An IELTS bar chart and model answer which shows change over time. The IELTS bar chart below was reported in IELTS writing task 1 (Academic) in 2023 and is likely to be repeated in following years. I’ve created a model answer lesson which has a useful language focus for you.
While this task 1 is in bar chart form, it actually shows change over time which means you will be also using language that is typically used for describing line graphs. It is different from the usual bar charts you see in IELTS which show comparisons of categories. This means it is more similar to a line graph than a normal bar chart. For this reason, I like to call such bar charts: bar charts of change over time. These types of bar charts do appear in IELTS writing task 1 quite regularly so look out for them.
IELTS Bar Chart for 2023
Note that the chart depicted above was sent to me from an IELTS candidate.
Model Answer for 2023 Bar Chart
Instructions: Fill in the model answer using the language options presented below:
The bar chart illustrates how much energy was produced by wind in four countries (India, Denmark, Germany and the United States) in four years (1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000). Units are measured in megawatts.
Overall, the US produced the most wind energy over the period given except in the final year when Denmark produced the most. India, Denmark and Germany witnessed 1) ……….. over the years in the amount of energy they generated, whereas the US showed 2) ………. followed by a slight decline.
In terms of the US, energy production stood at 1200 megawatts in 1985. It peaked in 1990 at just over 1600 before 3) ……….. around 100 to 1500 in the final year.
On the other hand, the energy generated in Denmark was just over 200 megawatts in 1985 and then 4) …………. over the years 5) ………… just over 1600 in 2000. India also saw 6) …………. in energy generation, starting at 200 and ending at 1200. Lastly, Germany saw 7) ………….. , only doubling over the period to reach just over 800.
Fill in the gaps with the following words:
- A. a significant rise
- B. falling by
- C. to peak at
- D. a steady climb
- E. a much lower growth rate
- F. an initial increase
- G. rose almost eight-fold
ANSWERS
Click below to show the answers:
ANSWERSAnswers:
- D
- This refers to all three countries (Denmark, India and Germany). Some countries had significant increases but not all. So, using the word “steady increase” is a better description to use for all three.
- Having D in this gap will then allow the use of “a significant rise (A) for gap number 6 which relates to India only, which definitely was significant in energy growth.
- F
- We can see that the only country with a growth rate that happened only in the first year was the US.
- The answer can’t be G because an eight-fold rise means it grew from, for example, 100 to 800 (8 times in growth) – this isn’t true.
- The answer can’t be D because the word “steady” refers to an even rise over a period of time as shown in the chart – the chart only shows a rise from one single column to the next, not over all columns.
- It can’t be E because the growth rate wasn’t slower than other countries at the time.
- B
- Nearly all of you got this right. Well done!
- G
- Most of you got this one right too. Well done!
- The answer can’t be A because it would be incorrect grammar. The sentence is “the energy generated was X number and then …..”. This gap requires a verb to follow the word “and”.
- C
- Most of you got this right. Well done!
- The final year for Denmark is significant because it is a special peak in the whole chart. Nearly all charts showing change over time will have one special peak that you should mention.
- A
- This rise is significant. We can also say “considerable”. It rose from 200 to 1200 – that’s a huge rise.
- Certain we could describe this as a steady rise (D) because it was consistent in growth over the period. But this doesn’t highlight how big the rise was which is the main point and also, we used option D already. So, the answer must be A.
- E
- Most of you got this right. Well done !
- This final paragraph is about Demark, India and Germany. From those three countries, Germany definitely showed the slowest growth rate over the period.
Don’t use this model answer only as a gap fill exercise. Notice the structure, organisation and content of paragraphs. Notice the grammar used. Notice the paraphrasing used.
The bar chart illustrates how much energy was produced by wind in four countries (India, Denmark, Germany and the United States) in four years (1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000). Units are measured in megawatts.
Overall, the US produced the most wind energy over the period given except in the final year when Denmark produced the most. India, Denmark and Germany witnessed a steady climb over the years in the amount of energy they generated, whereas the US showed an initial increase followed by a slight decline.
In terms of the US, energy production stood at 1200 megawatts in 1985. It peaked in 1990 at just over 1600 before falling by around 100 to 1500 in the final year.
On the other hand, the energy generated in Denmark was just over 200 megawatts in 1985 and then rose almost eight-fold over the years to peak at just over 1600 in 2000. India also saw a significant rise in energy generation, starting at 200 and ending at 1200. Lastly, Germany saw a much lower growth rate only doubling over the period to reach just over 800.
.
I hope you found this lesson useful, Liz
……………………………………………………………….
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The given chart illustrates information about the amount of energy which is generated by wind forces in four different countries between 1985 and 2000, the measured value is represented by megawatts.
Examining the chart briefly shows that using wind power as a source of energy increased during this period and the greatest change for using this energy source is for Denmark which shows a 800 percent increase in using wind power.
At the beginning of the period the only country that uses wind turbines more than 400 megawatts is USA which produces about 1200 megawatts power in 1985 also it is clear that the only country which reduced the amount of power made by wind at the end of period is USA again which steadily decreased from more than 1600 MeW at 1990 to 1500 Mew at 2000.
Other countries increased their power energy plants like Denmark despite this fact Germany lost its rank position from being the second country which uses most wind power in 1985 by 400 MeW to the forth position in 2000 by almost making that amount double in 2000.
Let me first extend my heartfelt wishes for your early recovery. With trembling hands ( as I respect you a lot and can’t imagine to contradict you in my wildest dreams) I just wanted a small clarification regarding the explanation you gave in the final answer, where you said Denmark had shown lowest growth; and India’s increase as significant (you stated earlier). What I can see, Denmark’s growth is as considerable as any other country, except the US.
with profound regards.
I think you’ve misread the answers. The term “a much lower growth rate” was used to describe Germany, not Denmark. Take a look again.
The given chart illustrates 15-year wind energy production of India, Denmark, Germany and the United States. The given data dates from the year 1985 to 2000.
Overall, wind energy generation has an upward trend, with all four countries increasing their production from 1985 to 2000. India and Denmark have drastically increased their production. Germany also gradually increased their wind energy generation. While, the United States remained consistent with its making, falling by only a small margin of megawatts over the 15-year period.
India started off by generating only 200 megawatts of wind energy. They significantly expanded the industry. By the year 2000, they were producing 1200 megawatts. Denmark followed similar footsteps as India and became the highest producer of wind power among the four countries in these 15 years. They increased their wind energy production to more than 1600 megawatts in year 2000 as compared to producing only about 200 megawatts in year 1985, showcasing a dramatic 700% growth.
Germany also showed consistent growth starting from 400 megawatts and reaching to more than 800 megawatts in these 15 years. Lastly, the United States has been a consistent wind power production leader and came second in the 15-year period. It started off with 1200 megawatts, which increased to more than 1600 megawatts in the year 1990. However, after 1990, wind energy production fell in the States by a few hundred units only.
D
F
B
G
A
D
E
Hi,
Could you please tell me, what does mean “saw” in the last paragraphs?
Best regards
This is the same as using the word witnessed: “The UK witnessed a rise in unemployment this year.”
Hi Liz,
Thank you
Best wishes
thanks for sharing. You are an amazing teacher who yarns to see the success of your student. God richly bless you more and more
I’m glad you found it useful 🙂
Thanks Liz. My exam on academic module is on the 17th October. I will revise this model answer on night before. The way you describe charts is so easy and confidence boosting. Love you. I am your big fan.
Love from Bangladesh
Good luck in your test!! 🙂
Thank you, Liz for the follow-up answers as promised and their explanations.
You’re welcome 🙂
Thank you for the very useful lesson.
You’re welcome 🙂
1)D
2)G
3)B
4)A
5)C
6)F
7)E
1. D
2. A
3. B
4. G
5. C
6. F
7. E
1.D
2.A
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.E
7.F
1 E
2 A
3 B
4 F
5 C
6 D
7 G
1.D
2.A
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.E
7.F
1- A
2-D
3-B
4-G
5-C
6-F
7-E
1)D
2)F
3)B
4)G
5)C
6)A
7)E
1.c
2.e
3.b
4.a
5.g
6.f
7.d
D , F , B, G, C, A, E
1.D
2.G
3.C
4.A
5.F
6.E
7.B
Rifat Latif
October 11,2023 at
1)E
2)D
3)B
4)G
5)C
6)A
7)F
D
B
C
G
F
A
E
1) E
2)D
3)B
4)G
5)C
6)A
7)F
I have noticed lately that you are sick, I’m sorry for that, and I wish you sooner recovery and I pray for your good health. May God Almighty heal you now! I want to see you in good health. Stay blessed.
Thanks for your kind message
1. D
2. F
3. B
4. G
5. C
6. A
7. E
D,F,B,G,C,A,E
1.D
2.A
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.E
7.F
1.E
2.A
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.F
7.D
1. D
2.A
3. B
4.G
5.c
6.F
7.E
1) D
2) A
3) B
4) F
5) C
6) G
7) E
D
F
B
G
C
A
E
1) E
2) D
3) B
4) G
5) C
6) A
7) F
1. D
2. A
3. B
4. G
5. C
6. F
7. E
1. D
2. F
3. B
4. A
5. C
6. E
7. G
Lawal Dare Tosin
1: E
2: A
3: B
4: G
5: C
6: D
7: F
1.E
2.D
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.A
7.E
1. D
2. F
3. B
4. G
5. C
6. A
7. E
1.D
2.F
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.A
7.E
1.D
2.F
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.A
7.E
1)D
2)F
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.A
7.E
1) D
2) F
3) B
4) G
5) C
6) A
7) E
1.D
2.A
3.B
4.G
5.c
6.D
7.D
Answers:
1. D
2. F
3. B
4. G
5. C
6. A
7. E
1. A much lower growth
2. Significant rise
3. Falling by
4. Rose almost eight fold
5.To peak
6. A steady climb
7. An initial increase
1.A
2.D
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.F
7.E
1 d
2c
3b
⁴f
5a
6d
⁷e
D,C,B,A,G,E,F
D, F,B,G, C, A, E
1 D
2 A
3 B
4 G
5 C
6 E
7 F
1. a steady climb
2. an initial increase
3. falling by
4. rose almost eight-fold
5. to peak at
6. a significant rise
7. a much lower growth rate
D,F, B, A, C, G, E
1.E
2.D
3.B
4.A
5.C
6.F
7.G
1 D
2 F
3 B
4 G
5 C
6 A
7 E
The bar chart illustrates how much energy was produced by wind in four countries ( India, Denmark, Germany and the United States) in four years ( 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000). Units are measured in megawatts.
overall, the US produced the most wind energy over the period given except in the final year when Denmark produced the most . India, Denmark and Germany witnessed a steady climb over the years in the amount of energy they generated whereas the US showed a significant rise followed by a slight decline.
In terms of the US, energy production stood at 1200megawatts in 1985. It peaked in 1990 at just over 1600 before falling by 100 to 1500 in the final year.
On the other hand, the energy generated in Denmark was just over 200 megawatts in 1985 and then rose almost eight fold over the years to peak at just over 1600 in 2000. India also saw a steady climb in energy generation, starting at 200 and ending at 1200.
Lastly, Germany saw a much lower growth rate, only doubling over the period to reach just over 800.
i’m not for academic,for GT. Even after that i replied just to check my self.
Ans. for
1)C
2)E
3)B
4)A
5)G
6)F
7)D
I love your attitude. It’s true that GT candidates only need to write a letter for writing task 1, but it’s great to learn more anyway. Learning is a positive, enjoyable thing to have in your life. Hats off to you !! 🙂
1. D
2. F
3. B
4. G
5. C
6. A
7. E
1, D
2, A
3, B
4,. D
5. A
6. D
7. F
1-a steady climb
2-an initial increase
3-falling by
4- rose almost eight-fold
5-to peak at
6-a significant rise
7- a much lower growth rate
I find your teachings helpful as I read them in preparation for my exams.
a much lower growth
1 – D
2 – F
3 – B
4 – G
5 – C
6 – A
7 – E
I love your method of teaching and will like to pass my ielts at one sitting.
It’s my pleasure I get to know you through this medium. I will utilise it effectively.
Answers
1. D
2. A
3. B
4. C
5. G
6. E
7. F
1. e
2. g
3. b
4. f
5. d
6. a
7. c
thanks
mode answer for 2023 bar chart
1- F (an initial increase)
2 -A (a significant rise)
3 -B (falling by)
4 -G (rose almost eight fold)
5 – C (to peak at)
6 -D (a steady climb)
7 -E (a much lower growth rate,)
1 D
2 A
3 B
4 G
5 C
6 E
7 D
1) a steady climb
2) an intial increase
3) a steady climb
4) rose almost eight fold
5) to peak at
6) a significant rise
7) A steady climb
1 d
2 a
3 b
4 g
5 c
6 f
7 e
1D2E3B4G5C6A7F
Thanks for your comment
1. A
2. F
3. B
4. G
5. C
6. D
7. E
1. A
2. F
3. B
4. G
5. C
6. D
7.E
1.D
2.A
3.B
4.G
5.C
6.E
7.F
1. An initial increase
2. A steady climb
3. Falling by
4. Rose almost 8 folds
5. To peak at
6. A significant rise
7. A much lower growth rate
1- D
2-A
3-B
4-G
5-C
6-F
7-E
This is very helpful luz.
Thank you for everything.
1) A
2) F
3) B
4) G
5) C
6) D
7) E
D,F,B,G,C,A,E
1) D
2) F
3) B
4) G
5) C
6) D
7) E
1)D
2)F
3)B
4)A
5)C
6)g
7)e
D
B
C
G
F
A
E