IELTS Writing Task 1: Mixed Charts
Study Guide & Practice Module
🎓 Strategy & Band 9 Vocabulary
The Golden Rule: Do not just describe the charts separately. A Band 9 answer finds the relationship or contradiction between the two data sets (e.g., "Although Group A traveled the most, they spent the least.").
Essential Vocabulary
- ...which correlates with...
- ...inversely proportional to...
- Conversely / In stark contrast...
- Despite having the highest X, they had the lowest Y.
- The table provides a breakdown of...
- As can be seen from the tabular data...
- In terms of spending...
- With regards to duration...
- The vast majority of...
- A significantly higher expenditure...
- Opted for... (chose)
- The discrepancy between...
Tourism in the UK (2022)
The bar chart below shows the reasons why people traveled to the UK in 2022. The table shows the average length of stay and the average daily spending for these visitors.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
| Reason for Visit | Avg. Stay (Days) | Avg. Spend (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday / Vacation | 7 days | £1,250 |
| Visiting Friends (VFR) | 14 days | £600 |
| Business | 4 days | £2,800 |
| Study | 21 days | £1,800 |
Model Answer (Band 9.0)
~180 wordsThe bar chart illustrates the primary reasons for visitors travelling to the UK in 2022, while the accompanying table provides data regarding the average duration of their visits and their total expenditure.
[Overview] Overall, while the vast majority of visitors came for holiday purposes, business travellers spent the most money despite having the shortest average stay. Conversely, those visiting friends or relatives stayed longer but spent significantly less.
[Bar Chart Analysis] According to the chart, holidays were by far the most popular reason for visiting the UK, accounting for 45% of all travelers. Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) was the second most common reason at 30%, followed by business trips (15%) and study purposes (10%).
[Synthesizing Table Data] The table reveals an inverse relationship between the length of stay and spending for certain groups. Business travelers, who constituted a smaller portion of visitors, had the shortest stay (4 days) but the highest total expenditure at £2,800. In stark contrast, those visiting friends stayed for two weeks (14 days) but spent only £600, likely due to savings on accommodation. Students stayed the longest (21 days) with a moderate spend of £1,800.