The graph below shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.
Sample Response
The provided bar graph gives information on the four modes of transporttypes of transports used in one European city induring 1960, 1980 and 2000. As evident from the chart, major changes were observed in the useusage of cars and buses and cars becamebecome the most preferred transportation type in the finallater year.
In 1960, the largestmaximum proportion of people travelled by bus (about 38%) compared to the roughly 7% who travelled by carthe 6% car owners. By contrastOn the contrary, in 2000 around 37% of the population37% population preferred travelling by carcars, whereas only 15% travelled by busonly 15% bus passengers were there. The proportion of people who used tubes for transportation remained on an average between 20% andto 30% during the three-year period3 years period. It shows that tubes were popular even in later years. On the other hand, commuters who travelled by train increased from 19% in 1960 to 28% in 1980. However, the figure fellthe figures reduced to 22% by 2000. Cars and buses as modes of transportas transportations showed an opposite trend in their popularity.
To summarise, there was a substantialtremendous rise in the usage of cars for travelling to and from the office from 1960 to 2000.
Why this response received Band 6.5
The report’s strongest feature is its accurate selection of the dominant shift from buses to cars, supported by mostly correct figures for the endpoints and train use. Its main limitation is imprecise language around proportions and transport categories, with recurring grammar errors; the highest-priority improvement is to compare all four modes systematically using accurate percentage expressions and controlled comparative structures.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response gives a clear overview of the opposing car and bus trends and reports most major values accurately, though coverage of the intermediate year and tube pattern is limited.
Add concise comparisons for 1980 and describe the relatively stable tube figures alongside the larger car and bus changes.
Coherence and Cohesion
The report is logically organised into an introduction, detailed comparisons, and a summary, with clear overall progression.
Group the opposing car and bus trends together, then compare the steadier train and tube categories in a separate sequence.
Lexical Resource
There is sufficient vocabulary for trends and comparison, but phrases such as “types of transports,” “37% population,” and “transportations” are imprecise.
Use standard expressions such as “modes of transport,” “37% of commuters,” and “the proportion travelling by car.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of sentence structures conveys the comparisons, although tense, agreement, article, and countability errors recur.
Proofread verb tense and noun forms, especially changing “cars become” to “cars became” and treating “transport” as uncountable.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph below shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.