IELTS lesson · Writing

IELTS Writing Task 1 Bar Chart notesBar charts: rank first, then compare

Read what the bars stand for, then describe the biggest gaps instead of every bar. This IELTS lesson is a deck of 10 visual cards from BandLadder's own study library, written and fact-checked by our team.
  • 10 cards
  • 3 cards free
  • PDF with any plan
  • Updated 30 September 2026

Original BandLadder material

What's inside

It teaches a 4-step method: read, rank, gap and compare. Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a model answer with its key moves highlighted, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.

With a free BandLadder account you can read the first three cards online in our study reader, on the web and in the app. The other 7 cards and the PDF download come with any plan.

The first 2 of 10 cards

Preview

  1. IELTSWriting · Task 1 · Bar chart

    Bars are not always a timeline

    check what the bars stand for

    Some bars show years. Others show groups or categories. This chart compares age groups: spot the slip.

    Gaming fell over the yearsno years here, from 12 hours to 2 hours, while reading rose over the yearssame slip, from 3 hours to 7.

    The bars were age groups. Nothing moved through time.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 10
  2. IELTSWriting · Task 1 · Bar chart

    Meet the chart

    the exam's bars, as a table

    Norvale: weekly leisure hours, by age group
    ActivityUnder 2525-4445+
    Gaming1252
    Television8914
    Sport663
    Reading347

    The exam shows these as bars; here they are in a table. Sample data, made up by BandLadder.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 10
  3. Card 3 of 10 onwards

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10 cards

Contents

  1. 1Bars are not always a timelinecheck what the bars stand forIn the preview
  2. 2Meet the chartthe exam's bars, as a tableIn the preview
  3. 3Read, rank, gap, comparefour moves for every bar chartFree account
  4. 4Moves 1-2: read, then rankread the axes, find the tallestWith a plan
  5. 5Moves 3-4: gap, comparewhere do the groups differ most?With a plan
  6. 6Two habits to swapcategories don't move, and lists don't scoreWith a plan
  7. 7Years or categories?the one question before you writeWith a plan
  8. 8One paragraph, three jobsa Band 8-style answer, markedWith a plan
  9. 9Your turnsame chart, three quick checksWith a plan
  10. 10Save thisthe bar-chart checklistWith a plan

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Questions

FAQ

Is the Bar charts: rank first, then compare lesson free?+

The first three cards are free to read online with a free BandLadder account. The full lesson opens with any plan.

Can I download the Bar charts: rank first, then compare PDF?+

The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.

Who wrote this lesson?+

The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.

Is it for IELTS Academic or General Training?+

It is written for IELTS Academic.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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