Academic Writing Task 1 · mixed chart

Transport preferences and reasons for car usage in Edmonton city

The diagrams below give information on transport and car use in Edmonton.

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

Transport use in Edmonton (%)

Car: 45%
LRT (Light Rail Transit): 35%
Bus: 10%
Taxi: 10%

View the data

Category	Value (%)
Car	45
LRT (Light Rail Transit)	35
Bus	10
Taxi	10

People's Reason for using the car in city

Reason	Percentage
Commute to work	55%
Shopping	15%
Leisure activities	15%
Taking children to school	40%
Business	45%

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 provided charts illustrate the distribution of transport methods in Edmonton and the specific reasons why residents opt to use cars. Overall, it is clear that private car ownership is the dominant form of transport, while commuting to work stands out as the most significant factor driving car usage.

Regarding transport preferences, the car accounts for 45% of all journeys, making it the most frequently used mode. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) follows as the second most popular option at 35%. Public transport via bus and the use of taxis are significantly less common, each representing only 10% of the total transport share.

In terms of the reasons for using a car, commuting to work is the most prevalent, cited by 55% of drivers. Business-related travel is the next most common reason at 45%, followed closely by taking children to school at 40%. In contrast, shopping and leisure activities are the least frequent motivations for car use, with both categories accounting for only 15% each. These figures highlight that car usage in Edmonton is primarily driven by essential daily obligations rather than discretionary activities.

184 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.

dominant: having the most influence or being most common
prevalent: existing very commonly or happening often
accounts for: to form a particular amount or part of
discretionary: decided by someone's own judgment or choice
significantly: in a way that is large or important
distribution: the way in which something is shared out

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The car is the most popular mode of transport in Edmonton, and commuting to work is the primary reason residents choose to drive.

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.