Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Annual Performance of Winners in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

The following chart shows information about the Nathan's hot dog eating contest held in Brooklyn's Coney Island. Could you summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant?

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Winners (Hot dogs + buns eaten)

US
Japan
Mexico
Germany

View the data

	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
US	8	10	10	–	–	14	11	13	12	13	15	20	18	16	19	18	21	18	20	24	–	–	–	–	44	48	–	66	59	68	54
Japan	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	25	50	50	44	53.75	–	52	–	–	–	–
Mexico	–	–	–	19.5	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Germany	–	–	–	–	9	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Band 8 sample answer

The bar chart illustrates the number of hot dogs and buns consumed by winners of Nathan's annual eating contest in Coney Island between 1980 and 2010. Overall, there was a substantial increase in consumption figures over the thirty-year period, with the record rising from single digits to 68.

In the early 1980s, winners typically consumed between 8 and 19.5 hot dogs, with the latter figure achieved by the only female winner, Birgit Felden, in 1983. Throughout the 1990s, the winning totals experienced a gradual climb, reaching 22.25 by 1997. During this decade, American participants consistently secured the title.

From 2001 onwards, the competition intensified significantly. Japanese contestants dominated the early 2000s, with consumption levels surging to 53.75 in 2004. However, American competitors reclaimed their dominance in the latter half of the decade. Joey Chestnut set a record of 68 hot dogs in 2009, representing a dramatic increase compared to the 8 consumed in 1980. By 2010, the winning total had slightly declined to 54, yet it remained substantially higher than the figures recorded during the first two decades of the contest.

181 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about bar charts

Compare the biggest and smallest bars before anything else.
If the bars show years, describe change; if they show places, describe rank.
Round sensibly and say 'just over' or 'nearly' rather than guessing decimals.

upward trend: a general direction in which something is developing
dominating: having a commanding influence on or over something
substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth
gradual climb: a slow and steady increase over time
intensified: became or made more intense or stronger
surging: moving suddenly and powerfully forward or upward

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The contest saw a significant upward trend in the number of hot dogs consumed over three decades, with American competitors dominating the final years.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How do I describe bar charts?

Compare the biggest and smallest bars before anything else. If the bars show years, describe change; if they show places, describe rank. Round sensibly and say 'just over' or 'nearly' rather than guessing decimals.