Academic Writing Task 1 · bar chart

Percentage of UK adults using the Internet by age group 2003-2006

The chart below shows the percentage of adults of different age groups in the UK who used the Internet every day from 2003-2006.

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

Percentage of adults by age group using the Internet from 2003 to 2006 (%)

2003
2004
2005
2006

View the data

	16-24	25-44	45-54	55-64	65+
2003	80	50	60	30	0
2004	80	60	70	35	15
2005	100	70	75	33	12
2006	90	80	80	50	20

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 proportion of UK adults across five age demographics who used the Internet daily between 2003 and 2006. Overall, there was a clear upward trend in Internet usage for all age groups throughout the four-year period, with younger individuals consistently showing higher engagement levels than older generations.

In 2003, the 16-24 age group led with 80% usage, a figure that peaked at 100% in 2005 before settling at 90% in 2006. Similarly, the 25-44 and 45-54 age brackets experienced steady growth. The 25-44 group rose from 50% in 2003 to 80% by 2006, while the 45-54 group grew from 60% to 80% over the same timeframe.

Conversely, older adults showed lower, albeit increasing, participation. The 55-64 age group began at 30% in 2003 and reached 50% by 2006. The oldest demographic, those aged 65 and over, started with negligible usage in 2003, but saw a gradual rise to 20% by 2006. While the gap between the youngest and oldest groups remained significant, the consistent growth across all categories highlights a widespread adoption of Internet technology among UK adults during this period.

185 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.

proportion: a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation
upward trend: a general direction in which something is developing higher
demographics: statistical data relating to the population and particular groups
participation: the action of taking part in an activity or event
negligible: so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering
counterparts: a person or thing that corresponds to another in function

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, Internet usage increased across all age groups between 2003 and 2006, with younger adults consistently recording the highest participation rates compared to their older counterparts.

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.