ielts journal essay writing task 1 academic pdf

• No results found

Smith Adam Edi Ielts Writing Task 1 Academic Module

Share "Smith Adam Edi Ielts Writing Task 1 Academic Module"

Academic year: 2021

Loading.... (view fulltext now)

Academic Training Module by Adam Smith

About the Writing Test 4

How to use your 20 minutes 4

Points to Apply in Task 1, Report Writing 5

What does a good report look like? 6

Using the right tense is important 6

Different types of visuals 7

Describing trends, Language of change 8

Connecting trends 10

Using the right prepositions 12

Describing numbers, percentages & fractions 16

Describing Quantities 17

Varying your language 18

Using Simple Comparisons 19

The language for comparing 20

Other Important Language for Comparisons 21

Adding an explanation 22

Writing an introduction 23

Writing the General Overview Paragraph 26

Selecting Main Points 27

Writing an 'overview' not a conclusion 29

Writing Body Paragraphs 30

Writing just six sentences to include the details 31

Having a Task 1 checklist is important 36

Avoid common mistakes 36

Describing more than one chart 37

Describing Processes 39

Describing a map 42

Effective ways to prepare for Task 1 46

Good Sample Answers Worth Reading 47

Keep in touch! 104

Use this book together with the instagram page @ieltsjournal

The instagram page contains lessons that show how to use the ideas from this book. You can keep in touch with the author there and ask your questions.

Academic Training Writing About the Writing Test

The IELTS Academic Training Writing Test takes 60 minutes. You have to complete two writing tasks.

You have about 20 minutes

You must write a report of at least 150 words

You are given a visual presentation which can be in form of a graph, diagram, bar chart, table, map or a process. You must write a report explaining the main features of the figure and make comparisons where relevant. You must not include any personal opinion while you are explaining the figure. You just need to describe and report what you are given.

How to use your 20 minutes

You have 20 minutes for task 1, so try spending 5 minutes on each paragraph. This might help you to organise your time better.

First 5 minutes

Read the question, make sure you understand the chart, write your introduction by paraphrasing the question.

Second 5 minutes

Look at the chart and try to find 2 general points. Don't look at specific details; look for "the big picture". Write 2 sentences summarising the information. Final 10 minutes

Describe specific details. Try to break this part into 2 paragraphs because it looks better. You could spend 5 minutes on each paragraph.

Points to Apply in Task 1, Report Writing

The IELTS writing Task 1 academic is an information transfer task which requires you to write a fairly precise account of some information presented in graphic form such as a graph, table or some form of pictorial representation of data. In order to complete the task successfully, follow these suggestions.

Introduction should describe the purpose of the report and say what the overall trends are. For example, if the graph is climbing up or dropping down, you should mention the change or the changes accurately and meaningfully. You need to remember that you are describing a graph to someone who does not see it, so your words must draw the picture. Write what the graph is about, its dates and location as well as the right kind of measurements used. You must write in complete sentences. Notes are not acceptable.

Do not copy whole sentences or long phrases from the question. The examiner will

recognize them, and they will not count towards the minimum number of words you must write.

The overall trend or the general over view should sum up the global or the general trends shown in the figure and compare them if possible. Your personal opinion should not appear anywhere in the report. You should not include other information that does not appear in the figure or the chart since this kind of writing can and will probably be penalized.

The body paragraphs should describe the most important features and trends, while all the information is summarized to avoid unnecessary details. When you are given too much information, you need to group them and select the most noticeable ones. For example, if there is a graph that has 2 peaks, you should mention them and tell when those peaks appeared and what the peak values are; however, if there are 5 similar trends, you need to group the information in order to avoid over length writing, which can lead to a waste of time.

Notice how many distinctive features the diagram or the graph has and divide them into paragraphs, one paragraph one set of features that is a group of similar trends. You should also link the paragraphs by sentences that logically connect them to one another.

You need to write about all the periods of time and all the subjects of the graph or the figure. If it shows several years for example 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995, write about all of them. If it is about men and women, write about both genders. Remember that

summarizing does not mean throwing away information. The key here is to select what is important, organize it and make comparisons, which is describing both the similarities and the differences where relevant.

You may write your plans on the question sheet if, for example, you want to underline key words or to write notes and make comparisons. The examiner who marks your writing will not see the question sheet.

What does a good report look like?

When your Task 1 academic writing is graded by IELTS examiners, they look for this structure:

Introduction (including 1 or 2 sentences)

Overall view (including at least two important general points in 2 or 3 sentences) Body paragraphs (including the details and the factual information presented in the figure as well as relevant comparisons in 6 or 7 sentences)

Using the right tense is important

The figures you need to write a report about always have a time stamp on them. The time stamp tells you whether the graph or the figure describes something that happened in the past or happens in the present or will happen in the future.

The rate of unemployment increased significantly between 2010 and 2012. (It happened in the past)

The figures for the electricity consumption show a rapid growth during the day time. (It happens in the present, generally)

It is predicted that the amount of air pollution will decrease by 5% within the next two years. (It will happen in the future)

Note: When there is no time stamp that is a date or a time period as in some graphs or in processes, the present tense must be used.

Different types of visuals 2 3 1 4 5 6 7 1. Table 2. Bar chart 3. Line graph 4. Pie chart 5. Process 6. Map

7. Line graph & pie chart (more than one graph)

Describing trends, Language of change

Below you can see a list of the most popular vocabulary used to describe trends. We use combinations of verb/adverbs and adjective/nouns to refer to changes in graphs.

Trends Degree and speed

Verb Noun Adverb Adjective Strong

rise a rise dramatically dramatic

increase an increase sharply sharp grow a growth enormously enormous

climb a climb steeply steep

boom a boom substantially substantial peak a peak considerably considerable go up N/A significantly significant

rapidly rapid

fall a fall moderately moderate

decrease a decrease gradually gradual reduce a reduction slightly slight decline a decline minimally minimal

go down N/A

level out a leveling out not change no change remain stable (a period of)

stability remain steady N/A stay constant N/A maintain the

N/A stand steady N/A

fluctuate a fluctuation oscillate an oscillation be volatile a period of

Figure 1 example sentences:

GM car sales increased significantly from $5,000 to $105,000 between 1960 and 2010.

There was a significant increase of $100,000 in GM car sales, from $5,000 to $105,000, between 1960 and 2010.

GM car sales saw a significant growth in GM car sales, from $5,000 to $105,000, between 1960 and 2010.

GM car sales registered a significant rise between 1960 and 2010. GM car sales reached a peak at $105,000 in 2010.

5 25 45 65 85 105 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 '000 dollars GM car sales

Exercise 1: Look at the graphs below. Then describe the changes.

A (Car sales in ‘000) B (Car sales) C (Car sales)

D (Net users in ‘000) E (Net users) F (Net users)

G (Cases of polio in ‘000) H (Cases of polio) I (Cases of polio)

J (Radio listeners in ‘000) K (Radio listeners) L (Radio listeners)

Note: Use a ‘future tense’ to describe changes in items J, K and L above.

Example: It is predicted that the number of radio listeners will fall to 45,000 people in 2030.

5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105

Connecting trends

Figure 1 (Addition) Figure 2 (Contrast)

Figure 1 example:

GM car sales increased gradually to $24,000 in 1980, and then it continued its upward trend in the next four years to reach a peak at $105,000 in 2010.

Figure 2 example:

There was a sharp increase in GM car sales between 1960 and 1990 until it reached a high of almost $95,000; however, sales began to decrease swiftly to under $65,000 in 2010.

Exercise 2: Look at the graphs below. Then describe the changes trying to connect trends. A (Net users in ‘000) B (Net users) C (Net users)

D (Birds population in ‘000) E (Birds population) F (Birds population)

5 25 45 65 85 105 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 '000 Dollars GM car sales 5 25 45 65 85 105 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 '000 Dollars GM car sales 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 5 25 45 65 85 105 25 45 65 85 105 25 45 65 85 105 25 45 65 85 105

Exercise 3: First, label the graph using the words and phrases below. Then describe the changes and connect the

trends where relevant.

1. mild fluctuations 2. a peak 3. a period of instability 4. a significant increase 5. a partial growth 6. a record high

7. figures climbing back

8. a marked rise

9. a dramatic decrease

10. a period of slight volatility

11. a leveling out

12. a sharp decline

13. a plateau

14. figures remaining constant

Example (Numbers 1 & 5 above):

There were mild fluctuations in the number of the XYZ radio station from 1980 to 2000, ranging between 11 and 35 listeners; however, the figures saw a partial growth over the next two years, reaching almost 25 thousand people.

5 25 45 65 85 105 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 Thousand s

Using the right prepositions

It is important to use the right preposition when you are reporting the features and

describing the numbers, prepositions like to, by, with and at when describing numbers and figures. Here are some examples to give you a basic idea of the differences:

1. Use to when describing what happened to the number:

In 2008, the rate of unemployment rose to 10%.

2. Use by when describing the amount of change between two numbers:

In 2009, the rate of unemployment fell by 2% (from 10% to 8%).

3. Use with to give the idea of 'having' the number:

He won the election with 52% of the vote.

4. Use at to add the number on the end of a sentence:

Unemployment reached its highest level in 2008, at 10%.

Exercise: Complete the sentences choosing the right preposition from the list below.

1. ……… 1990 ……… 2000, there was a drop ……… 15%. 2. GM car sales peaked ……… 2,000 in 1999.

3. The chart shows a decline ……… 35% ……… the bird population.

4. There has been a significant increase ……… the number of people aged over eighty. 5. There have been dramatic cuts ……… the level of spending on the elderly, reaching a

low …… 11%.

6. Profits rose ……… a low of 4.5 million to a high of 8 million in 2008.

7. Canada and Australia’s wheat exports fluctuated ……… 5 million and 6 million respectively.

8. There were significant improvements ……… healthcare ……… 1980.

9. The statistics show a reduction ……… 20% ……… energy costs as a result ……… the measures.

10. Profits fell ……… 10%, from 2,000 to 1,800 in 1970s.

for at on to in by from between of up down with and during

12. The number of students fell ……… a low of 1,500 in the second half of the year. 13.Cases of AIDS shot ……… from 2,400 in 1996 to 4,000 in 2004.

14. Demand reached a peak ……… 45,000 in early March.

15. The number of cars sold remained unchanged in 1999 ……… three million. 16. Students do between three ……… four hours homework a night.

17. The number of accidents ……… 1999 was slightly higher than that of 2000. 18. The figure rose steadily ……… the four years between 1997 ……… 2001.

19. Oil production rose dramatically at first but then leveled out ……… $70 a barrel. 20. There was an increase ……… 50,000 between 1990 and 1992.

21. ……… 1994 ……… 1997, sales rose steadily ……… over 20,000.

22. DVD sales peaked ……… 60,000 ……… 1992 but then decreased ……… about 10,000 over the next two years.

23. In the year 2000, sales started ……… 10,000. In the first month, there was a rise ……… around 2,000.

24. After some fluctuations, sales in 2000 reached their peak ……… just over 15,000, a rise ……… 5,000 since the beginning of the year. Sales increased ……… over 10,000 between 1994 and 1997, but then dropped ……… more than 10,000 ……… 1997 and 1999.

25. In 2008, the rate of unemployment rose …… 10%.

26. In 2008, the rate of unemployment rose …… 10%, from 2,000 to 2,200 cases. 27. There was a slight rise …… the number of men employed.

28. Experts expect there to be a fall …… approximately 30% over the next decade. 29. The introduction ……… DVDs led to a decline ……… 20% ……… video sales. 30. The figures show a drop ……… 5% ……… student numbers.

31. The health service program spent a total ……… $2.5 billion on staffing …… April 2002. 32. The survey hopes to track trends ……… consumer spending.

33. In 2009, the rate of unemployment fell ……… 2% (from 10% to 8%). 34. He won the election ……… 52% of the vote.

35. Unemployment reached its highest level ……… the year 2008 ……… 10%.

36. ……… 2002, the cost of an average house in the UK was around £130,000. ……… 2007, the average house price had risen ……… almost £190,000, but it fell back ……… just under £150,000 ……… 2008.

37. Japan ……… two gold medals and a silver one stood ahead of the US ……… one gold and one bronze medal ……… 1968.

Now you can check your work with this key:

1. From 1990 to 2000, there was a drop of 15%. 2. GM car sales peaked at 2,000 in 1999.

3. The chart shows a decline of 35% in the bird population.

4. There has been a significant increase in the number of people aged over eighty. 5. There have been dramatic cuts in the level of spending on the elderly, reaching a low

6. Profits rose from a low of 4.5 million to a high of 8 million in 2008.

7. Canada and Australia’s wheat exports fluctuated between 5 million and 6 million respectively.

8. There were significant improvements in healthcare in 1980.

9. The statistics show a reduction of 20% in energy costs as a result of the measures. 10. Profits fell by 10%, from 2,000 to 1,800 in 1970s.

11. The radio station experienced a fall of 36,000 listeners to a total audience of 2.1 million.

12. The number of students fell to a low of 1,500 in the second half of the year. 13. Cases of AIDS shot up from 2,400 in 1996 to 4,000 in 2004.

14. Demand reached a peak of 45,000 in early March.

15. The number of cars sold remained unchanged in 1999 at three million. 16. Students do between three and four hours homework a night.

17. The number of accidents in 1999 was slightly higher than that of 2000. 18. The figure rose steadily in the four years between 1997 and 2001.

19. Oil production rose dramatically at first but then leveled out at $70 a barrel. 20. There was an increase of 50,000 between 1990 and 1992.

21. Between 1994 and 1997, sales rose steadily to over 20,000.

22. DVD sales peaked at 60,000 in 1992 but then decreased to about 10,000 over the next two years.

23. In the year 2000, sales started at 10,000. In the first month, there was a rise of around 2,000.

24. After some fluctuations, sales in 2000 reached their peak of just over 15,000, a rise of 5,000 since the beginning of the year. Sales increased to over 10,000 between 1994 and 1997, but then dropped to more than 10,000 between 1997 and 1999.

25. In 2008, the rate of unemployment rose to 10%.

29. The introduction of DVDs led to a decline of 20% in video sales. 30.The figures show a drop of5% instudent numbers.

31. The health service program spent a total of $2.5 billion on staffing in April 2002. 32. The survey hopes to track trends in consumer spending.

33. In 2009, the rate of unemployment fell by 2% (from 10% to 8%). 34. He won the election with 52% of the vote.

35. Unemployment reached its highest level in the year 2008 at 10%.

36. In 2002, the cost of an average house in the UK was around £130,000. In 2007, the average house price had risen to almost £190,000, but it fell back to just under £150,000 in 2008.

37. Japan with two gold medals and a silver one stood ahead of the US with one gold and one bronze medal in 1968.

Describing numbers, percentages & fractions

In some graphs, esp. tables, there are some especial numbers, fractions e.g. 1/3 (one third) and percentages e.g. 50%. Look at the following table which shows a number in different years, 1990-1995:

A. You could describe the table using numbers, fractions or percentages: 1990 1995

1,200 1,800

1. The number went up by 600 from 1,200 to 1,800. (Number) 2. The number went up by one third from 1,200 to 1,800. (Fraction) 3. The number went up by 50% from 1,200 to 1,800. (Percentage)

B. You could describe the table using the words double, treble, quadruple, -fold

1992 1994 1996 1998

500 1,000 3,000 12,000

1. The number doubled between 1992 and 1994. 2. The number trebled between 1994 and 1996. 3. The number quadrupled from 1996 to 1998.

4. There was a two-fold increase between 1992 and 1994. 5. The number went up six times between 1992 and 1996. 6. The figure in 1996 was six fold the 1992 figure.

7. The figure for 1996 was six times higher than that of 1992. 8. The figure for 1998 was four times greater than that of 1996.

C. You could describe the table using fractions: 1992 1994 1996 1998

1,000 800 400 100

1. Between 1992 and 1994, the figure fell by one fifth. 2. Between 1994 and 1996, the figure dropped by half. 3. The figure in 1998 was one tenth the 1992 total.

D. You could put the percentage either at the beginning of the sentence or at the end of the sentence: Family Type Proportion of people living in poverty

Single aged person Aged couple

6% 4% 1. 6% of single aged people were living in poverty.

2. The level of poverty among single aged people stood at 6% .

Look how we write fractions in task 1 ½ = a half ¼ = a quarter BUT: 1/3 = one third 2/5 = two fifth Note:

See how –fold & times are used in examples below: “In the last 50 years, there has been a 35-fold increase in the amount of pesticide in farming.” “She earns five times more than I do.”

Further explanation and examples 1. 'double' (verb)

The number of unemployed people doubled between 2005 and 2009.

2. 'twice as...as/compared to', 'three times as...as/compared to'

There were twice as many unemployed people in 2009 as in 2005. Twice as many people were unemployed in 2009 compared to 2005.

3. 'twofold', 'threefold' (adjective or adverb)

There was a twofold increase in the number of unemployed people between 2005 and 2009. (adjective with the noun 'increase')

The number of unemployed people increased twofold between 2005 and 2009. (adverb with the verb 'increase')

Try using these forms in your own sentences. Make sure you follow the patterns. Describing Quantities

Look at the patterns below and the examples carefully so that you can describe different numbers and amounts in your report correctly.

The number of + Plural Countable Noun + Singular Verb Form

The number of people out of work fell by 99,000 to 2.39 million in the three months to October.

The amount of + Singular Uncountable Noun + Singular Verb Form

The amount of rainfall doubles between May and June.

The proportion of + Countable or Uncountable Nouns + Singular Verb Form

The proportion of spending on furniture and equipment reached its peak in 2001, at 23%.

The percentage of + Countable or Uncountable Nouns + Singular Verb Form

The percentage of people using their phones to access the Internet jumped to 41% in 2008.

The figures for Countable or Uncountable Nouns + Plural Verb Form

Varying your language

As with any task 1, this is important. You should not keep repeating the same structures. The key language when you write about pie charts is proportions and percentages.

Common phrases to see are "the proportion of…" or "the percentage of…". However, you can also use other words and fractions. These are some:

A large number of people over a quarter of people a small minority

A significant number of people less than a fifth

This table presents some examples of how you can change percentages to fractions or ratios: Percentage Fraction 80% four-fifths 75% three-quarters 70% seven in ten 65% two-thirds 60% three-fifths 55% more than half 50% half

45% more than two fifths 40% two-fifths

35% more than a third 30% less than a third 25% a quarter 20% a fifth

15% less than a fifth 10% one in ten 5% one in twenty

If the percentages are not exact as above, then you can use qualifiers to make sure your description remains accurate. Here are some examples:

77% just over three quarters 77% approximately three quarters 49% just under a half

49% nearly a half 32% almost a third

Percentage proportion / number / amount / majority / minority

75% - 85% a very large majority 65% - 75% a significant proportion 10% - 15% a minority

5% a very small number

The words above are interchangeable, though number is for countable nouns and amount is for uncountable nouns.

Here are 3 useful techniques for describing percentages:

Use these examples as models for your own sentences:

In 1999, 35% of British people went abroad for their holidays, while only 28% of Australians spent their holidays in a different country. The figure for the USA stood at 31%.

Around 40% of women in the UK had an undergraduate qualification in 1999, compared to 37% of men. The figures for the year 2000 rose slightly to 42% and 38% respectively.

Using Simple Comparisons

You can use "compared to", "compared with", "in comparison to" and "in comparison with" in the same way. For example:

Prices in the UK are high compared to / with / in comparison with (prices in) Canada and Australia.

Compared to / with / in comparison with (prices in) Canada and Australia, prices in the UK are high.

When writing about numbers or changes, I find it easier to use "while" or "whereas":

There are 5 million smokers in the UK, while / whereas only 2 million Canadians and 1 million Australians smoke.

Between 1990 and 2000, the number of smokers in the UK decreased

dramatically, while / whereas the figures for Canada and Australia remained the same.

We don't say "comparing to". We say "2 million" not "2 millions". Correct: 10 million people

Wrong: 10 millions people, 10 millions of people, 10 million of people When there is no number, we do write "millions of".

The language for comparing

Here are some good phrases for comparing. See if you can adapt them to other task 1 questions.

The chart compares... in terms of the number of...

...is by far the most... OR ...has by far the highest number of... the figures for... tend to be fairly similar

In second place on the chart is...*

The number of... is slightly higher than... Only four other countries have...

...all with similar proportions of...

...is the only country with a noticeably higher proportion of...

Note: Only use phrases like "in second place" if the chart shows some kind of competition. Don't write "in first / second place" if the chart shows unemployment or health problems. Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Being able to compare and contrast data is an essential skill for IELTS writing, especially in Task 1. Comparatives and superlatives are one common way to do this.

Comparatives are used to compare two things:

Leopards are faster than tigers.

Superlatives are used to compare one thing against a group of others:

The leopard is the largest of the four big cats.

Here are the basics of how they are formed:

Example Word Comparative Superlative

Words with one syllable high higher the highest

Words with three syllables or more

productive more productive less productive

the most productive the least productive Words ending in –y wealthy wealthier the wealthiest Short words ending with a

consonant/vowel/consonant

hot hotter the hottest

Other Important Language for Comparisons

Comparatives and superlatives are useful to compare and contrast, but they won't be enough.

Here are some other useful words and structures: Transitions

1. The Middle East produces high levels of oil; however, Japan produces none. 2. The USA produces large amounts of natural gas. In contrast, South Korea

produces none.

3. European countries make great use of solar power. On the other hand, most Asian countries us this method of power generation very little.

Subordinating Conjunctions

1. The Middle East produces high levels of oil, whereas / while Japan produces none.

2. Whereas / While the Middle East produces high levels of oil, Japan produces none.

3. Although the Middle East produced 100 tons oil, Japan produced none. Other Structures

1. Developing countries are more reliant on alternative energy production than developed countries.

2. Solar power accounts for far less of the total energy production than gas or coal does.

3. Hydropower is not as efficient as wind power.

4. Like Japan, South Korea does not produce any natural gas. 5. The Middle East produces twice as much oil as Europe.

6. Western countries consume three times more oil than the Middle East. 7. Russia consumes slightly more oil than Germany.

Adding an explanation

In adding explanation, it is important to minimize the number of words which you intend to use to make sure you stay within the word limit. Look at the examples below.

1. Both cities experienced a rise in the number of tourists coming in through their airports, which reached a common level of 255,000 in July.

Reduced Form: Both cities experienced a rise in the number of tourists coming in through their airports, reaching a common level of 255,000 in July.

2. Gold bar prices experienced a spectacular rise in November, which climbed to a new peak of $625.

Reduced Form: Gold bar prices experienced a spectacular rise in November, climbing to a new peak of $625.

3. In the first half of 2009, the attendance at the museum went into free fall, which nose-dived to approximately 300,000 visitors.

Reduced Form: In the first half of 2009, the attendance at the museum went into free fall, nose-diving to approximately 300,000 visitors.

4. Females also spend less time socializing and much less time than men on sport, which allows them more time for studying.

Reduced Form: Females also spend less time socializing and much less time than men on sport, allowing them more time for studying.

Exercise: Reduce the clauses in the sentences into phrases.

1. The figures then dropped sharply to well below 5000, which was the lowest in record for more than 40 years.

2. The largest number of visitors in total came from the United States, which rose from 345 to 609 thousand.

3. Rents shot up from 11% in 1993 to 21% in 2003, which doubled over the ten-year period.

4. From the end of 2001, consumption remained unchanged with two minor peaks at the end

of 2001 and 2002, which corresponded with two dips in the use of nuclear and fossil energies.

5. Email and instant messenger are close thirds and fourths in popularity, which scored 17% and 16% respectively for men, 21% and 18% for their counterparts.

6. The amount of money saved also dropped dramatically, which stepped down from 6% in

2003 to just 2% ten years later.

7. In the first two months of the year, the number of internet users reached nearly 1.5 million, which was double the estimate for the period.

Writing an introduction

The opening sentence for the first paragraph should define what the graph is about that is the date, location and what is being described in the graph. The easiest way to start writing is by paraphrasing the topic. Practice writing different introductions about one graph. Example:

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below shows the proportion of different categories of families living in poverty in Australia in 1999.

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

Write at least 150 words.

Family type Proportion of people from each household type living in poverty

Single aged person 6% (54,000)

Aged couple 4% (48,000)

Single, no children 19% (359,000) Couple, no children 7% (211,000)

Sole parent 21% (232,000)

Couple with children 12% (933,000)

All households 11% (1,837,000)

Sample introductions:

Here are 3 introductions which paraphrase the question in different ways. Notice that sometimes using the words from the table or the table can help you write better.

1. The chart compares percentages of Australians from six different family types who were classed as poor in 1999. (18 words)

2. The table gives information about poverty rates among six types of households in Australia in the year 1999. (18 words)

3. The table compares different categories of Australian families in terms of the proportion of people living below the poverty line in each one. (23 words)

Further practice with paraphrasing in Task 1 introductions

Task 1 introductions should be fast and easy. Just paraphrase the question statement, i.e. rewrite it in your own words. If you practice this technique, you will be able to start the writing test with more confidence. Here are some useful introductory phrases in addition to some simple changes you can make:

Useful introductory phrases: Simple changes you can make:

The table shows changes in … The table gives information about … The bar chart compares …

The graph illustrates … The chart shows data about … The pie charts compare …

The diagram shows the process of … The figure shows how … is produced The line graph shows changes in … The line graph compares …

Graph/line graph/chart/bar chart Diagram/figure

Shows/illustrates/compares proportion = percentage information = data

the number of/the figure for/the proportion of

people in the UK/ the British

from 1999 to 2009/between 1999 and 2009/over a period of 10 years in three countries = in the UK, France and Spain (i.e. name the countries)

The graph below shows the figures for imprisonment in five countries between 1930 and 1980.

We can change 3 elements of this sentence:

1. graph shows = bar chart compares

2. figures for imprisonment = number of people in prison/prisoners

3. between ... and ... = over a period of … years

Sample paraphrased introduction:

Useful Phrases

You can use the words and the phrases below to start writing your introductory paragraph more quickly with more confidence.

The … gives information about … The … compare(s) …

The … makes a comparison between … and … The … shows changes in …

The … illustrates ….

Writing the General Overview Paragraph

In your task 1 essay, you need to write a general summary of the information. Examiners call this the 'general overview' or ‘overall trend’. The summary paragraph can be written straight after the introduction, but you can also put it at the end of the essay. One way to summarize graphs is to look for the overall change for example from the first year to the last year shown. You can also look for the main trends or the highest and lowest numbers.

As can be seen from the chart the biggest area of the total health spending, which is 31%, went into hospital care, while a sum of 23% belong to 'other spending'. Surprisingly, nearly the same amount, which is 22%, is spent on doctors and clinical services. (47 words)

7% 10% 7% 22% 31%

Total health spending

Nursing home Prescription drugs Administartion Doctors and clinical services Hospital care Other spending

It is clear that the total number of marriages per year fell between 1951 and 2009 in the UK. While the number of first marriages fell dramatically from the end of the 1960s, the figure for remarriages remained stable. (36 words)

Selecting Main Points

When there is a lot of information (like in the bar chart below), it can be difficult to select the main points. Look for a change from the beginning to the end of the period. However, there is no overall trend because the figures fluctuate. So, we'll talk about the highest and lowest figures instead.

The table below shows the figures for imprisonment in thousands in five countries between 1930 and 1980

Here is a summary of the main points:

While the figures for imprisonment fluctuated over the period shown, it is clear that the United States had the highest number of prisoners overall. Great Britain, on the other hand, had the lowest number of prisoners for the majority of the period.

Another example:

It is clear from the graph that the proportion of people who use the Internet increased in each country over the period shown. Overall, Mexico had the lowest percentage of Internet users, while Canada experienced the fastest growth in Internet usage.

Look at the graphs below and read the overall trends (general overview paragraphs) carefully.

Wheat exports 1985-1990 in millions of tones (MT)

It is clear that Canada exported more wheat than Australia and the European Community for most of the period shown. However, while Canada's wheat exports fluctuated and Australia's fell, wheat exports from the European Community rose steadily. (37 words)

The number of computer terminals available to students in different faculties of a university

Faculty Computer

Number of students

Average number of students using one computer terminal Agriculture 17 240 14 Arts 35 730 21 Education 25 890 36 Engineering 41 317 8 Law 43 473 11 Science 74 241 3 Total 235 2,891 12

It can be concluded from the given information that there are not enough computer terminals in comparison to the number of students in different faculties. It is clear that some faculties with a higher number of students have fewer computer terminals compared to some less populated faculties. (47 words)

Useful language to refer to graphs:

As can be seen from the graph… It can be seen from the graph that …

The graph shows…

It can be concluded from the graph that…

From the figures/statistics, it can be inferred that… The graph illustrates…

It is noticeable that … We can see that … It is clear that … Overall, …

It is clear from the … that …

Writing an 'overview' not a conclusion

You don't need to write a conclusion for IELTS writing task 1. You need to write an

"overview" of the information. But why don't you need to write a conclusion? What's the difference between a conclusion and an overview?

First, a conclusion is really a final judgment, decision or opinion. This is perfect for the task 2 essay, but task 1 asks you to write a description without analysis or opinions. On the other hand, an "overview" is a simple description of the main points. It is a summary of the

information shown in the graph or chart.

Second, a conclusion should be at the end of a piece of writing. An overview or general summary could go either at the end or near the beginning. It is a good idea to describe the main features of the graph or chart near the beginning of your essay.

So, the suggested report structure for task 1 looks like this: 1. Introduction: what does the chart show?

2. Overview / summary: what are the most noticeable features? 3. Specific details: try to write 2 paragraphs.

Writing Body Paragraphs

Now we should plan writing two main body paragraphs so that your essay looks more organized. We need to select something to say about each trend or piece of information. Remember, there is no rule about what information you select; everyone will do this differently. We should look for the highest figures in each category and make comparisons or give explanations. While writing the body paragraphs, describe the graph in detail, maybe in 3 or 4 sentences. In these two paragraphs you need to select key information, include numbers and make comparisons or give explanations.

The table below gives information on consumer spending on different items in five different countries in 2002. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. Make comparisons where relevant.

Percentage of national consumer expenditure by category – 2002

The table shows percentages of consumer expenditure for three categories of products and services in five countries in 2002.

It is clear that the largest proportion of consumer spending in each country went on food, drinks and tobacco. On the other hand, the leisure/education category has the lowest percentages in the table.

Out of the five countries, consumer spending on food, drinks and tobacco was noticeably higher in Turkey, at 32.14%, and Ireland, at nearly 29%. The proportion of spending on leisure and education was also highest in Turkey, at 4.35%, while expenditure on clothing and footwear was significantly higher in Italy, at 9%, than in any of the other countries. It can be seen that Sweden had the lowest percentages of national consumer expenditure for food/drinks/tobacco and for clothing/footwear, at nearly 16% and just over 5%

respectively. Spain had slightly higher figures for these categories, but the lowest figure for leisure/education, at almost 2%.

Writing just six sentences to include the details

After writing an introduction and overview (summary), we need to describe some specific details that are shown on the graph, chart or diagram.

Writing two 'details' paragraphs is suggested, with three sentences in each. That means we only need six 'details' sentences in total. Try writing just six sentences. Look at the topic below.

The pie charts below show how dangerous waste products are dealt with in three countries

Here are six sentences that we can write about the pie charts. To encourage you to look carefully at the sentences, I've put them in the wrong order. Can you find the correct order? You could also divide the description into two paragraphs later on.

The latter country recycles 69% of hazardous materials, which is far more than the other two nations.

These two methods are not employed in Korea or Sweden, which favour incineration for 9% and 20% of dangerous waste respectively.

Looking at the information in more detail, we can see that 82% of the UK’s dangerous waste is put into landfill sites.

While 25% of Sweden's dangerous waste is recycled, the UK does not recycle at all. This disposal technique is used for 55% of the harmful waste in Sweden and only 22% of similar waste in Korea.

Now read the full sample answer and pay more attention to the body paragraphs and how the six sentences above are put together.

Sample Answer

The charts compare Korea, Sweden and the UK in terms of the methods used in each country to dispose of harmful waste.

It is clear that in both the UK and Sweden, the majority of dangerous waste products are buried underground. By contrast, most hazardous materials in the Republic of Korea are recycled.

Looking at the information in more detail, we can see that 82% of the UK’s dangerous waste is put into landfill sites. This disposal technique is used for 55% of the harmful waste in Sweden and only 22% of similar waste in Korea. The latter country recycles 69% of hazardous materials, which is far more than the other two nations.

While 25% of Sweden's dangerous waste is recycled, the UK does not recycle at all. Instead, it dumps waste at sea or treats it chemically. These two methods are not employed in Korea or Sweden, which favour incineration for 9% and 20% of dangerous waste respectively.

Selecting details and grouping them

Some graphs or tables contain a lot of information, so you will not be able to include everything. Look at the exam bar graph below.

The number of prisoner in thousands in five different countries from 1930 to 1980

In a case like this you should make sure that you write something about each

country. Select the most relevant point for each country, and don't forget to mention some figures. Look at the example sentences about each country below.

United States

The United States had the highest number of prisoners in four out of the six years shown on the chart, and in 1980 the figure for this country peaked at nearly 140,000 prisoners. (33 words)

Canada had the highest figures for imprisonment in 1930 and 1950, with about 120,000 prisoners in both years. (18 words)

New Zealand and Australia

The figures for New Zealand and Australia fluctuated between 40,000 and 100,000 prisoners, although New Zealand's prison population tended to be the higher of the two. (26 words)

Great Britain

In contrast to the figures for the other countries, the number of prisoners in Great Britain rose steadily between 1930 and 1980, reaching a peak of about 80,000 at the end of the period. (34 words)

By putting the classified and grouped sentences together, now we can form our body paragraphs. Read the sample answer below.

The information given in the chart makes comparisons in the number of prisoners in five different countries from 1930 to 1980.

While the figures for imprisonment fluctuated over the period shown, it is clear that the United States had the highest number of prisoners overall. Great Britain, on the other hand, had the lowest number of prisoners for the majority of the period. As can be seen from the graph, the United States had the highest number of

prisoners in four out of the six years shown on the chart, and in 1980 the figure for this country peaked at nearly 140,000 prisoners. Canada had the highest figures for imprisonment in 1930 and 1950, with about 120,000 prisoners in both years.

The figures for New Zealand and Australia fluctuated between 40,000 and 100,000 prisoners, although New Zealand's prison population tended to be the higher of the two.

In contrast to the figures for the other countries, the number of prisoners in Great Britain rose steadily between 1930 and 1980, reaching a peak of about 80,000 at the end of the period.

Including approximation

The following body paragraphs summarize the key information in the two graphs below. Notice the expressions in bold that refer to time and amount. However, it is important not to overuse these words.

Book sales 1990-1999

Just over 10,000 copies of the book were sold in 1990. Sales increased dramatically over the next two years, to peak at almost 60,000 in 1992. However, sales then fell sharply to well under 30,000 in the following year, and they went down by a further 12,000 or so between

1993 and 1994. There was a steady increase in sales over the next/following three years, and by 1997 there had been a rise of slightly more than 10,000. However, after this sales began to drop once more to approximately 10,000 in 1999.

Book sales Jan-Dec 2000

In the first six months/half of the year 2000, sales fluctuated remarkably, although there was a moderate increase in July-August, reaching a peak at well over 15,000. A sharp decrease followed, with sales falling to around 15,000 in September. They remained steady at almost 15,000 until November, when there was a slight increase.

Having a Task 1 checklist is important

Here is a suggested checklist for writing task 1. Put a tick, a check mark, next to each point on the list while writing a Task 1 report.

1. Know all the types of questions in Task 1 such as line graphs, bar charts, etc. 2. Try several real test examples of each type.

3. Know the 4-paragraph method suggested here.

4. Practice paraphrasing the question to write introductions. 5. Understand why we do not write a conclusion for task 1.

6. Know how to write an 'overview', and what to include in this paragraph. 7. Practice selecting key information, rather than describing everything. 8. Be able to write good 'comparing' sentences.

9. Be able to describe changes and trends (e.g. increase, decrease). 10. Be able to use the passive to describe steps in a process.

Avoid common mistakes

Here's some advice to help you avoid common mistakes in IELTS writing task 1:

1. Don't copy the question for your introduction. You should paraphrase the question (i.e. rewrite it using some different words).

2. Don't forget to separate your paragraphs clearly.

3. Don't forget to write a good summary/overview of the information. Put the overview straight after the introduction and try to write 2 sentences describing the information in general. You will not get a high score if you do not write a good overview.

4. Don't describe items separately (e.g. 2 lines on a graph). You should always try to compare things if it is possible to do so. Instead of describing 2 lines separately, compare the 2 lines at key points.

5. Don't try to describe every number on a chart or graph (unless there are only a few numbers). A key skill in task 1 is being able to choose the key information and

describe or compare it well. Try to mention around 6 or 7 numbers in the main body paragraphs.

6. Don't spend longer than 20 minutes on task 1. Practice spending 5 minutes on each of your 4 paragraphs. Stop yourself after 20 minutes; remember that task 2 is worth more marks.

Describing more than one chart

Sometimes you are given two or three different charts e.g. a line graph and a bar, or a chart and a pie chart. In this situation it is best to mention each chart in the introduction, and then, describe the main feature of each chart. If there is a connection between the charts, describe it as well. After that, describe the first chart, and then describe the second chart.

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 first bar chart shows changes in the number of marriages and divorces in the USA, and the second chart shows figures for the marital status of American adults in 1970 and 2000.

It is clear that there was a fall in the number of marriages in the USA between 1970 and 2000. The majority of adult Americans were married in both years, but the proportion of single adults was higher in 2000.

In 1970, there were 2.5 million marriages in the USA and 1 million divorces. The marriage rate remained stable in 1980, but fell to 2 million by the year 2000. In contrast, the divorce rate peaked in 1980, at nearly 1.5 million divorces, before falling back to 1 million at the end of the period.

Around 70% of American adults were married in 1970, but this figure dropped to just under 60% by 2000. At the same time, the proportion of unmarried people and divorcees rose by about 10% in total. The proportion of widowed Americans was slightly lower in 2000.

Describing Processes

Occasionally, you will have to describe a process in the test instead of a graph. Although this type of diagram is less common to see in the test, it is still important to have an understanding of how to tackle this should it arise.

While describing a process, explain the sequence of stages or actions and use words like firstly, secondly, thirdly, then, next, after that, in addition, otherwise, at the same time, concurrently, simultaneously and finally. These words help you show the sequence of actions more accurately. Try to describe every stage of the process one by one.

Connect the stages by using linking words that mentioned earlier, words like firstly, then, etc. Mention whether or not there are stages that are being performed at the same time. You should also notice alternative stages. For example, either stage A or B is performed first or at the same time. The main task here is to describe all the stages.

Wherever possible, try to make comparisons to make your writing flow more naturally. Use the present simple tense and its passive form. For example, the ID card is inserted into the machine. Remember that there is no need to write an overall view paragraph. You just need to write an introduction and two body paragraphs. There is no rule in dividing the paragraphs, and everyone can do it differently.

Sample Process

You will need to describe each step in order for process diagrams. Pay attention to the use of passive verbs e.g. is dug, can be shaped, are placed. The stages have been divided into 2 paragraphs to make the essay easier to read.

The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building industry. Brick Manufacturing

The diagram illustrates different stages in the process of manufacturing bricks from the digging step to delivery.

At the beginning of the process, clay is dug from the ground. Then, the clay is put through a metal grid, and it passes onto a roller where it is mixed with sand and water. After that, the clay can be shaped into bricks in two ways: either it is put in a mould, or a wire cutter is used.

At the fourth stage in the process, the clay bricks are placed in a drying oven for one to two days. Next, the bricks are heated in a kiln at a moderate temperature (200 - 900 degrees Celsius) and then at a high temperature (up to 1300 degrees Celsius), before spending two to three days in a cooling chamber. Finally, the finished bricks are packaged and delivered to be sold in the market.

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

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

The picture illustrates the way in which water passes from ocean to air to land during the natural process known as the water cycle.

Three main stages are shown on the diagram. Ocean water evaporates, falls as rain, and eventually runs back into the oceans again.

Beginning at the evaporation stage, we can see that 80% of water vapour in the air comes from the oceans. Heat from the sun causes water to evaporate, and water vapour condenses to form clouds. At the second stage, labelled ‘precipitation’ on the diagram, water falls as rain or snow.

At the third stage in the cycle, rainwater may take various paths. Some of it may fall into lakes or return to the oceans via ‘surface runoff’. Otherwise, rainwater may filter through the ground, reaching the impervious layer of the earth. Salt water intrusion is shown to take place just before groundwater passes into the oceans to complete the cycle. (156 Words)

Cloud Formation

Condensing water vapour

Ocean Lakes

Snow Precipitation Surface runoff

Groundwater

Impervious layer Salt water

Evaporation Ocean contributes about 80% of total water vapour in air

Describing a map

Occasionally, you will have to describe a process in the test instead of a graph. Although this type of diagram is less common to see in the test, it is still important to have an understanding of how to tackle this should it arise. Maps in IELTS writing task 1 show either the development of an area or a comparison. When you write about a map, you need to focus on describing where things are in location to each other. Language such as 'to the left', 'next to', 'north of', 'behind' etc. will be important.

Chorleywood is a village near London whose population has increased steadily since the middle of the nineteenth century. The map below shows the development of the village.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the development of the village.

Village of Chorleywood showing development between 1868 and 1994

The map shows the growth of a village called Chorleywood between 1868 and 1994.

From 1868 to 1883, Chorleywood covered a small area next to one of the main roads. Chorleywood Park and Golf Course is now located next to this original village area. The village grew along the main road to the south between 1883 and 1922, and in 1909 a railway line was built crossing this area from west to east. Chorleywood station is in this part of the village.

The expansion of Chorleywood continued to the east and west alongside the railway line until 1970. At that time, a motorway was built to the east of the village, and from 1970 to 1994, further development of the village took place around motorway intersections with the railway and one of the main roads. 174 Words

Sample essay

The map below is of the town of Garlsdon. A new supermarket (S) is planned for the town. The map shows two possible sites for the supermarket.

The map shows two potential locations (S1 and S2) for a new supermarket in a town called Garlsdon.

The main difference between the two sites is that S1 is outside the town, whereas S2 is in the town centre. The sites can also be compared in terms of access by road or rail, and their positions relative to three smaller towns.

Looking at the information in more detail, S1 is in the countryside to the north west of Garlsdon, but it is close to the residential area of the town. S2 is also close to the housing area, which surrounds the town centre.

There are main roads from Hindon, Bransdon and Cransdon to Garlsdon town centre, but this is a no traffic zone, so there would be no access to S2 by car. By contrast, S1 lies on the main road to Hindon, but it would be more difficult to reach from

Writing Task 1, Map

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

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

Map of Brandfield with two proposed sites for a shopping mall

The map illustrates plans for two possible sites for a shopping mall in the city of Brandfield. It can be seen that the two sites under consideration are in the north and the south east of the town.

The first possible site for the shopping mall, S1, is just north of the city centre, above the railway line, which runs from the south east of the city to the north west. If it is built here, it will be next to a large housing estate, thus providing easy access for those living on the estate and in the city centre. It will also be next to the river, which runs through the town.

The site in the south east, S2, is again just by the railway line and fairly close to the city centre, but it is near to an industrial estate rather than housing.

There is a main road that runs through the city and is close to both sites, thus providing good road access to either location. A large golf course and park in the west of the town prevents this area from being available as a site. (190 words)

Effective ways to prepare for Task 1

There are some practical ways to prepare for writing Task 1, instead of just writing full essays. Here are some study ideas:

1. Print a collection of questions

Before you start writing any task 1 essays, it's a good idea to have an overview of the different types of questions that you might face. Try to get paper copies (printed) of around 10 different questions – it is useful to be able to see them all in one place. Your 'pack' of questions should include: a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, table, 2 different charts, 3 or more similar charts, process diagram, comparison diagram, life cycle and a map.

2. Practice parts of essays

Instead of writing a full essay, try writing 10 introductions - one for each of the questions in your 'pack' (see point 1 above). The next time you are studying, just focus on writing overviews. On a different day, practice describing percentages, or comparing numbers etc.

3. Use 'model' sentences

Read good samples, band score 7.0 and above. You can find them here and also at the end of Cambridge IELTS books. Read one good sample several times. Every time, read it from a different perspective, for example, once for the vocabulary used, once for the grammar and the grammatical structures used and one more time to the organization of the report or the essay. Underline some model sentences for describing percentages, numbers and figures etc. You will find almost all the

sentence structures you need for writing Task 1. Use the sentences as models, and simply change the content according to the topic.

Good Sample Answers Worth Reading Sample Answer 1

The table below gives information on average hours and minutes spent by UK males and females on different daily activities.

Average hours and minutes spent by UK males and females on different daily activities

The table compares the average amount of time per day that men and women in the UK spend doing different activities.

It is clear that people in the UK spend more time sleeping than doing any other daily activity. Also, there are significant differences between the time spent by men and women on employment/study and housework.

On average, men and women in the UK sleep for about 8 hours per day. Leisure takes up the second largest proportion of their time. Men spend 5 hours and 25 minutes doing various leisure activities, such as watching TV or doing sport, while women have 4 hours and 53 minutes of leisure time.

It is noticeable that men work or study for an average of 79 minutes more than women every day. By contrast, women spend 79 minutes more than men doing housework, and they spend over twice as much time looking after children. (151 words)

Sample Answer 2

The table below gives information on UK acid rain emissions, measured in millions of tonnes, from four different sectors between 1990 and 2007.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. Make comparisons where relevant.

UK acid rain emissions, measured in millions of tonnes, from four different sectors between 1990 and 2007

The line graph compares four sectors in terms of the amount of acid rain emissions that they produced over a period of 17 years in the UK.

It is clear that the total amount of acid rain emissions in the UK fell considerably between 1990 and 2007. The most dramatic decrease was seen in the electricity, gas and water supply sector.

In 1990, around 3.3 million tonnes of acid rain emissions came from the electricity, gas and water sector. The transport and communication sector was responsible for about 0.7 million tonnes of emissions, while the domestic sector produced around 0.6 million tonnes. Just over 2 million tonnes of acid rain gases came from other industries.

Emissions from electricity, gas and water supply fell dramatically to only 0.5 million tonnes in 2007, a drop of almost 3 million tonnes. While acid rain gases from the domestic sector

Sample Answer 3

The table below gives information on the proportion of carbohydrates, protein and fat in three different diets .

You should write at least 150 words.

The proportion of carbohydrates, protein and fat in three different diets

The pie charts compare the proportion of carbohydrates, protein and fat in three different diets, namely an average diet, a healthy diet, and a healthy diet for sport.

It is noticeable that sportspeople require a diet comprising a significantly higher proportion of carbohydrates than an average diet or a healthy diet. The average diet contains the lowest percentage of carbohydrates but the highest proportion of protein.

Carbohydrates make up 60% of the healthy diet for sport. This is 10% higher than the proportion of carbohydrates in a normal healthy diet, and 20% more than the proportion in an average diet. On the other hand, people who eat an average diet consume a greater relative amount of protein (40%) than those who eat a healthy diet (30%) and sportspeople (25%).

The third compound shown in the charts is fat. Fat constitutes exactly one fifth of both the average diet and the healthy diet, but the figure drops to only 15% for the healthy sports diet. (164 words)

Sample Answer 4

The table below gives information on households with a regular use of a car in Great Britain from 1971 to 2007.

Households with a regular use of a car, Great Britain

The graph shows changes in the number of cars per household in Great Britain over a period of 36 years.

Overall, car ownership in Britain increased between 1971 and 2007. In particular, the number of households with two cars rose, while the number of households without a car fell.

In 1971, almost half of all British households did not have regular use of a car. Around 44% of households had one car, but only about 7% had two cars. It was uncommon for families to own three or more cars, with around 2% of households falling into this category.

The one-car household was the most common type from the late 1970’s onwards, although there was little change in the figures for this category. The biggest change was seen in the proportion of households without a car, which fell steadily over the 36-year period to around 25% in 2007. In contrast, the proportion of two-car families rose steadily, reaching

Sample Answer 5

The graph below gives information about internet users in three countries between 1999 and 2009. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. Make

comparisons where relevant.

The line graph compares the percentage of people in three countries who used the Internet between 1999 and 2009.

It is clear that the proportion of the population who used the Internet increased in each country over the period shown. Overall, a much larger percentage of Canadians and Americans had access to the Internet in comparison with Mexicans, and Canada experienced the fastest growth in Internet usage.

In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA was about 20%. The figures for Canada and Mexico were lower, at about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2005, Internet usage in both the USA and Canada rose to around 70% of the population, while the figure for Mexico reached just over 25%.

By 2009, the percentage of Internet users was highest in Canada. Almost 100% of Canadians used the Internet, compared to about 80% of Americans and only 40% of Mexicans.

Related documents

• Ebooks & Courses
• Practice Tests

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.

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?

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

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.

Want  to watch and listen to this lesson on IELTS Academic Writing Task 1?

Click on this video.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

• Click on the HTML link code below.
• Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Like this page?

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.

• Multiple Graphs
• IELTS Writing
• How To Plan a Task 1 Essay
• Back To Top

 * New * Grammar For IELTS Ebooks

$9.99 each       Full Set   Just   $ 23.97

Find Out More >>

IELTS Courses

Full details...

IELTS Writing Ebook

Discount Offer

$7 each       Full Set Just   $ 21

Find out more >>

Testimonials

“I am very excited to have found such fabulous and detailed content. I commend your good work.”  Jose M.

“Thanks for the amazing videos. These are ‘to the point’, short videos, beautifully explained with practical examples."  Adari J.

"Hi Jacky, I bought a listening book from you this morning. You know what? I’m 100% satisfied. It’s super helpful. If I’d had the chance to read this book 7 years ago, my job would be very different now."  Loi H.

"Hi Jacky, I recently got my IELTS results and I was pleased to discover that I got an 8.5 score. I'm firmly convinced your website and your videos played a strategic role in my preparation. I was able to improve my writing skills thanks to the effective method you provide. I also only relied on your tips regarding the reading section and I was able to get a 9! Thank you very much." Giano

“After listening to your videos, I knew I had to ditch every other IELTS tutor I'd been listening to. Your explanations are clear and easy to understand. Anyways, I took the test a few weeks ago and my result came back: Speaking 7, listening 9, Reading 8.5 and Writing 7 with an average band score of 8. Thanks, IELTS Jacky." Laide Z.

      Contact

      About Me

      Site Map

      Privacy Policy

      Disclaimer

IELTS changes lives.

Let's work together so it changes yours too.

Copyright  © 2024     IELT Jacky     

All Right Reserved

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

IELTS Task 1 Writing (Guide+Model Answers)

How much should I write? You should write more than 150 words. Although there is no upper word limit, consider writing around 170-190 words, and not write too much irrelevant information. This way, you can show off your range of vocabulary and Grammar without sacrificing the quality of your writing. You will not get a good score if you write under the word counts. You will not get more than band score 5 if you answer only half of the question. Make sure you understand the question and manage your time to write according to the safe word count.

Related Papers

charcoal.ndck.enzo charcoal.ndck.enzo

IELTS writing Task1

IELTS Documents

For the candidates who intend to prepare for IELTS, here is a simplified discussion regarding the aspects of IELTS Essay writing.

Ritesh patel

Ritesh Patel

Amr Mohammed

Lazaros Kikidis

alireza rizvi

Academic writing task 1 and 2 scoring rubrics plus fruitful resources to succeed with desired bandscore

Humayun Kabir

Hacer Hande Uysal

Sanzhar Askaruly

Research indicates that the characteristics we are born have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major influence? To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a social and political issue in the 21st century? In a recent survey conducted in this country, it was found that up to 20% of twelve year-olds in some schools were showing early signs of nicotine addiction. In the eighteen to twenty year age bracket the percentage was as high as 70%. A large contributing factor to this high level of addiction is attributed to the uncensored TV advertising of cigarettes. For this reason all cigarette advertising should be banned. Most countries offer two education systems from which parents can select the form of schooling which most suits their own child. Compare and contrast state-run and privately-owned schools in your own country or in a foreign country. Wealthy people throw things that they do not need. Discuss and give your opinion. Popular events like the football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

RELATED PAPERS

International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology (IJERT)

IJERT Journal

British Journal of Economics, Management & Trade

Ahmad Usman

Alex Mengel

Rina Familia

Mithun Gupta

Journal of Engineering Science and Technology

NURUL IZZAH KHALID

Physical Review D

Roger Barlow

Wayan Sudatri

arXiv: Representation Theory

Rainer Weissauer

Proceedings of the 11th International Workshop on Health Text Mining and Information Analysis

Zhengping Jiang

beli kipas spanyol terdekat

grosir tokojual

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

David Knobles

Proceedings of the Design Society

anthony abdelmassih

Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation

Wilson Nogueira

JMMR (Jurnal Medicoeticolegal dan Manajemen Rumah Sakit)

muhammad andi

British Journal of Social Psychology

Tanya Schrader

Proyecto socioformativo para el área de ciencias exactas y experimentales

LUIS DANIEL MUñOZ TREJO

Widy Anggraini

Vascular and endovascular surgery

Paula Leal Anaya

Materials Letters

carlos alexis chavez serna

Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science

Selim Kadıoğlu

Microbiology Spectrum

Mikhail Prokopenko

Jiri Nehyba

Rafal Koziel

See More Documents Like This

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topics

By anna hasper, 08 february 2024 - 12:52.

Lots of people who take IELTS Academic think that, of the two writing tasks in the test, Task 1 is the most challenging. Perhaps this is because it involves a visual image and often numbers, too. 

While it’s impossible to predict which topic you’ll be assigned, you can prepare for this task with some concrete steps that will help you develop a good strategy and get the score you need. So, let’s look at what you can expect in IELTS Writing Task 1, and provide you with a structure for completing this task successfully. 

Join our free IELTS preparation webinars

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 topics and answers

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is an information transfer task. The test paper shows you an image (a graph, table, chart or diagram) with certain information, and you will need to present this information in at least 150 words.

So, how can you get a good score in this task? Let’s take a step-by-step approach to Writing Task 1 preparation: 

1. Learn the requirements of Writing Task 1

Before taking the test, it is important to fully understand what the task expects you to do: 

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

Let’s break it down: 

• Summarise. So, avoid writing about every detail. You are writing a summary report. 
• Select the main features of the image. Choose three to five aspects of the image and write about these with some detail. 
• Report, i.e. write about what is visible in the image. Do not give your opinion - stick to the facts! 
• Make comparisons where relevant: look for similarities and differences in the image if appropriate. 

2. Read about common topics 

In this task, you might see images that present information about current topics such as education, the environment, technology use, health, tourism, infrastructure, economic developments - there are lots of potential topics.

So, it’s a good idea to keep up to date with current affairs and read quality newspapers in English to help expand your vocabulary around these topics. That way, you’ll be prepared for IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic topics. 

3. Research the language you’ll need in your answer

Common images you might see in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 are:

• Line graphs
• Bar charts/ graphs
• Or a combination of the above

 It's important to research the language you’ll need to talk about these types of images. Check if the images show information about the past, present or future.  

For pie charts, line graphs, bar charts or graphs, and tables, you’ll probably use language of comparisons and superlatives. For example: The amount of renewable energy accounted for quite similar proportions for both countries. However, in New Zealand most renewables consisted of wind energy.

For processes, it might be appropriate to use the passive, and the language of sequencing. For example: Once the coffee beans have been dried, they are roasted in industrial roasters. Finally, after they’ve been roasted, they are ground into a fine powder.  

For maps and plans, you’ll need to use language of location and directionality, for example:  A new school building, which will be double the size of the current one, will be built to the north of the student parking area.  

Learning the language you need will help to prepare you to write detailed answers about the IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic topics. 

How to answer IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 

Your examiner will be looking for three key elements in your report:

• An introduction
• An overview
• One or two body paragraphs with details about the image 

Let’s look more closely at what you should include in each section of your answer to IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic topics. 

1. The Introduction

The introduction answers one or more of the following three questions: 

Keeping these questions in mind, write a brief introduction on the subject of the images. Now, there might not always be a where or a when, but there always is a what! 

2. The overview

Here it is useful to group the common images mentioned above into two main categories:

• Images that are data-related , such as pie charts, line graphs, bar charts/ graphs and tables. In other words: images with numbers.
• Images that show processes of change : such as processes, maps and plans.

You’ll need to adopt a different approach, depending which category your image belongs to. Let’s take a look: 

Data-related:   The overview presents the big picture; what are the most significant trends or developments? You do not need to present data, such as exact numbers or percentages here. It’s fine to keep it general. 

Processes of change:

• Processes: highlight how many steps you can see in the image and try to categorise related steps into three or four main stages. Doing this shows that you can see the relationships between the different steps. 
• Maps and plans: highlight the main changes or developments. Around three to five aspects should be enough.

If you are presented with more than one visual, for example two line graphs, your overview needs to highlight the main trends or changes for both, and make general comparisons.

You can write the overview at the end, as a separate paragraph or connect it to the introduction. Ideally, write the overview directly after the introduction to make sure it is included.

3. Paragraph(s) with details about the image 

Write one or two paragraphs in which you present the noticeable features in more detail. Here you need to use the data, e.g. the numbers,  to support your description and use comparisons where relevant. 

For data-related tasks write details such as the highest, the lowest, the biggest difference, similarities and significant exceptions. 

For processes of change provide details about the three to five stages (process) or main changes or developments (maps and plans) you mentioned in your overview. 

“Read” the visual(s) and use the changes in location, direction, size etc. as data. Don’t forget to compare and contrast where relevant!

How is Writing Task 1 marked? 

Writing task 1 in IELTS Academic is worth around 33% of your total writing score. To give you an appropriate score, the examiner will look at the following four areas according to the descriptors:

1. Task achievement

The examiner looks at your ability to answer the question properly. You need to write in prose, include an introduction and a general overview, as well as talk about the main features using the data from the task. 

2. Coherence 

The examiner assesses your ability to logically group and organise the information. You need to use a range of cohesive devices to make the connection between your sentences and paragraphs clear.

3. Lexical resource

The examiner assesses your ability to use a variety of vocabulary items with precision. You need to show you can use collocations and synonyms appropriately. Correct spelling is also important.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The examiner looks at your ability to use a variety of sentence structures and different grammar items accurately and appropriately. You need to use appropriate punctuation.

To read more about the updated IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 descriptors check here .

Preparation is key for success

When it comes to Writing Task 1 in IELTS, preparation is the key to success! Prepare yourself thoroughly for IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic topics, and you won’t be taken by surprise in the test. If you approach the task in a systematic way, you’ll get the best score you can. For more insights and IELTS test strategy, sign up for our free weekly IELTS preparation webinars . 

  Book your IELTS test now

Ebooks: Academic Writing Task 1 Target 7.0

IELTS ACACDEMIC WRITING TASK 1

Click on the links below for information on different aspects of writing task 1. I hope these will answer your questions but, if they haven’t, you can contact Total-IELTS via email. Just click on the email link below. 

IELTS Academic Writing: Sample Answers

The must-read page. Essential tips and strategies for ALL IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 question types with Band 8.0 sample answers.

Downloadable PDF copies for each diagram type.

IELTS Academic Writing: Grading

Essential information on Academic writing task 1 task requirements.

How your answer is graded according to the public band descriptors.

IELTS Academic Writing: Planning & Structure

Strategies & tips on how to plan your answer.

Organize your answer into clear paragraphs.

IELTS Academic Writing: Introduction - Paraphrase & Overview

How to write an effective introduction. The importance of paraphrasing and a clear overview. 

IELTS Academic Writing: Main Features & Comparisons

How to select and describe the main features of a diagram and compare them.

Click the Pic

• Practice Test
• Useful Tips – Tricks
• Full Writing Review
• General Writing Task
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2
• Writing Exercises
• Writing Sample – Topics
• Writing Vocabulary
• Speaking Vocabulary
• Intro Question
• Speaking Part 1
• Speaking Part 2
• Speaking Part 2 – Audio
• Speaking Part 3
• IELTS Books
• Recent Exams
• IELTS Vocabulary
• Essay from Examiners
• IELTS Ideas

Introduction

This collection of sample answers is intended to help you understand what is necessary in order to write a great essay. All of these answers have been written by a native speaker who is also a professional writer and IELTS trainer with more than ten years of experience. It is important to note before we begin that these answers are not the only way to score band 9. Whether you study English, Korean, Arabic, Spanish, or any other language, it is important to note that there is more than one way to express yourself. If we gather 1,000 professional writers, they would produce 1,000 different IELTS essays.

The fifty answers in this book have been written in order to guide IELTS candidates to the most effective means of composing an essay. They show how to fulfil the requirements of the marking rubric without using overly complex language.

In fact, that is one of the most important things that you should remember. Accuracy and range are more important than using “difficult” language. The best way to approach IELTS writing is through common sense. You could broadly categorise any good approach to an IELTS essay like this:

1) Analyse the question 2) Structure your answer 3) Write your essay 4) Check your writing

Obviously, the hardest part is #3 because there is so much to consider. However, it is important to note that you do not need to achieve perfection in your essay. You just have to make it very good.

When it comes to structure, I always tell people to keep it simple. Do not try to reinvent the wheel. Every task 2 essay requires an introduction and conclusion, as well as two or three body paragraphs. Your structure should look like this: 1) Introduction 2) Body paragraph 1 3) Body paragraph 2 4) Conclusion

The sample answers in this book should help you to understand the construction and execution of a very good IELTS essay. Do not think that these are the only ways to do it. They are intended as models to help you but ultimately the process of planning and writing an essay comes down to one person – you.

DOWNLOAD PDF

• ielts books

LATEST POSTS

[2023] cambridge ielts 18 academic pdf and audio, [pdf] combo reading comprehension skills and strategies, [pdf] 31 high-scoring formulas to answers the ielts speaking questions.

IELTS App - For Mobile

Ready for the IELTS exam with our IELTS app. Over 2 million downloads

Popular Last 24h

Describe a film that made you laugh, describe something difficult you would like to succeed in doing, [ebook] ielts share: 240 speaking topics pdf, list of top 100 synonyms in the ielts test, ielts speaking part 1 : hometown, village, living place, city, tourism, country, [pdf + audio] download full set of 4000 essential english words, ielts preparation tips | top-10 online free sites.

• IELTS Test/Skills FAQs
• IELTS Scoring in Detail
• Forecast Speaking – 2023
• List IELTS Speaking Part 3
• List IELTS Speaking Part 1
• IELTS Writing 2023 – Actual Test

Our Telegram

Join our community for IELTS preparation and share and download materials.

The information on this site is for informational purposes only. IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, or IDP Education Australia.

Latest Articles

Ielts speaking part 3: topic relax, describe a place | where you go to relax, ielts speaking part 1: advertisements (audio), describe a place where you like to go shopping  , describe an event you attended, most popular, describe a person whom you met for the first time and made you happy, topic: experience is the best teacher, in many countries，today there are many highly qualified graduates without employment..

ieltspracticeonline All Rights Reserved

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)

• 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

We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test . If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.

The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook , then follow us on Instagram  and  Pinterest . 

If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.

Related Posts

IELTS Discussion Essay Sample 5 – Environment

IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion essay example that is a band score 8. The question…

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Process Example Essay 2

IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic process essay example that is a band score 8. The…

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.