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IELTS practice Academic Writing test - Task 1

How to approach academic writing task 1.

In the IELTS Academic Writing test, you will have one hour to complete both of the two set writing tasks. Keep an eye on the time it takes you to complete practice Tasks 1 and 2 to make sure you don’t go too far over, and to use as a benchmark for how long you can expect each task to take you.

In the actual test, you will move from the first to the second task without a break. However, while practising, you may wish to reflect on the outcomes of practice Task 1 using the model answer provided before moving on to practice Task 2. Or you may wish to complete them both before looking at the model answers to give you a more accurate sense of timing.

An easy reminder…

Q: How long should I spend on IELTS Writing Task 1?

A: We suggest 20 minutes – saving 40 minutes for Task 2.

Q: How many words for IELTS Writing Task 1?

A: 150 words is about the right length, but don’t be afraid to go a little over.

Q: Should I be formal or conversational in style?

A: You should write in a formal style, suited to an academic environment.

Q: What are the do’s and don’ts in IELTS Writing task 1?

A: Do pay attention to time - task 1 is worth one third of the total marks (while task 2 is worth two thirds), Don’t let nervousness stop you from trying your best.

Get more tips to help you prepare for the writing tasks

Task 1 – Take a look at the chart below and perform the task as outlined:

This graph shows the proportion of four different materials that were recycled from 1982 to 2010 in a particular country.

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

AC Writing Task 1

What should I do next?

Once you’ve finished, you can download the model answer for Writing Task 1 and see how your work compares.

 This sample offers a useful guide for how to structure your answer for IELTS writing task 1, as well as the style of writing expected.  A good way to improve is to reflect on how your answer compares to the model answer – and, of course, keep practicing.

If you want to see an example of an actual answer sheet for the IELTS Academic Writing test (‘on paper’ version), you can download a sample copy below.

  • IELTS practice Academic Writing test - Task 2

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips, Model Answers & More

Useful IELTS writing task 1 tips, answers, lessons & videos for success achieving a high score. This page contains all the information and help you need to do well. Learn about the IELTS marking criteria, paragraphing, vocabulary and much more. This page has tips for Academic writing task 1 and GT writing task 1 (see bottom of page).

IELTS Writing Task 1 Information

  • IELTS recommend you spend no more than 20 mins on writing task 1. However, the time is yours to manage as you wish.
  • You should write over 150 words.
  • IELTS writing task 1 is worth only about 33% of your total writing marks.
  • Task Achievement (25%)
  • Coherence & Cohesion (25%)
  • Vocabulary (25%)
  • Grammar (25%)
  • : IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Scores 
  • Academic writing task 1 is a report on a chart (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram/process). See below for practice charts, model answers, tips etc.
  • General Training writing task 1 is a letter only. GT letter writing tips can be found towards the bottom of this page. Click here for Information about GT Writing Differences.  There are tips for letter writing, further down this page.
  • All words will be counted and all numbers count as one word. See this page: How Words are Counted
  • For more information about IELTS test rules, tips etc, see this page: IELTS  Test 1 FAQ

IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice Charts

A collection of useful IELTS writing task 1 practice samples to develop your writing at home.

IELTS Charts for Practice : Academic Test Only

  • Academic students may get bar charts, tables, line graphs, pie charts, maps and diagrams (processes).

IELTS Letters for Practice : GT Test Only

  • GT students will only be given letters for task 1. GT students can find more tips lower down this page.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips & Free Videos

Free IELTS  writing task 1 tips and videos for the right techniques and understanding the test more clearly.

  • Essential Tips : How to Prepare for Writing Task 1
  • Tips : How Many Words Should you Write?
  • Tips: What tense to use in writing task 1?
  • Tips : Penalty for Under the Word Count
  • Video : How to Describe a Bar Chart with model answer
  • Video : Map Language: 1
  • Video: Conclusion or Overview Tips
  • Video : Vocabulary for Accurate Data
  • Video : How many Paragraphs 
  • Video : Official Writing Answer Sheet Tips
  • Video : Line Graph 4 Main Sentences
  • Video : Line Graph How to Write a Complex Sentence

IELTS Bar Chart Video

Learn how to describe a bar chart in IELTS writing task 1. You can find a model answer for this lesson here: Model Answer .

Writing Task 1 Model Answers

IELTS model answers for charts, graphs, diagrams, maps and tables.. Each sample answer is estimated band score 9.

  • Diagram Model Answer
  • Bar Chart & Pie Charts Model Answer
  • Table Model Answer
  • Map Model Answer
  • Line Graph Model Answer
  • Bar Chart Model Answer
  • Pie Chart Model Answer
  • Bar Chart of Age Groups Model Answer
  • Table Future Form Model Answer
  • Line Graph & Bar Chart Model Answer
  • Practise at Home:  IELTS Sample Practice Charts

IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice Lessons

IELTS writing task 1 free practice lessons to help you develop skills and understand about the requirements of task 1 academic. More lessons will be added over time.

  • Table & Pie Charts
  • IELTS Diagram Rain Water
  • Two Line Graphs: Exercise & Model
  • IELTS Diagram Paragraphs and Organisation
  • IELTS Life Cycle Diagram: Model & Gap Fill
  • Bar Chart of Change over Time
  • IELTS Line Graph Gap Fill Exercise
  • IELTS Diagrams: Practice Exercise
  • IELTS Line Graph: Vocabulary List
  • IELTS Line Graph: How to Describe Guidelines
  • IELTS Line Graph: Exercise & Model
  • Task 1 Introduction Paragraph Practice
  • IELTS Map: Comparison Exercise
  • IELTS Two Charts Practice: Pie Chart & Bar Chart
  • IELTS Bar Chart: Practice Exercise
  • IELTS Diagram Water Supply
  • Grammar Accuracy: Practice & Tips
  • IELTS Bar Chart: Introduction & Overview Practice
  • IELTS Pie Chart: How to Describe a Pie Chart Step by Step
  • IELTS Diagram: Introduction & Overview Practice
  • Introduction Paragraph: Common Errors
  • IELTS Bar Chart Sample Answer

IELTS General Training Letter

The following links are for IELTS candidates who are preparing for the General Training Writing Test. Your task will be asked to write a letter. You will not be writing a report as in the Academic Test. Use the links below to help you prepare:

10 Essential Tips for IELTS Letter Writing

How to Improve your IELTS GT Letter

Differences between GT & Academic Writing

General training model letters and practice exercises:

  • Apology Letter: Model Answers Formal & Informal
  • Amendment Letter: Model Answer 2017
  • Complaint Letter: Model Answer
  • Complaint Letter: Error Correction
  • Letter to a Friend: Model Answer
  • Invitation Letter: Model Answer

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writing essay ielts task 1

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Academic Writing Task 1 Sample

Ielts academic - graph writing:.

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Useful Vocabularies and Phrases Preparation Tips IELTS Bar Graph | IELTS Line Graph | IELTS Table Chart | IELTS Flow Chart | IELTS Pie Chart |

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IELTS Writing Task 1: Everything You Need to Know

Ielts writing task 1 in 6 simple steps.

writing essay ielts task 1

Academic Writing Task 1 Strategy

  • Understand how the test is marked. Knowing the marking criteria will allow you to give the examiner exactly what they need.
  • Paraphrase the question. It is best to paraphrase the question in the first paragraph. You can do this by using synonyms.
  • Write the overview. To write your overview , pick 3 or 4 of the main features and write about them generally without referencing any data.
  • Support the main features. In a new paragraph, support the key features with the data in the information given to you.
  • Check your work. Check your report for spelling and grammar mistakes. Make sure that the data you mentioned is also accurate!

writing essay ielts task 1

Essential Writing Task 1 Skills

  • How to Write an Overview Paragraph 
  • How to Paraphrase 
  • How to Write a Complex Sentence
  • How Many Words? 
  • Task 1 Charts Checklist
  • Task 1 Tips
  • The Danger of Synonyms
  • 6 Common Mistakes
  • Paragraphing and Editing

Writing Task 1 Full Lessons

  • Writing Academic Task 1 in 5 Easy Steps 
  • Charts Lesson
  • Maps Lesson
  • Multiple Charts/Graphs 
  • Process Lesson

writing essay ielts task 1

Academic Task 1 Sample Answers

writing essay ielts task 1

  • Bar Chart Sample Essay (Cars in Asia) 
  • Process- Cement and Concrete Production
  • Pie Chart (Italy and Yemen Populations) 
  • Process Question
  • Bar Chart Question (UK Telephone Usage) 
  • Line Graph (US Consumption of Energy)
  • Bar Chart Sample Answer (International Students)

General Training Writing Task 1

writing essay ielts task 1

General Training Writing Task 1 in 5 Simple Steps

  • Understand how the test is marked. Knowing the marking criteria is the best way of giving the examiner exactly what they need and nothing else.
  • Decide whether the letter is formal or informal. This part is easy. If the question asks you to write to a ‘friend’, it should be an informal letter. If the question asks you to write to anyone else, it should be a formal letter. It is that simple!
  • Discuss each bullet point from the question. Make sure to take a new paragraph for each bullet point. This will make your letter easy to read and understand.
  • Sign off your letter. Don’t overcomplicate this part. Include a sign-off suitable to your letter’s tone and write your name beneath.
  • Check your work. Make sure your letter doesn’t contain any grammar or vocabulary mistakes.
  • Letter Writing Tips
  • How to Write an Informal Letter
  • How to Write a Formal Letter

General Training Essential Writing Task 1 Skills

  • Task 1 General Training Writing Strategy
  • Task 1 General Training Writing Guide

Sample Answers

  • Formal and informal sample letters.

Writing Task 1 Essential Information

  • People doing the Academic test will write a report on a data set, map, or process. People doing General Training will write a letter.
  • You must write 150 words or more.
  • You should spend around 20 minutes on this part of the test.
  • Task 1 is worth 1/3 of your total mark on the Writing test.
  • You will be assessed in four areas: Task Achievement (25%) Coherence and Cohesion (25%) Lexical Resource (25%) Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)
  • The most important thing is that you can demonstrate that you can clearly communicate in English.
  • The key to doing well is to know exactly what the examiners want and give it to them.
  • Grammar and Vocabulary Guide

writing essay ielts task 1

  • Top 10 Grammar Mistakes

IELTS Writing Task 1 FAQs

How can i improve my writing.

You will find all the resources you need on our Writing Task 1 page. Click the link below:

Writing Task 1

If you need serious help or personalised feedback, you should check out our online course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name here:

How can I get a Band 7, 8 or 9?

The answer to this question is different for every individual IELTS student, as it depends on a number of factors, including your work ethic, English skills and exam strategy. You'll find a guide to answering this question in this article

If you need serious help with improving your IELTS scores, you should check out our online writing course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name by clicking the link below:

Can you correct my writing?

Please click the link below and it will give you all the information you need about our writing correction service:

Writing Correction Service

Do you have any sample answers?

Yes, you will find them at the link below:

Task 1 Sample Answers

Will using 'high level' or 'academic' words help me improve my score?

Probably not.

Read my recent article about IELTS vocabulary here:

5 Things You Need to Know about IELTS Vocabulary

How many paragraphs should I write?

Introduction

You can put the overview at the end if you'd like.

Can I use idioms?

No, you should typically avoid using idioms in Writing Task 1.

The only time this is acceptable is if you are taking the General Training test and must write an informal letter.

Should I write a conclusion for Task 1 Academic?

No. A conclusion is a summary of YOUR ideas and your opinion. Task 1 is simply reporting what you see, so there shouldn't be any of your ideas or your opinion.

Instead of a conclusion, you should write an overview.

The reason lots of people get confused about this is that some teachers, books and even one British Council website call the overview a 'conclusion'. It's not a conclusion, it's an overview.

Finally, it does not matter where you put the overview paragraph. We teach our students to put it after the introduction, but it is also fine to have it as your final paragraph.

How many words should I write?

You must write at least 150 words in Writing Task 1 (yes, the examiners will count them!)

I would suggest that you aim to write around 160-170 words for Task 1. Aiming for 20-30 words more than the required amount makes you more likely to reach the word limit without setting an unrealistic goal.

Will I lose marks if I don't write enough words?

Yes. If you don't write the required number of words, you will lose marks in 'Task Achievement' for not answering the question fully. Read more here .

Can I use contractions?

No, should not use contractions when you are writing an academic essay or formal letter. However, it is fine to use contractions in an informal letter.

When should I write formally?

There are a few signposts that indicate when you should write formally or informally. Watch our video lesson to find out what they are:

IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training: Formal or Informal Letters?

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples

Prepare for the IELTS Academic Test by using this collection of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 practice samples. This collection is a great way to gain insight and practice for the exam.

The pie charts below show the online shopping sales for retail sectors in New Zealand in 2003 and 2013.

The pie charts below show the online shopping sales for retail sectors in New Zealand in 2003 and 2013.

The charts below show the main reasons why students chose a particular university in the UK, in 1997 and 2007.

The charts below show the main reasons why students chose a particular university in the UK, in 1997 and 2007.

the line chart shows trend in terms of employment in the USA in millions

the line chart shows trend in terms of employment in the USA in millions

The graph below shows the global demand for different textile fibres between 1980 and 2015

The graph below shows the global demand for different textile fibres between 1980 and 2015

The map below show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The charts below give information about USA marriage and divorce rates between 1970 and 2000, and the marital status of adult Americans in two of the years.

The charts below give information about USA marriage and divorce rates between 1970 and 2000, and the marital status of adult Americans in two of the years.

The diagram illustrates how recycled paper is made. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The diagram illustrates how recycled paper is made. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The graph below gives information about international tourist arrivals in five countries. USA,France, malaysia, Brazil and Egypt

The graph below gives information about international tourist arrivals in five countries. USA,France, malaysia, Brazil and Egypt

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014

The table below gives information on the gender, marital status and age of employees working in retail and manufacturing industries of a country. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The table below gives information on the gender, marital status and age of employees working in retail and manufacturing industries of a country. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph shows the number of books that were borrowed in four different month in 2014 from 4 village libraries.

The line graph shows the number of books that were borrowed in four different month in 2014 from 4 village libraries.

The two pie charts below show the marital status of the populations of Canada and Australia. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph below gives information about international tourist arrivals in five countries.

The graph below gives information about international tourist arrivals in five countries.

The graph below shows the percentage of male and female academic staff members across the faculties of a major university in 2012. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graphs below show the development of Brindell from 1800 to 2000. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The chart below shows the results of a survey about people's coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph and chart below give information about migration to the UK from 2000 to 2008 Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph and table below show the average monthly temperatures and the average number of hours of sunshine per year in three major cities. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The graph and table below show the average monthly temperatures and the average number of hours of sunshine per year in three major cities. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph below shows the household recycling rates in three different countries between 2005 and 2015. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main feature and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The following bar chart shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over between 1940 and 2040 in three different countries.

The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over between 1940 and 2040 in three different countries.

the charts below show tha average percentages in meals of three types of nutrients all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much

the charts below show tha average percentages in meals of three types of nutrients all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much

The table and charts below give information on the police budget for 2017 and 2018 in one area of Britain. The table shows where the money came from and the charts show how it was distributed. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparison where relevant.

The table and charts below give information on the police budget for 2017 and 2018 in one area of Britain. The table shows where the money came from and the charts show how it was distributed. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparison where relevant.

The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. Summarise the information by selecting and reportion the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. Summarise the information by selecting and reportion the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The two maps below show road access to a city hospital in 2007 and in 2010.

The two maps below show road access to a city hospital in 2007 and in 2010.

The bar chart below illustrates five different industries’ percentage share of Brazil’s economy in 2009 and 2019 with a forecast for 2029. Write 150 words.

The bar chart below illustrates five different industries’ percentage share of Brazil’s economy in 2009 and 2019 with a forecast for 2029. Write 150 words.

The bar chart below illustrates five different industries’ percentage share of Brazil’s economy in 2009 and 2019 with a forecast for 2029. Write at least 150 words.

The bar chart below illustrates five different industries’ percentage share of Brazil’s economy in 2009 and 2019 with a forecast for 2029. Write at least 150 words.

The charts give information about two genres of TV programmes watched by men and women and four different age groups in Australia.

The charts give information about two genres of TV programmes watched by men and women and four different age groups in Australia.

The two pie charts below show changes in world population by region between 1900 and 2000. Summarize the information by choosing and reporting the key features and make any relevant comparisons.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph gives information about male and female gym membership between 1980 and 2010. Write 150 words.

The graph gives information about male and female gym membership between 1980 and 2010. Write 150 words.

The graph shows the number of visitors to four international museums between 1980 and 2015. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The table below gives information on consumer spending on different items in five different countries in 2002.

The table below gives information on consumer spending on different items in five different countries in 2002.

The graph shows the number of visitors to four international museum

The graph shows the number of visitors to four international museum

The chart below shows the number of households in the US by their salary ’ income in 2007, 2011 and 2015. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The bar chart illustrates the statics of (Brunswick New , Nova Scotia, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario) International graduates, Canadian University, between 2001 and 2006. Units are measured in percentage.

The bar chart illustrates the statics of (Brunswick New , Nova Scotia, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario) International graduates, Canadian University, between 2001  and 2006. Units are measured in percentage.

The chart below shows how frequently people in the USA ate in fast food restaurants between 2003 and 2013. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150

writing essay ielts task 1

The table shows how the UK unemployed spent their time last year.

The table shows how the UK unemployed spent their time last year.

The graphs below provide information on global population figures and figures for urban populations in different world regions.

writing essay ielts task 1

The maps below show recent changes in the town of Kimsville.

The maps below show recent changes in the town of Kimsville.

The diagram below shows one method of manufacturing ceramic pots.

The diagram below shows one method of manufacturing ceramic pots.

The diagram below shows how glass is recycled. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

writing essay ielts task 1

The pie charts below show the percentage of time working adults spent on different activities in a particular country in 1958 and 2008. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The pie charts below show the percentage of time working adults spent on different activities in a particular country in 1958 and 2008. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular caribbian island between 2010 and 2017.

The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular caribbian island between 2010 and 2017.

The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The diagram below shows how glass is recycled. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph below shows the production levels of the main kinds of fuel in the UK between 1981 and 2000. Summarize the formation by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The pie chart shows the number of people who were using different languages online. The table shows the average number of people online each year. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features.

writing essay ielts task 1

The three pie charts below show the changes in annual spending by local authorities in Someland in 1980, 1990 and 2000.Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The first chart below shows how energy is used in an average Australian household. The second chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions which result from this energy use.

The first chart below shows how energy is used in an average Australian household. The second chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions which result from this energy use.

The diagram below shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

The diagram below shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

Take a look at the graphics and complete the task. The chart and table provide data about cars registered in one country over a period of time. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The bar chart below shows the average Australian water consumption in selected cities for last year. The pie chart shows the distribution of Australian water consumption for last year.

The bar chart below shows the average Australian water consumption in selected cities for last year. The pie chart shows the distribution of Australian water consumption for last year.

The three pie charts below show the changes in annual spending by local authorities in Someland in 1980, 1990 and 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The chart below shows the reason why students choose universities in the UK

The chart below shows the reason why students choose universities in the UK

The bar chart below shows the number of employed persons by job type and sex for Australia last year Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph below shows CO2 emissions for different forms of transport in the European Union. The pie chart shows the percentage of European union funds being spent on different forms of transport.

The graph below shows CO2 emissions for different forms of transport in the European Union. The pie chart shows the percentage of European union funds being spent on different forms of transport.

The pie chart illustrates several destinations of anthropology alumni from one university after they finished their bachelor degree and the table gives information on the payment of the anthropology graduates after working for 5 years.

The pie chart illustrates several destinations of anthropology alumni from one university after they finished their bachelor degree and the table gives information on the payment of the anthropology  graduates after working for 5 years.

The map below shows the development of a seaside village between 1995 and present. Write a short report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

writing essay ielts task 1

The maps below show an industrial area in the town of Norbiton, and planned future development of the site. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, make comparisons where relevent.

writing essay ielts task 1

The chart gives information on the percentage of women going into higher education in five countries for the years 1980 and 2015. Write 150 words.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph below shows information about male and female gym membership between 1980 and 2010. write 150 words

The graph below shows information about male and female gym membership between 1980 and 2010.  write 150 words

The graph shows data about the annual earnings of three bakeries in Calgary, 2000-2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The table shows the percentage of journeys made by different forms of transport in four countries, The bar graph shows the results of a survey into car use.

The table shows the percentage of journeys made by different forms of transport in four countries, The bar graph shows the results of a survey into car use.

The graph shows the rates of participation in three different activities in a UK sports club between 1995 and 2015.

The graph shows the rates of participation in three different activities in a UK sports club between 1995 and 2015.

the chart below shows the number of houesholds in the us by thier annual income in 2007 , 2011 and 2015

the chart below shows the number of houesholds in the us by thier annual income in 2007 , 2011 and 2015

The graph and chart below give information about migration to the UK. The graph below shows how long immigrants in the year 2000-2008 intended to stay in the UK. And the pie-chart shows reasons for migration in 2008. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The graph and chart below give information about migration to the UK. The graph below shows how long immigrants in the year 2000-2008 intended to stay in the UK. And the pie-chart shows reasons for migration in 2008. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Tarnagul is a small town near Melbourne. The maps show the town's development over a period of time. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The graph below shows people's level of satisfaction with the health care system in 4 countries between 1991 and 2007.

The graph below shows people's level of satisfaction with the health care system in 4 countries between 1991 and 2007.

The graph below shows the percentage of households with different kinds of technology in the U.S. from 1995 to 1999. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

The graph below shows the percentage of households with different kinds of technology in the U.S. from 1995 to 1999. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

writing essay ielts task 1

The map below shows the development of a seaside village between 1995 and present. Write a short report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

The map below shows the development of a seaside village between 1995 and present. Write a short report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

The chart and graph below give the information about three categories of workers in Australia and uneployment levels within those categories.

The chart and graph below give the information about three categories of workers in Australia and uneployment levels within those categories.

The graph below shows the percentage of households with different kinds of technology in the U.S. from 1995 to 1999.  Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

writing essay ielts task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The bar chart shows the number of visitors to three London Museums between 2007 and 2012. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The bar chart shows the number of visitors to three London Museums between 2007 and 2012. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

The table shows the percentage of people with mobile phones who use various features on their phone between 2006 and 2010. •Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

writing essay ielts task 1

The diagram below shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane. Summerise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The diagram below shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane. Summerise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph and pie chart below show information on crime in the UK for the last year. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph and pie chart below show information on crime in the UK for the last year. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The chart below shows the percentage of young people in higher education in four different countries in 2000, 2005 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.

The chart below shows the percentage of young people in higher education in four different countries in 2000, 2005 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.

The chart below show the mortality by the age

The chart below show the mortality by the age

The line graph shows the changes in the number of overseas tourists in three different regions (coast, lakes, and mountains) in each country in Europe. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.

The graph below gives information from a 2008 report about consumption of energy in the usa since 1980 with projections until 2030., the graph shows data about the annual earnings of three bakeries in london, between 2000 and 2010., the graph below shows average carbon dioxide (co2) emissions per person in the united kingdom, sweden, italy and portugal between 1967 and 2007., the table below shows the numbers of visitors to ashdown museum during the year before and year after the refurbished. the chart show result of survays asking how they were satisfied with their visit during the same two period the table below shows the numbers of visitors to ashdown museum during the year before and year after the refurbished. the chart show result of survays asking how they were satisfied with their visit during the same two period.

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writing essay ielts task 1

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 – Sample Answers

Here are a number of writing task 1 sample essays for you to look at. Take a look through the questions and sample answers and compare them to your own work. Are they similar? Do you find them easy to understand? Do they answer the question? Can you see how the information has been structured?

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.

Read through the essay feedback and see why the essays have achieved a band score 9 . The band 9 criteria are also at the end of this post. 

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.

Overall, over the five-year period, the most exported goods were machinery and vehicles. These two types of goods were predominantly wanted out of all of the categories. The least amounts of goods exported were plastics and organic chemicals. Minimal changes occurred over the selected time period. 

On the one hand, machinery exports have a small increase as the amounts moved are 29% and 30% respectively. The percentage of vehicles shipped only rose slightly by 1% from 2010 (28%) to 2015 (29%). The machinery and vehicles export pattern remained steady throughout the five years.

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%). 

(Word Count = 180 / Band Score 9)

Feedback

  • Task Achievement – The answer provides a paraphrased question, to begin with, followed by an overview that gives the reader key information.  The information selected is relevant.  
  • Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs.      
  • Lexical Resource – There is evidence of paraphrasing, synonyms and some less common words.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences are mainly made up of multiple clauses and have a variety of structures. 

TIP >> Remember to identify two or three main features and write about those. You don’t need to write about everything you see in order to gain a high band score. 

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.

Overall, it can be seen that while student loans and mortgages are predicted to increase simultaneously over the period, auto loans and personal loans have highs and lows, therefore remaining much lower in comparison.

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.

Secondly, auto loans are expected to show abnormalities of both highs and lows during the years. Although having initially grown, they will drop to 700 million in 2016, before reaching the peak of about 1500 million in 2020. Auto loans will end close to the amount where they began.

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)

  • Task Achievement – The answer provides a paraphrased question, to begin with, followed by an overview that gives the reader key information. The final sentence has a future prediction.  
  • Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs. The overview explains the trends generally then the specific information is written about in the main body paragraphs.      
  • Lexical Resource – There is evidence of paraphrasing, synonyms and some less common words. Specific vocabulary used to describe change over time has been used.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences have a variety of structures. 

TIP >> Remember to end the essay with a prediction for the future , after looking at the present.  

Sample Essay 3 – Process

The illustration shows the whole process of how a hydroelectric dam manufactures electricity from water.

Overall the main element of the procedure is the flow of water, making a reservoir of water, this is the first step until the last step where the power is produced and distributed. There are 5 main steps in this 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.

Subsequently, the rotation of the turbine would produce energy that will pass through a generator until electricity is produced. The generator is inside of the powerhouse, where long distance power lines are connected. Finally, from the generator, electricity is then transmitted to long distance power lines.

(Word Count = 178 / Band Score 9)

  • Task Achievement – The answer provides relevant information, describing the process through every stage. The overview gives clear information, leading into the main body paragraphs. 
  • Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs, with clear cohesion between them with the addition of time connectors (after that, next, subsequently, finally). 
  • Lexical Resource – There is evidence of paraphrasing, synonyms and some less common words. 
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences are mainly made up of multiple clauses and have a variety of structures. There are no spelling mistakes and punctuation is correct.

TIP >> Write a good overview , with how many stages the process has, starting with….. and ending with……then go into the main detail of describing the process into the main body paragraphs.

TIP >> Describe the process and lead the reader through it by using time connectors. 

Sample Essay 4 – Line Graph

The line graph illustrates the climate conditions in Athens, Barcelona, and Sydney over the period of one year.

Overall, it can be seen that generally, the cities of Athens and Barcelona have a similar temperature movement in comparison with Sydney. Both Athens and Barcelona’s temperatures peak during the summer months of June, July and August, while Sydney has lower temperatures during those three months. In contrast, Sydney’s highest temperatures are when Athens and Barcelona have their lowest. 

To begin with, Athens has approximately 8 degrees of temperature in January with a gradual increase to 25 degrees in June. However, this trend slowly declined each month reaching close to 8 degrees by December. Similarly, Barcelona had a similar trend but started with just a little below 7 degrees in January. Nonetheless, after the succeeding months, there had been a steep incline to the temperature that peaked at around 28 degrees in August. But, a sudden drop to nearly 5 degrees per month was experienced for the remaining months until December with exact 6 degrees.

In contrast to Athens and Barcelona, Sydney’s temperature was just a little over 27 degrees in January but slowly decreased in the following months, reaching the lowest point at 14 degrees in July. Finally, this average monthly temperature incrementally increased each month, ending with the same temperature of 25 degrees in December.

(Word Count = 225 / Band Score 9)

  • Task Achievement – The answer provides a paraphrased question, to begin with, followed by an overview that gives the reader key information. 
  • Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs. The overview explains the trends generally, then the specific information is written about in the main body paragraphs.      

TIP >> Remember to compare and contrast information, using cohesive devices , such as overall, to begin with, similarly and finally. 

Sample Essay 5 – Table

The table illustrates the percentage of people who decided to shop in a humane way from 2012 to 2014.

Overall, it is evident that the free range/organic and fairtrade experienced declines in numbers of shoppers, whereas the pre-loved clothes became the most wanted items during the same period.

To begin, the proportion of people buying ethical clothing fell from just over half to only 20% or one fifth from 2012 to 2014. Similarly, the relative number of people buying Fairtrade items — just under one quarter — dropped by half in the same period. As for the free range and organic products, the relatively small percentage of people buying this type of product in 2012 (12%) also fell, although not significantly.

However, while the other three types of ethical shopping declined in importance, the opposite was true in the case of pre-loved clothes. In fact, while only a small minority of 12% were interested in purchasing these in 2012, this figure increased to well over half of all shoppers during the following two years reaching 58% in 2014.

  • Task Achievement – The answer provides a paraphrased question, to begin with, followed by an overview that gives the reader key information that is supported by data from the table. 

TIP >> Remember to highlight any trends that stand out , for example in this table, the number of people buying pre-loved clothes in 2014.

Writing Task 1 Band Score 9 Criteria >>

Ielts writing task 2 question types.

Agree/Disagree Essays ADVANTAGE / DISADVANTAGE ESSAY CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY IELTS Problem/Solution Essay IELTS Discussion Essay  POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ESSAY Direct Question Essay IELTS Writing Task 2 Student Essay

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IELTS Charlie

Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

IELTS Writing Task 1: The Essential Study Guide

Welcome to my complete guide to  IELTS Writing Task 1 . In this guide you will find out what you have to do, the different question types, and how to write a great piece of writing for Task 1.

IELTS Writing Task 1

IELTS Writing Academic Task 1

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you need to write a short report about some information presented in a visual form. In other words, you need to turn visual information into a text.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 assessed?

IELTS examiners will assess you in four different areas, each of which make up 25%of the total mark.

  • Task Achievement
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Here are some of the most common types of visual information given in task 1 of the IELTS writing test.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Bar Chart

In a bar chart, you will often be asked to  write a report which compares 2 things . In the above graph, you should describe differences at 2 different times (1992 and 2000) and also differences between the IT and service industries.

Read my sample answer for this bar graph question.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Line Graph

A line graph is similar to a bar chart, except you should describe trends (changes over a period of time). In the above line graph you should compare the changing trends between 1975 and 2000, and the differences between the three types of fast food.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart

In a pie chart you may be given 2, 3 or 4 things to compare. In the above example you should compare revenue sources and expenditure types.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Data Table

In a table you will again compare at least 2 different things. Sometimes, a table will not include changes over time. In the above example you should compare the changes over time in different types of school.

In a map question, you also have to describe some visual information, but it might not involve comparing different things. In the above example you have to compare the locations of different sites for a proposed shopping centre, in relation to different map features.

Process Diagram

IELTS Writing Task 1 Process

A process diagram is a completely different type of Task 1 question. You describe a process rather than change. In the above example you should describe the brick manufacturing process.

IELTS Writing General Training Task 1

In the General Training IELTS, you write a letter in response to a certain situation. For example, you might have to write:

  • a request for information
  • a complaint

In Task 1 you must write at least 150 words. Ideally, try to write between 170 and 180 words. Read what happens if you go below the word count .

Here is some vocabulary you should try to use in your Task 1 letter .

How do I write an Academic IELTS Writing Task 1?

There are 3 things you need to include in your report:

  • An introduction to the graph
  • An overview of the graph
  • The main details in the graph

Introduction

In your introduction, you describe the subject of the graph, chart or diagram. You should do this by writing, in your own words, the information in the question, title and x/y axes of the graph. When you write something in your own words, you are paraphrasing. IELTS examiners love good paraphrasing!

In the overview you describe the big picture – the main trends, or patterns in the data. But don’t refer to actual data.

Main Details

Then you describe the main details of the graph, chart or diagram in 2 to 3 paragraphs. You need to refer to the data here, but not every single item of data- just the ones that support the overview you gave in the previous chapter.

Read how I use this structure to answer a question about a bar chart .

IELTS Writing Walkthroughs

In the videos below, I write an IELTS Writing Task 1 report in real-time. I take you through the thought process behind writing a good IELTS report, so you can see how I do it.

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Discover the 7 STEPS to BAND 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

The Magoosh logo is the word Magoosh spelled with each letter o replaced with a check mark in a circle.

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Sample Questions and Practice Resources

Student writing in notebook representing an IELTS Writing Task 1 Examples PDF - image by Magoosh

On the IELTS Academic exam, Writing Task 1 requires you to look at an informational graphic and describe the contents of the graphic in writing. In this post, we’ll look at different IELTS Writing Task 1 samples to prepare you for test day. In addition to advice and practice, you’ll also get our IELTS Writing Task 1 Examples PDF with Answers for portable prompts and model answers.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples With Answers PDF

If you want a print-friendly version of the IELTS Writing Task 1 samples in this post, click below to access the IELTS Writing Task 1 examples PDF!

Magoosh IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples with Answers PDF - Get the PDF

Note that all the IELTS Writing Task 1 samples are model essays for a band 9 IELTS score. The line graph sample prompt includes a detailed scoring explanation. You can learn more about scores for IELTS Writing Task 1 by consulting the official IELTS rubric .

  • Take a good look at our guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 paragraph structure . The guide tells you everything you need to know about how Writing Task 1 essays and paragraphs should be structured, with an example question and model essay.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples: The Major Question Types

Below are questions for each common infographic in IELTS Writing Task 1: bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, process diagrams, and maps.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Line Graph with Model Answer and Scoring Explanation

IELTS Line Graph - image by Magoosh

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Bar Chart With Model Answer

IELTS Bar Chart - image by Magoosh

Pie Chart with Model Answer

IELTS Pie Chart - image by Magoosh

Process Diagram with Model Answer

IELTS Process Diagram - image by Magoosh

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Map with Model Answer

IELTS Map - image by Magoosh

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Two Different Types of Graphics

IELTS Graph - image by Magoosh

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Additional Resources for Writing Task 1

Now that you’ve seen some models for how this task is done, you should be ready for some real practice! Here are some resources from Magoosh that should help.

  • Practicing using these common IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 linking words .
  • Familiarize yourself with the test with IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Ultimate Guide video , and use a Writing diagnostic quiz to assess your current strengths and weaknesses.  

  • Use study schedules to help you find time to study and stay motivated. To help you organize your time, use this IELTS study schedule if you only have a week to go before you will take the IELTS. If you have a month, this one month IELTS study schedule offers more extended practice.  
  • Find high-quality study materials. We offer a huge collection of study reources for the whole IELTS Writing seciton ! Don’t forget about Magoosh IELTS Prep which includes lessons on IELTS Writing Task 1 (and all other sections of the exam!) to help you prep smarter. In addition to many video lessons and practice essays, the 6-month plan allows students to get feedback and scoring on four practice IELTS Writing essays; the 1-month plan includes feedback on one essay. You can also browse more recommended books and resources !

David Recine

David is a Test Prep Expert for Magoosh TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, he’s helped students with TOEIC, PET, FCE, BULATS, Eiken, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. David has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His work at Magoosh has been cited in many scholarly articles , his Master’s Thesis is featured on the Reading with Pictures website, and he’s presented at the WITESOL (link to PDF) and NAFSA conferences. David has taught K-12 ESL in South Korea as well as undergraduate English and MBA-level business English at American universities. He has also trained English teachers in America, Italy, and Peru. Come join David and the Magoosh team on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram , or connect with him via LinkedIn !

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IELTS Academic Writing  – How To Plan a Task 1 Essay –

The first step to achieving a high score in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is to know how to plan your essay. This is very important and in this lesson, I’m going to explain why and show you how.

The lesson includes:

  • 3 reasons why you must plan your essay
  • 4 simple steps of essay planning
  • 4 part essay structure
  • A sample essay written step-by-step

Many students get a far lower score than they’re capable of achieving simply because they either don’t know how to plan their Task 1 essay or they think that planning takes up time that is better spent writing the essay.

Here are three key reasons why you should plan.

3 Reasons Why You Must Plan Your Essay

1) planning saves you time.

If you plan your essay before you start writing, you will already know what you’re going to say and won’t need to keep stopping to think about the next idea. This means that you will be able to write much faster than if you don’t have a plan.

You only need to spend 5 minutes on the planning stage. That leaves 15 minutes to write and check your essay.

2) Planning results in a more relevant answer

25% of your marks are for task achievement. This includes,

  • Identifying the main features
  • Comparing the main features
  • Answering the question appropriately

Planning before you start writing will ensure that you include everything that's required in your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 essay.

3) Planning results in a better structure

Another 25% of the marks are for coherence and cohesion. This includes,

  • Organizing your ideas into a logical order
  • Having a separate paragraph for part of the essay
  • Linking your paragraphs appropriately

You may have done a fantastic job of identifying the main features of the graphic, and found some great comparisons to write about, but you must also be able to form your ideas into a well-structured essay. Without a plan, this is difficult to achieve. Unless you have a good essay structure, you will not score highly for coherence and cohesion.

Spending a few minutes planning your essay will give you a basic outline to follow as you write. This will make your task a lot easier and lead to a far better essay, and a happy examiner.

The 5 Simple Steps of Task 1 Planning

There are 5 steps to writing a good essay for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1:

  • Analyse the question
  • Identify the main features
  • Write an introduction
  • Write an overview
  • Write the details paragraphs

We’ll look at these in more detail below but first, I want to outline an easy to remember 4 part essay structure.

The 4 Part Essay Structure

You can use the same basic structure for all IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions. Ideally, your essay should have 4 paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

Paragraph 2 – Overview

Paragraph 3 – 1 st  main feature

Paragraph 4 – 2 nd  main feature

You are only required to write 150 words. You won’t score extra marks for writing a longer essay. It’s what you write that gains you marks.

With only 20 minutes allowed for the task, it’s important that you don’t try to include too many details. Having an essay structure to work with will help you with this. Aim for quality in your essay, not quantity – the right information written in a logical order.

We’re now ready to work through the 5 step planning process.

Planning a Task 1 IELTS Academic Writing Essay

# 1 analyse the question.

The format of every question in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is the same.

Here’s a typical question. The highlighted words will always be the same no matter what type of question you get.

The  chart  below shows  the number of men and women in further education in Britain in  three periods and whether they were studying full-time or part-time.

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

writing essay ielts task 1

Every question consists of:

  • A brief description of the graphic (sentence 1)
  • The instructions  (sentence 2)
  • The graphic – chart, graph, table, etc.

To find out what you have to do, you need to look at the ‘instruction’ sentence.

There are 3 things to do:

1.     Select the main features.

2.     Write about the main features.

3.     Compare the main features.

This is the same for every question and every type of graphic.

Many graphics contain a lot of information. You  do not  have to write about everything. Just pick out a couple of main features and you’ll have plenty to write about.

# 2 Identify the main features

In this lesson, I’m going to give you a quick overview of how to identify the main features of the graphics. I go into far more detail in the lessons on the individual question types where I work through sample questions step-by-step to create model answers.

Here’s a reminder of the 7 question types .   Click the links to go to each page for more planning tips.

  • Table Chart
  • Process Diagram
  • Multiple Graph

I’ve created helpful checklists for identifying the main features of the different types of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions. You’ll find them on this page:  How To Understand & Analyse Task 1 Questions

The key features of a graphic will usually be the easiest things to spot.

For a bar chart with a timeline, known as a dynamic bar chart, such as in our sample question, look for general trends. The timeline will give you the biggest clues as to the most significant trends.

Alternatively, a bar chart may be static with the data coming from one point in time. For this type of graphic, you would need to compare whatever different variables are shown. In the in-depth lesson on bar chart essays, for example, you'll see a graph showing the different leisure activities favoured by Canadian boys and girls.

There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you spot the main features. Here are some useful questions to ask for both bar charts and line graphs.

  • What information do the 2 axes give?
  • What are the units of measurements?
  • What can you learn from the title and any labels?
  • What are the time periods?
  • What is the most obvious trend?
  • What are the most notable similarities or differences?

writing essay ielts task 1

Two general trends in this graphic are:

Main feature 1:  the overall number of students in full-time education increases.

Main feature 2:  the number of women studying part-time increases steadily but for men, it fluctuates.

The general trends you select will be the starting point for your essay. You will then go on to add more detail.

Let’s look at how to do this. Here’s a reminder of the 4 part structure for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 essays:

This structure isn’t going be an exact fit for every possible essay but it’s an excellent outline to work from. Use it as a guideline and adapt it as necessary.

First, the introduction.

# 3 Write an introduction (Paragraph 1)

In the introduction, you should paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a different way. You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure. For example:

The chart below shows the number of men and women in further education in Britain in  three   periods and whether they were studying full-time or part-time.

Introduction :

The bar graph illustrates how many male and female students were studying full-time and part-time in Britain during the years 1970/1, 1980/1 and 1990/1.

This is all you need to do for the introduction.

# 4 Write an overview (Paragraph 2)

In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you can see in the graph, giving only general information. The detail comes later in the essay. You should also make any clear comparisons you spot.

This is where you write about the general trends. Here are the ones we picked out above.

Now form these ideas into two or three sentences with a total of around 40 words. State the information simply using synonyms where possible. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses. For example:

Paragraph 2 :

Overall, the number of students in full-time education increased over this time. With regard to part-time education, there was a steady increase in women choosing to study part-time but for men, the level fluctuated.

# 5 Write the details paragraphs (Paragraphs 3 & 4)

Paragraphs 3 and 4 are where you include more detailed information about the data in the graph. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first main idea.

In this instance, the data will be numbers of students in the respective time periods. In other graphics, it might be percentages, age, monetary value or some other unit of measurement.

Don’t forget to make comparisons when relevant.

Here’s our first main feature again:

This is an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 3 :

Between the academic periods 1970/1 and 1990/1, the figures for men studying full-time grew in steady increments, beginning at 100,000 in 1970/1 and rising to nearly 300,000 in 1990/1. For women, the numbers had also risen to around 300,000 by 1990/1 on an increasing trend. Notably, however, the figure for females in full-time education in 1970/1 was roughly half that of men, showing a greater take-up than men between 1970/1 and 1980/1.

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your second main feature. For example:

Paragraph 4 :

A different pattern is shown for part-time education. The graph reveals a steady increase in women engaged in part-time study, rising from 750,000 in 1970/1 to 1,000,000 by 1990/1. For men, on the other hand, the figure fluctuated. From 1,000,000 in 1970/1, they had dropped by almost 200,000 by 1980/1 but recovered slightly in numbers by 1990/1. Over the whole time period, the trend between men and women in part-time education reversed, with male students being greater in number in 1970/1 and female students taking pole position by 1990/1.

Here are the four paragraphs brought together to create our finished essay for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

Finished essay

writing essay ielts task 1

This sample essay is well over the minimum word limit so you can see that you don’t have space to include very much detail at all. That’s why it is essential to select just a couple of main features to write about.

We’ve covered a lot in this lesson. Please don’t feel overwhelmed. Once you start using what you’ve learnt to practice answering IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions, you’ll soon be able to plan your essay in 5 minutes.

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Ielts academic writing task 1 – 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.

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IELTS Writing Task 1: Lessons, Tips and Strategies

In the IELTS writing Task 1 for academic you have to describe some kind of graph, diagram, map or process. 

Here you will get all the tips and techniques you will need for writing about the Task 1, or to find out how to improve your score if it has been too low.

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writing essay ielts task 1

IELTS Writing Task 1 Lessons:

How to Write an Academic IELTS Task 1 This starter lessons tells you in simple steps how to structure and write a basic IELTS Graph. 

Types of Graph

Graphs Over Time This important lesson shows you what you must do to properly describe a graph or chart that has a period of time. 

IELTS Pie Chart In this lesson you'll learn how to write about a pie chart, with tips on how to best organize your answer and advice on the language to use. 

IELTS Process In this lesson you'll learn how to describe an IELTS process diagram, with information about organizing your answer and using the passive voice. 

Two graphs together Sometimes you get two graphs to describe together. This lessons shows you how to organize your answer if you do. 

IELTS Tables This lesson provides you with IELTS practice for tables. It shows you that tables are not that different from other types of graph.

Task 1 Language

Language of Change This lesson explains some useful sentence structures using some common language of change and you can practice the words with a gap fill.  

Language to Compare and Contrast Compare and contrast language is needed for most graphs and diagrams so it is important to learn and practice it. 

A Common Mistake This lesson takes you through a mistake that is common when describing graphs in Task 1. 

Using Prepositions Learn how to use the right prepositions when you are using the language of change in a graph over time.

Describing graphs in the future Sometimes you may be given a graph to describe that is predicting what will happen in the future. View some strategies on how to approach a task 1 like this. 

Tenses for graphs, processes, and maps This lesson gives you tips on the types of tenses you should know for the various types of task you could be given.

Task 1 Quizzes Try out these quizzes which give you fun practice or a chance to test your knowledge of the variety of language used for academic task 1.

Organisation

Organizing a Line Graph (Part 1) Find out about how there is more than one was to organize a task 1 graph, and learn how to write about a graph divided into 'age groups'.

Organising a Line Graph (Part 2) If you want to achieve a high band score for your graph you must ensure it is well-organised. This lesson tells you more about one possible way of doing this.

Overview of Academic Task 1:

Task 1 Quiz Exercises:

Check out our IELTS Quiz page for various interactive quizzes to test and teach yourself about the language for the IELTS writing task 1:

  • IELTS Task 1 Quizzes

IELTS Writing Forum:

The writing forum is a place for you to discuss the test or ask questions about it. Reading previous questions asked may help you with things you don't understand so check out the forum here:

  • IELTS Writing Task 1 Forum

These are some useful topics and questions that have already been discussed:

  • How should I paragraph in IELTS writing task 1?
  • How do I organise my graph?
  • What tenses do we use in the Task 1?
  • What happens if I didn't finish my graph?

And remember you can ask your own question if there is something in the test that you are unsure about. 

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How to Structure IELTS Writing Task 1 Essays

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

How to Structure IELTS Writing Task 1 Essays

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.

someland smoking line graph

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:

writing essay ielts task 1

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:

newport crime rate line graph

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!

pie chart about nutrients for ielts

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:

ielts general writing task 1 format structure

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

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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Anna H. Smith

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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Task 1-A samples with tips and answers

Sample 1 Pie chart

Sample 2 Diagram

Sample 3 Line graph

Sample 4 Bar chart

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

In this task you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the given information.

How to answer IELTS Academic Task 1?

1) Analyse the graph

Firstly, you need to get an overview of the graph/chart/diagram you will describe. Look for general trends, changes and key features to get an idea of how you will structure the information.

writing essay ielts task 1

  • Car was the most popular type of transport in all countries, except for Germany.
  • In Great Britain and USA, there are big differences between percentages of people who choose some kind of transport.
  • In Germany, percentages of people who choose car and bicycle are roughly the same.
  • In France, percentages of people who choose motorcycle and bicycle are nearly equal.
  • Motorcycle was the least popular type of transport in all countries, except for the USA.
  • Overall, car is the most chosen transport, bicycle is on the second place and motorcycle is the least chosen transport.

2) Write an answer with the following structure:

Once you've thought out all patterns on the graph, you can start writing your answer.

You can learn more about how to answer Writing task 1 .

Don't forget to use special vocabulary to describe graphs and linking structures . Also use words from academic wordlist .

Don't worry if you think there is too much or not enough information!

Remember that the purpose of Academic Task 1 is to test your ability to distinguish and describe the changes and trends you see on the graph.

If you think that there is not enough information on the graph to write 150 words: don't panic! Write in detail about every single alteration and support your writing with a lot of data.

If you think that there is too much information on the graph: also don't panic! Don't ornately depict each change on the graph, but try to see a few main trends instead.

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  • IELTS Writing General Task 1

Home  » IELTS writing general task 1

Whether you’re taking the IELTS academic or general exam, writing task 1 is the first section of the IELTS writing task. Our website contains numerous online resources to help you prepare for this part of your IELTS exam , with different IELTS vocabulary , writing exercises and task 1 sample essays .

It is important that you focus your preparation on the right information so that you’re able to write a well-structured letter for your task 1 exam.

Important information about IELTS General Writing Task 1

  • General writing task 1 takes the form of a letter. Here candidates are asked to respond to a complaint, request information or explain a certain situation.
  • You should spend no more than 20 mins on this test and you should write at least 150 words.
  • Task 1 forms 33% of your total writing mark
  • Grammar - 25%
  • Vocabulary - 25%
  • Task achievement - 25%
  • Coherence and cohesion - 25%
  • It is very important that candidates are able to express their ideas, provide general factual information and express opinions in this section of the exam.
  • To get the best possible band score for your GT writing task 1, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the possible types of letter for this task.

Two main different types of letters : 

  • Formal letter - This could be to complain about a product/service or provide an apology or apply for a job,
  • Informal letter - This type of question can require you to ask for advice, thank a colleague/friend or invite a friend to vacation with you. Remember that you should write at least 150 words.

Practising the various types of letters is important so that can understand what the right vocabulary, style and tone is for each kind of letter.

Preparation tips for IELTS General Writing Task 1 

  • Practice spending no more than 20 minutes on this task. If you practice enough beforehand, you’ll be able to stay within these limits during your exam.
  • Make sure that you always read the question thoroughly and understand what you need to do. 
  • The general task 1 normally comes with 3 bullets, requesting information, for example: “You moved to a new country and you want to write a letter to your former colleague.

In your letter, you should:

  • tell him/her where did you go and what you are doing there (job)
  • describe your feeling
  • invite your friend to come.”

Be sure that you have mentioned all three of these bullet points. The best is to write a paragraph about each of these to make sure that you have covered all the information.

  • Leave yourself some time at the end to check your paper so that you don’t lose any unnecessary points.
  • It is important to learn new IELTS vocabulary before your exam. Keep a notebook of new words, phrases and idioms that can help you improve your vocabulary score. Make that you know how to use these new words accurately, in the right context.
  • NEVER use shortened versions of a word like you would in a text.

Here we have some sample general task 1 essays and useful English phrases to use in your exam.

The following tutorials will help the IELTS candidate prepare for their general exam. This part of the exam differs from the academic section and you will be asked to write a letter instead of interpreting a graph.

  • How to write informal letters
  • Best general task 1 structure
  • Sample general Task 1 letter
  • How to expand your IELTS vocabulary
  • IELTS General Writing Task 1: Letter samples, phrases and tips
  • An ex-examiner reviews a Task 1 informal letter
  • IELTS Sample Letters – Band 9
  • How to Plan and Write IELTS Task 1 Informal Letters In 20 Minutes
  • Why students fail IELTS General Task 1

We also have useful tutorials to help you prepare for the IELTS Academic :

  • Academic task 1 sample essays
  • How to get band 9 in IELTS academic task 1
  • How to describe a pie chart for IELTS
  • Free Essay Band Score Evaluation
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IELTS Notes

IELTS Writing Task 1 Structure

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By ieltsnotes

In this lesson we’ll learn how to structure an IELTS Writing Task 1 essay.

Here is the basic structure of an IELTS Writing Task 1 essay:

  • Introduction: Paraphrase the information in your question.
  • Overview: Give a general overview (What are the main points? Don’t include any specific details)
  • Body paragraph 1 : Describe and compare specific data and details.
  • Body paragraph 2: Describe and compare specific data and details.

How to write an Introduction

One of the easiest and most effective ways to write the introduction is to paraphrase the information in your question.

Use these synonyms to help you paraphrase the question:

  • The graph below shows … -> The line graph/ bar chart/ pie chart/ … compares/gives information about …
  • from 2000 to 2002 -> between 2000 and 2002
  • in the UK, Japan and China -> in three different countries
  • the number/amount of something -> how many/much …

Let’s look at an example here:

The chart below gives information about how families in one country spent their weekly income in 1968 and in 2018 .

You can rewite the question using your own words:

The bar chart compares the proportion of spending per week on eight different categories by the average family in an unnamed country in two different years .

NOTE: You don’t need to paraphrase every single word. It’s ok to reuse some of the words in the question.

How to write an Overview

In order to write a good overview paragraph, you need to look at the big picture. Ask yourself:

  • What are the main trends?
  • The start/turning/end points?
  • What are the most important/obvious things in the chart?
  • What are the highest/lowest points? Peaks? Lows?
  • How many main stages are there?
  • Identical figures?
  • Exceptions?

writing essay ielts task 1

After selecting the main features, it’s important cho choose which main features you should include in your overview. You should only choose 2 to 3 key features. You can start your overview with:

  • Overall, …
  • It is clear that …

Overall, the total amount of the police budget increased slightly during this time frame and the majority of it was spent on salaries.

You can write your introduction and overview in one paragraph or split them into two, it’s completely up to you.

How to write detail paragraphs

It’s important to choose which data to discuss in your body paragraphs.

Body paragraph is where you bring in specific data related to the main features. It’s crucial to be selective; trying to describe every data point is impractical and unnecessary.

writing essay ielts task 1

How many detail paragraphs should there be? Usually two paragraphs are enough.

What strategies can I use to enhance my writing skills for IELTS?

The two most important things you can do are read widely and write often. The natural structure of language, especially the skillful weaving of words, phrases, and paragraphs, may be better understood by extensive reading. While it’s helpful to know grammar rules, reading widely can help you comprehend how words organically mix (collocations). In addition, a professional IELTS teacher may help you identify certain places in your writing that need development by providing constructive critique.

What is the ideal number of paragraphs for IELTS Task 1?

You have the flexibility to write either three or four paragraphs. If you opt for four, consider making the first two sentences into standalone paragraphs. The first sentence can form the introductory paragraph, while the second sentence could serve as an overview or summary paragraph.

Is a concluding paragraph necessary in Task 1 Academic?

In contrast to Writing Task 2, Task 1 Academic does not typically require a concluding paragraph. It’s not a mandatory component of your response.

What should be the word count for my response in Task 1?

At the very least, your response should be 150 words long. Some students often feel the need to write more. In such cases, aiming for about 200 words is a good target. However, it’s crucial to balance the length of your response. An excessively long answer could mean spending too much time on Task 1, thereby reducing the time available for Task 2. Remember, the total allotted time for both tasks is 60 minutes. Efficiently dividing this time is key: if you spend 20 minutes on Task 1, you’ll have 40 minutes left for Task 2. Conversely, if Task 1 takes you 30 minutes, you’re left with only 30 minutes for Task 2, which might be insufficient. It’s important to manage your time wisely to allocate adequate time to both tasks.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Bar chart: How families in one country spent their weekly income

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IELTS test in Canada – March 2024 (General Training)

  • Recent IELTS exams

IELTS General Training Latest Questions March 2024

Our lovely student KK took IELTS in Canada and remembered the writing questions below:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You have joined a sports club recently, and you are experiencing some problems. Write letter to club manager. In your letter

– Say why you joined the club – Explain about the problems you are experiencing – Suggest solutions to fix them

Read a Band 8 answer here

writing essay ielts task 1

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays, many people spend their free time watching movies. Why do they do that? Is it a positive or a negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Tips for success in the IELTS Writing Test

To get a high Band Score for your letter, make sure that you

  • Address each bullet point clearly.
  • Organise your ideas in paragraphs – write 1 paragraph on each bullet point.
  • Use the correct tone and vocabulary – in a letter to a friend use informal language.
  • Manage your time – allocate time for planning, writing and proofreading, and spend no more than 20 minutes in total on Writing Task 1.

To write an essay that will score well in IELTS, make sure that you

  • Make your position clear throughout the essay.
  • Structure your essay correctly – there should be an introduction, body and conclusion.
  • Use formal vocabulary.
  • Use a mix of sentence types (simple, compound, complex) to show your language proficiency.
  • Leave some time to proofread your essay before turning it in.

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IMAGES

  1. Ielts Writing Task 1 Sample Paper Pdf

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  2. How to write essay for ielts task 1

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  3. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

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  4. Writing Task 1 Academic

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  1. Writing Essay IELTS Practice Test

  2. Full IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay

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  5. MAKE YOUR IELTS ESSAY SOUND MORE ACADEMIC

  6. Which one is more important: IELTS Writing Task 1 or Task 2?

COMMENTS

  1. 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.

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

    Read my sample answer for this (unusual) task 1 here. IELTS Essay: Bridges. 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. ... IELTS Exam Writing Task 1 posted in Nhẩy đầm với IELTS by Đỗ Phương Thảo February 20th

  3. Academic Writing Task 1 Sample Essays and Answers

    IELTS writing task 1 can be challenging but with practice you will get better and better. The resources below include an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer pdf. Line graph IELTS academic task 1 sample essay 26: Thermal conductivity of material at 25C. Line graph IELTS academic task 1 sample essay 7: January 2015 temperature variation in the ...

  4. IELTS Practice Academic Writing Test

    In the IELTS Academic Writing test, you will have one hour to complete both of the two set writing tasks. Keep an eye on the time it takes you to complete practice Tasks 1 and 2 to make sure you don't go too far over, and to use as a benchmark for how long you can expect each task to take you. In the actual test, you will move from the first ...

  5. IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips, Model Answers & More

    You should write over 150 words. IELTS writing task 1 is worth only about 33% of your total writing marks. Academic writing task 1 is a report on a chart (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram/process). See below for practice charts, model answers, tips etc. General Training writing task 1 is a letter only.

  6. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Sample/ Graph Writing

    IELTS Academic - Graph Writing: In your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you will be given with one or more graph(s) (i.e. bar, column, line or pie), table, flowchart, map or process diagram and you need to summarise the main information, compare data, show contrasts and trends, identify significant trends and describe a process.You should write between 150 to 200 words and the minimum word ...

  7. IELTS Writing Task 1: Everything You Need to Know

    People doing the Academic test will write a report on a data set, map, or process. People doing General Training will write a letter. You must write 150 words or more. You should spend around 20 minutes on this part of the test. Task 1 is worth 1/3 of your total mark on the Writing test.

  8. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples

    Prepare for the IELTS Academic Test by using this collection of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 practice samples. This collection is a great way to gain insight and practice for the exam. The two pie charts below show changes in world population by region between 1900 and 2000.

  9. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Free lessons, tips and sample essays

    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.'.

  10. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: The Complete Guide

    Eliot Friesen. on. April 7, 2021. in. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. 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.

  11. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

    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. Overall, over the five-year period, the most exported goods were machinery and vehicles. These two types of goods were predominantly wanted out of all of the categories.

  12. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

    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 ...

  13. IELTS Writing Task 1 & 2

    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. In IELTS writing task 2, you will need to write a traditional style essay in response to a question. You must write at least 250 words.

  14. IELTS Writing Task 1: The Essential Study Guide

    IELTS Writing General Training Task 1. In the General Training IELTS, you write a letter in response to a certain situation. For example, you might have to write: a request for information. a complaint. In Task 1 you must write at least 150 words. Ideally, try to write between 170 and 180 words. Read what happens if you go below the word count.

  15. IELTS Writing Task 1

    The guide tells you everything you need to know about how Writing Task 1 essays and paragraphs should be structured, with an example question and model essay. IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples: The Major Question Types. Below are questions for each common infographic in IELTS Writing Task 1: bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, process diagrams, and ...

  16. IELTS Academic Writing

    Here's a reminder of the 4 part structure for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 essays: Paragraph 1 - Introduction. Paragraph 2 - Overview. Paragraph 3 - 1 st main feature. Paragraph 4 - 2 nd main feature. This structure isn't going be an exact fit for every possible essay but it's an excellent outline to work from. Use it as a ...

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    In the IELTS writing Task 1 for academic you have to describe some kind of graph, ... IELTS Essay: English as a Global Language. Apr 03, 24 03:49 PM. Evaluate my writing task for academic ielts, pls Academic IELTS writing task 1 ----- Read More. Alternatives to the IELTS Exam. Mar 22, 24 12:32 PM. There are several alternatives to the IELTS ...

  18. IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Essays

    IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Essays | Line Graph | Bar Chart | Pie Chart | Table | Map | Process Question

  19. How to Structure IELTS Writing Task 1 Essays

    Whether you are writing about a line graph or a table, you can pretty much use this IELTS writing task 1 template: Paragraph #1. Explain the basic facts of the image. Describe the general trend. Paragraph #2. Describe the first group of information. Paragraph #3. Describe the second group of information.

  20. How to answer IELTS Academic Task 1

    Use paragraphing! Usually, there should be 1-3 paragraphs in the body part. You can learn more about how to answer Writing task 1. Don't forget to use special vocabulary to describe graphs and linking structures. Also use words from academic wordlist . Don't worry if you think there is too much or not enough information!

  21. IELTS General Writing Task 1: Sample essays and questions

    Whether you're taking the IELTS academic or general exam, writing task 1 is the first section of the IELTS writing task. Our website contains numerous online resources to help you prepare for this part of your IELTS exam, with different IELTS vocabulary, writing exercises and task 1 sample essays.. It is important that you focus your preparation on the right information so that you're able ...

  22. IELTS Writing Task 1 Structure

    Here is the basic structure of an IELTS Writing Task 1 essay: Introduction: Paraphrase the information in your question. Overview: Give a general overview (What are the main points? Don't include any specific details) Body paragraph 1: Describe and compare specific data and details. Body paragraph 2: Describe and compare specific data and ...

  23. IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay IELTS Cambridge 15: Coffee and

    IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay Cambridge 15: Coffee and Tea Buying and Drinking Habits The chart below shows the results of a survey about people's coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities.

  24. IELTS test in Canada

    Structure your essay correctly - there should be an introduction, body and conclusion. Use formal vocabulary. Use a mix of sentence types (simple, compound, complex) to show your language proficiency. Leave some time to proofread your essay before turning it in. IELTS test in Canada - January 2024 (General Training) Thanks to our kind ...

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