IELTS Writing Task 1: How to describe BAR GRAPHS

Are you preparing for the writing section of the IELTS? In this lesson, we will look at Writing Task 1, and I will teach you how to describe a bar graph. This is one question type that can be on the IELTS, so it is a good idea to prepare yourself for it. I will take you through what happens in Writing Task 1, what key grammar you can use for it, and how you can improve the organization of your description by using compare-and-contrast vocabulary. Good luck on your exam! Try my quiz at the end to practice some of the concepts from this lesson: www.engvid.com/ielts-writing-...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi there. My name is Emma and in today's video we're going to talk about the test known as the IELTS. So if you are going to be writing the IELTS, this video is for you. Now, in this video we're talking specifically about if you're writing the academic IELTS. If you're, you know, just here for general interest, you can still learn quite a bit from this video because we will be talking about different vocabulary and grammar. So this video can also help you if you're not taking the IELTS also.
Okay, so what are we going to be talking about specifically in this video? Well, if you're taking the IELTS you probably know that there's a writing part of the IELTS. The writing part has two sections, we call them Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. In this video I'm going to cover a small bit of Writing Task 1. So, in Writing Task 1 you're going to be given some sort of visual image. Okay? So you might see something like this, this, or this. It might be a chart, it might be a table, but you're going to see some sort of visual and you need to describe what you're seeing. So this video... I've covered different types of Writing Task 1 and I'll talk about the links to some of these other videos at the end, but in this specific video we're going to be talking about bar graphs. Okay?
So, first of all: What is a bar graph? Well, so I have here three different types of charts or graphs. We have this one, this one, and this one. This is called a pie chart. Okay? I've covered this in another video, so if you're interested in learning how to write about pie charts, you can check out that video. But you'll notice with a pie chart it looks kind of like a pizza or a pie. It's in a circle and it's... Has different colours representing different percents.
We have here, this is called a line graph. So you'll notice that there's a line and, you know, sometimes this represents time, sometimes it represents other things, but with a line graph you'll notice, like, increases and decreases, but it's one connected line. We're not covering either of these in this video.
What we're going to be covering is another thing you might see on the IELTS, which is you might be given a picture like this. This is called a bar graph or a bar chart. So we have here these rectangular-shaped things that are each a different colour. These are known as bars. Okay? So, I know a bar is a place you go to buy beer, but in this case a bar is not that, it's actually this kind of rectangle on the chart. So, on the IELTS you may get a picture of something like this. You might actually get a picture of two things together, or you might get a picture of something a lot more complicated than this. In this case we're going to talk about: What would you do and say, and what are some tips if you get a picture of a bar graph or a bar chart?
Okay, so what are you going to have to do? Specifically they're going to ask you... After you get a picture like this, they're going to ask you to describe what you see. Okay? So you're describing the main information. You're also going to have to maybe make comparisons, say how things are similar or how things are different, which is contrast. So, for example, if this is, you know, different activities, maybe you might say that the red is shopping and the blue is golfing. In this case, shopping is less popular than golfing. Okay? So pretty much you need to compare the different bars and say: What are the same about them? Which ones are similar and which ones are different?
You're also going to have to report any main features or trends. Okay? So maybe you'll see a pattern and you're going to have to write about, you know, some of these main points you see when you look at the visualization. You do not write your opinion. Okay? So if this is a graph on education, maybe this is elementary school, secondary school, university, master's, and like a doctorate or something - you do not write what you think about it. Okay? All you do is in this type of question you're just writing what you see and what it means. You're not writing your opinion on anything. So you should not write the words: "I think" or "In my opinion", you'll actually lose marks for this. So in task 1, no opinion; that's for task 2.

[@ekramkhan9069]

Thank you for all your videos. 💓 Listening-8.5 Reading-7.5 Writing-7.0 Speaking-8.0 I just followed your advice and got overall 8.0 on my first try.

[@aroosazamarud10]

I am appearing for the test on 9 march...advice please?? I want band 8+

[@ekramkhan9069]

@@aroosazamarud10 just practice and be calm during the exam. Don't be nervous. Also u can watch KZbin videos for tips.

[@aroosazamarud10]

@@ekramkhan9069 okay. Thankyou so much. Do we get some sample tests online ?

[@ekramkhan9069]

@@aroosazamarud10 u can practice listening. There are lots of videos on yt where u can practice ur ielts listening.

[@desicooking6938]

how' s this

[@DeepanKumar64]

Hey Emma, Just wanted to say a big 'Thank You'! Your videos helped me a lot in getting a band score of 8 with just 3 days of preparation!! For the people who are about to take the test: Good luck!

[@nefelibatagirl3566]

I have test on Saturday. I'm so nervous was it hard?

[@woah1796]

Thanks u gave me hope

[@hyacinthtatang4427]

Thank you sir

[@kounthavee1994]

I’m gonna have it the next day of the date that i’m commenting your comment. Thanks for wishing good luck.

[@uchejoseph8280]

Wow u r great! Congrats to you bro. Please wish me well am Preparing too.

[@neerajdeshpande1633]

I hope everyone has got a clear and insightful understanding of the task 1. Thanks a lot for all these videos. These are very helpful, not only because you cover all minor tips and tricks, but also the way you explain these things makes it quite easy to understand. Appreciate your work.

[@sergiob035]

Thank you very much Emma, you are one of the best english teacher on KZbin. Unlike a few other teachers, you stay modest in your appearence and makeup and you bring more importance to the content of the lesson . Please do not change.

[@authorminator1579]

Hey Emma, thank you for all the effort you are putting to teach us. Last month, I appeared in IELTS Academic test, and you were the only teacher I had, and you helped a lot. And I got 7.5 band. Thanks alot.... God bless you. 😀👍

[@marisasakura1512]

Very good explanation and tips, 4 years ago I got 6.0 band, and I just went to write the test with no preparation at all, I did not have any idea about the IELTS. But now my target is 7 score band. Thank you for the tips. Excellent advices.

[@Gijk232]

Thank you so much for this lesson Emma! It helped me a lot to achieve my IELTS score (7). You're a lovely teacher

[@us5021]

After 2 days is my IELTS exam, I followed every sentence you said,. in your videos, i think that your videos are very helpful in terms of sheeting codes to succeed with IELTS, You are amazing really

[@chiranphuyal662]

I was confused about the format of task 1 but after I saw your video I became clear. Thank You Emma

[@aldogp]

Thank you very much for your efforts, I don't know why I could understand at least some 98% what you said in this class, and it was illustrative and specific, you're quiet and paused... that helps a lot ... a friendly atmosphere to learn ...I'm also gonna see the extra videos...we really need more videos like this, thumb up for you, Emma :)

[@misghinaberhe4759]

Thanx for sharing,as well as your accent absolutely captured my heart!

[@clark4813]

I am from Germany and tomorrow we'll write a chart/graph analysis. Thank you for the useful information!

[@nepalsudip7960]

your teaching style is crystal clear and so effective.

[@vatsalaru7813]

Hi, thank you so much for the information. I have scored 7 band without any practice just by watching your videos. Thank you :)

[@boazooz550]

Hey Emma , I’d like to say thank u so much , you really deserve to be the best teacher on KZbin . I’ve never seen as easy description as you doing. Thank you so much and have a beautiful life ♥️😊 From Saudi Arabia 🌺

[@biniamsolomon6955]

I really like your on line class, Keep going harder

[@melquico]

Hello Emma. Thank you so much for your video. I will take the IELTS Test, and I have learned a lot with your classes. Really, before I see your videos, I was lost and I did not the truth about the IELTS. You have changed my study's way. Thank You!

[@konulaliyevaa]

I am preparing for the IELTS exam on my own, so I turned to youtube videos to get some ideas about writing task 1, and especially from You, Emma. Firstly, I found your video uploaded in 2012 and after watching it, I clicked this video. The difference between two videos is amazing :) You now feel much more confident in this video :)

[@ranashamsudinshakir205]

Hope you got satisfied band in your exam.

[@fennyyahtaylor6772]

I am taking my IELTS three weeks from now and I find this very helpful . Thank you

[@MoazAbuGoush88]

Who watching this before 10 mins from the exam

[@sumanneupane4802]

Moaz Abu Goush only you

[@naimabourhzal]

hahahah so how was the exam ?

[@danewchain2191]

Moaz Abu Goush k8

[@chaudharyalishehzad5119]

Moaz Abu Goush what score did you get

[@maliksheraznazam9577]

me

[@aasgreagawegbiuwag5705]

I'm Violet Bui come from Vietnam, you so great Emma! You taught me and helped me so much! We only love Emma!

[@user-xq8dr7bi4q]

At the first, thanks to what you did. You can make questions so clear and easy to understand. I learn a lot from your video. Thanks again!!!

[@carlosmontes6568]

Your lessons are quite useful,... And this one.!..... You are just a perfect teacher Emma....My compliments to you!!

[@zenexx1996]

Hi emma , I am Zen from Indonesia. All videos of yours are very helpful for me, I will be taking the ielts exam by the end of march next year :)

[@sandraborges9383]

This video is everything I need, it will help me with my data vaccination assignment, one big thanks to you Emma

[@lpaivasiqueira]

Emma, your videos are great and you're an amazing teacher. Congrats!

[@tuanphuong1943]

That was amazing lesson. Luv ya, Emma. Good job!

[@erikandresgarciavillarroel3005]

I'm taking the TOEFL tomorrow. All your videos have helped me a lot. Thanks. : )

[@alejandroortega5657]

Erik Andres Garcia Villarroel how was it?

[@axelsernaque8848]

Y te fue bien?

[@Kiki-yg1wk]

My ears are blessed!! Love the way you speak English 😍😍😍

[@fernandosuarez9786]

Thank you Emma, super good video, so useful for IELTS, all the information provided for you will be used in my IELTS for sure!!!

[@maxlubke2918]

You are such a great teacher! I wish I would have had lessons with you in school! Thank you so much!

[@michaelvarela7893]

You are the best teacher in the world

[@marlonmalloy834]

Emma the online teacher. God bless you

[@sebastianogioi3595]

Superb lesson!! Thanks for giving us the chance of learning such important words and phrases. Bravissima Emma!! Best wishes from Italy

[@naginakhanum5463]

Sebastiano Gioi u Ew

[@nicolesmh894]

THANK YOU EMMA!! YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY USEFULL FOR MY IELTS PREPARATION. SPECIALLY WHEN SOMEONE DOESNT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR PRIVATE CLASSES. THANKS A LOT!!!

[@silviad1430]

Great and highly informative video. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, it’s helping me a lot!

[@gulnarorenbek9732]

thank you Emma, I used to watch your videos always, enjoy it very much... again say thank you soo much to help us! BIG BIG love from here !!!!

[@maitreyeemandlik8910]

Your vdos are very helpful.. I m giving ielts in March 18 ..I am glad I found ur vdos so early..u ease my preparation.. Thanku emma from India

[@Qasimkhan-gv6zk]

thank u mam really appreciative hard work Awesome techniques of teaching

[@cneven91]

First of all, thank you Emma for making all the videos. I know they helped literally millions of people to get higher grades on IELTS test. Besides helping to get higher grades, I am pretty sure that people can learn english through your videos very well. Nevertheless, I have to admit that I am a bit confused with the logic of this bar graph even though you said it's just an example which doesn't have anything to do with the reality. My problem is that it's not clear from which point, or year did the prices of real estates in three cities increased. Did they increase for 5% in 1990 since 1980, 1985 or some other year? I am also not 100% confident in what I am saying and it might be that I am wrong and just don't understand English that well. If that is the case I will appreciate if someone corrects me. Thank you once again Emma for all your effort and hard work and wish you all the best!

[@mauriciocardozo1547]

Emma you are amazing. I love your way to teach. Would you make another class about travel like disney or maybe business themes?

[@anitablanco7309]

Thanks a lot, Emma! This video is very helpful.

[@ronieu1]

Thanks Emma to guide us the proper way of academic ielts writing task I . From the bar chart anyone can write 150 words but the writing key features is the most valuable point maker where many students doing again and again same type of mistake . Hope, many students will be benefited from you.

[@vikram1425]

hi Emma, good to see that you have excellent teaching skills. Thanks for spreading such a valuable lessons for a beginners

[@mohammedalsulaiman5903]

You are doing a great job & I'm looking forward to read your paragraph as a simple about this bar graph

[@flowerflower8242]

Hi there. Let me extend my best appreciation to you, dear lady. Indeed, your explanation will hoist the motivation & impetus in the path of triumphs

[@johnmgmg9906]

Thanks a lot for your IELTS lecturers!

[@soniamahey7203]

*You are the greatest teacher. *You are a stupendous teacher than others.

[@hangpham-lk6tn]

thank you, teacher Emma. I love all the video you have taught us. They are very clear and helpful.

[@khulood2684]

thanks, teacher Emma. 😊I love to listen to you You make an English it's easier for me 💖

[@bhawanabist9180]

I watched your video , You're very brilliant teacher. I loved your teaching technique. It's really helped to me. Thank you Emma mam.

[@shashankbhatta9786]

From Nepal. Just pleased to find the example of the Mount Everest here in a foreigner's video.

[@Camila-yd8ug]

emma, i love you, seriously

[@atabayevhusan6081]

Your videos are just incredible !

[@juanluishernandez7463]

Thank you very much Emma! I've got a band 7 score :)

[@zahurakhatun8825]

I fall in love with your teaching system.

[@diemtrangbui7553]

Thanks a lot , i was so serious about my writing skills.But after i watched this video i feel a little bit confident and writing is easier for me to learn.

[@hebergonzalez9045]

Hi Emma, wonderful Class. I have a lot of conversation about this in my job. It´s very helpful. Thank you very much. Regards from Argentina.

[@sedata3274]

Thanks Emma! Your lessons are very good support for my ielts preparation.

[@sabrinahamid7906]

Ok Mus jan u black ur skip e why say call me call me omg Mus qand what you talking about oh may good

[@sabrinahamid7906]

it's ok thanks

[@omerali1541]

hello emma . i wachedall of video .you are very responsibl

[@temesgensolomon158]

Ema really I appreciate so much you so great teacher ur lessen very help full stay blessed ema we love you

[@AlirezaZamanigiga]

hello Emma, I watched all of your videos. you are very responsible and great, thank you very much my friend ;-)

[@marsoulahmed6107]

i love your way of teaching . i wish i had a teacher like you . could you teach us something about linguistic .i am having an exam . Whether you do or not ,i love you so much 💓💓

[@abdugasim8327]

Hi Emma I watching you now & thanks for this vidos!!!

[@reetkaur3809]

Thx you emma your lectures are really helpful for me.👍👍..keep it up..👍👍👍👌👌

[@phanminhquan1285]

This is great lesson. It covers essentials that i am looking for. Thank you so much !

[@gautamverma5938]

Thanks a lot I need IELTS class for preparation of my IELTS exam

[@MSFetisch]

melhor lugar para trinar listening de ingles. alem de aprender muito com ela.... super, mega otima professora...

[@samjohnny984]

Great and highly informative video. Thanks sooooooo much you illuminate the roadmap to the test.

[@educationforsurvival3242]

I feel all know you from North Pole to South Pole. Really Appreciative. Professor Ghulam Raza

[@parichartkluensuwan3648]

Thank you. A lot of tips to increase IELTS scores.

[@arkadiusdewerewolf1900]

Much appreciated thank you so much Emma 🤩😘😘😘

[@andersonjohanvivasaraque6982]

Thanks emma, you are the best

[@hawarm.mohammad1569]

Great lesson thank you appreciate your hard working !

[@danamojsovna7661]

Perfect! :-) Thank You Emma you and your colleague are great!

[@leonardosturniolo6325]

Amazing class Emma without doubt you are the best teacher !!!

[@kamaranwzw9377]

I am so appreciated you , have got a lot of information from your lessons

[@ViNguyen-fd5rc]

I love emma 's teacher too much ,,,, wonderful

[@juanore3036]

Thank you so much Emma. I Like your classes. I Love the method that you use to teach. I'm a peruvian. 👍

[@KamalAsasi]

Thanks a million for the helpful video, dear Emma. It would be very useful if you could share with us kindly the answer to task 1 covered in this video. Best of luck.

[@princesscarolyn3480]

love how dedicated she is!

[@gulammujtaba7638]

thank you so much ma'am.because of ur help i was able to do good in my ielts exam and secured 7.5 bands.

[@hienchau8557]

Gulam Mujtaba Hi, could you share me your progress about ielts 7.5? Do you have skype?

[@sardarnibhullar276]

Wow it's very helpful for ielts exam

[@greamanhernandez3905]

Hi Emma, Thanks for the superb lessons..!:D.

[@jesuschrist6884]

God bless you beloved sister for sharing us this wonderful video!

[@dmitryrokossovsky3259]

Good job. It's brilliant lesson and so informative for me. My respect for you. Thanks. ))

[@arezunezhad3103]

you are the best teacher i've ever had💕good luck🌹🦋

[@trungduy5732]

The way of your teaching is so attracted. I pretty impress you

[@mr.salhimed1765]

I avidly waiting for your supportive videos 😉. Your way of explanation grabbed my attention to watch all your videos.

[@mujeebmalik5038]

I think u find that video and told me the name of teacher 😂😁

[@lwinmar8995]

Thank you so much, teacher. You really helped me with IS. Much appreciated.

[@rajaebh1679]

thank you Emma I'm from morroco you are the best teacher

[@michaelbridges6793]

Thank you so much, Emma!

[@marceloa.oliveira4333]

Great teacher , the BEST.....

[@sebastian3823]

thanks for the information. I learned a lot today with your video. Regards from Medellín, Colombia

[@mutamuta5746]

love you and love your great videos

[@mr_xino2706]

I really enjoy watching your videos. I would take IELTS test in the near future

[@shebas122]

This ia a good idea for my ielts academic lessons

[@deymeypongror5888]

I am delighted and satisfied with your teaching.

[@farrukhsadikbaev6555]

Very helpful video lesson. Thanks Emma!

[@dixonsanabriabaron2183]

Love the bar explanation part

[@nxcftu13]

Thank you, your lessons help me improve my English

[@kaisvlog8358]

i just taught my class this lesson last week. oh..i wish u could upload this video sooner :(

[@homamdimashky]

10:40 Montreal shows the greatest increase, it climbed from negative to positive, so the increase was 10% (5% from -5 to 0 and 5% from 0 to 5%).

[@Liananegreiros]

Exactly

[@seven8226]

Also my point

[@dylkav1441]

I also noted this