Writing task 1

(BAR CHART)
A detail instruction on how to write a sound report
By Thy Vinh IELTS
16
14
12
10
2013
8

2014
2015

6
4
2
0
Teacher A

Teacher B

Mr Vinh's class

The number of female students in an IELTS class in Hanoi

2015

LI NI U
K thi IELTS c hai phn, Task 1 (chim 1/3 im s) v Task 2 (chim 2/3 im s).
Thng th cc th sinh d thi e ngi Task 2 hn Task 1, mt phn l v im s cao hn
nhng phn ln l do n yu cu s sng to, k thut s dng ngn ng cho nhiu dng
bi vit khc nhau. Trong khi , ch vi vi cu trc so snh c bn, mt s mu cu m
bi l bn vit c mt bi vit Task 1 khng n ni no.
Cng chnh v vy, nhiu bn c xu hng b qua/khng ch trng Task 1, v kt qu l
bn thng t im khng cao (IELTS 7.0++). y l ng lc thc y mnh vit cun
sch ny gip cc bn mt phn trong vic gii quyt vn kh chu ny. Mong mun
v ng thi l hi vng ca mnh l cc bn c xong cun sch ny hy p dng cc
technique vo bi vit t ti thiu 7.0 writing Task 1.
Sch l mt phn ca d n xa m Task 1 dnh cho cc bn cu hc sinh v cc bn c
d nh hc IELTS Writing vi tc gi.
Cc bi vit s dng trong ti liu ny c ly t nhiu ngun khc nhau t internet v
cc gio trnh IELTS, nhng cc bi vit mu, cc cu ch c s dng l do bn thn
mnh vit. V vy, nu bn mun copy mt phn hoc ton b ti liu ny dng cho cc mc
ch khc, xin vui lng trch dn Ngun: https://www.facebook.com/hocvietielts th hin
s tn trng v ghi nhn nhng n lc ca tc gi.
Chc cc bn hc tt!
H Ni, ngy 25 thng 04 nm 2015.
- Thy Vinh IELTS -

IELTS Writing Task 1 Chin lc chung khi vit bi.

Cng ging nh Task 2, chng ta b cc Task 1 thnh 3 phn: M bi, Thn bi v Main
feature (c tnh chung ca bi). Cc bn khng cn vit kt lun trong task 1, v l vic
khng cn thit.
M bi thng thng c vit bi 1 cu (t c bi vit cn 2 cu m bi) bng cch
paraphrasing bi. Cu m bi thng rt d vit v khng tn qu nhiu thi gian nu
nh cc bn hc thuc mt s cm t thay th. Hy tng tng mt cu y c 3
thnh phn l S+V+O, chng ta ch cn tin hnh thay cc thnh phn ca cu l c. C
th nh sau:
-

The line/pie/bar chart = the line/pie/bar graph.

The process/diagram/map = the picture.

The table th khng c cm no thay th, bn phi dng li thi.

To show = to compare something = to give information about something = to

illustrate something.

The percentages of something = the proportions of something = the figures for

something.

Thn bi l cc on paragraphs miu t v chi tit ca biu . Cc bn cn nhm s liu

v so snh mt cch logic so snh. C th ni im s ca cc bn ph thuc n 90%
cch bn nhm s liu vi nhau. Tin bun l khng c cng thc nhm tng qut cho cc
bi vit Task 1, v vy chng ta cn pht trin k nng nhm thng tin theo tng dng bi c
th v tng bi vit c th. Vic ny chng ta s lm cc chng sau ca ebook ny, nu
cc bn c kin nhn c ht sch :D
Main feature l on ni v c im chung nht ca bi vit. y l mt tiu ch chm thi
ca Task 1 nn bn khng c b qua. V tr c th ca on paragraph ny l ngay sau
introduction hoc cui bi. Tuy vy, thng bn s gp kh khn trong vic x l thi gian
nn li khuyn l bn nn t ngay sau introduction. on main feature ny c th coi nh
l conclusion ca Task 1 vy.
Thng thng chng ta dng 1 2 cu ni v main feature, ty theo bao nhiu c tnh
m bn nhn ra c t vic phn tch bi. Cc phrase sau y c coi l ph bin
nht s dng:
-

Overall, there were fewer women without work in 2014 than in the previous year.

It is clear that there were fewer women without work in 2014 than in the previous
year.

It is noticeable that there were fewer women without work in 2014 than in the
previous year. It is also noted that the number of female students admiring Mr Vinh
witnessed an increase during the given period of time.

The process has several stages, beginning with X and ending with Y.
2

Cc mu cu hay dng trong Task 1:

th hin s tng ln, chng ta c th dng:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

X increased / rose / grew from to

There was a/an increase / rise / growth in X.
X rose gradually / steadily / sharply / dramatically to reach in 2005.
This figure continued to rise in the next two years and reached ... in 1982.
The figure then climbed sharply/slowly to 20,000 in 1982.

th hin s gim xung, cc mu cu thng c dng l:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Y decreased / fell / dropped / declined from to

There was a decrease / fall / drop / decline in Y
There was a gradual / steady / sharp / dramatic fall to in 2005
The rate of unemployed women in Vietnam fell by 0.9% to 10% in 2014. (Gim 0.9%
so vi nm trc , t 10.9% xung cn 10%).

so snh cc s liu vi nhau, cc bn c th cn nhc cc mu cu sau:

1. The rate of unemployed women in Vietnam fell to its lowest level (15%) in 2009.
2. The figure then continued to rise and reach its peak at 18% in 2010, the highest rate
recorded in the chart.
3. The number of unemployed women in Vietnam was at a high record of 4 million in
2010.
4. The number of unemployed women in Vietnam was significantly higher/lower than
that of men during the given period.
Nu s liu i ngang (khng thay i) th cc cu trc dng s l:
1. The figure then remained constant in the next two years, at 19%.
2. There was no change in the rate of unemployed women in Vietnam in the next three
years.
3. The unemployment rate was/remained unchanged at 5.5 percent.
4. The unemployment rate levelled off (at 18%). [Lu : Dng level off sau mt qu
trnh tng/gim mnh ca s liu]
5. The unemployment figure plateaued/ reached a plateau at 20% in 2010.
din t mc thay i, cc bn nh s dng trng t ph hp. Mt s colocation
cn nh l:
1. To increase: considerably, dramatically, enormously, greatly, significantly,
substantially / slightly / gradually / rapidly, sharply, steeply / steadily / twofold,
threefold, etc.
2. A ___ increase: dramatic, significant, sharp, rapid / gradual, steady
3. A ___ decrease: dramatic, sharp, significant / slight / gradual, steady

4. To decrease: considerably, dramatically, drastically, markedly, significantly / slightly,

steadily / gradually
5. The crime rate increased / decreased by 10%. (gim 10% so vi s liu trc)

i vi Maps, mt s cu trc hay dng l:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.

On the North/South of the river: dng ch hng.

In the middle of the river.
The building was located / situated between the cafe and the cottage.
The building was converted to / erected / demolished / knocked down/ destroyed / to
make way for the cafe.
The building was replaced by the cafe.
The building was built at the place where the cafe used to be.
Nu bi yu cu so snh s thay i ca mt khu vc theo cc nm, ng t s
thng c s dng th hon thnh (nu so vi ngy nay), qu kh n (nu
so snh s thay i trong qu kh) v ng t c chia th b ng. V d:
a. A building has been erected at the center of the town.
b. Between 1990 and 2000, the cafe was destroyed to make way for the school.
Thay i v din tch/v tr:
- To remain unchanged in size and position.
- Do not increase in terms of its overall areas.
- The cafe was extended significantly.
- The period witnessed a great extension of the cafe.

Vy Process/Diagram th x l th no?
1. ng t thng chia th b ng, hin ti n.
2. Cc linking words nh next, then, after that thng xuyn c s dng.

BAR CHART
C nhiu dng bi bar chart, chng ta s i phn tch tng bi vit c th.
Bi Bar chart s 01:
The graph below shows female unemployment rates in each country of the
United Kingdom in 2013 and 2014.

bi c s liu ca 2 nm (2013 v 2014), vy th chng ta dng trong bi vit phi l qu

kh n. i vi cc bi chart m c 2 nm nh th ny, cch vit ph bin s l chia theo
nm, ngha l mt body s vit v 2013 v mt body cn li s miu t 2014.
Cc bn cng c th d dng quan st thy ct 2013 lun cao hn ct 2014, ngoi tr
Scotland. Vy, chng ta c th dng chi tit ny vit main feature:
Overall, there were fewer women without work in 2014 than in the previous year, with
an exception for those in Scotland.
Bn cnh , cc bn c th quan st thy s liu ca England v Scotland cao hn
Northern Ireland v Wales nn c th vit thm:
It is also noted that the unemployment rates of English women and Scottish women
were significantly higher than those of women in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Vi nm 2013, chng ta thy England cao nht (6.8%), tip theo n Scotland (6.1%) v
Northern Ireland (5.6%) v Wales (5.4%). V vy, chng ta s so snh England v Scotland
vi nhau trc khi ni v s liu ca 2 nc cn li.
In 2013, the highest unemployment figure was seen in England (6.8%), which was
0.7% higher than that of the second highest in Scotland.
S chnh nhau ca Northern Ireland (5.6%) v Wales (5.4%) l khng ng k:
The proportion of women who were out of work in Northern Ireland was slightly
higher than in Wales, with 5.6% and 5.4% respectively.
5

Nm 2014, cc bn c th thy s liu ca England v Scotland vn cao hn 2 nc cn

li, nhng trong khi s liu ca England tng th Scotland li gim. V vy, chng ta vit:
A year later, while the rate of unemployed women in England fell to 6.5%, the figure
for their counterparts in Scotland rose to 6.7%, making them the two highest figures
in the year 2014.
Northern Ireland v Wales s liu u gim so vi 2013, v vy ch cn vit:
In the other two nations, Wales and Northern Ireland, the rates of unemployed
women decreased, from 5.4% to 5.0% and 5.6% to 4.6% respectively.
Vy, chng ta c c bi nh sau:

The bar chart gives information about the proportion of women who were
unemployed in the UK in 2013 and 2014.
Overall, there were fewer women without work in 2014 than in the previous year, with
the exception of those in Scotland. It is also noted that the unemployment rates of
English women and Scottish women were significantly higher than those of women in
Wales and Northern Ireland.
In 2013, the highest unemployment figure was seen in England (6.8%), which was
0.7% higher than that of the second highest in Scotland. The proportion of women
who were out of work in Northern Ireland was slightly higher than in Wales, with 5.6%
and 5.4% respectively.
A year later, while the rate of unemployed women in England fell to 6.5%, the figure
for their counterparts in Scotland rose to 6.7%, making them the two highest figures
in the year 2014. In the other two nations, Wales and Northern Ireland, the rates of
unemployed women decreased, from 5.4% to 5.0% and 5.6% to 4.6% respectively.
(171 words written by ielts.vinh@gmail.com)

Cc bn c th thy cch vit nh mnh va minh ha rt d thc hin. Mi ngi c lm

theo nhng g mnh hng dn, m bo cc bn s ngc nhin vi im s writing ca
bn thn y :D.
Bi Bar chart s 02:
The chart below shows the number of travellers using three major airports in
New York City between 1995 and 2000.

Bi ny c v khng y :D. S liu c v nhiu v hoa mt pht. Khng sao, cc bn c

mnh y ri :D. Quan st tng ct, chng ta thy:
-

Chng ta thy s liu ca ct mu cam (LaGuardia) u tng qua cc nm.

S liu ca ct nu (Newark) cng tng, nhng n 1998 th chng li.
Ct xanh lam u tin (John F. Kennedy) c tng c gim, t cao nht nm 1997.

V vy, phn overview chng ta c th vit:

It is clear that there were growing numbers of travellers of these airports over the
year, with an exception for the variations of John F. Kennedy.
Tip theo l n phn chia tng on paragraph details so snh. Cc bn quan st thy
ct cam v ct nu u c xu hng tng (ch ring ct nu l chng li t nm 1998,
nhng vn khng gim), vy ta nn ghp li vi nhau thnh mt on tin so snh.
Vi cc bi vit c s liu nhiu nm nh th ny, chng ta nn nht s liu ca nm u
tin v nm cui cng miu t. S liu cc nm gia th ty ci no t bin hoc ni bt
th mi nht vo. Bn cng nn s liu no cao nht a vo tin so snh. Chng ta
vit cu u tin gii thiu hai ct cam v nu nh sau:

In 1995, there were only 15 million passengers using Newark, which was 20 million
smaller than the figure for LaGuardia.
Sau , chng ta s ni hai s liu ny u tng v t bao nhiu nm 1998.
These two numbers kept rising for the coming years and reached 42 million and 46
million in 1998 respectively.
Ti sao li l nm 1998? n gin l thi im xy ra s khc bit: ct cam tip tc tng
trong khi ct nu i ngang.
After that, the figure for Newark remained constant for the next three consecutive
years while that of LaGuardia continued to rise and peaked at 68 million, the highest
number recorded in the chart.
Nh vy chng ta xong phn miu t hai ct sau. i vi ct xanh lam, s liu c tng c
gim rt kh chu.
The number of passengers of the John F.Kennedy airport showed some changes
over the given period.
Quan st thy s liu ca ct ny tng t 1995 n 1997:
It climbed from 26 million in 1995 to the highest number of 46 million in 1997.
Sau gim 1998 v 1999 trc khi bt ln 2000. V vy, chng ta vit:
The figure then dropped to 36 million in 1998 and 32 million in 1999 before
witnessing a significant recovery to 44 million in 2000.
Vy c bn l chng ta miu t xong bi vit ny ri :D. Di y l mt s by m cc
bn c th dnh phi khi vit bi ny:
-

Nhiu bn s vit tch thnh 3 paragraph details, mi paragraph miu t mt ct.

Nu lm nh vy, cc bn mi ch hon thnh vic miu t s liu v s thay i ca
bn thn n, cha th hin c k nng nhm cc thng tin, s liu c cng xu
hng vi nhau.
S c bn c gng a tht nhiu thng tin, nhiu chi tit khi vit bi. y l li c
bn nht ca Task 1 vi nhng bi c nhiu chi tit nh bi vit ny. Bi vit task 1
l bi vit kim tra k nng nhm thng tin, miu t s thay i, so snh cc s liu
ch khng phi l lit k cc con s ra.
Cng khng t bn khi vit bi s vit nh sau:
The figure then dropped to 36 millions in 1998.
y l li sai rt c bn khi vit. Nu cc bn s dng cc t nh million,
thosand... th hin con s th tuyt i KHNG c s ng sau. Cc bn hy
quan st:

There were millions of visitors to Vietnam in 2013. (C hng triu ngi n

Vit Nam) There were approximately three million visitors to Vietnam in
2013. (C khong 3 triu ngi n Vit Nam).
V y l bi vit hon chnh:
The chart below shows the number of travellers using three major airports in
New York City between 1995 and 2000.

The bar graph compares the number of passengers using three airports in New York
City between 1995 and 2000.
It is clear that there were growing numbers of travellers of these airports over the
year, with an exception for the variations of John F. Kennedy.
In 1995, there were only 15 million passengers using Newark, which was 20 million
smaller than the figure for LaGuardia. These two numbers kept rising for the coming
years and reached 42 million and 46 million in 1998 respectively. After that, the figure
for Newark remained constant for the next three consecutive years while that of
LaGuardia continued to rise and peaked at 68 million, the highest number recorded
in the chart.
The number of passengers of the John F.Kennedy airport showed some changes
over the given period. It climbed from 26 million in 1995 to the highest number of 46
million in 1997. The figure then dropped to 36 million in 1998 and 32 million in 1999
before witnessing a significant recovery to 44 million in 2000.
(173 words written by ielts.vinh@gmail.com)

Bi Bar chart s 03:

The chart below gives information on the percentage of British people giving
money to charity by age range for the years 1990 and 2010.

Quan st thy bi bar chart ny c 2 nm, 1990 v 2010 nn chng ta s chia s liu theo
nm. Cc bn cng khng c dng from 1990 to 2010 hoc between 1990 and 2010
v chng ta khng c s liu ca cc nm gia.
Cc bn c th thy ct vng cao hn ct xanh 3 nhm tui u tin (di 50 tui), trong
khi ct xanh cao hn ct vng nhm hn 51 tui. y l c tnh chng ta c th dng
lm overall cho bi vit ny:
The percentages of those giving to charity fell from 1990 to 2010 in all the age
groups up to age 50.
Tip theo, chng ta s miu t t l lm t thin ca tng nm. Trong nm 1990 (ct vng),
trc ht chng ta so snh nhm 18-25 vi t l 17%, v nhm 26-35 (vi t l 31%).
17% of the youngest age group in the chart donated to charity compared to 31% for
the 26-35s.
Hai s liu ny vn nh hn kh nhiu so vi nhm 36-50, v vy chng ta vit:
However, these figures were significantly lower than the percentage of the 36-50 age
group at 42%, the highest proportion on the chart.
i vi nhm 51-65 v trn 65, chng ta ch cn so snh n gin:
The rate of people of the 51-65 age group making donations was 35%, which was
3% higher than that of the over 65s.
n nm 2010, chng ta miu t v cn so snh s tng/gim so vi nm 1990. Chng ta
miu t nhm u tin:
10

In 2010, the percentages of donors between 18 and 25 fell by 10% to 7%.

S liu ca hai nhm tip theo cng gim xung:
The figures for the 26-35s and 36-50s also declined to 24% and 35% respectively.
Trong khi , t l ca nhng ngi thuc 50++ lm t thin u tng:
In contrast, there was an upward trend in the proportions of people over age 50
giving to charity. The figure for the 50-65s climbed from 35% to just under 40% while
that of those over 65 increased by 3% to 35%.
Chng ta quan st c bi vit:

The bar chart shows the proportions of people in Britain of various age groups who
gave money to charity in 1990 and 2010.
Overall, the percentages of those giving to charity fell from 1990 to 2010 in all the
age groups up to age 50, which is in contrast to the figure for the 65s.
In 1990, 17% of the youngest age group in the chart donated to charity compared to
31% for the 26-35s. However, these figures were significantly lower than the
percentage of the 36-50s at 42%, the highest proportion on the chart. The rate of
people of the 51-65 age group making donations was 35%, which was 3% higher
than that of the over 65s.
In 2010, the percentages of donors between 18 and 25 fell by 10% to 7%. The
figures for the 26-35s and 36-50s also declined to 24% and 35% respectively. In
contrast, there was an upward trend in the proportions of people over age 50 giving
to charity. The figure for the 50-65s climbed from 35% to just under 40% while that of
those over 65 increased by 3% to 35%.
(188 words written by ielts.vinh@gmail.com)
11

Bi bar chart 04:

The chart shows ways that schoolchildren get to school in three different
countries.

Bi bar chart ny l mt bi kh chu v n c qu nhiu chi tit v nhiu s liu (3 nc x 6

loi xe c = 18 con s). Vic nhm s liu cng khng phi qu r rng. i vi nhng bar
chart kiu ny, chng ta c gng b cng nhiu s liu cng tt.
V overall, school bus v car l nhm c s liu cao nht nn chng ta vit:
It is clear that school bus and car are the most common modes of transport used by
the students in the three countries.
Quan st thy s liu ca nhm Other, Public transport v Bicycle ca cc nc l
khng chnh nhau nhiu, v vy chng ta gp lun vo v cp rt t v cc con s ny.
Phn cn li c s liu kh l khc bit nhau, v vy chng ta s vit mi paragraph v mt
nhm.
Tip theo, chng ta s miu t nhm car. US v UK th s liu khng chnh nhau nhiu
nn chng ta ghp chung khi miu t. Cu tip theo s miu t Australia.
In terms of using a car to go to school, while the figures for American and UK
students are almost the same, at 40% and 39% respectively, the percentage of
Australian schoolchildren is just 25%.

12

Nhm school bus c kh nhiu khc bit. Chng ta s miu t nc c s liu cao nht,
th hai v thp nht theo th t:
In contrast, 37% of American children go to school by school bus, followed by 31% of
Australian children and 24% of UK students.
Nhm Walking cng tng t. Cc bn ch cn miu t s liu ln lt l c:
Walking is popular in Australia, with 19% of students, compared to the UK (15%) and
the US (5%).
Vi 3 nhm cn li, v s liu cc nc khng chnh lnh nhau qu nhiu nn chng ta
cng ch cn miu t chung chung l c, khng cn qu nhiu chi tit trnh lp t v
trnh lm cho bi vit tr nn di dng:
There are no significant differences in the proportions of the students in the three
nations commuting to school by public transport, bicycle and other means of
transport, with the approximate figures of 9-12%, 5-8% and 4-6% respectively.
Nh vy, chng ta s c c bi vit nh sau:

The bar chart compares different means of transport used by schoolchildren to go to

school in Australia, the USA and the UK.
The most striking feature is that school bus and car are the most common modes of
transport used by the students in the three countries.
13

In terms of using a car to go to school, while the figures for American and UK
students are almost the same, at 40% and 39% respectively, the percentage of
Australian schoolchildren is just 25%.
In contrast, 37% of American children go to school by school bus, followed by 31% of
Australian children and 24% of UK students.
Walking is popular in Australia, with 19% of students, compared to the UK (15%) and
the US (5%). However, there are no significant differences in the proportions of the
students in the three nations commuting to school by public transport, bicycle and
other means of transport, with the approximate figures of 9-12%, 5-8% and 4-6%
respectively.
(161 words written by ielts.vinh@gmail.com)
Sau khi lm xong 4 bi bar chart, chng ta c th rt ra mt s kinh nghim nh sau:
1. i vi bi c 2 nm, cc bn nn chia theo nm so snh. Nm trc miu t
s liu ca cc bin c vi nhau. Nm sau cc bn nn so snh tng/gim ca cng
mt bin c. Lu l khng c dng from 1990 to 2000 hoc between 1990
and 2000 nu bi ch c 2 nm nh! Phi l in 1990 and 2000.
2. i vi bi c qu nhiu s liu th nn tm cch b bt s liu nhm vi nhau
cho d. Nn bt u t bin c cao nht trc, sau miu t ci th 2 v th 3. S
dng cc cu trc: S+V+O, followed by X with 9% and Y with 19%.
3. Vi cc bi c nhiu bin c, hy nhm cc bin c c cng xu hng tin miu
t. V d, nhm cc s liu c cng xu hng tng/gim trong c qu trnh. Lun lu
s liu no cao nht cp trong bi vit.
4. Mt s quc gia phi c the i ng trc: The US, The UK, The Phillipines. Nu
bi c 2 bin c tr ln (gi s l quc gia), th chng ta phi dng the other
two/three countries trong thn bi. L do l v chng ta gii thiu trong phn
introduction ri.
5. ni v cc nm pha trc, chng ta dng: The figure was higher than in the
previous year, tuyt i khng dng: The figure was higher than in the year ago.
n gin l t ago l ni v thi gian trc k t thi im hin ti. V d: Five
years ago, I was not an English teacher. y l cu m chng ta ang ni v thi
im 5 nm trc (k t ngy hm nay). Trong khi , cc bi Task 1 thng thng
c mc thi gian qu kh, v vy khng th dng t ago c.
Da vo nhng kin thc va hc c, cc bn hy th phn tch v nhm thng tin ca
cc bi sau y nh! Hy lu : Nu bn nhm khng logic, so snh khng tt th im ca
cc bn s cc thp. Ngn ng trong task 1 khng qu cao siu v bin ha, nhng t
im cao th khng phi d dng. C nhn mnh thy vit c mt bi task 1 t 8.0 vn
cn d hn l vit bi task 2 t 7.0.
p n tham kho cc bi tp ny c th c tm thy trn internet. Tuy vy, bn khng
nn coi nhng p n l nhng bi band 9.0. Bn nn nh s t vn, hng dn ca
thy c gio bit cch nhm thng tin ca bn tt hay cha.

14

Bi tp s 05 BC05:
The bar chart below shows shares of expenditures for five major categories in
the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan in the year 2009.

Bi tp s 06 - BC06:
The charts give information about two genres of TV programmes watched by
men and women and four different age groups in Australia.

15

Bi tp s 07 BC07:
The chart below shows the percentage change in the share of international
students among university graduates in different Canadian provinces between
2001 and 2006.

Bi tp s 08 BC08:
The chart below gives information about the UK's ageing population in 1985
and makes predictions for 2035.

16

Bi tp s 09 BC09:
The bar chart below gives information about the percentage of the population
living in urban areas in the world and in different continents.

Bi tp s 10 BC10:
The chart below shows the percentage of male and female teachers in six
different types of educational setting in the UK in 2010.

17