Describing graphs examples

In IELTS writing task 1, you will be asked to describe some sort of visual data. It could be a line graph, a bar chart, a table, a map, a pie chart, or a process diagram. (Here’s a full list.) In this article, we’re going to ignore some of these and look at how to describe a graph.

I will give you some important advice about how to analyse the data, use the right language, and structure your answer.

Note: This is a general guide to describing graphs.

If you want specific instructions for each kind of graph or chart, then please see the following guides:

Analysing the Graph

When you are given a graph to describe, you need to take a moment to understand what you are looking at.

Don’t rush this. In IELTS, it should be pretty obvious what you are given because the only three graph types you have are:

1. Line graphs
2. Bar charts
3. Pie charts

However, you may have a graph that incorporates the first two or you could be given a line graph and a table, a bar chart and a pie chart, or any combination thereof.

Recognising the type of graph you are given is important because they serve

how to describe a bar chart in ielts

how to describe a pie chart in ielts