IELTS Graph # 15 - The different modes of transport used for travel to and from work in a European city in 1950, 1970 and 1990 are shown in the graph below. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Graph # 15 – Bar graph

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The different modes of transport used for travel to and from work in a European city in 1950, 1970 and 1990 are shown in the graph below. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Answer:
A study on the various types of transportation used by the people in a European city is given in the bar graph. The chart compares the proportion of people who travelled by bus, car, bike or on foot in 1950, 1970 and 1990.

The most dramatic change was the rise in the use of cars when compared to other modes of transport. In 1950, cars were used by only around 5% of travellers, but this figure rose to around 38% by 1990. Travel by bike dropped from 27% to 5% in the period, while the number of people who walked to work plummeted from 35% to a mere 6%.

The figures for commuters using buses experienced a sizeable hike in 1970, but did not show any significant change at the end of the period. In 1950, about 18% of people went to work by bus. This figure rose to 27% in 1970, but then dropped to around 16% in 1990.

Briefly, the modes of transportation underwent a transformation from 1970 to 1990. While the use of car shot up seven-fold, the number of people who walked to work dived down seven times from what was in 1950. But the proportion of bus commuters remained almost the same.

(207 words)