Task 1 · bar chart · 1 samples

The bar chart compares the percentages of workers using four main forms of transport in a city in 2010 and 2025. Car: 2010 — 50%; 2025 — 35%. Bus: 2010 — 25%; 2025 — 30%. Bicycle: 2010 — 10%; 2025 — 20%. Walking: 2010 — 15%; 2025 — 15%. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Data or diagram for the writing questionPractise this task →

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Distinguish percentage points from proportional change.
  • Compare the leading modes and identify the unchanged category.
  • Keep the description within the information supplied by the task.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the comparison.
  2. Summarise the main shift.
  3. Compare cars with buses.
  4. Report cycling and walking.
Useful vocabulary & examples
percentage points
the absolute difference between two percentages

A change from 40% to 35% is a fall of five percentage points.

remain unchanged
stay at the same value or position

The administration share remained unchanged.

be replaced by
be removed and have another feature put in the same place

The car park was replaced by a playground.

Sample answers

Target Band 9 · Original model answer

157 words · Illustrative target band

The figures compare how workers travelled to work in a city in 2010 and 2025, showing the proportions using cars, buses, bicycles and walking. Overall, cars remained the most common means of commuting, although their share fell substantially. Cycling and bus travel gained ground, while the proportion of workers walking was unchanged. In 2010, half of all workers commuted by car, twice the percentage travelling by b…

Read full answer & analysis →