Average Hours of Housework Done by Women and Men by Employment Status
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Graph

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The bar chart below shows the average hours of housework done by women (unemployed, part time employed and full time employed) and full-time working men. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and

Key Points for the Report
1. Graph Type: Bar Graph
2. Title: Average Hours of Housework Done by Women and Men by Employment Status
3. Focus: Comparison of housework hours among unemployed, part-time employed, and full-time employed individuals
Main Features and Trends
General Observations
- Housework Hours: The chart details the average daily hours spent on housework by different employment statuses over 1985, 1995, and 2005.
- Gender Differences: A notable distinction in housework hours between men and women is evident.
Sample Answer
The given bar chart illustrates the average time spent on housework by men and women across various employment statuses over a period of two decades. It is evident that full-time employed men dedicated the least amount of time to household chores.
Women who were unemployed devoted the most time to housework, averaging 7 hours per day in both 1985 and 2005, while in 1995, they spent slightly less, at 6.5 hours per day. Part-time employed women also spent significant time on housework, averaging 5.5 hours in 1985, 6 hours in 1995, and 5 hours in 2005.
In contrast, full-time employed women spent considerably less time on household chores, averaging only 2 hours per day in 1985, decreasing to 1.5 hours in 1995, and then rising slightly to 2.5 hours in 2005. Full-time employed men spent an average of 1 hour per day in 1985 and 1995, slightly increasing to 1.5 hours in 2005. There is no data available for unemployed men or part-time employed men.
Overall, while full-time employed women spent less time on housework compared to their unemployed and part-time employed counterparts, they still engaged in more household chores than full-time employed men.
Top 26 Vocabularies
Vocabulary (type) | Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
Illustrates | To explain or make something clear using examples or visuals | Demonstrates, depicts, shows | The chart illustrates the average time spent on housework. | Verb |
Devoted | To give a large part of one’s time to something | Dedicated, committed, allocated | Unemployed women devoted the most time to housework. | Verb |
Considerably | To a significant extent; greatly | Significantly, notably, markedly | Full-time employed women spent considerably less time on housework. | Adverb |
Average | The result obtained by adding several quantities together and dividing this total by the number of quantities | Mean, median, typical | The average daily hours spent on housework varied among different groups. | Noun |
Counterparts | A person or thing that corresponds to another in function or role | Equivalent, peer, match | They engaged in more household chores than their male counterparts. | Noun |
Devote | To dedicate time or effort to something | Allocate, give, spend | They devoted a lot of time to housework. | Verb |
Duration | The length of time something lasts | Period, span, length | The study spanned over two decades. | Noun |
Engaged | To participate or take part in something | Involved, occupied, immersed | Women engaged in more household chores than men. | Verb |
Dedicated | Giving all one’s time and effort to something | Committed, devoted, focused | Unemployed women were dedicated to housework. | Adjective |
Slightly | To a small degree or extent | Marginally, somewhat, a little | The time spent on housework slightly decreased over the years. | Adverb |
Decrease | To become smaller or less | Diminish, reduce, lessen | The time spent by employed women decreased over time. | Verb |
Peer | A person who is equal in rank, age, or ability | Colleague, counterpart, equal | She spent more time on housework than her male peers. | Noun |
Substantial | Large in amount, degree, or importance | Significant, considerable, ample | Women who were unemployed had substantial hours of housework | Adjective |
Vary | To differ or change | Fluctuate, alter, change | Housework hours varied depending on employment status. | Verb |
Allocation | The action or process of distributing something | Distribution, assignment, allotment | The allocation of housework hours depended on employment. | Noun |
Proportion | A part or share of a whole | Ratio, percentage, fraction | The proportion of time spent on housework decreased in full-time employed women. | Noun |
Occupied | Engaged in something, busy | Involved, absorbed, immersed | Women were mostly occupied with housework. | Adjective |
Increase | To become greater in size, amount, or degree | Rise, grow, augment | The time spent on housework increased slightly in 2005. | Verb |
Consistent | Unchanging over time; steady | Steady, constant, uniform | The time spent by unemployed women remained consistent. | Adjective |
Significantly | To a large extent or degree | Substantially, notably, considerably | Men spent significantly less time on housework. | Adverb |
Comparison | The act of examining two or more things to find similarities or differences | Contrast, analysis, evaluation | A comparison of housework time shows a disparity between genders. | Noun |
Fluctuate | To change or vary irregularly | Vary, shift, change | The amount of time spent fluctuated by employment status. | Verb |
Reflection | The act of thinking deeply or a mirrored image | Consideration, thought, mirror image | The chart reflects time spent on household chores over the years. | Noun |
Engage | To occupy oneself or take part in something | Participate, immerse, join | Men were less likely to engage in housework. | Verb |
Decrease | To reduce in size, number, or amount | Lower, cut down, lessen | The time for full-time employed women decreased after 1995. | Verb |

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