IELTS Writing Task 1: City Museum Visitor Numbers Bar Chart

IELTS Writing Practice — AI-Powered Feedback

Writing Prompt

The bar chart below shows the number of visitors, in millions, to four museums in one city in 2013 and in 2023. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Show Band 8–9 model answer

The bar chart compares annual visitor numbers, in millions, to four museums in a particular city in 2013 and 2023.

Overall, total attendance rose over the decade, with every museum attracting more visitors in 2023 than in 2013. Old Castle remained the most popular site in both years, while City Gallery consistently had the fewest visitors.

In 2013, Old Castle received about 2.7 million visitors, substantially more than the other institutions. Riverside and Science Hall were at a similar level, with roughly 1.4 and 1.3 million visitors respectively, whereas City Gallery attracted only around 0.6 million people.

By 2023, numbers had increased in all four museums, though the scale of growth varied. Old Castle rose modestly to approximately 2.9 million, consolidating its leading position. Riverside experienced a more noticeable increase, climbing to around 1.9 million visitors, and Science Hall also grew to about 1.7 million. City Gallery, while still the least visited site, saw the most dramatic proportional rise, doubling its attendance to roughly 1.2 million.

In summary, although the ranking of museums by popularity did not change, the gap between Old Castle and the other three narrowed somewhat as Riverside, Science Hall and particularly City Gallery all expanded their visitor bases.

Why this response works

This response would likely receive a high band score because it provides a clear overview of the main trends, including overall growth and the stable ranking of museums. Key data for both years are accurately selected and compared, with sensible approximations that match the chart. The information is logically organised into overview, then details for 2013 and 2023, with effective use of cohesion. Lexical resource is strong and varied (e.g. “consolidating its leading position”, “proportional rise”), and grammar is accurate with a range of complex structures and precise control of tenses and comparatives.