Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Gross Domestic Product Contributions from IT and Service Industries in the UK

The chart shows the components of GDP in the UK from 1992 to 2000.

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

Gross Domestic Product From IT and Service Industry of the UK (% of GDP)

IT Industry
Service Industry

View the data

	1992	1994	1996	1998	2000
IT Industry	6.2	8.2	7.8	12	14.8
Service Industry	4	6.5	7	7.6	8.2

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 percentage contribution of the IT and service industries to the UK's Gross Domestic Product between 1992 and 2000. Overall, both sectors experienced growth over the period, with the IT industry showing a significantly more rapid upward trend compared to the service industry.

In 1992, the IT industry accounted for 6.2% of the GDP, while the service industry stood at 4.0%. By 1994, both sectors saw increases, with IT rising to 8.2% and services to 6.5%. However, in 1996, the IT industry experienced a slight dip to 7.8%, whereas the service industry continued its steady climb to 7.0%.

From 1998 onwards, the IT sector surged, reaching 12.0% in 1998 and peaking at 14.8% by 2000. In contrast, the service industry maintained a more gradual growth trajectory, rising to 7.6% in 1998 and finishing the period at 8.2% in 2000. By the end of the timeframe, the IT industry's contribution was nearly double that of the service industry, highlighting a substantial shift in the economic composition of the UK over these eight years.

176 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.

accounted for: represented a specific portion of a total amount
upward trend: a general direction in which something is increasing
steady climb: a consistent and gradual increase over a period
surged: increased suddenly and powerfully in a short time
gradual growth: a slow and steady increase over a duration
economic composition: the makeup or structure of an economy's sectors

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, both sectors experienced growth over the period, with the IT industry showing a significantly more rapid upward trend compared to the service industry.

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.