Academic Writing Task 1 · mixed chart

Average ticket prices and percentage of tickets sold in a theatre

The line graph shows the average prices of tickets sold at a theatre and the bar chart shows the average percentage of tickets sold in 2010 and 2011.

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

Price pounds (pounds)

View the data

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
Price pounds	9.25	9.25	10.5	10.5	10.5	10.5	10.25	10.5

Percentage (%)

View the data

	2010 Q1	2010 Q2	2010 Q3	2010 Q4	2011 Q1	2011 Q2	2011 Q3	2011 Q4
Percentage	60	60	50	80	20	20	50	70

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 line graph illustrates the average price of theatre tickets, while the bar chart depicts the percentage of tickets sold across eight quarters from 2010 to 2011. Overall, ticket prices generally trended upwards over the two-year period, while the percentage of tickets sold experienced significant fluctuations, reaching a peak in late 2010.

Regarding ticket prices, the cost remained stable at 9.25 pounds during the first two quarters of 2010 before rising to 10.5 pounds in the third quarter. This price point was maintained throughout 2010 and the first half of 2011. A slight dip to 10.25 pounds occurred in the third quarter of 2011, before the price recovered to 10.5 pounds in the final quarter.

In terms of sales, the percentage of tickets sold was 60% in the first two quarters of 2010, dipping to 50% in the third, before surging to a peak of 80% in the final quarter. In 2011, sales plummeted to 20% for the first two quarters. However, the proportion of tickets sold recovered to 50% in the third quarter and climbed further to 70% by the end of the year.

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

How to write about mixed charts

Write one overview sentence that links the two visuals.
Give each visual its own detail paragraph.
Point out where one chart explains the other.

fluctuations: irregular rising and falling in number or amount
surging: a sudden and powerful upward movement or increase
plummeted: falling or dropping straight down at high speed
maintained: kept at the same level or rate
proportion: a part, share, or number considered in comparison
recovered: returned to a normal state after a decline

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, ticket prices generally trended upwards over the two-year period, while the percentage of tickets sold experienced significant fluctuations, reaching a peak in late 2010.

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 mixed charts?

Write one overview sentence that links the two visuals. Give each visual its own detail paragraph. Point out where one chart explains the other.