task 1 essay

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples

Here you will find IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples for a variety of common tasks that appear in the writing exam.

The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.

It's a great way to help you to prepare for the test. 

The amount of money that a children's charity located in the USA spent and received in one year, 2016.

Model Answer >>>

The Proportions of Pupils Attending Four Secondary School Types Between Between 2000 and 2009.

The city of Brandfield. City planners have decided to build a new shopping mall for the area, and two sites, S1 and S2 have been proposed.

Process Diagram

The process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building industry.

The components of GDP in the UK from 1992 to 2000.

The scores of teams A, B and C over four different seasons.

The electricity generated in Germany and France from all sources and renewables in the year 2009.

British Emigration to selected destinations between 2004 and 2007.

Line and Bar Chart

Visits to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999, and the most popular countries visited by UK residents in 1999.

Thefts per thousand vehicles in four countries between 1990 and 1999.

Pie and Bar Chart

The percentage of persons arrested in the five years ending 1994 and the most recent reasons for arrest.

The different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.

The proportion of monthly household income five European countries spend on food and drink, housing, clothing and entertainment.

How chocolate is produced.

The monthly spending in dollars of a family in the USA on three items in 2010.

How tea leaves are processed into five tea types.

Pie and  Bar Chart

The percentage of women in poverty and the poverty rates by sex and age in the United States in 2008.

Line and Pie Chart

The number of books that were borrowed in four different months in 2014 from four village libraries, and the pie chart shows the percentage of books, by type, that were borrowed over this time.

Four countries of residence of overseas students in Australia

Development of the village of Ryemouth between 1995 and present.

Public Sector Employment in 2015 and 2020.

Cultural Activities of Differing Age Groups

Construction of Tourist Facilities on an island.

Average House Price Comparison.

Average carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions per person

Leisure Activities amongst Australian children.

Structure used to generate electricity from wave power.

Bar & Pie Chart

Men and women attending various evening courses

Changes to Grange Park.

Populations in Yemen and Italy.

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Academic Writing Task 1 Sample

Ielts academic - graph writing:.

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 – Sample Answers

It is important for you to look at sample essays when you are studying to see if your work is on the way to becoming a band score 7 or higher.

Sample Essay 1 – Pie Charts

The pie charts show the ratio of goods shipped from Great Britain from 2010 to 2015. The products are measured by percentage.

On the other hand, the diagrams illustrate an increasing rise in the production of plastics at over 4% since 2010. Furthermore, the most relevant feature is the increase in the export of organic chemicals from 2010 (7%) to 2015 (10%). There is a huge difference in the production of pharmaceuticals, due to the fact that it experienced a decrease from 2010 (27%) to 2015 (18%). 

Sample Essay 2 – Line Graph Showing Future Trends

The line graph presented depicts the loan status of the Royal Bank of Scotland between the years 2012 to 2022. It is measured in millions of pounds sterling.

Firstly, it is clear that student loans and mortgages are following a very similar pattern over the years. Student loans stood at just under 1.500 million in 2012, noticeably, being the highest of the four groups. Though they remained constant up to 2013, they are expected to climb steadily to approximately 2.5 billion in 2022. Like the student loans, mortgages are predicted to follow a similar pattern and increase.

Finally, personal loans were staged at the lowest level of the four groups, at under 500 million in 2012. Despite climbing up and overtaking auto loans briefly in 2016 to about 800 million, this level will continue decreasing until 2022 to 400 million.

(Word Count = 223  / Band Score 9)

Sample Essay 3 – Process

To begin, a body of water is stored in a large water reservoir holding the water until it goes into the intake. The dam will then control the flow of water to the intake. After that, water will flow to a cylindrical passage called a penstock, making it flow with a strong pressure until it reaches the turbine. Next, the current of the flowing water from the river passing through the penstock will maintain the turbine’s rotation.

Sample Essay 4 – Line Graph

Sample essay 5 – table, writing task 1 band score 9 criteria >>, ielts writing task 2 question types, related posts, write to the singer about his/her performance: semi-formal letter [ielts general writing task 1 ], ielts writing task 1 – line graph essay 1, leave a comment cancel reply.

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IELTS Academic task 1

Here on IELTS Podcast, you will find useful IELTS Academic writing task 1 tips, tutorials, sample essay questions and answers to help you prepare for your Academic task 1 exam.

How much time should I spend on IELTS writing task 1 in the IELTS test?

The IELTS writing exam is divided into two sections . You have an hour to write both. Since task 1 makes up 33% of the test you should plan to spend 20 minutes on this section to ensure that you make effective use of your time.

IELTS Task 1 Marking criteria

Task 1 is marked according to the following:

• Task achievement (25%)
• Cohesion and coherence (25%)
• Vocabulary (25%)
• Grammar (25%)

IELTS Graphs, Charts or Diagrams

Academic writing task 1 requires that you summarise and compare a diagram, chart or graph, talking about the main features.

You should use at least 150 words for the task. This section is not an essay. It is a summary. You should use formal language and it must factual.

Academic writing task 1 is a report on a bar chart , pie chart, table, map diagram or process. Below we have tutorials, guiding you on how to answer the different task 1 questions.

• How to describe a process diagram
• How to describe a pie chart
• Task 1 line graph sample essay
• How to describe a bar graph
• How to describe a flow chart
• Describing a map for task 1
• Dynamic and static charts and the language of overviews
• How to describe a table of figures
• Describing a natural process
• How to describe a bar chart
• How to describe an image
• Describing a graph with numbers
• Writing tips for academic task 1

Summarise and Compare

Read the question carefully. Academic writing task 1 may contain two to three charts which may be a line graph , a table, a pie chart , a map , a diagram or a bar chart . To do well in this task you need to take a general overview of the task.

A good description will look at trends, at highs and lows and at the times that these occurred – beginnings and endings in other words. You need to describe the key features and changes in the graphs. That means just talk about the main features and don’t try to describe everything! A great tip is to use superlatives. For example:

The most expensive item was…

The largest amount spent was…

The lowest point was…

Another useful tip for IELTS writing task 1 is to find things that were the same or similar, then contrast them with what was different. For example,

‘Sales of both sugar and salt increased during the period shown, reaching their highest prices in November. In contrast, sales of coffee fluctuated significantly.’

The Process

Start off by looking at the graphs to determine what you need to summarise and compare. Write an introduction of one to two sentences. Then offer a general overview, describing trends. The next paragraphs should get into the specifics, grouping your information according to the main features and then describing each of them.

Always bear in mind that this is a test of your English-speaking abilities. Use the appropriate vocabulary . Try to showcase as much of your vocabulary as possible and make sure that your English grammar is immaculate. Write at least 150 words – this cannot include copying any of the information from the question word for word. Paraphrasing several words in a sentence is fine.

Preparing for the Exam

The best way to prepare for the exam is to get plenty of practice beforehand. First, look at some excellent essay examples for writing task 1. There are quite a few useful links at the end of this article. Find a style or model you like and try to use some of the same phrases to describe a similar diagram, remembering to write at least 150 words. Try your hand at describing and comparing various diagrams and graphs. Send them in for an evaluation and learn from the outcomes.

Useful links to help you prepare for academic task 1:

Frequently Asked Questions

Which articles should i read first.

We are here to help! There are lots of articles that can give you help and tips for specific IELTS writing task 1 types, and also more general information about writing task 1.

Make sure you don’t look at General Training articles though, because writing task 1 for General Training will not be the same.

Here are some of our favourites:

• How to get band 9 in task 1
• 5-step plan for task 1
• How to paraphrase in task 1
• Academic task 1 marking criteria
• Five essential writing skills for task 1
• What tense to use in task 1
• How to describe percentages
• Vocabulary to describe a map

Sample IELTS Writing task 1 Questions and Essays

• IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary List With Examples
• Academic task 1 sample essays and answers
• Task 1 sample charts and graph questions
• Academic task 1 sample diagram questions
• How to score well on a bar chart question in writing task 1
• IELTS academic task 1 sample question
• IELTS academic task 1 sample question – bar chart showing interest
• IELTS Academic writing task 1 question – pie chart showing usage

Latest IELTS Writing Task 1 2024 (Graphs, Charts, Maps, Processes)

by Dave | Sample Answers | 147 Comments

These are the most recent/latest IELTS Writing Task 1 Task topics and questions starting in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and continuing into 2024.

You can find all the most recent IELTS writing task 2s here and the general training questions here .

I also have recorded all the IELTS speaking questions here .

Learn here about how to write an IELTS general overview for task 1.

If you are able, please consider supporting my efforts (and receiving exclusive IELTS Ebooks!) by signing up for my Patreon here .

Enjoy and comment any questions/writing that you have!

Read my sample for the process below here.

Read my sample for the pie chart below here.

Read my sample answer for the map below here.

Read my sample answer for the Cambridge 19 line chart below here.

Read my sample for the line chart below here.

Read my sample answer for the chart below here.

Read my sample for the table below here.

Reported on IELTS November 27th

Read my sample for the bar chart below here.

Reported on IELTS November 5th

Read about the line chart below here.

Read about the pie charts below here.

Read about the chart below here.

Read about the bar chat below here.

Read about the map below here.

Read about map below here.

Read my essay for the bar chart below here.

Read my essay for the charts below here.

Read my essay for the line chart below here.

Read my essay for the table below here.

Read my essay for pie charts below here.

Read my essay for the process below here.

Read my essay for the map below here.

Read my essay here.

Read my essay or the process below here.

Read my sample answer for the bar chart below here.

Read my essay about this line chart here.

Read about this map here.

Read my essay for the bar chart and pie chart below here.

Read my essay for the combined pie chart and table below here.

Read my sample for the pie charts below here.

Read my sample for the chart below here.

Read my answer for the chart below here.

Read my answer here .

Read my sample answer for the table below here.

Read my sample answer for this process here.

Read my sample answer for this chart here.

Read my sample answer for the process below here.

Read my sample answer here.

Read my sample for this bar chart here.

Read my sample answer for this line chart here.

Read my sample answer for the floor plan below:

Read my sample answer for the new bar chart below here.

Read my sample answer for this table here.

Read my sample answer for this mine map below:

My Ebook for this (really difficult!) chart is only available on Patreon.

Read my sample answer for this question here.

Check with my sample answer here.

Read my sample answer for this (unusual) task 1 here.

Read my sample answer for this topic here.

The bar graph shows the total manufacturing production in percentages Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world.

Read my sample answer for the floorplan below here.

I want to make some simple suggestions for how you can use these recent graphs to practice.

To be honest, students get too obsessed with the most recent questions.

You can practice with a question from years ago and a question from yesterday – it makes absolutely no difference.

What makes an actual difference is how you study.

Here is what I recommend:

• Practice writing about a graph in 20 minutes, in test conditions.
• This is your ability. Now, check it by underlining the vocabulary, grammar, data. Are there many grammar mistakes? Do you use the same words over and over? Do you include all the data?
• Now that you know your weaknesses, you can also sign up to have them marked by me here .
• Write about another one focusing on your mistakes. Don’t worry about timing. Take as long as you need to make it perfect.
• Repeat this process over and over until your start to notice your writing improving.

Hope that works for everyone!

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Recent IELTS Writing Topics and Questions 2024

by Dave | Sample Answers | 342 Comments

Read here all the newest IELTS questions and topics from 2024 and previous years with sample answers/essays. Be sure to check out my ...

These are the most recent/latest IELTS Writing Task 1 Task topics and questions starting in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and continuing into 2024. ...

Find my Newest IELTS Post Here – Updated Daily!

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Recent IELTS Speaking Topics and Questions 2024

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These are IELTS speaking topics and questions in 2024 - if you want the current reported ones on IELTS, you can find them here. ...

New IELTS General Training Writing Topics and Questions 2024

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Enjoy all the newest IELTS questions and topics from 2024 for the general training exam - as well as ones from past years that may come ...

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147 Comments

The bar graphs compare the rate of girls and boys between 5-14 years old who were engaged in cultural activites and sports in Australia in the year 2003. Overall, dancing was by far the most practiced activity among girls and the least for boys. Although practicing a sport was quite popular for both gender, it was noticeable higher for male children.

To begin, dancing was the most coveted spare activity for girls, a stunning 25% of them practicing it that year, whilst roughly 3% of boys did it. Playing a musical instrument, on the other hand, attracted a 15% and 10% of boys and girls, respectively, becoming the most popular for male children and adolescents. Drama and singing shared a similar rate, around 5% of all children were enganged in such programs, standing up as the least practiced, with the exception of dancing among boys.

With respect to sports, as expected, the proportion was by far higher for boys than for girls, 70% and 50%, respectively. In comparison with cultural activities, practicing sports definitively was the most predominat type of recreational activity among all children.

Great work! Your overview is clear enough for band 7+! Some small corrections ‘both genders, most common spare time, of boys participated, attrached 15%, being the most, being the least practiced, (take out the as expected bc it is too close to opinion)’

Merci beaucoup! I did not expect an answer, I just was practicing my ability to write a decent report in less than 20mnts. Thanks so much for your feedback, it is of great help. I’m using your site for self-preparation. Your explanations are clear, straightforward and appropriate. Hopefully, with your help (website, videos, blogs), I will hit my desired score. Great day! God bless you!

You’re welcome! What is your desired score? I can give you some more detailed feedback to help you get there…

I’m chasing a 7 in each skill.

You are close! Be careful with prepositions, make sure that your language isn’t too informal and small mistakes with grammar (infinitives, irregular past simple) might bring down your grammar score.

The given maps depict the changes that had taken place on a museum over a 60-year period, starting in 1957 to 2007. Overall, the museum grew in size and the majority of trees were removed in favor of that.

In 1957, there were a bunch of pine trees along the road and also on the museum’s surroundings. The museum facilities were made up just by a storeroom, a local history room and a national exhibition on the top center. Likewise, a straightforward path from the road leaded to the entrance hall.

By 2007, the museum witnessed several striking changes. Firstly, to built up a spacious car park, the path was bricked down and all the trees on the bottom (left-right) were cut down. Secondly, the building itself was enlarged on the north, and a completely new room was erected on the bottom left corner side, where the shop and main entrance were attached. With the exception of local history room , which was relocated on the center, the storeroom and national exhibition were eliminated. These changes allowed the introduction of a reception and cafe on the southern area, and a special exhibition and education center rooms on the north. Finally, the garden was the only element that remained untouched.

Good work again! Some corrections: The given maps depict the changes that took place in a museum over a 60-year period, starting in 1957 and ending in 2007. Overall, the museum grew in size allwoing for more customer focused shops and the majority of trees were removed.

In 1957, there was a grouping of pine trees along the road and also on the museum’s perimeter . The museum facilities were made up of just a storeroom, a local history room and a national exhibition on the top center. Likewise, a straightforward path from the road led to the entrance hall.

By 2007, the museum witnessed several striking changes. Firstly, to erect a spacious car park, the path was removed and all the trees on the bottom (left-right) were cut down. Secondly, the building itself was enlarged on the northern side , and a completely new room was erected in the bottom left corner, where the shop and main entrance are not located . Although the local history room was relocated to the center, the storeroom and national exhibition were eliminated. These changes allowed for the introduction of a reception and cafe on the southern area, and a special exhibition and education center rooms in the north. Finally, the garden was the only element that remained untouched.

Merci beaucoup monsieur! You’re right, after sending my draft I realized I had made quite a few grammar mistakes. To be honest, I always fight against preposition, specially those indicating “place”. I cannot identify when I need to use: IN, ON, TO when it comes to giving directions. As you can see: I used “on the north” instead “in the north” , or use the adjective “northern” without a noun. Please, suggest us a good grammar book to follow . Salut!

Sometimes prepositions are more like vocabulary than grammar. We always say ‘in’ not ‘on’ the north – just something to memorise! You can try this website: https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/prepositions/rules-for-prepositions.html

I also suggest keeping a list from my sample answers of the correct prepositions and using the list when you practice until you feel you have memorised them and no longer need the list. Good luck!

The given bar graph illustrates the levels of water in reservoirs in five Australia’s cities in 2009 and 2010. The data is measured in percentages.

Overall, the levels of water witnessed a significant decrease in city A, B and D, whilst city C and F showed a slight rise throughout the period.

In 2009, cities B, C, D and E shared a similar water levels around 70%. By contrast, city A stood out as that with the lowest levels at 50% and city F showed the highest ones at just above 80%.

With the exception of city E, which remained the same at 80%, all cities’ water reservoirs experienced changed by 2010. City C and F levels went up to just above 82% and approximately 99%, respectively. On the other hand, city D levels went down significantly from almost 70% to approximately 52%. The same occurred to city A and B, whose water rates dropped nearly 20%

Nice job again! The most important part is to be sure that you give some kind of overall ranking in terms of your overview as well.

Here are some small edits: “The given bar graph illustrates the levels of water in reservoirs in five of Australia’s cities in 2009 and 2010 in percentages . Overall, water levels witnessed a significant decrease in city A, B and D, whilst city C and F showed a slight rise throughout the period. City F had the highest water levels throughout while City A was consistently the lowest.

In 2009, cities B, C, D and E shared similar water levels at around 70%. By contrast, city A stood out as that with the lowest levels at 50% and city F showed the highest ones at just above 80%.

With the exception of city E, which remained the same at 80%, all cities’ water reservoirs experienced changes by 2010. City C and F levels went up to just above 82% and approximately 99%, respectively. On the other hand, city D levels went down significantly from almost 70% to approximately 52%. The same occurred to city A and B, whose water rates dropped nearly 20% a piece.

Thanks so much for your helpful feedback. I will soon sit the test, hopefully I will hit a high score.

I really hope you do well on it! Be sure to write me a message to let me know how it turned out!

The rendered bar graph illustrates the information about the organisation A-E those spent billions of euros on machinery , building,staff training and research section. One glance is enough to say that maximum euros was spent on staff training while the minimum euros was spent on research activity. It is evident from the graph that organization A was spent 1 billion euros on machinery . This value increased substantially at 16 billion euros by organization c then organization D and E invest less euros on machinery and it was reached at approximately 0.8 billion euros. Moreover ,on building had been spent 1.3 billion euros by organization A and there was non-noticeable decrease on building almost 1.4 billion erros by organization B . After that organization C,D and E had spent equal amount that is 1 billion euros on building area. Moving further, staff training was invested the highest amount that is 1.9 billion euros by organization B. There after , this value was declined by organization C ,D and E. However, organization B had invested nearly 1.6 billion euros on research section whereas , organization D and E was spent least amount on research area that is 0.7 billion euros.

Great work Navneet!

Some corrections:

The rendered bar graph illustrates information about organisations’ A-E spending in euros on machinery , building,staff training and research . One glance is enough to say that maximum euros was spent on staff training while the minimum euros was spent on research activity. (That phrase is too informal – better to say ‘Overall’, your overview must also touch on all areas and have a little more detail to get at least band 6 for task achievement.)

It is evident from the graph that organization A was spent 1 billion euros on machinery . This value increased substantially at 16 billion euros by organization c then organization D and E invest less euros on machinery and it was reached at approximately 0.8 billion euros. Moreover ,on building had been spent 1.3 billion euros by organization A and there was non-noticeable decrease on building almost 1.4 billion erros by organization B . After that organization C,D and E had spent equal amount that is 1 billion euros on building area. (This graph does not show increase or decrease over time. It just shows 1 time period so try to compare the data and forget about it going up or down.)

Moving further, staff training was invested the highest amount that is 1.9 billion euros by organization B. There after , this value was declined by organization C ,D and E. However, organization B had invested nearly 1.6 billion euros on research section whereas , organization D and E was spent least amount on research area that is 0.7 billion euros. (Good working describing most of the data but remember to compare for this type of graph, not show increase/decrease.)

Read more about graphs with no change over time here: https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-writing-task-1-analyse-tables-not-over-time/

Sir, can u check my sentence formation in this task because if i realize my mistakes then i will continue this….

The rendered bar garaph illustrates the information about the percentage of women age in Australia since they gave birth to their first child in 1966,1985and 2006. Overall,the maximum percentage of women was observed in younger age while ,the minimum percentage was calculated at older age in the whole period. It is vivid from the graph that 19 and under aged women gaved the birth of 33%of chlid in 1956 wheras, this percentage decreased to 25% and 18% in 1986 and 2006 respectively.

Overall,the maximum percentage of women observed were younger age while the minimum percentage was calculated at older ages over the whole period. It can be seen in the graph that… gave birth to…

Good start!

The given diagram illustrates the process, and its different steps, to produce ethanol fuel from raw corn. Overall, there are eight stages involved in the production of this renewable fuel, starting with corn storing and ending with its transportation to the public market.

First, the process initiate with having enough raw material (corn) for the ethanol production purpose. This corn is stored for a while, then it is milled profusely. Without delay, the milled corn is immediately mixed with water, to be then cooked it for exactly four hours. Shortly after, it is kept sealed in containers for up to 48 hours, allowing it ferments sufficiently.

Once the fermetation have finished, the liquid and the solid by-product are neatly separated, and the former undergone a purified procedure for five long hours. The ending product is purified ethanol, which is stored for an undefined time. Finally, the ethanol fuel is ready to be transported to its different destinations.

Good work again! Some correctins: ‘The given diagram illustrates the process, and its different steps, to produce ethanol fuel from raw corn. Overall, there are eight stages involved in the production of this renewable fuel (don’t need to include the number of steps in your overview), starting with corn storage and ending with its transportation to the public market.

First, the process initiates with having enough raw material (corn) for the ethanol production. This corn is stored for a while then it is milled before being mixed with water, to be then cooked it for exactly four hours. Shortly after, it is kept sealed in containers for up to 48 hours, allowing it ferments sufficiently.

Once the fermetation has finished, the liquid and the solid by-product are neatly separated and the former undergoes a purified procedure for five long hours. The ending product is purified ethanol, which is stored for an undefined amount of time. Finally, the ethanol fuel is ready to be transported to its different destinations.

A couple things: stay away from opinion/speculation like profusely, immediately, etc.

For your overview, try to group and define the stages – don’t need to say the number of stages.

The graph illustrates the percentage of women in different age groups in years 1966, 1986 and 2006. The first age group of 19 and under was the highest in year 1966 at 35% and the lowest in year 2006 at 15%. In year 1966, the percentage of women who were 20-24 years old was 60%, which is more than both in 1986 and 2006. The age group of 25-30 years was 50% in 1986 and it was higher than both 1966 and 2006. The percentage of women in the age of 30-34 years has been increasing steadily since 1966. It was 15% in 1966, 20% in 1986 and 45% in 2006. Its rise is opposite to 20-24 age group, which declined between 1966 and 2006. Another age group that has been on the rise is the 34-39 years, as it was 5% in 1966, 15% in 1986 and 30% in 2006. Both age groups of age 30-34 and 34-39 have grown in percentage between 1966 and 2006. The last group of women aged 40 and above has remained the lowest among all the age groups.

Well done! Some corrections:

Your grammar is very accurage but it is a little mechanical because you don’t compare and most importantly there is no general overview so your maximum score is band 5 for task achievement even though all the data is accurate!

https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-writing-task1-band-7-overview/

Hi Dave, thank you so much for your feedback man!! I gave the test and got a 7 on written, and 8 overall. thank you so much for you help 🙂 have a great year ahead!! lovepreet

Thanks for letting my know – congrats on your score!

The given bar graphs depict the proportion of 5-14 males and females’ age group joined the cultural activities and sport in Australia in the year 2003. Overall, it is clear that most boys were more athletic and played a musical instrument, while girls were fond of dancing than boys. Boys were more attracted to a sporting event, at 70%, while the figure for girls who participate was just above 50%. However, when it comes to cultural activities, female dancers recorded the highest percentage in the graph at 25%, compared to a marginal number of males at just 3%. Almost identical figures for both genders can be seen in singing and drama with only 5% of them participated in these categories. Playing a musical instrument is the category that the same genders had the interest to do. Most participants came from a group of boys at 15%, compared to just 10% for girls.

Thanks for commenting!

Here are some corrections:

The given bar graphs depict the proportion of 5-14 males and females’ age group joining cultural activities and sport in Australia in the year 2003. Overall, it is clear that most boys were more athletic and played a musical instrument, while girls were fond of dancing than boys. Boys were more attracted to a sporting events, at 70%, while the figure for girls who participated was just above 50%. However, when it comes to cultural activities, female dancers recorded the highest percentage in the graph at 25%, compared to a marginal number of males at just 3%. Almost identical figures for both genders can be seen in singing and drama with only 5% of them participated in these categories. Playing a musical instrument is a category that interested both genders. Most participants came from a group of boys at 15%, compared to just 10% for girls.

Good work! Did you mention all areas on the graphs in your overview?

Yes, I mentioned it all. Sorry, this is my first time practicing a timed task. What would be my possible score if you will base in my answer? Thanks!

Your score is in the band 6.5/7 range in terms of language ability. What score are you going for on the exam?

My target is above 6.5 in writing. Hoping that I can achieve that band score. Thank you!

Keep up the hard work!

The diagram reveals the way of producing ethanol fuel from corn. Overall, it is clear that there are eight stages in the process, beginning with the corn harvest, fermentation and transition of corn into a liquid, to the transportation of the product made.

In the first stage of making purified ethanol is storing the corn before it undergoes milling. The milled corn is then added by water and cooked for 4 hours. After that stage, corn will be fermented for 48 hours. Separation of solid to liquid is the next step. While the solid by-product is not needed after the transition process, the melted corn is then kept.

In the subsequent stage, the melted corn product goes through a purification process. This process takes 5 hours to be able to produce purified ethanol. Storing of the made ethanol fuel product is the next step. Finally, ethanol fuel is transported to its destination.

Good overview Jessica!

Really good accuracy with your passive verbs – you are well within your target band scores range!

Thank you so much! Im a bit confused if what kind of tense should I use in diagram task?

For a diagram it should be mainly in the present and present passive, maybe some present perfect!

The bar graph give information on percentage of water level in reservoirs in six different Australian cities in October 2019 and 2010. Overall, the greatest water level always was in city B and city F and increased , moderate for for city B and city D where decreased and for city E, where remainded the same, while the lowest for city A where decreased over the year. Water level in city F and city C in 2009 was at 90% and 80% respectively and grew for both by 10% in 2010. On the second position in case of resevoired water in 2009 was city B and city D with the figure of 80% which diminished to 65% and 50% respectively in 2010. Although water level of city E was similar in 2009 to those of in city B and city D, it remained on the same level in 2010. The modest water level was in city A. For this city we can spot a drop from 60% in 2009 to 45% in 2010.

Well written, Iza!

Be careful with helping verbs. You don’t need to say ‘was increased’ just ‘increased’

Good work describing the full trend for your overview!

You need clearer paragraphs though – take a look here to see some examples: https://howtodoielts.com/category/writing-task-1/academic/

Keep working hard!

Hii Dave.. I really want your possible score on this writing task 1..

Hi Saini/Iza, this essay is in the band 5 range at the moment.

But do you think it deserves 7 band?

The given bar graph illustrates that in the year 2003,the proportion of Australian boys and girls aged 5-14 participates in cultural as well as sports activity.. Overview the dancing activity was most favorable cultural activity shown by girls in comparison to boys.. The boys preferred more sports, although it was quite popular in both the gender…. To begin with, it can be clearly seen that, the percentage showed big difference in dancing activity, which was 25% girls participate in it, whereas there was less than 5% boys in same activity.. By contrast, the proportion of boys were 70% in sport which was highest rates… Probing further, the drama as well as singing activity received the similar percentage 5% by both the gender in the year 2003, respectively.. Moreover, in the play musical instrument ,one in ten girls participated which was 5% inclined by boys in the Australian… Thanks.. Dave I really want your response on this

Good work Saini!

Try copying some expressions from my sample answers more closely such as ‘Overall,’ instead of ‘overview.’

Don’t use … – that is too informal. Just use a period.

You are experimenting with a lot of new grammar and vocabulary which is good but you need to focus more on accuracy as it is quite hard to understand at times. Keep it up!

Thank you for your response.. What score I can get according to you on this task 1

This answer is i nthe band 5 range at the moment.

The table shows the details of five different kinds of vehicles registered in Australia in the years 2010, 2012 and 2014. Overall, it is clear that all types of vehicles increased in percentile over the given period in which the percentage for motorcycles had jumped most. It could be noticed also that passenger vehicles got the highest numbers while light trucks were the lowest.

A glance at the graph reveals passenger vehicles started from 11,800,000 units in 2010, rose almost a million over 2 years, then climbed to 13,000,000 in 2014, accounting for 10.2% over the period. Similarly, commercial vehicles uplifted to 17.4% from 2010 to 2014. In the first year, 2,300,000 were recorded, increased to 2,600,000 in 2012, before reaching 2,700,000 in 2014.

A most striking positive change can be seen in the proportion of motorcycles which is 30.8%. It started from 540,000 registered motorcycles in 2010 then rose dramatically to 680,000 and 709,000 in 2012 and 2014 respectively. Meanwhile, an almost identical positive trend can be seen in the numbers of heavy and light trucks. A marginal upward movement from 384,000 to 416,000 at 8.3% over 4 years for heavy trucks can be considered while a significant escalation at 23.5% is remarkable in the number of light trucks.

given period and the, motorcycles jumped the most, it can also be seen that, had the, commercial vehices grew to, increating to 2,600,000, can be observed while

Keep it up!

The bar chart provides data on the water levels of reservoirs in six Australian cities from 2009 to 2010. Overall, city F recorded the overall highest levels, closely followed by city C and E, while the percentages of city A were the lowest in both Octobers. some cities, such as F and C recorded higher water levels in 2010 compared to 2009, whereas the remaining cities showed a reversed pattern except city E with both numbers leveling up.

Looking in more details, city F stood at 90 per cent in Oct, 2009 and climbed to nearly 100% in 2010, which was the highest among all. Likewise, city C experienced a considerable growth from just over 80 per cent to approximately 91% in the next year. In contrast, city B and D showed a decline in water levels, from identically 80% to around 62% and 50% respectively. Figures of city A also dropped considerably from 60% to about 45% by 2010. The water level of city E was just above four fifths in 2009, and this number remained unchanged in the following year. (180 words)

Really nice writing again, Jing!

The chart presents data on the percentages of Australian children aged between 5 to 14 who join cultural activities and sports in 2003. Overall, sport was way more popular than cultural activities for both genders, while boys were more active than girls. A Lot less children participated cultural activities though the number of girls who danced stood out. Except for those who play musical instrument, the remaining culture activities only attracted a minimal amount of children. Looking in more details, over half of female students joined sports, however the percentage of active boys was even higher at as much as 70%. Likewise, there were more boys who played musical instrument than girls, at 25% and 10% respectively. In contrast, Dancing was substantially more popular within girls, attracting a quarter of females compared to merely approximately 3% of males. Besides, both boys and girls showed least interest in drama and singing with only 5% in turn of either gender group did those activities. (162 words)

Good work Jing!

Be careful with your tenses, prepositions and fixed expresssions: Looking in more detail…

The line chart compares the priced of fresh fruits and vegetable, sugar and sweets as well as carbonated drink from 1979 to 2009. Overall, even though all categories started off at broadly identical prices, the growth in fresh fruits and vegetables overweighed consumer-price index by a massive margin, while the rest displayed a much slower upward trend. Looking in more details, sugar and sweets closely following consumer-price index, showed a slow yet steady growth throughout the thirty-year period. The price of soft drinks, however, remained stable after a surge in 1984 at around 115 until 1999, when the price rose again slowly. In contrast, there was a substantial growth in the price of fresh fruits and vegetables over the given period, which, despite a dip to about 90 in 1984 and some fluctuations, rose significantly from just above 50 in 1979 to nearly 350 by 2009. In fact, the price only levelled out temporarily between 1990 and 1992 and again from 2000 to 2001. (164 words)

drinks, outweiged, followed, showing, inclue more data in the second paragraph!, levelled off

The line graph provides information on the number of middle-aged citizens in three countries over a 50-year period between 1950 to 2000. Looking from an overall perspective, this particular age group had grown at a broadly comparable pace in China and India, with Chinese midyear crowd continuously outnumbering that of the India’s, while the midyear population in USA also increased, but by a comparatively small margin over the years. Looking in more details, Chinese mid-aged population started off the highest among three countries at just below 600 million in 1950, which outnumbered that of India by about 200 million, and USA by 400 million. Despite a short period of stability at approximately 620 million from 1960 to 1965, the number of China surged as rapidly as India’s. By the end of the period, the figures of China and India had reached 1200 million and 1000 million respectively. The increase of the US mid-agers, on the other hand, was relatively gentle. By 2000, the number of USA had risen slightly to only about 280 million, which was almost lower than the leading country’s by 1000 million. (185 words)

You tend to overuse past perfect when you could just use past simple: grew

You use it correctly in your last sentence though!

Smaller margin, among the, numbers for China, US middle-aged residents

dear admin i would like to express my great appreciation for your hard work in collecting and answering all these samples, good job! i found your sample answers highly useful as well as being professional. please proceed with your work in assembling the latest task 1 questions.

Thanks so much, Homa – I really appreciate that!

I wish I could publish the task 1 essays as regularly but it is much harder for students to remember the graphs from the exam.

But I will continue to publish any task 1s that I get reports on!

Thank you very much for your efforts and your time to help all the students who are preparing themselves for the IELTS. I do really appreciate that. I’ve just started preparing myself for the IELTS exam and this is my first writing attempt.

The graphs illustrate the rate of boys and girls who participated in organized sports and cultural activities aged 5-14 in 2003 in Australia.

Overall, girls participation showed an upward trend in the cultural activities,while boys showed a dwonward in many activities. Both boys and girls participation experienced some fluctuations in both activities, although boys had initially a lower participation percentage, but they outraced girls in the end.

Boys rate was less than 5 percent in drama activities which was so close to girls rate, then it kept decreasing to almost 3 percent in Dancing activities which is the lowest rate of all activities. the rate showed a gradual increase in singing activities by approximately 2 percent, and it showed a significant raise to 15 percent in playing musical instrument. Eventually boys outraced girls in sports activities hitting a high-point of 70 percent, which is the highest perentage of all the period.

percentage of girls who participated in drama was as low as the percentage of girls who participated in singing activities, then the rate showed a significant increase of 25 percent in dancing activities, it decreased by 15 percent in play musical instrument. and it kept increasing to almost 52 percent in sports activities which is the highest percentage of all acitivities.

Thanks for saying that Madjid!

Careful of some informal words like outraced and try to be a little more accurate: significant rise, musical instruments, which was, etc.

Some simple mistakes but a great first effort!

Your overview is good too – keep working hard!

The bar graph compares the proportion of people living in households in the UK between 1981 and 2001. Overall, it is clear that households consisting of more people deteriorated while homes with fewer persons increased. The percentages for the two middle groups oppositely changed by the same margin.

A glance at the graph reveals that proportions for 1 and 2 people households both escalated by 3%, at 26% and 36% in 2001 respectively. These figures were the highest over the given period. An identical trend can be seen in the percentage of 4 people houses, it jumped from 12% to 15%.

On the other hand, the proportion of houses with 6 or more people plummeted from 6% to 2%, and 5-people homes percentage just dropped a quarter, from 8% to 6%. These two figures with the lowest percentages in 1981 remained at their place in 2001. Similarly, the figure for 3 people houses also fell by 3% over 20 years.

Well written Jessica!

‘Deteriorated’ has a negative connotation so I wouldn’t use that word.

Really nice linking and comparison in your writing!

The diagram illustrates the filtration process of drinking water in a single town in Australia. Overall, there are four main stages as is presented above, beginning with the rainwater collection, water filtration and treatment, to the distribution of drinking water to households. The entire process is controlled by the plumbing system.

In the first stage, rainwater is collected through roof gutters and downspouts of townhouses. The gathered water undergoes filtration through the pipe before being deposited in the storage tank.

In the subsequent stage, water from the storage tank then transferred by a pipe to the water treatment tank. At this stage, the removal of contaminants is being done by placing chemicals in the water treatment tank. After the purification process, the potable water is then finally distributed to townhouses. And, the treated water is regulated by faucets in every household and is now safe to drink.

Well written!

Really nice overview – it should be band 7+ for task achievement.

Careful with your singular/plural – through the pipes.

And your helping verbs: is then transferred…

The maps illustrate the development of a museum between 1957 and 2007. Looking from the overall perspective, it is clear that significant changes had been made over the period. The most noticeable improvements were the size of the building which had been expanded and a car park which was created.

In 1957, there was a pathway from the main road to the museum. The entire building of the museum had only four parts, beginning with the entrance hall, local history room, museum store-room, and the national history exhibition. The garden was located in the northwest. Also, several trees were planted along the road and surrounding the building.

Over 50 years, a major transformation could be seen on the map. The pathway connecting the road and the museum was demolished, and trees in front of the building were cleared to make way for a car park. A number of trees circling the museum also removed for its expansion. Rooms in the building had been removed except for the local history room. Cafe, museum shop, reception, special exhibitions, and education center section were added. However, the garden in the northwest remains unchanged.

Good job Jessica!

from an overall… were made… which was expanded

Careful confusing past perfect, present perfect and past simple in your answers!

The Chat Represent the survey regarding people’s coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities.

The bar chart shows drinking habits in 5 Australian cities as a relate to coffee and tea on the last 4 weeks .Overall,the half population in all cities except Adelaide went to a cafe for coffee or tea, while buying coffee was also popular and buying fresh coffee generally less normal.

See, first of all at going to cafes,it was more merits of Melbourne and Hobart at 64% and after that 63%.Sydney was comparably high over 60%, followed by Brisbane at over 55%, and Adelaide at under 50%.Further more the Hobart, instant coffee purchases at 54%, Brisbane at 52%, Melbourne at 48% and lastly Sydney just over 45%.

So, the last i sum up according to all information,fresh coffee was below 45% for all cities and basically Sydney 44% and Melbourne 42%, Hobart was next at 39%,Adelaide and Brisbane were much lower ratio produced .

Good Nisha!

as they relate to… over the last … less common … Looking first of all at cafes… higher at over… Furthermore… at just over

Good but be careful with your accuracy!

The table illustrates the percentage of tourist visited in 9 countries between 2009 and 2010. Overall, it can be seen that the amount of visitors visit in France and USA stand out the most in both years and both Hong Kong and Germany are more than 100 percent.

According to the data the number of visitors in France remain the same by 76% while both USA and Spain has a slightly change by less than 2 percent. As for UK and Italy has a small change by less than 4 percent in both years.

However, both Turkey and China has a considerable change by less than 60 percent but more than 30 percent which cause them to rank the sixth and seventh out of nine countries. While, Germany has a huge change by more than 109 percent of visitors but Hong Kong was the lowest visitors by 10 percent in 2009 and in 2010 it  

Great work Jane!

You should mention all categories in the overview (at least partially) to get above band 5 for TA.

Careful with your tense!

The pie chart below reveals the types of works do Anthropology graduates did after finishing their undergraduate course and the table records the salaries of Anthropology graduates for 5 years of work. It can be seen that most graduate students work as a full time and follow by part time workers unemployed full time postgrad study not known workers and part time with postgrad studies. Also the average of salaries of Freelance consultants is much higher than Government sector and Private companies.

Most graduate students were working as full time workers by more than half percent, follow by part time workers by 1\5 of the students and for the unemployed are less than a quarter just 12%. While, both full-time postgrad study and unknown workers have 8% of students. As for students occupation as past time with postgrad study has 5% of them.

However we can see that from $25000-49999 and $50000-74999 private company pay scale was the highest by 10% and 35%. While, government sector pay scale was the highest with the amount of $100000+ by 50%.

Another good one Jane – a really tricky one to do the overview for so I wouldn’t worry too much about this one.

Be careful with plurals, tense, and subordinate clauses/linking words.

The graph below illustrates the number of tourists visiting Caribbean island as well for visitors staying on cruise ships staying on island and total number of visitors between 2010 and 2017. Overall, it can be seen that total visitors rose considerably follow by visitors staying on island and overtaken visitors staying on cruise ships.

Visitors staying on island remained the same from 210 to 2011 by 1.75 millions of visitors and it rose particularly in 2011 to 2013 and it remained the same for the next 2 years by 1.5 millions of visitors. It fluctuated between 2015 and 2017 by 1.5 millions of visitors. While number of visitors staying on cruise ships fluctuated between 2010 and 2013 by 0.25 to 0.5 million visitors. Then, it rose considerably for the next 5 years and reached its peak by 2 million visitors.

However, the number of total visitors from 2010 until 2015 rose significantly and it had not change in 2015 and 2016 but it reach it peaked by 3.5 million visitors by 2017.

Keep up the hard work with all these graphs, Jane!

Good overview for this one and better accuracy with your tense and grammar.

You’re welcome!

The graphs below illustrate the proportion of people who are smoker and consumer of alcohol in the USA, JAPAN, TURKEY and HOLLAND from 1960 to 2000. Overall, it can be seen, USA people had a substantial percentage in smoker and utilizing of alcohol during the specific years. At first graph, the USA in 1960 60 percent of people were smoker and this amount had remained unchanged until 1970 whereas, in 1980 its number had noticeably declined to 46 percent and finally this flow stayed at 40% in 2000. Also, in JAPAN we are witnessed gradual decrease around 10 percent from 1960 to 2000 which same as the USA had stopped at 40%. On the other side, in the second graph, there is a wide difference in TURKEY and two other countries. In HOLLAND in 1960 per person only drank 4 litres and this number had remarkably soared to 11 litres in 1980 and to 2000 had a slight drop to 11 litres. By contrast, in TURKEY at 1960 per person had consumed only1 litre and this line moved upward to 2 litres in 2000.

Great Mahsid!

There is some informality in your writing but otherwise easy to follow!

Thanks Dave for the study material.

You’re very welcome!

sorry, are these below corrections done for free?

The comments I post below are free, yes, Sima.

I don’t always have time to give detailed feedback.

You can consider the paid ones here: course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections

The pie chart above details the usage of water in Australia in 2004 by various sectors, while the bar chart expands on the residential use of water as it is apparent to be the highest compared to rest of the variables. Generally looking, residential houses took more than the half of the pie, this is followed with Industrial, residential apartments and business which are almost sharing similar percentages. On the other hand, the bar chart shows the peak in the bathroom figure and the most decline in the kitchen’s one. To further analyze this into details, the pie chart presents residential houses as the major consumer of water by approximately 60%. Residential apartments come next by almost a quarter (20%). Business and the Industrial groups both have similar portions of the pie by almost 15% each. Water is less used in the Governmental sector by 10%, while other unidentified usage channels take less than 5%. The bar chart dives deeper into residential usage of water. Bathrooms took more than a quarter (26%), while gardens are almost 24%. This is followed by washing cloths 20%, toilets 15% and finally the kitchen 10%. 

Sorry for the late reply Aala, I think your essay is strong overall and you describe the data well. Be careful with your special and punctuation though!

hello Mr. Dave, can check my essay on task 1, the last thing uploaded in the comments, I really need your feedback

I’ll try to get around to it tomorrow, Aala!

The pie chart above details the usage of water in Australia in 2004 by various sectors, while the bar chart expands on the residential use of water as it is apparent to be the highest compared to rest of the variables. Generally looking, residential houses took more than half of the pie, this is followed with Industrial, residential apartments and business which are almost sharing similar percentages. On the other hand, the bar chart shows the peak in the bathroom figure and the most decline in the kitchen’s one. To further analyze this into details, the pie chart presents residential houses as the major consumer of water by approximately 60%. Residential apartments come next by almost a quarter (20%). Business and the Industrial groups both have similar portions of the pie by almost 15% each. Water is less used in the Governmental sector by 10%, while other unidentified usage channels took less than 5%. The bar chart dives deeper into the residential usage of water. Bathrooms took slightly less than a third (26%), while gardens are even less by 24%. This is followed with washing cloths 20%, toilets 15% and finally the kitchen 10% only.

Replied on the one above Aala! You can also check here: course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections

Very good orginized

Thanks, Shakha!

Given are two maps of an unnamed cinema illustrating changes that have been done from 1980 till now. A glance at the figures provided reveals that the number of cinema halls upgraded from two to five being able to screen five different movies simultaneously; also noteworthy is the fact that on the lower-left corner of this place, which used to be a hall number1, a relax room and buffet which star to serve food as well as drinks, are constructed. In the place of the buffet of 1980, in which only drinks could be found, a DVD shop is opened. One particularly interesting fact highlighted by the figure is that in 1980, the cinema was associated with a car park, which is now replaced with two other cinemas. The only similarities that can be found are the places of male and female toilets as well as ticket shop which remains on the right side of the main entrance. Looking from an overall prospect, besides the increased number of cinema halls, not only a relax room and DVD shop are added but also an option of purchasing food as well as drinks are provided.

Well written! That have taken place since – don’t use glance because it is too informal.

The overview is also a bit too specific and careful with tense.

The diagram explains the modification of cinema according to the time from 1980 till date. From an overall perspective, it can be readily apparent that the same area has been customized with a variety of services than before.

Two cinema halls are replaced with five and the car park has been completely removed from the area. Back in 1980, the right side of the entrance was occupied with cinema 1, whereas it has been replaced with food and drinks and relax room. Similarly, on the left-hand side of the entrance, drinks have been replaced with a DVD shop while the ticket counter is at a previous place.

Moving forward from the entrance, on the right-hand side, there used to be a toilet; now toilet occupies the area between cinema 1 and cinema 2. On the opposite side, cinema 3,4,5 can be seen now, replacing cinema 2 previously.

Nice writing, Sushma!

There are a lot of mistakes with fixed expressions though so try to study my sample answers more closely and use the same phrases.

The overview needs work or you will be limited to a 5 for TA!

Can someone please mark the mistakes and evaluate the IELTS BANDS for me?

The given diagram illustrates the changes of a cinema from 1980 until now.

Overall, The cinema complex changes a lot throughout time, if we take the basic changes such as the number of theaters and different conveniences such as a Relax room and a DVD shop.

In the terms of cinema theaters right now in the complex, there are 5 theaters rather than 2 in 1980, during the time our world becoming more modern and especially digital so, that’s why there is a DVD shop where you rent and buy the latest movies and daily shows. And for the conveniences now there is a Relax room where you can enjoy and spent time.

But, there is the same thing which is still the same such as the number and position of toilet and ticket counter. There are some more changes but those changes are not that big such as position and list of the menu of the restaurant now it’s on the right side and now you can buy food also, And there is something which is missing now like car parking, Overall the feeling is still the same when we visit the cinema complex

Hi Sifar, you can find out your band score here: course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections

What score are you aiming for?

Australian water consumption in different sectors and the percentage of its usage in apartments or houses in 2004 are depicted in the pie chart and the graph. In general, it is salient that most of the utilisation of water was from residential sector.

To begin, the proportion of water consumption was relatively unbalanced. This is because the biggest contributor for water consumption in Australia was home owner with more than half of the total chart. Then, it was followed by apartments owner and business which had a similar proportion. Moreover, industry and goverment took the fourth and fifth place, consecutively. Lastly, with the least contributor of the chart was other.

Furthermore, the high percentage of residential water consumption in 2004 was specified into its bathroom, toilet, washing clothes, kitchen, and garden usage. Bathroom came in the first place with around 27%, which then followed by garden with a slight gap of approximately 2%. The third place belonged to washing fabrics which had about 20%. The utilisation of toilet was at 15%, which was 5% higher than kitchen.  

Dear Dave, I hope you can give me some feedback on Task 1. Thank you in advance!

Nice effort, Rifqu!

You need to cover all areas in your overview or it is an automatic band 5 for TA!

The rest of the details are good though there could be more data. Keep working hard!

The diagram below illustrates the changes cinema has undergone starting from 1980 to the present. Overall cinema center has modified such that there are more number of cinema screens and scope to eat and relax increased at the expense of car parking. Figure of cinema screens has increased from two to five. car parking was removed and that place was used to accommodate cinema screens two and three,whereas cinema screen two was further divided into two different screens four and five.cinema one was moved beside to toilet and that place was used to construct relaxation room and foods and drink store. Places which has retained their positions are toilet,ticket center and entrance,Parking was totally eliminated.In place of drinks, DVD shop was developed

Good effort, Madhuri!

Careful of opinion words like ‘relax’ and work on your grammar!

The given diagram compares the changes in cinema structure from 1980 till present. Overall, It can be seen that, the number of cinema hall significantly increased over time.Also,recreational room and DVD shop were installed whereas car parking was completely removed as a part of redevelopment. With regards to cinema hall, three new theaters were added thus making the count to increase from two in 1980 to five in present day.Moreover, car parking which took majority of space in 1980, was demolished later and readjustment of theaters were made in the available space. In addition to cinema halls, recreational room and DVD shop were also introduced for people visiting theaters in current day as opposed to no relaxation room and DVD shop back in 1980.Additionally,Foods were also included along with drinks.

Nice writing Poonam!

Careful with your punctuation though!

The two Theatrical plans depict outlay of 1980 and current times , indicating that cinema outlets have become more than double and shops diversified with toilet remaining the same and parking zone disappearing altogether . In 1980 every corner was occupied with cinema houses , servicing shops and a toilet ,whereas  current times show the optimum utilization of spaces. While cinema houses have grown over the double , ,so have the variety of myriad servicing shops too have extended . The new shops erected on  displaced theatres are now catering to variety of novel uses of entertainment to the viewers who can enjoy variety of snacks , relaxation and entertainment under one roof . Toilets and Parking zone have either remained the same or have been wiped out altogether . Earlier one zone which was allocated for car parking has now totally disappeared . Similarly the      toilets  too have remained unchanged over the time .  

Nice work, Swati!

Only capitilise proper nouns and be careful with your adjectives.

The given map represents the current and proposed plan of a civic center of the 23/1 Mainland China. Overall, It can be seen that although the layout of the civic center has no change in the future, there has been quite significant modification in the area blocks. The North of the current plan contains two blocks for car parking at the ends of the North Avenue which is proposed to be replaced by a cafe in the top left corner and hostel and restaurant in the top right corner. The cinema which is present in between the car parking is planned not to be changed. Moreover, the IELTS speaking and writing corner in the center of the area is expected to be completely removed in the future. Moving towards the South of the proposed plan, the council offices have been shifted to the corner facing the High Street which was is in between the exhibition center and town hall. Next to the council offices, an underground library is an addition to the civic center. Additionally, an underground car parking is also expected along with the town hall. Although the shopping center is expected to remain unchanged, the library is supposed to be replaced by an exhibition center in the bottom right corner next to the Smith Street.

Nice writing Poonam – sorry about the watermark – that’s not part of the map…

Nice writing otherwise though be careful with your definite articles!

The bar chart illustrates the proportion of older people residing in Canada, Germany, and the UK during 1980 to 2030.

 Overall, we can deduce that there is a gradual rise in the ratio of elderly individuals staying in these three countries.

In 1980, we can see that there was a slight difference of around 1% between the UK and Germany in terms of elderly residents of these countries. While, Canadian elderly consisted only 10% of the total population in that year.   Whereas, in the year 2000, there was a marked increase of 20%, which could be seen in the percentage of elderly native of Germany compared to the equal percentile of the rest two countries that was 15%. In contrast, in the year 2030 Canadian elders made more percentage than the UK elderly by roughly 2% of the total, but Germany still remained the highest one among the other 2 countries in all the 50 years that was 25% of the total percentage.

Nice writing again, Archana.

Your overview needs a bit more detail as well – did any of the countries overtake the others?

We also don’t use ‘whereas’ to start a sentence.

The process chart describes the ways by which cocoa products are manufactured for the commercial use. Overall, there are three steps in this process from collecting to dispensing the products.

During the initial stage, cocoa beans are collected by the worker from the cocoa field as a whole bean covered with shells. Then, these entire beans with shells are dried before sending it  for pressing and draining the cocoa liquor.   Afterwards, some cocoa liquor is passed on to the further pressing to get the components for  the preparation of cocoa cake and cocoa, rest cocoa liquid is transferred to the industries for the refining purpose for making chocolates by adding sugar and cocoa.

Then, these cocoa cakes are grinding to make cocoa powder and industrial cake drinks. Also, industrial chocolate, which was made in the subsequent step is refined further and processed before releasing it for the commercial purpose and finally, these products like cocoa powder, cake drinks and chocolates reach the market.

Good, but try to define the stages a bit more in your overview, Archana, otherwise you’ll be stuck at band 5 for task achievement.

Good use of linking words!

The two diagrams provide information on how the design plan of Mainland China’s Civic centre will undergo a change from now to coming days.

Overall In future new coffee shop, commercial building and food shops will be introduced in the place of parking lots in the side of North Avenue while the Victoria Avenue side will be more or less same with relocation of council office, library and exhibition centre between the High street and Smith street.

As the time passes the movie theater and markets will be in the same place with no change at all. The parking areas will be shifted underground from North Avenue towards Victoria Avenue on which the town hall will stand like before. There will be an interchange of places among the council office, library and exhibition centre.

The council office has tend to move just beside the High street with a new larger library built beneath the ground level along side. Unlike the library the Exhibition gallery will be smaller in size in the coming days and will replace the present library behind the malls just at the edge of Smith street.

Great work, Mafruha!

Where did you get that map from by the way?

Careful with words like ‘tend’.

Thankyou I just took a screen shot

The map represents the layout of a museum in 1957 and 2007 . It can be clearly seen in a glance ; there where significant changes made to by 2007 in comparison to 1957.

The museum initially was centered around a garden. In 1957, the national history exhibition was a long room ,the entrance from the road directed to the national history exhibition . The local history room and museum store room where on the either sides of the entrance hall. The museum was parallel to the road .

In the year 2007,the museum has been expanded . In addition to other amenities . The national history exhibition is replaced with the local history room , in the top left corner is special exhibition and on the top right is the education center . The local history in 1957 was replaced with the reception in 2007 and the museum store room was replaced with a cafe.The entrance is relocated to an adjacent room that is newly constructed which is a museum shop.

From an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are some radical changes that took place over half a century from 1957 and 2007

Great work Lois!

You need to group and define your changes for the overview to be above band 5 though!

The Picture illustrates various changes till now from year 1980 in Cinema. Overall, numerous cinemas have been built within the region. Alongside, new rooms and shops have been set up with removal of car parking in the North . From year 1980 to year 2020, new cinemas have been constructed within the premises, with only 2 cinemas in first year to total of 5 cinemas in the current year. The car parking has been permanently removed and it is now replaced by two cinemas numbered 2 and 3, one of which is relocated to the top right corner from its previous middle right position. Moreover, cinema numbered 1 has been repositioned to middle left just below the toilet. On the other hand, new shops of refreshments and DVD’s are set up near the entrance replacing cinema number 1 and drinks shop respectively. Furthermore, A leisure room is also made available near the entrance for people to relax. The toilet room, ticket section and entrance position is kept the same over the given time period of four decades.

Great writing Aashish but be careful with punctuation and capilisation especially!

U r awesome buddy, thnx alot for this mind-blowing stuff

please review my writing for task 1 regarding the civic centre!

The maps illustrate a civic center at present and proposed changes for the future. Overall, it can be seen that the space occupied by car parking areas will be replaced by eateries, and both the car parking and the library will be shifted below the ground level.

Presently, along the North Avenue, there is a cinema hall in the middle with two parking lots at its both sides. The future plan delineates that a cafeteria will be built in place of a car park situated at the north west of the center, while hotel and restaurant will occupy the north east parking space.

The Victoria Avenue, which is located in the south of the civic center has an exhibition at the south west corner, close to the high street. Next to it, are council offices and then a town hall. Moving further to the east, in close access to the smith street, is shopping center and a library. In the future, council offices will be shifted to the bottom left, whereas exhibition will be moved to the bottom right of the center. Construction of an underground library will take place where there are council offices at present, and a new parking space will be provided below the town hall.

Nice writing but be careful with subject/verb agreement and using articles.

The overview is also a bit specific.

Keep working hard though!

The map demonstrates the modification that took place in cinema hall over two-year period from 2010 to 1012.

Overall, it is seen that the area of movie theater was planned to expand its area with new facilities like restaurant, showers and coordination. All rooms were made bigger in size.

one of the key changes over two years was overall extension of area of cinema hall. Dressing room was replaced by coordination hall and shifted to top left corner of the hall. Similarly, storage room was converted into admin office. Stage and auditorium were expanded to larger in size. Likewise, ticket office was shifted to the room where there used to be café which was upgraded to a bigger restaurant replacing admin office and ticket office with some extension.

Showers were the facility that was added in 2012 which can be accessed on the south of the dressing room. The space immediately after main entrance was utilized for restaurant.

Nice writing, Roshna!

Modification isn’t a word we would use for this kind of map though.

Also be careful with your articles especially.

The above map delineates the present condition of a civic centre and its future expansion plan. From an overall perspective quite a few changes are planned for the future along with some extra facilities.

At present the cinema hall is in the North of the map with car parking in Northwest and Northeast. The position of the cinema hall would remain unchanged but the parking in Northwest would be replaced by a café while a hotel and a restaurant are planned to replace the parking in Northeast.  The exhibition center is in the Southwest west direction which would be replaced by council offices, and exhibition center would take place of library located in Southeast. The position of townhall would not be changed, but an underground parking would be developed under it. The library which would be replaced by exhibition centre would be moved underground next to car parking. The place where the shopping centre stands will remain unchanged in the future.

Good work, Shweta!

Careful with your use of would – try using the passive voice: is planned/projected to.

how to write this in report form

You can click on the sample answers to see…

The chart given illustrates the relation between the abroad student and local student from in Australian universities between 2011 and 2010.   The line graph is given illustrate the midyear population per million in China, India, and the USA between 1950 and 2000. Overall, the USA was stand steady throughout the whole time. However, India and china registered a significant increased population.   Firstly, the population of the USA was less than two hundred million in 1950. And after fifty years it become about 300 million in 2000, which is less than India and China in 1950   Secondly, India showed a rapid growth between 1950 and 2000, which it has started in under 400 million to more than double the number at the end (1000 million). Also, china started in approximately 600 million, then maintained the same level from 1959 to 1962). Finally, from 1963 china population sharply rise until the population reached about 1300 million.

See my other comment, Muna!

The chart given illustrates the relation between the abroad student and local student from in Australian universities between 2011 and 2010.

The line graph is given illustrate the midyear population per million in China, India, and the USA between 1950 and 2000. Overall, the USA was stood steady throughout the whole time. However, India and China registered a significantly increased population.

Firstly, the population of the USA was less than two hundred million in 1950. And after fifty years it becomes about 300 million in 2000, which is less than India and China in 1950

Secondly, India showed a rapid growth between 1950 and 2000, which it has started at under 400 million to more than double the number at the end (1000 million). Also, china started at approximately 600 million, then maintained the same level from 1959 to 1962). Finally, from 1963 china’s population sharply rise until the population reached about 1300 million.

Nice writing, Muna!

Careful with your helping verbs and main verbs and your subject/verb agreement!

The rendered pie chart and table illustrates job opportunities for Anthropology graduates after completing their undergraduate degree course from a university and salaries of Anthropology graduates after 5 years of work respectively.The data is calibrated in percentage.

Looking from an overall perspective, it is evident that majority of Anthropology graduates are employed on full-time basis. Whilst only a small fraction of student graduates work part-time and continue their postgraduate study. A large number of graduates receive average salaries when employed in private companies wheres the highest wages are acquired in government sector.

To commence with, about 52% of Anthropology graduates work on full-time basis, followed by 15% of students engaged in part-time jobs. Out of total graduates 12% of them are unemployed. Anthropology graduates continuing full-time postgraduate study and those whose data is not known are equal at about 8%. A minimum ratio of about 5% students continue to work part-time along with their post graduate study.

Furthermore, $25,000-50,000 salary is given to 5% graduates by both freelance consultants and in government sector whereas, private companies offer such range of salary to about 10% students after 5 year’ work. Fraction of graduates getting salary between half a million and a million is 15-40% in freelance consultants, about 15-30% in government sector and 35-25% in private companies. 50% of Anthropology graduates receive salary of more than a million dollars while in freelance consultants and private companies it is 40% and 30% respectively.

Nice work though a little bit on the long side – aim for about 175 words!

It is a tough one. Try to add in some more commas on your complex sentences as well.

how much band score would you give to the task?

You can sign up here to find out: Patreon.com/howtodoielts

The displayed bar graph spell out the information pertaining about the total time spent on phone calls in UKin three different categories during the time frame from 1995 to 2002.

Beginning with local calls it is evident from the graph that the figures ascend by leap and bounds from the year 1995 to 1999.Morever, the striking feature of the graph was in the year 1999 with the highest minutes accounting upto 90 billion.However, the figures plunged and the ratio continued to decrease till the end of the period with 72 billion in 2002.On the contrary, if talked about national and international calls ratio it can be highlighted that the ratio began with the lowest i.e. around 38% but saw a considerable growth during the end of the period which means to reach a peak of 60 billion in 2002.

Meanwhile, all calls ratio witnesses a modest increase continuing till 2002. In addition, the ratio started with 5 billion and saw a slight rise till 1998. Afterwards, the figures boosts up and reaching to almost 45 billion.

Thus to wrap up it can be finally commented that national and international calls ratio rose steadily.Similarly, all calls ratio also rose gradually.

How much band score would u give to this report .

Nice work, Richard!

There are too many informal phrases though like ‘leaps and bounds’.

Sir how much band score I can achieve?

Discuss about 2 task

The line graph depicts the French and English teacher’s employment ratio in Ontario starting from 2001 and ending 6 years later in 2007.  At first glance, it can easily be seen that while the figure for French-language teachers showed an upward trend, the percentage of English-language teachers declined. Although, French-language teachers initially had a lower rate. it outraced the English-language teachers at the end of the period.  In 2001, the English-language teachers’ recruitment rate was about 72%, being a bit higher than the French-language teachers’ one by approximately 3%. Then, it declined drastically until 2003, accounting for 40%. However, the figure showed a gradual increase to about 45%, over the next 2 years. After 2005, it continued to decrease, reaching its lowest point at about 28% at the end of the period.  The employment ratio of French-language teachers was 70% in 2001 and over the next year decreased to about 52%. Then, the figure rose steadily to almost 70% in 2003 and continued to gradually grow until 2005, when it slightly dropped to about 68%. After that slight drop, it continued to increase, reaching its peak at about 72% in 2007.  In summary, it is obvious that in Ontario French-language teachers were employed more than the ones who teach English.  Word count: 214

I had a doubt in task 1. If you could please help. Is it a rule that we are not suppose to write ing form of words in writing task 1. Eg: looking ( looking from overall perspective) Fluctuating. Considering. Etc ?

please where is topics for task 1 2023

I’m sorry to ask ,but what is your Writing task 1 score for each of the sample writings here?

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IELTS Writing Task 1

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“Explore this comprehensive guide on IELTS Writing Task 1 and learn how to improve your writing skills and avoid common mistakes to achieve that band score! “

Interpreting visual data and summarizing information accurately is a vital skill for higher education and global communication and this skill is evaluated in IELTS Writing Task 1 exam. It is, thereby, a crucial component of both the Academic and General Training modules.

In this comprehensive guide, we will examine all aspects of IELTS Writing Task 1, exploring its different formats, question types with IELTS exam examples, tips for success, and common mistakes to avoid.

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 1

Task 1 of  IELTS Writing assesses the candidate's ability to interpret and present information in a clear and coherent manner. It requires candidates to describe visual information or frame a letter in a minimum of 150 words in 20 minutes.

The key skills tested in Task 1 include:

• Understanding Visual Data or Prompts:  Candidates must accurately interpret the visual data provided or prompts for letters and convey the main trends, comparisons, and significant points accurately.
• Organizational Skills:  Structuring the response effectively is essential, including introducing the topic, providing an overview or a purpose, and presenting key details logically.
• Language Accuracy:  Candidates are evaluated on their ability to use a range of vocabulary, grammatical structures, and cohesive devices to express ideas precisely.

IELTS Writing Writing Task 1 Question Types

You have to keep in mind that Task 1 differs for both IELTS General and Academic purposes. So, the different types of questions in these two types of IELTS exam are given below.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

You will be required to represent data relevant to an academic context that are shown in one or more figures, such as graphs, charts, tables, diagrams, or processes in Task 1 of  IELTS Academic .

There are typically seven types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic:

• IELTS table chart
• IELTS bar chart
• IELTS Writing Task 1 - Line graph
• IELTS pie charts tips and strategies
• IELTS Map Diagram
• IELTS Process diagram
• Combination (Mixed) charts

For a deeper comprehension of the subjects, it is crucial to regularly practice using the  IELTS writing task 1 practice tests with answers.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples

Check out the recent Writing Task 1 topics with IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answers:

• Village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010- Map
• Paradise Island Map – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Answers
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Example 4 : Development of the village of Rye mouth – Map
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic: The development of cutting tools in the stone age – Diagram
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Example 3: Civic Centre – Map
• Changes in Modes of Travel in England Between 1985 and 2000- IELTS Writing Task 1 (Table)
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Main Reasons why Agricultural Land Becomes Less Productive
• Cinema Viewing Figures for Films by Country, in Millions- Table
• Number of Medals Won by the Top Ten Countries in the London 2012 Olympic Games- Table
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 12: Internet use in six categories by age group – Table
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Annual pay for doctors and other workers – Bar chart
• Division of Household Tasks by Gender in Great Britain- Bar Graph
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 11: Different methods of waste disposal in four cities – Bar Chart
• Amount of Leisure Time Enjoyed by Men and Women of Different Employment Statuses- Bar Chart
• Number of Computer and Internet users in Different Arab Countries- Bar Graph
• The Changes In Ownership Of Electrical Appliances And Amount Of Time Spent Doing Housework In Households – IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : The Percentage of Female Members of Parliament in 5 European Countries
• IELTS Writing Task 1 – The graph below shows different sources of air pollutants in the UK Sample Answers
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic: Price changes for fresh fruits and vegetables – Line Graph
• Demand for Electricity in England- Line Graph and Pie Chart
• Average Household Expenditures in a Country in 1950 and 2010- Pie Chart
• Methods of Transportation for People Traveling to a University – Pie Chart
• Percentage of Water Used for Different Purposes in Six Areas of the World- Pie Chart
• Online shopping sales for retail sectors in Canada – IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie chart
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 09 : Consequence of deforestation – FlowChart
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 Recycling process of wasted glass bottles Sample Answers
• Water Cycle Diagram – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Answers
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Process Chart 2024 – Process Diagram with Sample Answers
• Percentage of Food Budget the Average Family Spent on Restaurant Meals- Pie Chart + Line Graph
• Amount of Money Per Week Spent on Fast Food in Britain- Bar Graph + Line Graph
• Water use Worldwide and Water Consumption- Line Graph and Table

IELTS General Writing Task 1

The candidate must compose a letter outlining details from IELTS GT Writing Task 1 or providing an explanation of a circumstance.

There are three types of letters for IELTS General writing task 1:

• IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Formal Letters
• IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Semi-Formal Letters
• IELTS General Writing Task 1 Informal Letters

Candidates are assessed on their ability to engage in personal contact, elicit and offer general factual information, express needs, likes, and dislikes, as well as their opinions, in the IELTS general writing task 1.

IELTS General Writing Task 1 Samples

Here are some latest Writing Task 1 topics with sample answers for IELTS General Training:

Formal Letter

• Formal Letter to Change Hostel Room- IELTS Writing Task 1
• You Have Seen an Advertisement for a Community College- Formal letter
• Last Week You Were on a Flight to London- Formal Letter
• One of Your Friends Wants to Apply for a Job- Formal letter

Semi Formal Letter

Informal Letter

Evaluation Criteria for IELTS Writing Task 1 

The purpose of the IELTS Writing Task 1 question is to assess a candidate's writing abilities.

• Four criteria are used to assess a candidate's IELTS score: Task Achievement,   Coherence & Cohesion in IELTS Writing , IELTS Lexical Resource and  IELTS Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
• For IELTS Writing Task 1, each component is worth 25% of the candidate's final score.

Therefore, these are standardized measures that a student needs to follow throughout their answer to achieve their desired IELTS band score . Check the table given below:

Top Tips for Success in IELTS Writing Task 1

Candidates must follow some IELTS preparation tips in order to master IELTS Academic writing task 1 and IELTS GT writing task 1. So, given below are some top tips to structure your answers for IELTS Writing Task 1.

• Understand the Task Requirements:  Read the instructions carefully and identify the main features and key trends in the visual data.
• Plan Your Response:  Spend a few minutes organizing your ideas before you start writing. This will help you structure your response effectively.
• Use a Variety of Vocabulary:  Demonstrate your lexical range by avoiding repetition and employing synonyms to describe the data accurately.
• Focus on Significant Details:  Highlight the most important information and avoid including unnecessary details that do not contribute to the overall understanding of the required details.
• Practice Time Management:  Allocate enough time to each task and aim to complete Writing Task 1 within the recommended 20 minutes.
• Use Synonyms  - Don't just copy words from the prompt. Paraphrase with your own vocabulary.
• Include Units of Measurement  - Use measurement units like millions, percentage, tons, dollars. This shows attention to detail and highlights obvious contrasts or similarities between data trends to make logical comparisons.
• Use Linking Words  - IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors  add like "while", "in addition", "on the other hand" connect your ideas and show cohesion.
• Stick to Plain English -  Don't try to sound overly complex. Keep your language clear and concise.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 1

While analyzing visuals or framing the letter might seem straightforward, Task 1 can trip you up if you're not careful. Here are some key mistakes to avoid:

• Misinterpreting Data/Prompts:  Ensure that you accurately understand the information presented in the visual data before attempting to describe it.
• Ignoring Task Instructions:  Pay attention to the specific requirements of each task and avoid straying from the given topic.
• Overlooking Grammar and Spelling:  Proofread your response carefully to eliminate grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
• Lack of Coherence and Cohesion:  Ensure that your response is well-structured and cohesive, with clear connections between sentences and paragraphs.

The IELTS Writing Task 1 test may seem challenging, but with dedication and the right strategies, you can conquer it. Remember, consistent practice, a focus on improvement, and a clear understanding of the format are key to achieving your desired band score. If you need any sort of guidance, feel free to  interact with our IELTS experts  or  be a part of IELTS webinars . So, take a deep breath, pick up your pen, and embark on your journey to IELTS writing mastery!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of IELTS Writing Task 1?

How much time should I spend on IELTS Writing Task 1?

Do I need to include my opinion in IELTS Writing Task 1?

Should I include an introduction and conclusion in IELTS Writing Task 1?

How can I improve my vocabulary for describing visual data in Task 1?

Where can I find practice materials for Task 1?

What should I do if I don't understand the visual data in Task 1?

Should I include every detail from the visual data in my response?

Is there a specific paragraph structure I should follow in Task 1?

How can I practice for IELTS Writing Task 1?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 1 based on report types

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: The Complete Guide

When you sit down for the Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 on test day, you’ll see one or two visuals, such as a chart, diagram, or graph. You’ll then write a report to give information based on key features of these visuals. Overall, you have 20 minutes to write 150 words.

The good news? This is a very predictable exercise! In this post, we’ll look at what you need to know about IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 to get a high band score, from tips to sample questions.

(NOTE: This guide is a great supplemental material for any of the Magoosh IELTS study schedules . In fact, we even specifically recommend it as a source of quick reference for our one-week IELTS study plan .)

Table of Contents

Scoring categories, how can i get a 6.5 (or better) in ielts writing task 1, what’s the difference between ielts academic writing task 1 vs. task 2, top 5 tips to succeed in writing task 1, a final word on ielts academic writing task 1, ielts academic writing task 1 basics.

As I mentioned above, IELTS Writing Task 1 on the academic module of the IELTS Writing Test asks you to write about two visuals. The assignment is a lot like monthly report writing that an employee might do to submit to his or her supervisor at work: the boss only wants relevant facts and data based on the latest company numbers. This is also what the test wants!

However, you only have 20 minutes. With that in mind, here is a pacing plan that works for many test-takers. You can make modifications to the amount of time you spend on each step, as needed:

• Reading the prompt, planning the essay: 3 – 5 minutes
• Writing: 10 – 15 minutes
• Editing and proofreading: 3-5 minutes

What criteria will you be scored on for the IELTS Academic test? Check it out!

Task Achievement

IELTS defines “Task Achievement” as a measurement of “how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the response fulfills the requirements set out in the task, using the minimum of 150 words” (Source: IELTS, Test format in detail ) .

Basically, you’re supposed to follow every letter of the directions and the prompt in order to score well in this category. More importantly, it means you should NOT include things that do not belong or are not “appropriate” or “relevant” to IELTS Writing Task 1.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

According to the official IELTS rubric (PDF) , Grammatical Range and Accuracy accounts for a quarter of your score. So what does this mean for you?

First of all, your grammar should be varied. It’s important to mix up different, complex sentences, for example, rather than having them all be simple. Try to avoid using “Be” verbs too often, as well.

Second of all, your grammar should be accurate; avoid grammatical errors. If you have at least a few months left before your test, it’s a great idea to get a solid English grammar workbook to practice polishing your writing skills in this area!

Lexical Resource

You can think of “Lexical Resource” as similar to “Grammatical Range and Accuracy.” Here, IELTS examiners are looking for a wide range of vocabulary—correctly used.

Work on building your vocabulary with resources, like Magoosh’s free IELTS vocabulary flashcards . Again, this will be most useful if you have a significant amount of time before test day. 15-20 words a day is a good goal!

Coherence and Cohesion

This a measurement of your ability to present ideas logically and clearly. In other words, the IELTS exam wants to see that your ideas make sense in the order you present them and that they work together in a logical way.

For a lot of students, 6.5+ is a great goal for IELTS. So what will boost your band score in the shortest amount of time?

First of all, make sure your paragraph structure is solid. This will help your Coherence and Cohesion score, and may even boost your Task Achievement score, as well!

Next, work on linking words . This will also serve a double purpose: it can boost both your Coherence and Cohesion and your Lexical Resource scores!

Finally, make sure you practice writing model essays to improve your IELTS Writing Task 1 skills. Just copying the template once won’t do much—you’ll need to put those skills to practice over and over again to truly polish them! Here are a few resources to look at for prompts and sample answers.

• Line Graph Band 9 Model Essay
• Bar Chart with Model Answer
• Pie Chart with Model Answer
• Two Graphics with Model Answer
• Map with Model Answer

Then, check out what you need to do to score Band 9 on Writing Task 1 here !

If you’ve been studying for the IELTS already, you probably know that IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 and Task 2 are quite different. Task 2 is a standard five-paragraph essay in which you present your perspective on an issue.

Task 2 is worth more points than Task 1, and Task 2 requires more time to complete. Therefore, you may be tempted to brush aside IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 as you study, choosing instead to focus much more attention on Task 2. I encourage you to avoid this approach!

• Start reading right away—you only have 20 minutes!
• Read the summary and titles first.
• Take note of categories / units.
• Decide which information to include in your response quickly.
• Use bullet points to remind yourself of what you want to include.

Now you’re ready to go and practice IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 responses. You should practice regularly, including with full-length practice tests. Make every attempt to create real test conditions when you practice. In other words, find a time when you won’t be interrupted. Limit yourself very strictly to 20 minutes.

Taking IELTS test in General Training and need info about the General Training Writing Task 1 ? Check out Magoosh’s expert letter writing tips here! (And you can also read a guide to the entire IELTS Writing section !)

Eliot Friesen-Meyers is the Senior Curriculum Manager for Magoosh IELTS and TOEFL. He attended Goshen College (B.A.), New York University (M.A.), and Harvard University (M.T.S.), gaining experience and skills in curriculum development, ESOL instruction, online teaching and learning, and IELTS and TOEFL test prep education. Eliot’s teaching career started with Literacy Americorps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later, taught ESL programs at Northeastern University, University of California-Irvine, and Harold Washington College. Eliot was also a speaker at the 2019 TESOL International Conference . With over 10 years of experience, he understands the challenges students face and loves helping them overcome those challenges. Come join Eliot on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram . Recent blog posts Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 2

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15 responses to “IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: The Complete Guide”

Hello, This is Dr. Rohit Amale from India. This webpage of magoosh is vety informative & has many links for ielts study. I am planning to study as per magoosh guidance. I want to know that apart from magoosh vocabulary flashcard app & magoosh ielts app, is there any other app or for studying ielts? I have already downloaded these 2 apps on my device. And do these apps have all the information and the study links given in this webpage or not? Or do I have to download any other app? Waiting for reply. Many thanks. Dr. Rohit Amale

Hi Dr. Rohit,

It looks like you are signed up for a free trial with our mobile app. In order to get the most out of the apps, you will have to purchase a Magoosh Premium Subscription. Our Premium program is comprehensive and will bring you through all of the information that you need to know for the IELTS! We also have a lot of free information and resources on our blog that will help you to prepare 🙂

thank you ! it was very useful information and guidance.

I’m glad you found it useful, Amranullah!

Very useful, thank you for sharing!

You’re welcome, Almudena! Glad it helped 😀

Very helpful stuff here. Practical too. Thank you. Would not mind receiving more of it.

Glad you find it helpful, Edington!

May I know , is there available ielts writing and tasking book?

I’m afraid I don’t understand your question. Can you provide some more detail about what you are looking for?

Beneficial! Thank you for this article.

I have read in another Magoosh blog that it is necessary to use words instead of number (ie: six instead of 6) in case of writing essays. But in your sample response it is maintained otherwise. Can you give an insight to this?

The general convention in academic writing is to write out any numbers in words that can be written in two words or less and write the numbers as numbers if they are larger than two words. As far as percents and dollars go, that depends on if you are writing out the word or the number.

However, I would not worry too much about this convention. If you write the number in letters or numbers it will not affect your score. Additionally, one or two additional words will not affect your score either. You don’t want to be so close to the minimum that a couple of words would cause you to drop below the minimum. If you are currently struggling to hit the minimum word requirement, you should work on your writing until you are consistently above the minimum range.

I am currently using the Magoosh subscription course for 6 months, and I think my IELTS score has increased abruptly. I recommend Magoosh ielts for best practice.

We are so glad that Magoosh has been helping you, Falak! Keep up the great work 🙂

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IELTS Writing Task 1: Essential Preparation Tips

Below are the Essential Preparation Tips for IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic Paper). Although writing task 1 counts for only about 33% of your marks, it is the key to hitting band 7. For many people, it is writing task 1 that sinks their score. Luckily, task 1 has very specific tasks which can learned if you take the time. Click here for GT Writing Task 1 Tips

12 KEY STEPS FOR IELTS WRITING TASK 1 PREPARATION

Go through each of the points below to make sure you are preparing fully for your task 1.

1. Understanding Task 1

• Task 1 is a report, not an essay.
• Reports have set structures, set language, set key features – they are more formulaic than an essay. This is important because it means with the right preparation you can nail a high score.
• Your report will be based on a bar chart, line graph, table, map, diagram or pie chart.
• Instruction: “write at least 150 words”. This means you must write over 150 words. Usually between 170 and 190 words. Over 210 will lower your score.
• Write your report in 20 mins (this is only a recommendation, but one I agree with).

 2.  Practice Tests – Practice Charts

You can get the IELTS Cambridge Test books from local education bookshops or Amazon, which contain real tests published by IELTS.

I also have a collection of Sample Charts, Diagrams etc for you to practice at home with. Click here: SAMPLE PRACTICE CHARTS FOR WRITING TASK 1

3. Task 1 Band Scores and Marking Criteria

Understand the band scores for each criterion in writing task 1. The IELTS examiner will mark you on:

• Task Achievement (25%)
• Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
• Vocabulary (25%)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)

Task Achievement relates to key features, accurate information and not getting lost in too much detail It includes finishing the task.

Coherence & Cohesion is about the structure of your report. Your paragraphs, your flow of information and also the use of linking words.

Vocabulary needs to be flexible but most importantly, appropriate to the task. For example, line graphs are typically vocabulary rich reports. You must know a variety of specific words relating to line graphs. This is not the case wit bar charts and tables which depend on the topic. Click here: for Vocabulary for Line Graphs 

You also need to know what will cause your score to go up or go down depending on each of the above marking criteria. This way, you’ll know for sure what you must do and what you must avoid. Click here: WRITING TASK 1 BAND SCORES 5-8 EXPLAINED

4. Types of Task 1

Learn the 6 main types of charts that can be given in writing task 1 (maps, diagrams, bar charts, tables, line graphs and pie charts). You should practice writing reports for all types of task 1 by using sample IELTS charts . It is also possible to get a combination of two types, for example a bar chart with a pie chart.

5. Introduction Paragraph

Practice writing the introduction statement. Here are two examples, which one do you think it best?

• Here we can see that the graph represented information regarding the number of sales of two companies in two years
• The chart illustrates the number of sales of two companies (Marks Ltd and Bumper Store) in 2000 and 2010.

The introduction is usually very quick to write and quite formulaic (standard) in content. Here’s a link to see how to write an introduction for a bar chart .

6. Overviews for Writing Task 1

Practice identifying key features for all kinds of charts. The key features make up the content of the overview which is the most essential paragraph in your task 1 report. The key features for most charts are the highest and lowest categories as well as the most significant differences between categories. However, for diagrams the key stages can be harder to identify so here a link to a sample introduction and overview for an IELTS diagram. Many students get confused whether to have a conclusion or an overview – make sure you get it right.

7. Vocabulary

Get a list of useful vocabulary for each type of writing task. This is particularly important for line graphs, maps and pie charts. The line graph is the type of writing task 1 which has the biggest range of possible vocabulary that can be used. Here’s a link to vocabulary for line graphs .

To get a good score in writing task 1, it is important to use a range of words which means  you need to paraphrase when possible. However, as mistakes can cause you to lose points, it is important not to take chances with your vocabulary. Spelling is also checked so make sure you don’t make mistakes with your spelling.

To get a good score, you will also need to work on complex sentence structures. For students aiming for band score 6 and above, this is essential. Luckily sentence structures for task 1 can be learnt and then adapted to fit each individual task  (to some extent). Here’s a link to the 4 main sentence structures for a line graph . Along with grammar is accuracy. The more mistakes you make the lower your score will be so getting rid of common errors is important. Here is a link to spotting grammar mistakes for a pie chart. If you have frequent errors, you may get band score 5 for grammar.

9. Structure for Writing Task 1

You need to make sure you structure your report correctly as the examiner will pay attention to the organisation of information and paragraphing. Here’s a link to the structure for IELTS writing task 1 report. Make sure you follow this as it is easy to get a good score for organisation. Structure and linking devices are part of the criterion of Coherence and Cohesion which makes up 25% of your marks.

10. Linking Devices

Linking is also very important. You will need to show the examiner a range of linking devices that connect information together and compare information in a coherent way. Again, linking is very easy to learn so make sure you pay attention to this. Different charts use different linkers so make sure you review each type of task to see the best linking devices to use.

11. Model Answers for IELTS Writing Task 1

Follow safe models. There are a lot of sample answers for you to follow on the internet, but following a safe model which fulfills the requirement set by IELTS is essential. Here’s a link to a complete lesson on how to write a pie chart report paragraph by paragraph.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

• How to describe a bar chart : Video Tutorial
• Line Graph Model Answer Band 9
• ALL MODEL ESSAYS AND TIPS FOR WRITING TASK 1

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The table below gives information on consumer spending on different items in four countries in 2008. The table illustrates inhabitants spent in total on three consumer goods in four countries: China, Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam in 2008.Units are measured in percentage. Liz, can you help me correct this introduction? Thank u so much<3

I have time for a quick comment today. Writing task 1 is a report, not an essay. Report writing is about being concise – this means, not being wordy or lengthening sentences that don’t need lengthening. Having two sentences to say the same thing one sentence can say is not good report writing for IELTS. You should write: The table illustrates consumer spending on three consumer goods in China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam in 2008. Units are measured in ……. This is concise, accurate and direct report writing which is what the examiner is looking for. I’ve got a free video lesson about writing introductions which explains this in detail with plenty of examples: https://ieltsliz.com/introduction-paragraph-for-ielts-writing-task-1-reports/

Hi Liz, The information provided in your blog was very useful for my success at the exam. Your valuable time committed to provide us information is highly appreciated. I salute for your service. Thanks lot. from Sri Lanka

Glad to hear you did well 🙂

You are really a nice teacher and i did my best through your videos. Free of cost ahahahahahhahah

Hello there Liz how’s your condition ? hope you are doing well, Since You have mentioned that there are 9 IELTS Cambridge practice books, but the last I checked, there are 17 volumes, which ones do you suggest to start for band score 8 for Ielts general training, as an upper intermediate English speaker? I appreciate your support and tysm for this amazing website

Each year IELTS publish a new book. Book 17 is the latest. However, previous books are still fully valid as the test hasn’t changed except in very minor ways, such as being on computer or the listening test no longer having an example at the start of the audio.

Hi Lizzy . Please I can’t t see your recent videos.

I stopped making videos in 2015 and will start again once my health improves. I do, however, continue updating this website with new tips and lessons.

Hey Liz, Today is my first day of IELTS preparation and I found this amazing creation by you. Its already making things easier. Thank you so much!!

I’m glad my lessons are helping you 🙂

Hi Liz. Thank you for the free lessons and tips. I will like to know if the overview for task 1 Writing can be separated from the intro soon a separate paragraph.

Yes, definitely. I usually write my overview as a separate paragraph as it’s the most important paragraph in task 1.

Hi, Elizabeth. It’s been a pleasure for me to practice woth your resources. Thanks for building such a prolific platform for IELTS aspirants

You’re welcome 🙂

Thanks a lot for you great explanations! Just wanted to let you know the link to “conclusion or overview” under point 6 is broken. Best,

Thanks David. I just fixed it. Happy 2021 !

Thank you so much Ma. Your site was very useful to my preparation. My results just came in and I scored 8.0. I’ll gladly recommend this site for others. God bless you!!

Wonderful news!! Very well done 🙂

I cannot thank you enough for the tip to write an overview after the introduction paragraph. I have just received my test results for IELTS Academic and they are 8.5 overall and 7.5 for Writing. I had limited time to prepare for the test and read the tip while in a cab on the way to the test venue. During the Writing part I did the Task 2 first and it took me all of the 41 minutes (and 440 words), with only 19 minutes remaining for the Task 1. Luckily, it was a simple chart and I wrote the introduction and overview first, then wrote two body paragraphs with barely a minute to check for typos and the time was up. I ended up writing 220 words and would have written more if not for the time limit. However, since I made sure I wrote the overview first, I was able to relax and found it so much easier to concentrate on the details of the chart. Thank you for the brilliant idea! None of the other teachers online came up with it.

Great results 🙂 Writing the overview after the introduction is logical. Task 1 is a report and the overview contains the main details of the report so having presenting that early helps both the reader and the writer. Also, as you said, it ensures you don’t miss it if time is limited. Well done to you 🙂

I am glad to have come across this material for the preparation of IELTS exam, Just wanted to know about the general mistakes I (a candidate) might have been doing while going for the Writing portion of the Test. Just to give you a brief, I have appeared for IELTS about 3 times now and have never touched band 7.0 in each attempt (To be precise, I got 6.5 in all attempts in writing particularly), However rest of the sections speak a different story (Getting at least 8.0 in each section respectively). Can you please advise as to what I might be doing wrong in Writing section in particular. I try to increase my Vocabulary learning new words each day and implement those words in my sentence formations as well.

Be careful learning new words and using them in your essay. If you use them incorrectly or inappropriately, your score will go down. It takes time to learn words properly so that you can use them without errors. Avoiding errors MUST be your main goal in IELTS Writing. Also review ALL my free lessons and tips: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ . Then consider my Advanced Lessons which will give you the right techniques for a high score: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz, Your site is very helpful! Thank you! I see you have recommended the Cambridge IELTs book. They have now released no. 10. Would this be a good resource for the Academic test? I am a native English speaker but not achieving the writing score I need. Your help would be greatly appreciated! Kind regards, Jade

Book 14 is the most recent and book 15 is coming out this summer. They are the only authentic past papers you can buy. Yes, you should be using them. How many you wish to get is your choice and will depend on how much prep you wish to do. These books contain tests, not training or advice or understanding. They won’t help you learn how to tackle IELTS writing and they won’t help you understand the band score requirements. Try my free lessons: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ and my Advanced Lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Sorry The question about private lessons and marking writings was meant to be asked to you, Liz. I need the answer as soon as possible please.

Unfortunately, because I work alone, I do not have time to offer private lessons or marking. However, my advanced writing task 2 lessons are very detailed and will answer most of your concerns: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Someone who corrects my essay tells me that don’t use brackets if you want to have high scores. So, i’m quite confused about it because you said it is perfectly normal to use brackets in writing task 1 in the video.

It is completely fine to use brackets for task 1. However, don’t overuse them. Always show flexibility and a good range of sentence structures by presenting data in different ways.

Thanks a lot Liz. This website is really helpful to prepare IELTS.

i am unable to download the answer sheet of IELTS writing test. The link already present is broken. Can you please attach the correct link here.

Thanks for letting me know. I’ve just put up a new link.

No words enough to show my gratitude! May God bless you.

Thanks Liz.

I absolutely loved your site and way of guiding to obtain a good IELTS result.

My writting task definitely felt much better with your tips and guidance.

Today I took the test, I hope the results are positive.

Keep up the good work!

Fingers crossed for you 🙂

What is your result?

Morning Liz, Really appreciate all your efforts! Is there any Videos for “Writing- Letter (General Testing). I see lot of sample letter questions. But there are no sample letters to actually read through the whole letter and grasp the idea or I may be overlooking 🙂 Please advise- Harry

There is a link above to model letters which are full letters that you can read and learn from for IELTS.

Could you please let me know if for task1 in Ielts Academic we may receive to write a letter or that is the case only for Ielts General ?

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

Thanks for all your great efforts! I am wondering if it is fine to have only two sentences in my body paragraphs. Though it can be seen in examples you have provided, some other teachers say it should be at least three sentences. Which one is correct?

There is no such rule in IELTS. For writing task 2, all main points should be fully extended which means that the body paragraphs are mostly of equal length. However, writing task 1 is not an essay, it is a report. Paragraphs are not balanced in length. It is even possible to have a paragraph of one sentence. It’s fine for teachers to advise you, but they should point out that it is advice and not a rule.

Hi, I`m a content maker in iran and we work on teaching EFL. Your content is so helpful and comprehensive. i appreciate that and wish you best

Hi.. Thank you for the information. I would like to ask you a question in writing test. Is it ok if we write the reason why is the percentage different from one year to another year? Thank you

If the reason is stated in the chart, you can write it. You can only provide information that is visible in the chart – you can’t add opinions.

Thank you very much for your everything on IELTS. I Learned a lot.

I realized that now exam patterned changed little bit as Writing Task 01 , they normally give two different charts (Bar Chart & Table or Line graph with Pie Chart) .

Hope you will add some models for these kind of things.

Rgds Lalith

The patterns have not changed. They gave multiple tasks and single tasks in the past, and they do the same now. You can find model answers for all kinds on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

i love you mam thank you soo much

Hy Liz, I just want to tell you that you are doing an amazing job, by helping alot of people understand the mechanics of IELTS, and that too for free.You are an amazing human being, may the blessings of Allah be upon you.

I followed you and IELTS Cambridge books religiously from the day i started preparation, yesterday i got my result and i got an overall 8.0 with 9.0 in reading, 8.5 in listening, 7.0 in speaking and 7.o in writing in contrast to my previous result of 7.o overall.

Thanks a lot liz and keep doing the wonderful job you are doing.

Brilliant !! Such a great improvement from band 7 to 8 !! Very well done to you 🙂 Thanks for letting me know 🙂

Hello Liz, I have some challenges in my writings. I am weary of task 2 essay writing. Pls advice me. Thanks

Get my advanced lessons – you will quickly learn how to tackle them properly: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi liz, Can overview contain numbers, percentages or years? I have my exam very soon. Please respond at your earliest.

Yes, it is possible. There is no fixed rule. The majority of the time, the overview will contain only description. But there are cases (such as totals in a table) when the overview might contain numbers.

What if i write task 1 on task 2 sheet and task 2 on task 1 sheet.

If you do that, you will need to change the heading on the paper so that the examiner knows clearly and easily which paper is which.

Hi liz, i noticed you skipped task 1 for general training. Please how does one fill this void

On this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/ , you will find essential tips for GT letter writing and also model letters.

I want to improve my speaking

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/

Could you please upload video with tips for writing task 1 in GT . I am going to take GT in September 9.

I won’t be making more videos until next year.

Can we write hammering the last nail in task 2 of ielts wrtting in place of to conclude🤔

Don’t use informal language in an IELTS essay.

Hi liz can i ask what is the difference between campbridge textbook ielts 9 and 10? What book should i used?? Im a nurse im planning to get ielts next year.

Each book contains 4 real IELTS test published by IELTS. The books are published in order of age: book 12 is the most recent. You can use all books to help you prepare, but books 9 – 12 are the best.

From where I get written samples for writing task so I can check the pattern and follow it in my practice?

See the main pages of this website. Here is the main page for writing task 1: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

Hello Liz, I really appreciate your effort for posting such a useful videos. can you upload some videos of general writting task 1.

I won’t be making more videos until later this year (if I’m lucky). But I will put GT videos on my list 🙂

Hi Liz, Your website is very essential for IELTS preparation. Can you please upload a video about writing letters for general training writing test 1. Thanks and best regards.

I hope to make more videos at the end of this year.

Thank you miss. Elizabeth Oh! I could find a mistake for you, I am enthusiastic to go to the exam now 😀 * second introduction statement is better

Hi Liz, First of all I’d like to thank you for your efforts and hard working to help us improve. I have a question about academic writing task 1. what are the maximum words that we should write? Is it ok if I write 216 words in this task? Best regards, 😀

If your writing task 1 report contains too many small details, you will get a lower mark. 25% of your marks for task 1 is your ability to select information and highlight key features. Of course, if the chart gives few details, then you might present all but if there is plenty of information to present then you must be selective. So, writing over 200 words is not showing the skill of selecting.

Do you have an overview of when to write a conclusion section for writing part 1? Thank you in advance!

Kind regards

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-tips-conclusion-or-overview-for-writing-task-1/

i wann practise ielts writing part .

https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi Liz, I am planning to retake IELTS exam because I was unable to get a score of 8 and above for my writing. I need someone to critique my essays. Can you help me on this? Please contact me at: [email protected]

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-essay-correction/

Mam… First of all Thanku so much for this website this helping us a lot for preparation… I wanna knw that what is the difference between the Cambridge ilets 9 and 11 which book is to be purchased

Book 11 is the most recent. So, go for that one.

my writing band score is not increasing.why

Go to the main writing pages, and then read about the band scores. Find your weaknesses. Alternatively see my advanced lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore

hii Liz…I really appreciate your efforts for creating such a wonderful platform to score in IELTS.Your videos are helping me a lot.Thank you so much..:)

I have a question on writing task 1 . Is it fine if I write upto 190 words?

I look forward to hearing you soon.. Thanks.. Best, Pramit

There is no upper limit. Just make sure you are being selective with the information and not including irrelevant information.

Thank you so much for the response. Best, Pramit

Hi Liz, Thank you very much for helping us. I have a query about word counting. Number of articles are considered in 150 words? I look forward to hearing from you Liz. Best Regards, Manobendro Sarker

All words – big and small are counted.

do we have time for rewriting?

You have a total of 1 hour for two tasks. Time is very limited.

HI MRS Liz i have one question , when we use amount and number n how ? pls clear it for me as soon as u can because my exam next three days

should we write a conclusion or not

You will find a whole page about conclusions and overviews on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

hi liz, can we write figures in overview paragraph?

If they are totals, yes.

from where to i could start ilets practice….?

See the video on my home page: https://ieltsliz.com/

jass…. is there any difference in idp and bc marking test

No. The marking criteria are exactly the same and the examiners are trained in the same way. These are not separate companies when it comes to IELTS, they are both co-owners of IELTS.

Hi liz!! Can I use present contin. in WT 1? , Thank you for your data!

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

mother u explained well

hi mam. when u will be back ?

Hi, In writing task-1, do we also have to analyse the figures? Like for example, if the question is about people listening radio and watching TV, then do we also have to write like..people probably don’t watch TV in morning because they are working in office. Or we just have to stick to explaining the graph backing the statement by data? (Interpretation and analysis both or just the interpretation?)

You never give an opinion or try to give reasons for it. You report what you see. This is report, not an essay. All the best Liz

Do you have an idea in terms of which test is easier to take on the following: IELTS Academic,PTE Academic,TOEFL and CAE?

Sorry, I only work with IELTS and am not very familiar with other testing systems. Liz

Thanks for responding,in terms of the academic,how different is it from the GT? I know listening and speaking its the same exam. The difference is on reading and writing where in writing there is the issue of graphs being part of the curriculum.

I have a date on the 19th of November and i want to ask for assistance in terms of advice as to which areas i can make sure by the time i get to the exam will have mastered. regards Jasiel

The GT test is slightly easier for writing and reading. See these pages: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/ and also https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-general-training-reading-information/ All the best Liz

Kindly assist me,I took a GT exam for immigration to Australia and did not do well in listening because i want 8 band across all modules.

I have a date for academic but wanted to find out if the band will be reduced because i am taking Academic instead of GT, and is it difficult as people say because i could have taken CAE,TOEFL,PTE Academic but feel with the knowledge i accumulated on this site better to do IETLS

regards Jasiel

Sorry, I don’t have information about immigration. Make sure your English is strong enough to get band score 8. If your English is not good enough, you must work to improve it before you book your next test. All the best Liz

Hi, there! Liz, your website is awesome! I’m lovin’ it! The thing is, as I was reading through the pieces of advice you’ve shared above, I came up to something that made me really confused. And that is “Why are you saying ‘each criteria’ instead of saying ‘each criterion’? “

The reason is that I’m not careful when I type quickly and don’t proof read enough. Thanks for spotting it! All the best Liz

Dear liz, Just have one doubt about cocluding task 1. What is the appropriate way to do.

There is no conclusion for writing task 1. Liz

and overview is must in every task 1?

Only in academic writing task 1.

Hello Liz I have question .. The following is writing task 1 statement “The bar chart below shows the percentage of people in UK living alone by sex and age in 2004/05 “.. Is it possible to paraphrase it to the following “The bar chart illustrate the amount of people in UK who are living alone in terms of percentage dividing according to their age and gender during the period 2004/05.. Is that a good paraphrase? If it is not, who can I make it better?

Sorry, I do not give feedback on writing. Liz

Hello Liz I have question related to the overview paragraph, Is there any words except overall by which we can start our overview paragraph ???

“Overall” is the most appropriate to use. It helps the examiner locate your overview quickly and easily which helps you get a better score. Liz

Hi Liz, In writing task 1 (Academic) there are two pages provided. My question is if I want to write more should I continue on subsequent pages given for task 2 or should I ask for separate sheets meant for task 1.

Please reply soon as I my exam is approaching very near.

Thanking you in advance, Rushi

At no time you should write more on any page for task 1. You should never write over 200 words and that will easily fit onto the page given to you. All the best Liz

Can I ask for an additional piece of paper to use it as a draft for planning my WT2 essay?

No. All plans are made on the question paper. If you need extra paper later in the test because your answer sheet is full then you can ask – but not for planning.

Good day Liz! Is it possible to get a bandscore of 7 even if one was’t able to finish task 1? Is it true that examiners are turned off to see so many less common words in essays?

Any writing which is under the word count will get a lower band score. These are the rules set by IELTS. All the best Liz

A big Thank You! 🙂 for all your efforts, a very good blog for ilets preparation with all information at one place. It help me improved a lot and i could score an overall band 7 (L:7, R:7, W:6, S:7) which i think, wouldn’t have been possible without all your tips and videos and samples.

Thank You!!! 🙂

Band 7 is a strong score. Well done! I’m glad my blog was useful 🙂 All the best Liz

Awesome website for Ielts prep Thanks Liz for your dedication and simplicity in L R W S Just 2days before I checked ur writing topics and videos Which boosted my score to 7band in writing thanks a ton

overall, I got 6.5 (L:7,R:6.5,w:7,S:6) lost 7band just by .5 band it could have been not possible without ur brainstormed ideas ur website provides

That’s a good result! Thanks for letting me know. Getting band 7 in writing is very good. All the best Liz

Great website, keep the good work going on.

Please give a link to clear instruction for how to prepare for TASK 1 & 2 GT writing,

There are model letters and tips on this page for GT writing task 1: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/ . All lessons for writing task 2 are for GT and academic students – the essay techniques and questions types are exactly the same. All the best Liz

I have observed many candidates asking about getting exhausted by the time they have to do writing and I have also felt the same by the time we come to writing. Its just that we cannot brainstorm effectively and also we are trying hard to write something but we may turn away from the topic and realize it later

Can you please provide advice of how we can keep ourselves active by the time we reach writing. Thanks

I wish there were special tips but it’s a long test and all students will feel tired by the time they arrive at writing task 2. The only way to avoid making mistakes with your essay is to plan properly. Most students read the essay question and start writing which is why they make mistakes and go off topic when they are tired. But if you spend 5 minutes (at least) analysing the essay question and planning your ideas, how to present them and supporting points, you’ll be fine. Here’s a page to read about planning: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-essay-planning-tips/ Liz

Thanks Liz.That’s an amazing tip. I can remember myself in a similar situation, where I started writing and than later realized I have been writing away from the topic.

I will make sure that the essays I am going to practice further should include brainstorming and than following the plan to write essay. I believe in this way we will not go back and forth and can keep our focus towards given topic only.

Hi Liz…I have a question about conclusion in task -1.You said that conclusion should not be given but in official IELTS Cambridge model answers they have conclusion or overview in final passage of task -1.Please state your view on this.

There is an overview paragraph not a conclusion. The overview can be after the introduction or at the end of the report. Please watch my free video lessons to learn about the overview and the possible locations. Liz

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How to Structure IELTS Writing Task 1 Essays

Posted by David S. Wills | Aug 24, 2020 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 1

I have written many times about structure on this website, but mostly I have focused on task 2 . Today, however, I am going to take some time to show you how to structure IELTS writing task 1 essays . This often seems like a mystery but in fact it is quite simple and you can usually follow a pretty basic template.

I am going to divide this lesson into two parts. First, we will deal with the IELTS Academic exam and then we will look briefly at the IELTS General exam because these require different structures. Also, keep in mind that IELTS academic writing includes line graphs, pie charts, bar charts, maps, and more, so each of these might require some changes to the essay structure.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Structure

When you do IELTS academic writing task 1, you may find yourself presented with one (or more) of the following:

• Process diagram

These require quite different language but generally you can apply a similar essay structure to all of them. Whether you are writing about a line graph or a table, you can pretty much use this IELTS writing task 1 template :

Let’s establish what “group of information” means

When you are doing IELTS Academic writing task 1, you need to examine the data and then describe it. To do this, you cannot just take a random approach and write about the different features of the data. Instead, you need to highlight the important parts.

This can be difficult, so let’s take an example.

In this line graph, we only have two lines to write about. Clearly, we could write one paragraph about men and one paragraph about women. Easy! Our structure would look like this:

To be honest, that is a very, very easy graph to describe so it was not a challenge. Let’s choose something more difficult to explore:

This is not a terribly difficult line graph to describe, but it presents a challenge for our IELTS writing task 1 structure template. How should we group these three lines?

One option is to structure it like this:

Another option is to break the information down according to time:

Grouping by Time vs Grouping by Type

The easiest way to group data for IELTS writing task 1 is to put them into different types. For example, in this line graph about a Caribbean island, we could potentially describe the number of people who stayed on the island in one paragraph and then the people who stayed on the ships in another paragraph.

But is this the best way?

When you write an essay with that structure, it becomes harder to compare the data. Remember that your question will always say “make comparisons where relevant.”

This suggests that grouping by time is better for one major reason: You can compare the different types of data over time. In this case, we can see the two sets of data are opposites, which gives us a great chance to make comparisons.

Sample Essay

Here is my sample essay about the Caribbean island.

The line graph displays the numbers of tourists that visited an unnamed Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017. The tourists are divided into two groups – those staying on cruise ships and those staying on the island itself – and these had a loosely inverse correlation. The total number of visitors, however, rose more or less continuously throughout the eight-year period. In the first year recorded, which was 2010, there were about twice as many tourists staying on the island as those staying on cruise ships. A year later, the number staying on cruise ships doubled to a half million, but this dropped back to around a quarter million in 2012. When the figures for tourists on cruise ships dropped, the number staying on the island rose quickly and over the coming few years, as this sudden increased levelled off, the number of people who stayed onboard their ship continued to grow again. Between 2012 and 2017, there were more and more visitors staying on cruise ships. From just a quarter million, this rose to two million, while the figures for those on the island levelled off at just one and a half million and then dropped slightly in the penultimate year, before finishing at one and a half. This meant that, for the final two years, more tourists stayed on cruise ships than on the island.

Can you write more than 3 paragraphs?

I would like to make clear that there is no such thing as the correct IELTS writing task 1 essay structure. It is possible to write a great essay with 2 paragraphs, but it is also possible to do it with 4 paragraphs. I would not recommend writing more than 4 paragraphs and I would certainly not recommend writing just 1! This would show a total lack of understanding of Coherence and Cohesion.

(P.S. – Read all about the number of paragraphs for IELTS writing task 2 here .)

Anyway, let’s look at an example of an essay that might be best described with 4 paragraphs:

For this task, we have to decide how to group the data. I personally find that the trend for burglary is more interesting than the others because it has much more of a change, which tells me that it should be described first. You could definitely write a paragraph that grouped car thefts and robberies together, but one is much more common than the other, so it might not work well.

I would take this approach:  

Of course, writing this much could mean taking a long time and potentially not finishing your essay. I have written an article about how many words you should write for IELTS, which you can read here .

Sample Essay – 4 Paragraphs

Ok, let’s look at the essay I wrote about crime rates in Newport.

The line graph shows changes in crime rates over a ten-year period in the city centre of Newport. Three types of crimes are listed, two of which ended the period at roughly similar levels to where they began, and one experienced a major drop. In 2003, which was the beginning of the recorded period, burglary was the most common type of crime in Newport, with just under 3,500 cases reported. This rose slightly the following year, before entering into a long downward trend, reaching a low of about 1,200 in 2008. After this, the number of burglaries reported fluctuated until 2012. The number of car thefts was about 2,800 in 2003, and ended the period slightly lower, at 2,700. During the decade-long period, it fluctuated, reaching low points in 2006 and 2008. Car theft was the second most common type of crime in 2003, but the fall in burglaries meant that from 2008 onwards, they were the most common crime in Newport. Robberies were the least common crime and followed a somewhat similar trend to that of car thefts, starting and ending the period with around 700 incidents. It fluctuated only slightly during the ten-year period.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart Structure

The previous examples were both line graphs because these are the most common type of IELTS academic writing task 1 question. However, in order to ensure you understand fully, I will also include a pie chart and show you how to structure your essay.

This is actually the most difficult IELTS writing task 1 question I have ever seen!

So how could we produce an IELTS writing task 1 essay structure to fit this?

The obvious choice seems to be writing 3 paragraphs, with 1 paragraph for each of the pie charts. That’s sensible, right?

Well, personally I think that would make it harder to draw comparisons between these data. Instead, I will group the data in terms of meals . I will look at the main meals in one paragraph and then snacks in a final paragraph. This allows me to compare all 3 nutrients!

My structure would then look like this:

**Please note that this is a quite advanced structure and it is difficult to do. I am including it to show you how it is possible to take various approaches and produce a great essay.

Sample Answer

This is my answer to the very difficult question about nutrients:

The pie charts show information about three different kinds of nutrients and their prevalence in typical American meals. There are four kinds of meal mentioned, including snacks. The figures for sodium and saturated fat are loosely similar, but for added sugar they are quite different. Sodium and saturated fat are both extremely common in typical American dinners. According to the pie charts, 43% of sodium is consumed at dinner time as well as 37% of saturated fat, but just 23% of added sugar is found in American dinners. Almost a third of sodium eaten by Americans is consumed at lunch, alongside more than a quarter of saturated fat. Breakfasts contain the lowest amount of these potentially unhealthy ingredients, at 14% sodium and 16% for both saturated fat and added sugar. The figures for snacks look quite different. More than four tenths of the added sugar consumed by Americans came from snacks, which also contained a fifth of the saturated fats and about a sixth of sodium.

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 Structure

When you take the IELTS General Training (GT) writing test, you will see that task 1 requires you to write a letter. As such, there is no “recommended essay structure” that you can use.

Instead, you should aim to write a letter that follows typical letter-writing conventions and to use paragraphs logically to guide your reader.

How can you structure an IELTS general writing task 1 letter?

I would strongly recommend this sort of approach:

Of course, I will say here that you should not take this as a 100% perfect letter template . It is merely a suggestion and you should pay close attention to the actual task you are assigned. This template can usually be adapted to make a good letter, but sometimes you need to add or combine paragraphs. Also, we might have a short paragraph at the start and/or end of the essay to give some friendly greeting or send some kind regards.

For one thing, sometimes you need to give much more weight to one part of the question, which could require using two paragraphs for that and one for the other parts. An example would be:

How to Adapt an IELTS General Writing Task 1 Format Structure

The people who score band 8 or 9 in IELTS writing are not the ones who memorize structures and vocabulary, or who attempt to predict the questions they will encounter. Instead, these are people who can learn from others but create their own essays and letters by adapting good ideas to the present situation.

Let’s look at an example question from IELTS GT writing task 1.

A large company in your area has decided to spend a certain amount of money, either to sponsor a local children’s sports team for two years, or to pay for two open-air concerts. It has asked for feedback from the general public. Write a letter to the company. In your letter, – describe the benefit of sponsoring the sports ream – summarise the benefits of paying for the concerts – say how you think the company should spend the money

How can we structure a reply to this task?

I am going to use the IELTS general writing task 1 format structure that I suggested above, with two paragraphs of explanation in the middle because there are two sides to the issue. My structure would look like this:

Here is my sample answer to the above question:

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing in response to your request for input on the decision about either spending money on a sports team or for two open-air concerts. Firstly, if you were to sponsor the children’s sports team, it would obviously be a great investment in the community. Nothing is more important to us than our children’s health and happiness. If you decided to sponsor the football team, this would mean a tremendous amount to many families. The concerts would also be beneficial in bringing the community together in a big event. This would foster some positive experiences and allow people to have fun together doing something they don’t normally do. It might also be good for local businesses. It is my opinion that you invest the money in the sports team as I think this would have the greatest benefit. For two whole years, parents would be able to watch their children play sports, and that is much better than going along to two concerts. Sincerely, David Wills

More Resources

This is a massive topic to cover and so I suggest that you continue reading once you are finished with this article. I have countless lessons on this website about IELTS writing task 1 (both academic and general) that you can read. I also have an IELTS writing task 1 template PDF file here .

More articles about structure:

• How to Describe a Bar Chart
• 7 Steps to Structuring an IELTS Essay
• How to Describe a Process Diagram

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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I liked the course very much. It extended my knowledge about IELTS task 1 essay writing. This article is very insightful, points well explained and use of tutorials and examples to give a more clear picture of how task 1 essay should be tackled. Thanks for the great post! I liked how detailed and helpful it is.

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topics August & September 2024

The collection of the recent IELTS Academic Writing Topics is a compilation of topics which have been recently used in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. These topics cover a wide range of topics, from everyday topics such as shopping and leisure activities to more complex topics such as healthcare, economics, and technology. The topics are chosen from past IELTS exams and reflect the kinds of topics students may be asked to write about in their upcoming IELTS exam. The Collection of the recent IELTS Academic Writing Topics provides students with useful practice material to help them prepare for the IELTS exam.

Choose one of the topics and practice your writing skills daily. If you are having difficulty coming up with your own topic ideas, simply click the "Answers" button and you will be presented with a range of possible topics.

Write on this topic Answers ···

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IELTS Writing Task 1 & 2 Guide: Lessons with Band 9 IELTS Writing Samples for Both the Academic & General Writing Test

In this guide you'll learn how to write high scoring essays for IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2 . No matter which test you're taking, either academic or general training, we have you covered; This guide includes IELTS writing samples, topics, and detailed lessons for general writing task 1 & 2 and academic writing task 1 & 2.

Get free IELTS writing sample answers after completing an IELTS writing practice test.

Below is our full list of IELTS writing questions with sample essays. Note: The red links are our most popular and recommended writing questions rated by our students and you can practice them free anytime you like.

The table shows existing and projected changes in the proportion of people over 65 in the populations of three countries from 2015 to 2030.

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

Write at least 150 words.

Projected Changes in the Population over-65 in three countries to 2030

The table shows the proportion of people in England who agreed with same-sex marriage from 1989 to 2013.

Percentage of people agreeing with same-sex marriage by religious denomination (%)

The table demonstrates the change in six types of transportation used by commuters in three cities between 2000 and 2010.

Changes in Market Share for six different types of transportation between 2000 and 2010

The table illustrates the relative risk demonstrated by four different transport types in the United Kingdom in two years.

Relative risk of different forms of transport in the UK from 2014 to 2016

The table below gives the average time spent and distance traveled by UK commuters in one year.  Time and distance are given in minutes and miles accordingly.

Commuting Habits of different regions of the UK in a year

The diagram shows the process by which milk and related products are produced.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features.

The diagram shows the process by which sheep embryos are cloned.

The diagram shows the  the life cycle of flowering plants

The diagram shows the process by which plastic is recycled.

The diagram shows the process of the water treatment.

The diagram shows the process by which electricity is generated in two types of hydroelectric power station.

The diagram shows the the life cycle of a frog.

The diagrams show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth.

The diagram below shows the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

The pie chart below shows the native languages spoken by students at Bakersfield Senior College in two separate years.

The pie chart below illustrates the different types of smartphones used by attorneys in the U.S. in one year.

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

The pie charts below show the proportion of freshwater withdrawals made by various economy sectors in three countries in a given year.

The pie charts below show the results of a customer satisfaction survey comparing the performance of York Telecom and a competitor in April.

The pie graph depicts the main reasons for the productivity loss of agricultural land worldwide.  The table shows how these causes influenced three world regions during the 2000s.

The charts below show the percentage of Irish students at one university who spoke an additional language to English from 2000 to 2010.

The graphs below show the unemployment rate of citizens in the US with a further classification displaying average salary per week in 2005.

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

The line charts show the amount of beer sold to pubs and supermarkets over six years, where a bar graph displays the amount of pubs closed over the same period.

The table shows the proportion of fifty-year-old adults who were never married over five decades in Japan.  The chart represents the Japanese marriage and divorce rate from 1970 to 2016.

Number of 50-year-old adults who never been married (%)

The table shows the number of people (millions) that remain undernourished around the world from 2000 to 2009.  The chart displays the global price of two food grains over the same period.

Number of Undernourished People Worldwide

The table shows total revenue created by complementary medicine over three years.  The two charts illustrate the number of hospitals offering complementary medicine over twenty five years with a further classification showing which kinds of medicine proved the most popular in 2012.

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

Revenue from Complementary Medicine in the U.S. (in billion US dollars)

The bar chart below shows the preference for different types of Complementary or Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies among US adults in 2007.  The table lists which therapies where the most popular over two years.

Therapies Showing Significant Gains between 2002 and 2007 (%)

The graphs below give information concerning smartphone ownership as a percentage of population in a country from 2000 to 2010, and by level of education for the years 2000 and 2010.

The bar charts show education data related to young adults aged 15 years in 10 different countries in 2015.  The first chart shows in which countries adolescents do the most homework in terms of hours per week. The second chart shows the nations that scored the best on an international science test.

The pie chart below represents the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive.  The bar chart shows how these causes affected three regions of the world in the 1990s.

The pie chart below shows the frequency of U.S. Adults’ online purchasing habits in 2015, while the bar chart shows a further classification denoting online purchasing preferences.

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

The diagrams below show the coastal village of Seaville in 1980 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. 

The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 

The charts below give information on the ages of the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 

The pie charts below show units of electricity production by fuel source in Australia and France in 1980 and 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 

The charts below show the percentage of water used for different purposes in six areas of the world. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 

Table Of Contents

Ielts writing test information, ielts academic writing task 1, ielts general writing task 1, ielts writing task 2.

The writing test consists of 2 writing tasks and you'll have a total of 60 minutes to complete both. You can complete the tasks in any order, just make sure you manage your time well and spend around 20 minutes on IELTS writing task 1 and 40 minutes on IELTS writing task 2.

IELTS Academic Writing Task VS IELTS General Writing Task

The IELTS offers two test versions. The Academic version is for people looking for higher education, while the general Training version is for those looking to simply migrate or perhaps a lower education. There are more criteria for both versions, so please contact IELTS customer service to learn which test is right for you.

So which test harder? The academic test, as you may have guessed, is more difficult than the general training test. The difference between the two is IELTS writing task 1's difficulty. Luckily, only Writing Task 1 is different. IELTS writing task 2 is the same for both test versions. The table below summarizes the two types of IELTS writing tests.

IELTS Academic Writing Task Overview Video

Ielts general writing task overview video.

Coming soon!

How IELTS Writing Test is Scored

In the IELTS writing test, your writing score will be scored based on four categories. These are known as Task Achievement/Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Refer to the following band descriptors which IELTS examiners use to score the writing section of the test: - IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors - IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors

Note that the scoring criteria for both tasks include:

• Task Achievement/Task Response  - Did you fully answer the question and present a fully developed answer?
• Coherence and Cohesion  - Does your argument or analysis make sense? Is it well thought-out and presented in a complete way?
• Lexical Resource – Did you use a wide range of vocabulary in a natural, formal tone?
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Is your essay virtually error-free? Did you manage to use a wide range of grammatical structures?

Are IELTS Writing Task 1 & IELTS Writing Task 2 Worth the Same Amount of Points? Well Just like how you will spend double the time writing IELTS writing task 2, it's also worth around double the points. Now it's not exactly double. Another way to look at it is to add the score for writing task 2 score twice. So take the band scores 7 for task one and 4 for task two and you get the following formula on how to calculate your IELTS writing score: (7 + (4 x 2))/3 = 5. Therefore, the total IELTS writing band score is around 4.5 - 6. You see we can't give an exact number because IELTS has not made their scoring formula public, but the formula presented here is fairly accurate up to a difference of about 0.5 points.

In IELTS academic writing task 1, you are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.

Regardless of which visual information is presented to you, your job is to write a summary of the visual information. and describe the main trends, overall differences, main changes, or the main components of a system, or the main phrases of a process. You must write 150 words or more, and you should spend around 20 minutes on this part of the test. The writing structure can be as follows:

• Introduction: Paraphrase the question
• Overview: Describe the overall trend or write a general overview of the main groupings
• Body paragraph 1: Write in detail about the first grouping in a logical way
• Body paragraph 2: Write in detail about the second grouping in a logical way

So the steps to write the report for this task is very simple:

• Analyse the chart(s) and plan how to group the information
• Write an essay using the recommended essay structure
• Proofread essay

Let's look at each different possible type of visual graphs, tables, charts, and diagrams you could encounter in your IELTS writing test:

• Line graphs
• Mixed (including two or more of 1-6 above)

Line Graphs

In this type of task, you will be given one or more line graphs. Each line graph will have 1-8 lines showing how values change over time. The time period could be the past, the present or the future, or a combination of all three. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task - Line Graphs

In a line graph, there are usually multiple lines that show changes over time. In your writing, you need to group information based on lines having similar trends or values, so your essay structure will be as follows:

• Body paragraph 1: Describe the first grouping of lines having similar trends or values.
• Body paragraph 2: Describe the second grouping of lines having similar trends or values.

Let’s write an essay for the aboved sample question.

Step 1: Analyse the graph and plan how to group the information

It is evident that hamburgers consumption and fried chicken consumption show an upward trend, whereas the pizza consumption shows a downward trend. Therefore, the best way to group the data would be as follows:

Step 2: Write an essay using the recommended essay structure

Now that you’ve analyzed the task and figured out how to group the information, let’s write the essay.

Model Essay

The chart illustrates the consumption of three kinds of fast food by teenagers in Mauritius from 1985 to 2015. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.  Write at least 150 words.

Introduction

The line graph depicts the consumption of three types of fast food, (hamburgers, pizza, and fried chicken) over a 30 year period by Mauritian teenagers.  Units are given as the number of times each kind was eaten per year.

Overall , hamburgers and fried chicken had become the most popular foods by 2015 with the biggest increase in numbers eaten, while pizza that was the most widely-eaten at the start, declined precipitously in popularity.

Body paragraph 1

With regards to hamburgers, consumption showed a steady upward trajectory from 10 times eaten per year to over 70 times.   Likewise , teenagers in Mauritius ate fried chicken only 5 times per year in 1985 before rising dramatically to a plateau in 2005, then increased slightly at the end of the period to finish as the second most popular food.

Body paragraph 2

On the contrary , although pizza was the most popular food with Mauritian adolescents in 1985, its consumption fell continuously from 60 times a year to just 10 pizzas by the last year.

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the entire IELTS Academic Writing Task - Line Graphs lesson.

In this type of task, you will be given one or more bar charts. The bar charts may show how values change over time (dynamic data), the differences between values at one point in time (static data), or the results of a survey or questionnaire. The information could be about the situation in the past, the present, or the future, or a combination of all three. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Charts

Bar charts are pretty common in IELTS writing task 1 academic. There are three different scenarios you will encounter in a bar chart task:

• A bar chart with categories on the x axis
• A bar chart with dates or years on the axis (functions as a line graph)
• Two bar charts presented

Each scenario requires you to write the report differently. Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the following bar charts lessons: - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 1 lesson. - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 2 lesson. - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 3 lesson.

In this type of task, you will be given one, two. or three pie charts. The pie charts may show percentages of a total figure. If you have one pie chart, it will represent one point in time (static data) . If you have two or more pie charts, they may represent how the percentages change over time or compare different countries or groups. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Pie Charts

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Pie Charts lesson.

In this type of task, you are given a table containing data. can show dynamic figures which change over time or static data for one point in time. Often there is too much information, so you won't be able to include every detail. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Tables

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the following tables lessons: - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Tables Part 1 lesson. - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Tables Part 2 lesson.

Process Diagrams

For this type of question, you will be given a diagram which shows how something works. The diagram may show a machine, a system, or a natural phenomenon. Often there is no data or little data included. Your task is to summarize the information shown in the diagram.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Process Diagrams

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Process Diagrams lesson.

For this type of question, you will be given one, two or three maps. The maps may show a town, city, island, or other geographical area. Maps usually show the changes which occurred in the area during a period of time. The changes could be related to construction (e.g. developing an area for tourism) or destruction (e.g. how an area was affected by a natural disaster such as an earthquake) Your task is to write a summary of the changes which took place and cover the most important points.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Maps

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Maps lesson.

In this type of task, you will be given two sets of data. The data will be different types. For example, one set might be change over time while the second set is static. Alternatively, one set of data could show percentage whereas the second set shows numbers. You may also be given an illustration (e.g. a diagram or map) and a set of data (e.g. a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, or table) Your task is to summarise both sets of data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Mixed Data

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Mixed Data lesson.

Vocabulary for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

To score high on this task, you need to learn how to use appropriate words and phrases to present the data given in a pie/bar/line/mixed graph. We suggest you sign up for a 7 day free trial and complete the following lessons:

• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about numbers
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about percentages
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about changes in data

IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples

This section presents a list of IELTS writing samples for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Line Chart Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Chart Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Pie Chart Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Map Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Process Diagram Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Mixed Data Questions

In IELTS general training writing task 1, you will be presented with a situation and will need to write a personal response in the form of an informal, semi-formal or formal letter of at least 150 words. The situations you are asked to write about are common, everyday ones such as:

• writing to a college accommodation officer about problems with accommodation,
• writing to a new employer about time management problems they are having,
• writing to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport,
• writing to a renting agency to sort out problems with the heating system in their house.

In regards to the situation, you will be given information in the form of three bullet points that you must include in your response. You may be required to request or give information and/or explain a situation. To do this, you may need to do some of the following:

• ask for and/or provide general factual information,
• express needs, wants, likes or dislikes,
• express opinions or complaints,
• make requests or make suggestions/recommendations.

IELTS General Writing Style

The writing style you'll use depends who you're asked to write to (i.e. the audience) and how well you're supposed to know them. You need to write in a style that is appropriate for your audience and that will help you to achieve your purpose for writing, e.g. writing to a friend (informal) or writing to a manager (semi-formal or formal). You do not need to include any addresses at the head of your letters.

How to Avoid Losing Points in IELTS General Writing Task 1

As mentioned, don't spend any more than 20 minutes on this task and make sure you write at least 150 words or you will be penalised. While you will not be penalised for writing more than 150 words, you should remember that a longer task 1 answer may mean that you have less time to spend on task 2, which contributes twice as much to the Writing band score.

You should also remember that you'll be penalised for irrelevance, if the response is off-topic or is not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). You will be severely penalised for plagiarism (i.e. copying from another source).

Causes and effects

Discuss both views and give your own opinion, advantages and disadvantages, problems and solutions, two-part question.

Now, let's look at sample questions and model essays for each essay type.

• Advantages & Disadvantages
• Problems and Solutions
• Two-part Question

In this type of question, you will be given a problem or situation. Your task is to describe the causes of the situation and some of the effects of the situation.

Obesity among children has risen sharply over the last decade in western countries.   Such a trend is largely the result of a tendency towards convenience in society, yet its effects may be detrimental to children’s long-term mental and physical health.

The prime causes of obesity are unhealthy eating habits and an inactive lifestyle.   In recent years , there has been a surge in the consumption of convenience foods among modern families.   Busy parents with no time to cook rely on prepared meals to feed their families.  Such foods have little to no nutritional value which contributes to obesity .   In addition , children these days spend inordinate amounts of time playing video games than playing outside with friends resulting in insufficient physical activity each day.   For example , studies show that children in France exercise on average around 20 minutes per day as compared to 75 minutes 30 years ago.  

The possible effects of obesity are a range of health issues.   Regarding physical health, diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, are known to be higher in overweight children than their peers.  These put a child’s life in danger, and may further affect mental health growing up.  When children are obese , they are more likely to be bullied and ostracized by classmates because they look or behave differently.   This has been known to cause low self-esteem and depression in many, and thus shun friends in favor of time alone.

In conclusion , through poor diet choice and inactivity , obesity is a growing problem that can cause lasting damage to a child’s mental and physical development.    However , by addressing this problem while young, much can be done to aid a child in becoming a healthy functioning adult.

In this type of question, you will be given two opposing views related to an issue. Usually, the two views will be in separate sentences connected by a transition word such as "however" to indicate that the two views contrast. Your task is to write a discursive essay, contrasting both sides of the issue and presenting your own view.

According to some, good health goes hand in hand with regular exercise, yet others feel that it is more important to maintain a balanced diet .   In my opinion, I believe that exercise is more essential for the majority of people.

There are several benefits to a balanced diet for good mental and physical health .  For one thing , eating well lifts moods.  Simple foods that are varied in color and type can lift mood and lower the risk of depression.  Eating more fruits, colorful vegetables, proteins, and whole grains helps the body run efficiently.  This makes dieters feel good , and as a result more willing to be active which thus makes them healthier.   For another thing , eating well makes people less prone to getting sick by building a body less susceptible to disease . Vitamins and minerals in diet boost immunity , which protects the body against certain diseases like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure .

On the other hand , I believe that exercise is more effective at improving health since it encourages long-term health habits from the beginning.  Exercising not only burns calories , but makes people feel good.   While starting a diet is never a pleasant experience, cardiovascular exercises like cycling, walking or swimming trigger endorphins in the brain that immediately decrease stress levels, and enhance our sense of well-bein g.   Once people start feeling good from exercise, they are more likely to continue.   Moreover , exercise doesn’t have to be for long periods to achieve instant benefits.  Doctors usually advise exercising for 20 minutes three times per week, a sufficiently short enough time to make a habit of , and fit into busy schedules.

In conclusion , while good diet is necessary, exercise offers greater convenience, flexibility, and by making people feel good, encourages good health habits in the long run.  

In this type of question, you will be asked to discuss the positive and negative aspects of a situation, solution or trend. You may also be asked to give your opinion about which side you think is more important.

More and more students are taking a year away from their studies between graduating from school and beginning university.  Students can save for and think about their future during this period, though there are several drawbacks to consider.

To begin with , by taking a year after high school, students can avoid costly mistakes of starting a degree that they are not interested in.  A year is a good time to consider options and decide what subject is best to study.   Secondly , a gap year is excellent for character development.   When graduating high school at 18, most people still don’t know what life direction they wish to take.  Studies show that students who take a gap year doing something constructive like travelling do better in at university later on than those who do not.   Finally , a year away from studies provides the chance to save money .   That way, at university, students may focus more on classes , and less on debt.

However , spending such a long time away from studying may cause some students to lose good study habits, and gain bad habits instead.  After 12 years of continuous schooling , many teenagers may be distracted by the prospect of earning money, and lose the motivation to continue their studies.   Furthermore , individuals without a constructive plan for their education-free year may be tempted to procrastinate and waste time.   Lastly , travelling overseas can be expensive, and there is a real possibility that students may end up in more debt by the start of the university year.

To sum up , although students who take a year out can save money and achieve greater life-direction, this time may also be wasted, lead to greater debt, or cause unintended life decisions that may later be regretted.  

In this type of question, you will be given a problem or situation. Your task is to describe the causes of the situation and some solutions to the problem. The question may ask for general solutions (e.g. How could this problem be solved) or ask how specific groups can solve the problem (e.g. What steps can governments and individuals take to address the problem?). You do not need to mention the effects in detail, just briefly.

Before as now, emigration from the countryside to the city continues apace worldwide as people seek a better standard of living .   However , life in the big city is often hard on new immigrants.  There are several reasons for this as well as solutions for governments to handle them.

Most difficulties emerge since rural folk are unaccustomed to city life on moving there.   For a start , the cost of living is much greater than in a town or village.  City residents must pay more for utilities, housing, transportation and food, which causes many immigrants to share overcrowded housing in a bid to save money.   Secondly, unemployment in the city is a major challenge for new arrivals.  Many immigrants are unprepared for the fierce job competition when arriving in a city.  This inevitably drives unemployment up, which may quickly lead to poverty .   Finally , healthcare costs are often high in the city, and if made sick, many immigrants often lose meagre savings to pay for their medical care .

To solve these challenges, and improve life for all inhabitants , city governments have several options available to them.   Firstly , ensure an adequate housing supply to prevent overcrowding .  Developing low-end, cost effective housing for migrants would reduce living expenses and provide a base for first-time inhabitants starting a new life .   Secondly , establish job schemes and professional training programs for new city residents.  This would help them to find reliable work and figure out their next step.   Finally , make affordable healthcare available to all.  Guaranteeing access to affordable healthcare provides a social safety net for new city citizens as they adjust to city life.

In conclusion , given the diverse challenges faced by city immigrants, ensuring decent accommodation and healthcare, as well as creating job programs, can help many hit the ground running and begin contributing to city life.

In this type of question, you will be given two questions and you will need to answer both questions. The two questions will be different. For example, you might need to assess the importance of an idea or action (e.g. How import is it?) and say whether you agree or disagree (e.g. Do you agree or disagree?).

Some people regard the arts as fundamental pillars of society, and even in today’s technology-dominated world, art and music are still important.  More than ever before, I believe it is necessary to teach children such subjects in school for the many benefits they bring society.

Art and music are central to life in developed civilisations . For a start, they help society to reflect on what it has become.  As society advances, artists help to interpret the changes and problems created by progress in unique ways.  Artists use their creativity to draw attention to key issues such as the increasing mountains of trash produced or the rich-poor divide . Secondly , artists make people more humble by helping them remember their humanity and their connections to the world around them.  Pictures of nature, society, tribal scenes, past and present make people think about their roots and consider where they’re heading.   Finally , music gives joy and inspiration to many people.  It helps to express emotion and lift mood when feeling down .  

While in school , there are key advantages to learning art and music.   For one , both give children the creativity to express themselves.  Children live in a world of adults; however , art and music classes allow all to be themselves which is good for their mental development .   For example , while older children are less inclined , younger children often find singing, dancing and painting to be among their favorite classes.   In turn, studying music has proven beneficial in helping children connect more with their emotions.  This produces more rounded adults able to connect with their knowledge through science and their emotions through art and music.

In conclusion, for adults and children, the arts bring not only joy, but inspiration, and helps both to remember who they are really are in a world dominated by science .

In this type of question, you will be given a question which contains an opinion. Your task is to write an essay in response to the opinion. This type of question often asks if you agree or disagree with an opinion.

It is said by many that social networking websites like Facebook are negatively influencing society.   Although I believe this the effect of social media on society is somewhat negative, there are also clear benefits to individuals from using it.

Regarding society , social networks are causing a decline in meaningful relationships.   Firstly , people spend less time having good conversation with each other face-to-face.    Most people spend more time having short conversations with dozens of people online, and less time having longer, meaningful conversations with friends face-to-face . This erodes close relationships over time and may be creating a more socially disconnected society as a result. Additionally , there is some evidence that social media sites like Facebook have created a more socially awkward and antisocial society .  The average European spends four hours per day chatting online, yet this familiarity with the screen is causing many to become more anxious talking with others in person as a result .

However , there are distinct advantages to the individual from using social media.   For one, it is very easy to find work when online.  Through group functionality on sites like Facebook, job seekers can easily find a job they desire in the right field, thus increasing job satisfaction when at work.   Finally , social networks bring like-minded people together in an unprecedented way . Whether it is friends looking to organize an event, or people looking to meet others with similar interests it is extremely easy to find people online. For example , just take the explosion in minor hobbies like board games clubs that have become popular due to the interconnected nature of social media.

In conclusion, in my opinion, although there is some evidence to show social networking may affect society badly in the long run, in the short term, its effects on individuals seem more positive.

IELTS Writing Samples and Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

In general, there are 4 steps to approaching the IELTS Writing Task 2:

1. Read and Understand - Although this step may seem self-explanatory, many test takers let their nerves get the best of them and do not fully understand the question at hand. This is why the first thing you will need to during Writing Task 2 is to fully understand the question and underline key words . Additionally, think of these two things:

• What type of essay will I need to write? (For example, it can be Problem and Solution ).
• How familiar am I with this topic? (This question is important, because it may affect the outline you choose to use.

2. Plan your Outline - Now that you’ve understood what the question is asking as well as which type of essay you will have to write, you are ready to map out your outline. Do not skip this step. This should take only 2 or 3 minutes and will act as a reference for you going forward. Also, depending on how the question asks you, the outline will be different. To learn how to analyze question and plan the outline for each essay type, check out our IELTS writing task 2 lessons

The following blog posts teach you how to tackle each question type and contain over 100 IELTS writing task 2 questions and samle essays. Feel free to use them for your IELTS preparation.

• How to Answer Opinion Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Discussion Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Advantage & Disadvantage Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Problem and Solution Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Answer Cause and Effect Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Two-part Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Practice Tests

• IELTS Listening Test
• IELTS Reading Test
• IELTS Writing Task 1 & 2
• IELTS Speaking Test

All information on this page was referenced from the official IELTS website: www.ielts.org

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Academic IELTS Task 1 – Vocabulary for Task 1 Essays –

As with all parts of the IELTS exam, Academic IELTS Task 1 is assessed on four criteria. We looked at the first two, Task Achievement and Cohesion and Coherence, on the Task 1 overview page ( IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 ) and it’s now time to focus on Vocabulary. 

This lesson includes:

          1) Understanding the marking criteria

          2) Key vocabulary for Academic IELTS Task 1:

• Adjectives & adverbs
• Verbs & nouns

Collocations

• Other useful phrases
• Percentages, proportions & approximations

          3) A word list PDF to download.

Understanding the Marking Criteria

Before we start looking at the specific vocabulary you will need for your IELTS Task 1 essay, it’s essential that you understand how vocabulary is assessed. Vocabulary, also called Lexical Resource, carries 25% of the marks so, you need to know what the examiner is looking for.

We’re going to focus on Bands 6 - 8 as these are the levels most students are aiming for. Here are the official marking criteria for Vocabulary. Don’t worry if you don’t fully understand them. I explain the main points below. If you follow my guidance in this lesson, you’ll be able to meet these criteria and get a good score for IELTS Task 1.

You can see a full table of all the band level marking criteria for Writing IELTS Task 1 by clicking this link –  Task 1 Marking Criteria . 

The marking criteria for vocabulary can be summed up in a single sentence:

• Vocabulary (Lexical Resource)  is the ability to use a range of appropriate vocabulary and to use it correctly.

Of course, there’s more to it than that and there are three key things you need to do to get a high score for vocabulary. Correct spelling is obviously essential so I won’t say any more about this.

1)   Use appropriate vocabulary                                                                                

In your Task 1 essay, you will be describing data and this requires some very specific vocabulary that you might only use in this part of the exam. This is what the marking criteria are referring to when they mention ‘precise meanings’ and ‘less common lexical items/vocabulary’.

You’ll find lists of useful Task 1 specific words below.

2) Use vocabulary flexibly

You need to have a wide enough range of vocabulary that you can say the same thing in more than one way, that is, paraphrase. This is what the marking criteria mean by the phrase ‘allow some flexibility and precision’. You do this by using synonyms.

Paraphrasing also involves using different sentence structures, which I cover in the lesson on  Grammar for Academic IELTS Task 1 . 

3) Use collocations correctly

The marking criteria specifically mention the correct use of collocations as something you'll be assessed on.

A collocation is a combination of two or more words that sound correct to a native speaker when used together. The word combination often doesn’t work if you try to replace the first word with a synonym. For example, we say,

• heavy rain  but not weighty rain
• fast food  not quick food
• keen interest  not eager interest

My advice here is to only use collocations you are 100% sure are correct. These are something to focus on when learning vocabulary and I include some Task 1 related examples in the word lists we’ll now focus on.

Key Vocabulary for Academic IELTS Task 1

Adjective & adverbs.

In your IELTS Task 1 essay, you are required to describe what you see in a chart, graph, table, map or a diagram, most especially, to record changes in the data. To do this, you will use describing words, that is, adjectives and adverbs.

• Adjectives  are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns.
• Adverbs  are words that describe or modify verbs or adjectives.

Adverbs can generally be formed by adding ‘ly’ to the end of the adjective.

Here is a table of adjectives and adverbs relevant to Task 1 questions. Don’t try to learn them all. This is only a very short essay (min. 150 words) so you won’t be able to include much detail.

Learn 2 or 3 words for  large changes  and 2 or 3 for  small or moderate changes .

Large Changes:

Small or Moderate Changes:

Verbs & Nouns

You will also need some specific verbs and nouns.

• Verbs  are words that describe an action or state.
• Nouns  are words that refer to a thing, a place, a person or a quality.

Many words have a verb form and a noun form as can be seen in the tables below.

For your essay, you should learn 2 or 3 words for  upward movement , 2 or 3 for  downward movement  because you will probably have to write about changes in data.

Upward movement

Downward movement

The following words can be used to describe both upward and downward movements .

Finally, you will need a couple of phrases to describe situations that show little or no change .

Remember to use the appropriate verb tenses in your essay.

Many of the words in these lists can be formed into collations that are ideal for expressing change.

There are two ways that you can create them:

• Verb + Adverb
• Adjective + Noun

Here are some examples:

Again, don’t try to learn them all. Just pick a couple that you feel comfortable using.

The following sentences illustrate how you might use some of this vocabulary in an IELTS Task 1 essay.

1) The price of houses went into  sharp decline  between 1980 and 1985 but  increased significantly  from 1986 to 1990.

2) Over the whole time period, there was a steady growth in the number of women choosing to study part-time but for men, the level fluctuated .

Other Useful Phrases

Here are a few more phrases that you may find useful.

Percentages, Proportions & Approximations

All chart, graphs and table in IELTS Task 1 questions contain numerical data. You will gain marks if you are able to vary your language when you present this numerical data in your essay. Using approximations and proportions are an ideal way to do this, so we’ll start with these as they are useful for all types of IELTS Task 1 essay questions.

Approximations

Often, numerical data is expressed as percentages and you can use approximations to present this form of data in a different way. Here are some examples:

I’ve created a PDF of these word lists. Download it here: Task 1 Vocabulary PDF

You now have more than enough vocabulary to write a high-scoring Academic IELTS Task 1 essay. Use the lists when you practice writing Task 1 essays. You'll soon become familiar with the vocabulary and this will help you to choose which words and phrases to learn fully and memorise.

You’ll also find some useful vocabulary for making comparisons on this page:

Grammar for Academic Task 1 Essays

And, there’s a lot more help with Task 1 in the lessons in the menu below.

Want  to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

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Ielts task 1 ( academic)  – all lessons.

IELTS Academic Writing  –  A summary of the test including important facts, test format & assessment.

Academic Writing Task 1  – The format, the 7 question types & sample questions, assessment & marking criteria.  All the key information you need to know.

Understanding Task 1 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 1 Essay  –  Discover  3 reasons why you must plan, the 4 simple steps of essay planning and learn a simple 4 part essay structure.

Vocabulary for Task 1 Essays  –  Learn key vocabulary for a high-scoring essay. Word lists & a downloadable PDF.

Grammar for Task 1 Essays   – Essential grammar for Task 1 Academic essays including, verb tenses, key sentence structures, articles & prepositions.

The 7 Question Types:

Click the links below for a step-by-step lesson on each type of Task 1 question.

• Table Chart
• Process Diagram
• Multiple Graphs
• IELTS Writing
• Academic Task 1 Vocabulary
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