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IELTS Essay Task 1: Transport Preferences Among Young People
The bar chart below shows transport preferences among young people in four countries in a single year.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The bar chart details transport preferences for young people in terms of cars, motorcycles, and bicycles in the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Italy. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that cars are more popular in the UK, the US and especially Italy while the French prefer to ride bicycles. In all countries except the United States, motorcycles are the least common option.
Considering the statistics for cars first of all, the United States and the United Kingdom have identical figures at 60% each. Italy is noticeably higher at 75% while just 40% of younger individuals in France drive cars. In most nations, bicycles are also pervasive, with the highest number in France at 47%, followed by 30% in the UK, slightly over 10% in Italy, and precisely 10% in the US.
Motorcycles are only a significant choice for younger people in the United States (30% ride motorcycles there), and in contrast the figures for France, the UK, and Italy merely reach 11%, 10%, and 9%, respectively.
Analysis
1. The bar chart details transport preferences for young people in terms of cars, motorcycles, and bicycles in the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Italy. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that cars are more popular in the UK, the US and especially Italy while the French prefer to ride bicycles. 3. In all countries except the United States, motorcycles are the least common option.
- Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
- Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
- You might need a second sentence for your overview.
1. Considering the statistics for cars first of all, the United States and the United Kingdom have identical figures at 60% each. 2. Italy is noticeably higher at 75% while just 40% of younger individuals in France drive cars. 3. In most nations, bicycles are also pervasive, with the highest number in France at 47%, followed by 30% in the UK, slightly over 10% in Italy, and precisely 10% in the US.
- Begin writing about the data for the first category.
- Make sure you compare as much as possible.
- Finish with the rest of the data.
1. Motorcycles are only a significant choice for younger people in the United States (30% ride motorcycles there), and in contrast the figures for France, the UK, and Italy merely reach 11%, 10%, and 9%, respectively.
- Write about the final other parts of the graph – include everything!
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:
The bar chart details transport preferences for young people in terms of cars, motorcycles, and bicycles in the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Italy. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that cars are more popular in the UK, the US and especially Italy while the French prefer to ride bicycles. In all countries except the United States, motorcycles are the least common option.
Considering the statistics for cars first of all, the United States and the United Kingdom have identical figures at 60% each. Italy is noticeably higher at 75% while just 40% of younger individuals in France drive cars. In most nations, bicycles are also pervasive, with the highest number in France at 47%, followed by 30% in the UK, slightly over 10% in Italy, and precisely 10% in the US.
Motorcycles are only a significant choice for younger people in the United States (30% ride motorcycles there), and in contrast the figures for France, the UK, and Italy merely reach 11%, 10%, and 9%, respectively.
Answers
Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:
details shows
transport preferences what vehicles you like to use
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
especially in particular
except not including
least common option not used often
considering concerning
statistics figures, data
first of all firstly
identical figures the same numbers
each each one
noticeably higher much more
while in contrast
in most nations in most countries
pervasive common
followed by after
slightly over more than
precisely exactly
significant choice common
in contrast however
merely reach just get to
respectively in turn
Pronunciation
Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation:
ˈdiːteɪlz
ˈtrænspɔːt ˈprɛfərənsɪz
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt
ɪsˈpɛʃəli
ɪkˈsɛpt
liːst ˈkɒmən ˈɒpʃən
kənˈsɪdərɪŋ
stəˈtɪstɪks
fɜːst ɒv ɔːl
aɪˈdɛntɪkəl ˈfɪgəz
iːʧ
ˈnəʊtɪsəbli ˈhaɪə
waɪl
ɪn məʊst ˈneɪʃənz
pɜːˈveɪsɪv
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ
ˈslaɪtli ˈəʊvə
prɪˈsaɪsli
sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ʧɔɪs
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
ˈmɪəli riːʧ
rɪsˈpɛktɪvli
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:
The bar chart d_________s t_________________________s for young people in terms of cars, motorcycles, and bicycles in the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Italy. L_________________________________________________________t cars are more popular in the UK, the US and e______________y Italy while the French prefer to ride bicycles. In all countries e_______t the United States, motorcycles are the l_________________________n.
C________________g the s__________s for cars f_____________l, the United States and the United Kingdom have i_________________s at 60% e______h. Italy is n_____________________r at 75% w______e just 40% of younger individuals in France drive cars. I_______________s, bicycles are also p_____________e, with the highest number in France at 47%, f________________y 30% in the UK, s______________r 10% in Italy, and p___________y 10% in the US.
Motorcycles are only a s________________e for younger people in the United States (30% ride motorcycles there), and i_________________t the figures for France, the UK, and Italy m_______________h 11%, 10%, and 9%, r___________y.
Listening Practice
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more and use these ideas to practice:
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Walking
- Do you go places on foot a lot?
- Did you walk more when you were younger?
- Why do some people prefer walking to driving a car?
- Do people in your country walk a lot?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related chart below and then check with my sample answer:

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