The expenditure on three categories among different age groups of residents in the UK in 2004
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Graph
IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The chart below shows the expenditure on three categories among different age groups of residents in the UK in 2004. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant

Common Questions for the Bar Graph
1. Graph Type: Bar Graph
2.Title: Expenditure on Three Categories by Different Age Groups in the UK, 2004
3.Units of Measurement : Percentage of expenditure
4.Who: Different age groups of British citizens
5. When: 2004
6. Where: United Kingdom
7. Topic: Spending on food and drinks, restaurant and hotel, and entertainment by age group
Comparison Showing and Trends Any change over time (such as an increase or a decrease) is a trend.
Comparison 1 : Under 30s expenditure
- Details:
1. Spent the least on food and drinks.
2. Approximately 12-14% was allocated to restaurant and hotel.
3. Lower expenditure on entertainment compared to food and drinks.
Comparison 2: Age Group 61-75
-
Details:
1. The highest spending was on entertainment (23%)..
2. Minimal spending on restaurants and hotels (2%).
3.More focus on food and drinks compared to younger groups.
Comparison 3 : Age Group 76+
-
Details:
1. Most significant spending on food and drinks..
2. Entertainment spending decreased (7%).
3. Low expenditure on restaurant and hotel..
Sample Answer
The bar chart illustrates how different age groups in the UK spent their money on food and drinks, restaurant and hotel, and entertainment in 2004.
Overall, the data reveals that as age increased, spending priorities shifted. Older individuals spent more on food and entertainment, while younger people allocated a more balanced proportion across all three categories, giving notable importance to dining out.
The under–30s group spent the least on food and drinks, while their expenditure on restaurants and hotels ranged between 12% and 14%, comparable to younger age groups below 60. Their spending on entertainment was lower than on restaurants. In contrast, the 61-75 age group exhibited a distinct pattern, with the highest expenditure on entertainment (23%) and the lowest on restaurants (2%).
For the 76+ age group, food and drinks took the most significant share of spending, surpassing all other age groups. Their expenditure on entertainment was moderate at 7%, while they spent just 2% on restaurants, showing reduced interest in this category.
Top 20 Vocabularies
Vocabulary (type) | Type | Meaning | Synonyms | Examples |
Expenditure (n.) | Noun | Money spent on goods/services | Spending, outlay, cost | “The expenditure on food and drinks increased with age.” |
Allocate (v.) | Verb | To distribute resources or duties | Assign, distribute, allot | “They allocated a significant amount to dining out.” |
Proportion (n.) | Noun | A part or share of a whole | Share, portion, fraction | “The proportion of spending on food was higher among older age groups.” |
Exhibit (v.) | Verb | To display or show clearly | Demonstrate, reveal, show | “The older age group exhibited a different spending trend.” |
Distinct (adj.) | Adjective | Clearly different or separate | Different, unique, separate | “Each age group had distinct spending priorities.” |
Illustrates | Verb | To visually represent or explain clearly | Depicts, describes, shows | “The chart illustrates spending habits by age.” |
Priorities | Noun | Things regarded as more important | Preferences, focus, emphasis | “Spending priorities shifted with age.” |
Shifted | Verb | To change position or direction | Moved, altered, changed | “Spending priorities shifted with age.” |
Categories | Noun | Groups or classes with shared characteristics | Classes, groups, divisions | “Spending was divided into three categories.” |
Pattern | Noun | A repeated or consistent trend | Trend, model, structure | “A distinct spending pattern emerged with age.” |
Significant | Adjective | Having importance or notable impact | Considerable, important | “Food spending took a significant share for the 76+ group.” |
Moderate | Adjective | Average in amount or degree | Balanced, reasonable | “Spending on entertainment was moderate.” |
Reduced | Adjective | Decreased in size or amount | Lowered, diminished | “Older groups showed reduced interest in restaurants.” |
Allocation | Noun | Distribution or assignment of resources | Distribution, apportionment | “Allocation of spending varied by category.” |
Balanced | Adjective | Evenly distributed or proportioned | Equal, steady, stable | “Younger groups had a more balanced spending profile.” |
Interest | Noun | Concern or curiosity about something | Attention, focus | “Older people showed less interest in dining out.” |
Comparable | Adjective | Able to be likened or similar in some way | Similar, equivalent, parallel | “The expenditures were comparable across age groups.” |
Trends | Noun | General direction in which something is changing | Patterns, movements, directions | “Spending trends varied by age group.” |
Emphasize | Verb | To give special importance to something | Stress, underline, highlight | “The data emphasizes the decline in restaurant spending.” |
Proportionally | Adverb | In a way that corresponds in size or amount | Relatively, correspondingly | “Younger groups spent proportionally more on restaurants.” |
Range | Noun | The extent between limits | Scope, extent, variety | “Spending on restaurants ranged between 12% and 14%.” |
Decline | Verb/Noun | To reduce or decrease gradually | Decrease, drop, reduce | “There was a sharp decline in spending on restaurants.” |
Exceeds | Verb | To be greater than | Surpasses, outdoes, overcomes | “Spending on food exceeds that on other categories.” |
Demonstrates | Verb | To clearly show evidence of something | Illustrates, reveals, shows | “The data demonstrates distinct spending behaviors.” |
Proportionately | Adverb | In a way that maintains the same relation | Relatively, equally | “Older groups spent proportionately more on food.” |

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