IELTS multiple graph questions are quite common in the Academic Task 1 Writing test. Candidates often panic when they see these graphs and charts as they are worried about having to interpret two different types of data.

However, as long as you know how to write essays on each type of graph, you will have no problem answering multiple graphs questions in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

The process for writing IELTS multiple graph essays is the same as for any other Academic Task 1 essay.

Here is the 6 steps process:

1. Analyse the question
2. Identify the main features
3. Write an introduction
4. Write an overview paragraph
5. Write the body paragraph 1
6. Write the body paragraph 2

Let’s take a look at this sample question: 

The pie chart shows the main issues for the traveling public in the US. The bar chart shows reasons for traveling using public transport in the US in 2009.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

In the question above, you are asked to summarise both a pie chart and a table. You could also be given a line graph and a bar chart, a pie chart and a line graph, or any other combination. You may think it’s scary to attempt this question but it is not.

Here is how to answer this question. First, follow the 6 steps we mentioned in the beginning. This could be a possible answer to the above multiple graphs question:

The bar chart gives illustrates the 5 main reasons Americans intend to commute in public in the US in 2009 while the pie chart shows the main concerns of Americans in using public transportation.

The most common reason that Americans use public transportation is to travel to their workplace and back home again. However, the high cost of the fare tops the list of problems usually they encounter when traveling using public transportation. The area allotted to pedestrians was of the least concern.

On the one hand, there are five main purposes why Americans traveled in public in 2009. The main reason was traveling to and from work (49%) followed by personal reasons and shopping with 19% and 16% respectively. The data also shows that they used public transport for recreational purposes (10%) and lastly when they visited friends or relatives (6%).

On the other hand, the cost of traveling is their main issue in using public transportation garnering 36% while concerns about their safety came second with 19%. The data also illustrates concerns about aggressive drivers and traffic problems with 17% and 14% respectively. Accessibility to public vehicles and space for pedestrians were also mentioned with 8% and 6% correspondingly.

Here are some tips when answering multiple graph questions:

1. Analyze the question to find topic words, micro keywords, and action words.
2. Identify the major features discussed in the charts or graphs. 
3. You can paraphrase the question in the first paragraph of your answer.
4. Never mix up the descriptions. This will make things complicated and difficult to follow. Writing about the first one and then the second one is a good practice for a bar and line graph or any others that appear together.
5. The answer should be divided into clear logical paragraphs.
6. Make sure you use paraphrasing, synonyms, and some less common words. 
7. Ensure your answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences should be made up of multiple clauses and have a variety of structures. 

Conclusion

Now use what you’ve learned about how to answer multiple graphs questions in Writing Task 1 in this blog, you should start practicing more and more sample questions. Start slowly at first and keep practicing until you can plan and write a complete essay in around 20 minutes.

Once you’re ready to take the IELTS Writing Test, book your test date in advance.

Visit the IELTS AOLCC website to select the ideal dates for your IELTS Test. You can book the IELTS test centres in Kingston, London, Brampton, and Mississauga. 

If you have specific requests or queries, you can send an email to ielts@aolccollege.ca.