2018 – around/approximately/about 18%
In 2018, around 18% of an average family’s weekly income
was spent on housing.
In 2018, spending on housing accounted for around 18% of
an average family’s weekly income.
In 2018, the proportion/share/percentage of a family’s
weekly income allocated for housing was around 18%.

Percentage = tử số/mẫu số
The student is high.
 è The number of students is high hay là the
percentage of students hay là the quality of students ->
modifier -> The quality of students
increases/improves. / The height of students increases.
In 1968, 35% of a family’s weekly income was spent on food.

Before we begin, please remember that:

IELTS Task 1 essays are evaluated based on four key criteria:
§ Task Achievement
§ Coherence and Cohesion
§ Lexical Resource
§ Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Each criterion is equally weighted and can significantly impact your overall score.
1. Task Achievement
This refers to how well you fulfill the requirements of the task, which includes:
§ Presenting a clear overview with key features summarized. (Missing of a key
feature is considered serious and could lead to a large reduction in your score)
§ Highlighting comparisons, trends, and stages accurately.
§ Selecting and reporting relevant data.
§ Avoiding irrelevant details.
High-scoring essays will present a comprehensive analysis of the data. The key is to
understand what the data represents and to make sure you cover all essential aspects.
Missing out on vital information can severely limit your score.
2. Coherence and Cohesion
This criterion assesses the organization and connection of ideas within the essay:
§ Organize your essay into clear paragraphs.
§ Use a variety of cohesive devices (linking words, pronouns, conjunctions)
appropriately.
§ Maintain a logical sequence throughout your essay.
Coherence refers to the flow of ideas, and cohesion concerns the "glue" that holds these
ideas together. Effective paragraphing is essential, especially for higher bands (8.0 or
9.0), as mentioned in the descriptor.

Structuring Your Essay

Introduction:
Begin with a brief introduction that paraphrases the task prompt. This sets the context
for your essay.
Overview:
Present the main trends, differences, or stages without detailing specific data. This
provides a snapshot of the most significant information contained within the graph or
chart.
Main Body:
Divide this into two or more paragraphs. Each paragraph should cover a different
aspect of the data.
Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
Follow with supporting sentences that provide detailed data.
Use data selectively and avoid overloading the reader with numbers.
Conclusion:
A conclusion isn't always necessary for Task 1, as your overview often serves this
purpose. If you choose to include one, it should succinctly summarize the main trends
without adding new information.

3. Lexical Resource
This criterion evaluates:
§ The range of vocabulary used.
§ The accuracy of word choices.
§ The ability to use paraphrasing effectively.
To score highly, you'll need to demonstrate a good range of vocabulary and show that
you can use words appropriately in the context of the essay.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
This assesses:
§ The variety of sentence structures.
§ The correct use of punctuation.
§ The accuracy of grammatical constructions.
To achieve a high score, use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures and
ensure that your grammar is as error-free as possible.
Main features
Transportation:
In 1968, transportation expenses accounted for 8% of a family's budget.
By 2018, this figure had risen to 14%.
Housing:
Housing costs made up 20% of household expenditures in 1968.
A slight decrease was observed by 2018, with housing expenses dropping to 19%.
Leisure:
Leisure spending was 20% of the total budget in 1968.
By 2018, it had grown to encompass 22% of the household income.
Fuel and Power:
The budget share for fuel and power was about 7% in 1968.
This was reduced to 4% by 2018.
Clothing and Footwear:
In 1968, clothing and footwear represented 10% of family spending.
The allocation for this category halved to 5% in 2018.
Personal Goods:
Spending on personal goods accounted for approximately 8% of the budget in 1968.
By 2018, this had decreased to 4%.

Exlucisve content – In this section, I use give you guys specific techniques
that I use to write IELTS task 1
• Transportation
Simple: "Transportation costs were 8% of the budget in 1968 and rose to 14% in
2018."
Advanced: "Over the five decades, the proportion of expenditure on transportation
witnessed a substantial increase, climbing from 8% to 14%."
Very Advanced: "The allocation for transportation underwent a notable augmentation
from a modest 8% of total family expenditure in 1968 to a robust 14% by 2018,
reflecting a compounded annual growth trend in this category."
Technique: The simple statement directly reports the data. The advanced version adds
a descriptive word ("substantial") and uses a more complex structure ("witnessed a
substantial increase"), while the very advanced version incorporates more sophisticated
language and implies a deeper analysis ("notable augmentation," "compounded annual
growth trend").
 • Housing
Simple: "In 1968, housing was 20% of the budget, which decreased to 19% in 2018."
Advanced: "Housing costs experienced a slight reduction from 20% of total expenses
in 1968 to 19% half a century later."
Very Advanced: "The fiscal landscape surrounding housing expenses revealed a
marginal contraction, edging down from one-fifth of the total outlay in 1968 to a nearly
equivalent 19% in the subsequent 50-year epoch."
Technique: The simple version is a straightforward comparison. The advanced level
uses synonyms and a passive voice ("experienced a slight reduction"), and the very
advanced level involves more elaborate phrasing and contextualizes the data over time
("fiscal landscape," "marginal contraction," "subsequent 50-year epoch").
• Leisure
Simple: "Leisure spending increased from 20% in 1968 to 22% in 2018."
Advanced: "The allocation for leisure activities saw a moderate ascent from occupying
20% of the household budget in 1968 to 22% in 2018."
Very Advanced: "Expenditure on recreation and leisure activities manifested a
discernible upward trajectory, ascending from a significant 20% of the domestic
financial pie in 1968 to an even more pronounced 22% by the close of the observed
period."
Technique: The simple sentence offers a basic report. The advanced sentence adds a
level of detail ("moderate ascent") and a slight change in wording ("allocation for leisure
activities"). The very advanced sentence introduces more complex vocabulary and
extends the sentence structure for a more dramatic effect ("manifested a discernible
upward trajectory," "domestic financial pie").
• Fuel and Power
Simple: "Fuel and power took up 7% of the budget in 1968, falling to 4% in 2018."
Advanced: "The share of family income devoted to fuel and power diminished from
7% to 4% over the 50-year timeframe."
Very Advanced: "In the realm of fuel and power, there was a contraction in the
budgetary share, which retreated from the 7% mark in 1968 to a leaner 4% by 2018,
signaling a decrease in relative cost or consumption."
Technique: The simple version directly reports the percentages. The advanced version
introduces the concept of time ("over the 50-year timeframe") and uses a more
descriptive verb ("diminished"). The very advanced version adds context and suggests
possible causes ("signaling a decrease in relative cost or consumption").
• Clothing and Footwear
Simple: "Clothing and footwear accounted for 10% of spending in 1968, but only 5%
in 2018."
Advanced: "The proportion of expenses for clothing and footwear halved from 10%
in 1968 to 5% in 2018."
Very Advanced: "The sector of clothing and footwear exhibited a pronounced
contraction, with its stake in the family budget slicing down from a tenth to a twentieth
over the observed period."
Technique: The simple version gives a clear before-and-after picture. The advanced
version employs a more precise term ("halved") to indicate the change. The very
advanced version uses more sophisticated language and imagery ("exhibited a
pronounced contraction," "slicing down from a tenth to a twentieth").
• Personal Goods
Simple: "Personal goods decreased from 8% of the family budget in 1968 to 4% in
2018."
Advanced: "Spending on personal goods saw its budget share halve, moving from 8%
to 4% between the two years."
Very Advanced: "Personal goods underwent a fiscal downsizing within the domestic
budget, plummeting from an 8% allocation to a mere 4%, indicative of a shift in
consumer purchasing priorities."
Technique: The simple version is directand concise. The advanced version introduces
the concept of time and uses a descriptive verb ("saw its budget share halve"). The very
advanced version adds depth and context by implying a broader economic or social
shift ("fiscal downsizing," "indicative of a shift in consumer purchasing priorities").
By pairing these approaches together:
1. Simple to Advanced: We move from stating facts to interpreting data. The simple
statement reports what is seen directly ("Clothing and footwear accounted for 10% of
spending in 1968, but only 5% in 2018"), while the advanced provides context ("The
proportion of expenses for clothing and footwear halved from 10% in 1968 to 5% in
2018").
2. Advanced to Very Advanced: The transition involves adding implications or
potential causes. The advanced statement focuses on the specifics of change ("Spending
on personal goods saw its budget share halve"), whereas the very advanced adds a layer
of analysis or commentary ("Personal goods underwent a fiscal downsizing... indicative
of a shift in consumer purchasing priorities").

Let’s write this together:

The bar graph elucidates the distribution of a nation's family income percentages over
various expense categories, comparing the years 1968 and 2018. A panoramic overview
reveals a discernible shift in financial priorities, with a marked decrease in expenditures
on food, fuel and power, clothing and footwear, and personal goods. Conversely,
investment in other sectors experienced an upward trend.
Transportation, recreation, and housing notably commanded the lion's share of
household budgets during both years under review. In 1968, transportation costs
represented a modest 8% of overall expenses, whereas housing and leisure each
constituted a significant fifth of the fiscal pie. By 2018, the scenario had evolved
dramatically; transportation expenses surged to 14% of family budgets. Housing and
leisure also saw an uptick in financial commitment, capturing 19% and 22% of total
expenditures, respectively.
A closer inspection of the other categories reveals an intriguing expansion in their
proportion of the weekly family budget over the five-decade span. Fuel and power,
previously absorbing about 7% of the budget, contracted to 4%. The clothing and
footwear category halved its claim on family income, dwindling from 10% to 5%, while
personal goods similarly saw a reduction from approximately 8% to 4%. These figures
paint a vivid picture of the evolving economic landscape and changing consumer
behavior over the past 50 years.
Option 2 (More liberal approach to structure and paragraphing)
The bar chart meticulously delineates the evolution of household income allocation
among various expense categories within a specified nation, contrasting the fiscal
landscapes of 1968 and 2018. Overall, it highlights an increased financial dedication to
transport, housing, and leisure, contrasted by a decline in the proportion of income
spent on fuel and power, clothing and footwear, and personal goods.
In the realm of transportation, an upward trajectory is observed. The allocation of
household income to transport expenses escalated from a modest 8% in 1968 to a more
substantial 14% by 2018. Housing, while witnessing a slight decrease, remained a
significant expenditure, comprising 20% of the household budget in 1968 and
marginally reducing to 19% in 2018. Leisure spending saw an increase, claiming 20% of
household income in 1968 and growing to 22% by 2018.
In stark contrast, the data indicates a reduction in the proportion of income spent on
other essential categories. Outlays for food, a necessity, are not explicitly quantified in
the provided data, yet it is grouped with categories that have seen a general decline. The
expenditure on fuel and power has been halved, from approximately 7% in 1968 to a
mere 4% in 2018. Similarly, the clothing and footwear category has seen its share of
income expenditure diminish from 10% to 5%. Personal goods also followed this
downward trend, decreasing from around 8% to 4%.