Gender Involvement and Time Spent on Household Tasks

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Combination Bar Graph
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IELTS Writing Task 1 Question

The first chart below shows the percentages of women and men in a country involved in some kinds of home tasks (cooking, cleaning, pet caring and repairing the house. The second chart shows the amount of time each gender spent on each task per day. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Common Questions for the Charts

1. Graph Type: Butterfly Charts

2. Title: Gender Involvement and Time Spent on Household Tasks

3. What are the units of measurement?:

    • Percentage of individuals involved in tasks
    • Minutes per day for time spent

4. Who: Men and women in a given country

5. When: Not specified

6. Where: Not specified

7. Topic: Gender roles in household tasks

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

Comparison 1: Gender Involvement in Tasks

  • Details:

1. Cooking: 80% of women and 60% of men participate.

2. Cleaning: 60% of women and 40% of men are involved.

3. Pet Care: Both genders have similar participation rates (20–22%).

4. House Repairs: 18% of men and 9% of women participate, nearly double.

Comparison 2: Average Time Spent on Tasks

  • Details:

1. Cooking and Cleaning: Women spend 20 minutes more per day than men on each task.

2. Pet Care: Both genders allocate an average of 20 minutḃs daily.

3. House Repairs: Men spend three times more time (15 minutes) than women (5 minutes).

 

Sample Answer

The butterfly charts illustrate the percentages of men and women involved in four household tasks—cooking, cleaning, pet care, and house repairs—and the average daily time spent on each activity.

Overall, cooking and cleaning are dominated by women in terms of participation and time spent, while house repairs are predominantly performed by men.

Cooking and cleaning see significantly higher participation from women, with 80% and 60% involvement, compared to 60% and 40% for men. Pet care is nearly equally shared, with 20–22% of men and women involved. Conversely, house repairs are handled by almost twice as many men (18%) as women (9%).

In terms of time allocation, women spend approximately 20 minutes more per day than men on cooking and cleaning. Both genders spend the same amount of time, about 20 minutes, on pet care. Men dedicate significantly more time to house repairs—15 minutes daily, compared to only 5 minutes by women.

Top 26 Vocabularies

 

Vocabulary  Type
Meaning Synonyms Examples

Participation

Noun

The act of taking part in an activity

Involvement, Engagement

Participation in cooking was highest among women.

Allocation

Noun

Distribution of time or resources

Assignment, Apportionment

Both genders allocate equal time for pet care daily.

Dominate

Verb

 

To have the most control or influence

Lead, Prevail

Women dominate cooking and cleaning activities.

Predominantly

Adverb

Mostly or mainly

Chiefly, Primarily

Men predominantly perform house repairs.

Traditional

Adjective

Based on longstanding practices

Conventional, Customary

Traditional gender roles are reflected in household tasks.

Illustrate

Verb

To explain or make something clear by providing an example

Demonstrate, Depict

“The butterfly charts illustrate the gender participation in household tasks.”

Involvement

Noun

The state of being included in an activity

Participation, Engagement

“The involvement of women in cooking is significantly higher than that of men.”

Divergence

Noun

A difference or deviation in behavior or opinions

Discrepancy, Variation

“There is a divergence in the time men and women spend on house repairs.”

Proportion

Noun

A part or share of a whole

Ratio, Percentage

“Women account for a larger proportion of cooking and cleaning tasks.”

Handle

Verb

To manage or take care of something

Manage, Deal with

“Men handle house repairs, while women manage cooking and cleaning.”

Consistent

Adjective

Unchanging or always the same

Steady, Unwavering

“The consistent difference in time spent on household tasks between men and women is evident.”

Significantly

Adverb

In a way that is large or important enough to have an effect

Markedly, Noticeably

“Women spend significantly more time on cleaning than men.”

Dedicated

Adjective

Giving a lot of time and effort to something

Committed, Devoted

“Men are dedicated to house repairs, spending 15 minutes daily.”

Equally

Adverb

In the same manner or amount

Similarly, Evenly

“Both genders share the task of pet care equally.”

Traditional

Adjective

Relating to customs or practices that have existed for a long time

Conventional, Customary

“Traditional gender roles are reflected in the distribution of household tasks.”

Share

Verb

To divide something and give portions to others

Distribute, Allocate

“Men and women share the responsibility for pet care.”

Responsibility

Noun

A duty or task that one is required to do

Duty, Obligation

“House repairs are primarily the responsibility of men in many households.”

Routine

Noun

A sequence of actions regularly followed

Schedule, Habit

“Cooking and cleaning are part of a woman’s daily routine.”

Comparison

Noun

The act of examining two or more things to find similarities or differences

Contrast, Evaluation

“The comparison of time spent on household chores shows clear gender differences.”

Predominantly

Adverb

Mainly or primarily

Mostly, Chiefly

“House repairs are predominantly carried out by men.”

Fewer

Adjective

A smaller number or amount

Less, Minor

“Fewer women are involved in house repairs compared to men.”

Trend

Noun

A general direction in which something is developing or changing

Pattern, Direction

“There is a clear trend of women spending more time on cleaning than men.”

Shift

Noun

A change or movement from one position or condition to another

Change, Transition

“A shift in gender roles is slowly occurring in household tasks.”

Ratio

Noun

The quantitative relationship between two numbers

Proportion, Fraction

“The ratio of men to women performing house repairs is 2:1.”

Predominance

Noun

The state or condition of being more important or powerful

Dominance, Authority

“Women have the predominance in cooking and cleaning tasks.”

Reluctant

Adjective

Unwilling to do something

Hesitant, Unenthusiastic

“Men may be reluctant to take on household chores like cooking.”

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