The bar chart shows the number of cars per 1000 people in 5 European countries in 3 years compared with the European average.
Sample Response
The bar chart compares the levels of car ownership in five European countries to the European average in three given years. Overall, the number of cars per 1000 people on this continent increased from 2005 to 2015. In addition, Country 5 had the highest figure in all years, while being the only country with higher than average levels of car ownershipusage.
In 2005, there were 900 cars per 1000 people in Country 5, which stood as the highest figurethe most significant level, and outstripped the European average by 200. This was followed by the data of Country 3 and 4, with 700. Countries 1 and 2, meanwhile, hadwitnessed the lowest figures, with 300 and 500, respectively. By 2009, the average car ownership in Europe, together with the figures for Countries 5 and 3the levels of Country 5 and 3, had slightly declined, whereas the numbers of cars per 1000 inhabitants in CountriesCountry 1 and 2 rose to their respective peaks of 400 and 550.
By 2015, the average number of cars per 1000 people on this continent had increased to nearly 800. Among the five nations, car ownership in Country 5 climbed to a high of nearly 1000, which continued to exceed that of any other country. The second highest figure was in Country 4, with 700, though no notable change could be seen over the given years. The figures for the remaining countriesThe data of the remaining countries, meanwhile, all declined after 2009. Car ownership in Country 1, specifically, returnedregressed back to its 2005 figure, and remainedcontinued to remain the lowest in the chart.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response gives a clear overview, selects the major comparisons, and supports them with largely accurate figures across all three years. Its organisation and grammatical control are strong, while the main limitation is occasional imprecise or awkward wording such as “most significant level” and “the data of Country 3 and 4.” The priority is to refine collocations and plural agreement while preserving the concise comparative structure.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response presents a clear overview and accurately covers the principal rankings, changes, stability, and relationship to the average with well-selected data.
Refine the reporting of small changes by distinguishing exact values from approximate ones wherever the chart permits.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically from the overview through the earlier years to the final year, with comparisons integrated smoothly and cohesive devices used effectively.
Make the second detail paragraph even more direct by grouping all stable or declining countries before contrasting them with the rise in Country 5.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, though a few expressions such as “most significant level,” “data of,” and “car usage” are less natural for this chart.
Use more idiomatic collocations such as “highest figure,” “figures for the countries,” and “car ownership” throughout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is handled accurately, with only minor lapses such as singular agreement in “Country 3 and 4.”
Proofread coordinated noun phrases for plural forms and agreement while retaining the effective variety of complex sentences.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The bar chart shows the number of cars per 1000 people in 5 European countries in 3 years compared with the European average.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.