The weekly spending of an average family in a European country

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Graph

 

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Question

The graph below shows the weekly spending of an average family in a European country. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Common Questions for Bar Graph (Weekly Family Expenditure)

1. Graph Type: Bar Graph (Weekly Family Expenditure)

2. Title: Weekly Spending of an Average Family in a European Country

3. What are the units of measurement? Percentage of weekly expenditure

4. Who: Average family in a European country

5. When: 1987 to 2007

6. Where: European country

7. Topic: Comparison of weekly family spending on various categories

Comparison Showing and Trends Any change over time (such as an increase or a decrease) is a trend.

Comparison 1 : Transport

  •  Details:
  • The most notable increase was in transport expenditure, which rose significantly from 11% in 1987 to 31% in 2007, nearly tripling over two decades.

Comparison 2 : Housing

  •  Details:
  • Spending on housing also saw a sharp increase, from 15% to 33%, marking another substantial rise in family budgets.

Comparison 3 : Food and Tobacco

  •  Details:
  • Spending on food halved from 10% to 5%, and the expenditure on tobacco decreased considerably from 7% to just 2%, a positive trend.

Comparison 4: Fuel and Power

  •  Details:
  • Fuel and power costs slightly decreased from 18% to 15%, reflecting a minor reduction in household expenditure on energy.

Comparison 5: Other Goods and Services

  •  Details:
  • The expenditure on other goods and services remained stable at 16%, showing no significant change during the period.

Sample Answer

The bar graph illustrates the weekly spending of an average family in a European country over a 20-year period, from 1987 to 2007.

Overall, the data reflects a shift in family spending priorities, with a greater focus on transport and housing costs, while expenses on food, tobacco, and energy have diminished.

Transport costs experienced the most dramatic rise, growing from 11% to 31%, while housing expenses increased from 15% to 33%. This highlights a trend toward higher costs in both sectors. Conversely, spending on food was halved, from 10% to 5%, and tobacco expenditure saw a sharp decline from 7% to 2%, which could be considered a positive shift for health and financial well-being.

Expenditure on fuel and power decreased slightly from 18% to 15%, while spending on other goods and services remained unchanged at 16%.

Top 26 Vocabularies

 

Vocabulary (type)

 Meaning Synonyms Examples Type
Expenditure  The action of spending money Spending, outlay The expenditure on transport increased significantly. Noun
Significant  Important, noteworthy Considerable, substantial The most significant change was in the spending on transport. Adjective
Halved  To reduce by half Reduced, decreased Weekly spending on food was halved over the 20-year period. Verb
Dramatic  Sudden and striking Striking, substantial There was a dramatic rise in transport spending. Adjective
Stable  Remaining unchanged over time Constant, unchanging The expenditure on other goods and services remained stable. Adjective
Shift A change or movement from one state to another Change, transition “There was a shift in spending priorities over the 20 years.” Noun
Focus The central point of attention or effort Concentration, emphasis “Transport and housing became the focus of family spending.” Noun
Priorities Things considered more important than others Preferences, importance “Spending priorities changed dramatically over the 20 years.” Noun
Costs The amount spent or required to acquire something Expenses, charges “Housing costs experienced the highest increase.” Noun
Rise An increase in number, level, or intensity Increase, growth “Transport costs rose significantly over the period.” Noun/Verb
Diminish To make or become less Decrease, reduce “Spending on food diminished over time.” Verb
Decline A gradual decrease or reduction Drop, fall “Expenditure on tobacco saw a sharp decline.” Noun/Verb
Trend A general direction or tendency in a change or development Pattern, movement “The trend in spending shifted towards housing and transport.” Noun
Well-being The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy Health, prosperity “A decline in tobacco expenditure is a positive shift for well-being.” Noun
Slight Small in degree or amount Small, minor “The decrease in fuel and power costs was slight.” Adjective
Remain To stay in the same condition or place Stay, persist “Expenditure on other goods remained unchanged.” Verb
Stable Unchanging or steady over time Constant, fixed “Spending on other goods remained stable over the 20 years.” Adjective
Spending The act of paying money for goods or services Outlay, expenditure “Family spending on transport increased significantly.” Noun
Increase A rise or growth in amount, number, or degree Boost, growth “The increase in housing costs was notable.” Noun/Verb
Impact The strong effect or influence of something Effect, influence “The impact of rising housing costs was substantial.” Noun
Comparison The act of comparing two or more things Contrast, differentiation “A comparison between the two periods reveals significant changes.” Noun
Change The act of becoming different or undergoing alteration Modification, shift “The change in spending on food was remarkable.” Noun/Verb
Financial Relating to money or finance Monetary, fiscal “The shift in spending also had a financial impact.” Adjective
Expenditure The total amount of money spent Spending, outlay “Expenditure on fuel decreased slightly.” Noun
Significant Important or having a notable effect Considerable, substantial “There was a significant rise in transport spending.” Adjective
Percentage A proportion or share out of 100 Fraction, proportion “Transport spending accounted for a larger percentage in 2007.” Noun
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