IELTS Writing Task 1 requires you to produce a summary of at least 150 words regarding some visual information, which is typically in the form of a graph or chart. In less than 20 minutes, you must select the essential aspects, describe and compare the data provided.
Brief Information About IELTS Writing Module
There are two assignments in both the academic writing and general training writing modules that don’t call for specialized or technical expertise. The writing assignment is made to see if you have the following abilities.
- ability to describe diagrams, tables and lists
- ability to develop an argument supported by evidence
- ability to communicate ideas clearly
- range and accuracy of English vocabulary and sentences structures
Two answer sheets—one for Task 1 and one for Task 2—will be provided to you. Answers must be given in whole, not as a list of notes. You may select either pencil or pen to write your responses at this time. Therefore, bring writing instruments into the test room, including a pen, pencil, and eraser.
One-third of the points are assigned to Task 1. For IELTS Writing Task 1, you must write at least 150 words, and we advise you to devote no more than 20 minutes to it.
Two thirds of the points come from Task 2. For IELTS Writing Task 2, you must write at least 250 words, and we suggest that you devote 40 minutes to it. If you write fewer words than required, you will receive a lower grade.
The final outcome is converted into a score on the nine-band IELTS scale. Because of the nature of both tests, it is crucial to adhere to these rules. Writing Task 2 is worth more points than Task 1, so you should give each task the time it needs to be successful.
Academic Writing
- Task 1: Task 1 requires you to prepare a report on visual data (a graph, table, chart, or diagram).
- Task 2: You are given a problem, an argument, or a point of view.
General Training Writing
- Task 1: You must write a letter in task 1 asking for details or outlining a situation.
- Task 2: You are given a problem, an argument, or a point of view.
Well, Today we are to discuss about Writing Task 1 so, let’s get forward to our main topic. We will be discussing about Writing task 1 of both Academic and general Training both module.
IELTS Writing Task 1: An Overview
We will be discussing about below section on this page read each and every sections to achieve or maximize your band score.
- Academic Writing Task 1 Introduction
- Academic Writing Task 1 Questions types
- General Training Writing Task 1 Introduction
- General Training Writing task 1 question
- Effective sentence structure to get band 9
- Language of trends: sentence and vocabulary
- Writing Task 1 process to maximize score
- Rules to follow while writing task 1
- Common Mistakes done by students in Writing task 1
- Practice Questions for Academic Writing task 1
- Practice Questions for General Training Writing task 1
- Summary for Writing Task 1
Let’s get started !!
Academic Writing Task 1 in Brief
You are required to translate visual information into text using your own words after receiving a visual input (a chart, graph, table, or other diagram, procedure).
For instance, you could need to evaluate a set of statistics displayed in a graph or chart, then sum it up by choosing and presenting the key elements. Alternately, you might need to look at a flowchart and describe the key steps in a process or examine a design of an flow chart and explain how it works.
The target skills in this task are:
- presenting, describing, interpreting and comparing data
- describing a process or how much something works
- using appropriate and accurate language
Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 Question Types
You must write a brief explanation based on visual details or data for Academic Task 1 in the writing module. The most typical formats for this visual data are tables, pie charts, line and bar graphs.
You might be asked to describe two graphs or charts. If this is the case, you need to compare and contrast the information and make connection between the two.
Pie-Chart
Pie charts are circular diagrams with sectors or “pie slices” that are typically used to represent percentages. Each pie slice’s size reveals the proportional amount of data it represents. The slices come together to form a complete circle. They are more frequently employed in the corporate sector and the media than in the fields of science or technology.
Example: IELTS Writing task 1: Pie Chart
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The pie charts below show the comparison of different kinds of energy production of France in two years.
Write at least 150 words.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart Tips
- Always draw attention to the largest and tiniest dimensions.
- You must draw attention to the major adjustments or trends if there are two pie charts with distinct time periods.
- Use the vocabulary of a pie chart: accounts for, comprised of, represents
- When the units have not been mentioned in the previous sentence, the phrase “Units are measured in…” should be used.
Line Graphs
You can use line graphs to demonstrate how something evolves over time. They have a horizontal x-axis and a vertical y-axis. Typically, the y-axis displays the object being measured and the x-axis displays the time period. Trends can be displayed using line graphs.
Example IELTS Writing Task 1: Line Graphs
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The first chart below gives information about the money spent by British parents on their children’s sports between 2008 and 2014.
The second chart shows the number of children who participated in three sports in Britain over the same time period.
Write at least 150 words.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Line Graphs Tips
- Use the information from the line graph in your introduction.
- Include any other important characteristics and main patterns in a summary statement.
- Make sure that each sentence in the body of the paragraph is supported with dates and numbers.
Bar Graphs
Bar graphs, also known as bar charts, are helpful for displaying how something has changed over a specific period of time, especially when there are major changes. They are similar to line graphs in that they contain two axes. Rectangular bars that can be horizontally or vertically oriented and have lengths corresponding to the data values they represent make up a bar graph. They are frequently applied to comparisons between two or more values.
Example IELTS Writing Task 1: Bar Graphs
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The bar chart below shows the percentages of men and women in employment in three countries in 2005 and 2012.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Bar Graphs Tips
- Read and comprehend the query.
- Determine and record the important details.
- Begin with Formulating the query
- Describe in depth using numerical data.
- Watch your word count and the clock.
- Use appropriate grammar and terminology.
- Utilize Transition Words to Maintain Continuity
- Don’t express an opinion.
Tables
Tables contain words and numbers, displayed in columns or boxes to illustrate a set of facts and the
relationships among them.
Example IELTS Writing Task 1: Tables
Image Source: IELTS Focus
IELTS Writing Task 1 Tables Tips
- Include all of your salient aspects in the summary. Note that a high score requires more than one distinguishing feature.
- Paraphrase your body of text.
- You’re not required to provide every detail. By providing averages or ranges, you can group specifics together.
- Be discerning. Keep your report’s details to a minimum.
- Aim for less than 200 words, but make sure you write at least 150.
- Use a variety of linking words, such as in comparison to, contrasted with, whilst, etc.
- Avoid using the same phrase patterns too often.
- There will be some words repeated. One term can only have so many synonyms in total. It’s acceptable as long as you demonstrate proficiency in paraphrasing and don’t make any mistakes.
Process or an Object
Although the most frequent work type for Task I of the Writing module is interpreting and presenting facts, two more task types are conceivable. In one, you are given a diagram and asked to explain how something functions or to describe a process. You must describe an item or a sequence of events in the other.
It may be necessary for you to explain an object’s functionality or to compare and contrast two or more items. This kind of work is less typical.
Example IELTS Writing Task 1: Describe a Process
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building industry.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Example IELTS Writing Task 1: Describe an object or Event
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The illustration shows a two wheeled bicycle which is a relatively recent invention.
Describe to someone with no prior knowledge how a bicycle operates.
Write at least 150 words.
Source : Paramount Ielts
General Training Writing Task 1 in Brief
In this activity, a prompt presents a dilemma or explains a circumstance that calls for a letter-style written response. For instance, you can be asked to write a formal letter to a stranger or an official, or you might be asked to write a letter to a fictitious recipient like a buddy or a teacher. You must write in an informal, semi-formal, or formal tone. Your relationship to the reader you are writing for will influence the style you select. What should be in the letter is outlined in the task instructions’ bullet points.
General Training task require you to:
- respond appropriately to a task
- show familiarity with letter-writing styles
- include the information highlighted in the bullet points
- use appropriate and accurate language
Example: IELTS General Training Task 1 Example
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are planning to spend a two-week holiday in an English-speaking country where you have a friend. You need some advice about travelling there. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter :
- explain why you have decided to visit the country and give some details of your trip
- ask about the places you should visit
- ask if you can stay at your friend’s place for a few days
Write at least 150 words.
IELTS Writing task 1 Marking Scheme
First, the IELTS examiner will grade your test in accordance with the following four categories:
- Task Achievement (25%)
- Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
- Lexical Resource (25%)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)
What do these things mean right now?
1. Task achievement: This refers to how successfully you complete your assignment, describe something in your writing, include enough information, choose the content you include, and write at least 150 words.
2. Coherence and Cohesion: This refers to how well you organized your content, how well you choose your paragraphs, and how well it flowed from start to finish.
3. Lexical Resources: A vocabulary resource is what this term refers to. This demonstrates how much vocabulary you use and how varied, accurate, and suitable it is. Spelling mistakes and improper word usage can lower your score. It’s incorrect to mention “sales increasing.” You must use “sales grew” instead.
4. Grammatical range and Accuracy: Obviously, this means “Are you employing complicated sentence structures?” and “Are you making grammar mistakes?” If you keep using the same structure, your sales will first climb, then “flare,” and finally “fall.” Your grammar is correct, I grant you, but all you give me is the past tense repeatedly. Therefore, being exact will result in a high score, whereas repeatedly employing the same structure will result in a bad score.
Effective Sentence Structure to Get Band 9
Here, are some sentences structure which will help you maximize your IELTS Writing Task 1 Bands to 9.
1. Position statement:
- The price of petrol stood at $9.11 per Litre.
- In 2003, the rice export accounted for about 5% of total exports.
2. Movement statements
- There was a decrease in the price of petrol/ petrol prices.
- There was an increase in the rice export/ export of rice/ exported rice.
- Petrol prices/ the price of petrol decreased.
- The export of rice/ the rice export/ the exported rice increased.
- Petrol prices/ the price of petrol experienced a decrease.
- The export of rice/ the rice export/ the exported rice witnessed an increase.
3. Time phrases
- From 1980 to 1990
- Between 1980 and 1990
- During/throughout the period from 1990 to 2003
- During a period of 20 years
- Over the (six-month) period (between April and August)
- In 1992
- By 1996
- For 6 years
4. Grammar Variations
Sentences should be linked together to make your writing more interesting and to raise your band score, but you should try to diversify how you do it. Here are a few alternatives to consider rather than simply using “then”:
- From 2004 to 2016, USB sales rose continuously, then marginally the following year.
- Sales of USBs rose significantly from 2004 to 2016, but marginally decreased in 2011.
- USB sales decreased somewhat in 2011 after rising consistently from 2004 to 2016
5. Providing proof (data)
It’s crucial to provide proof to back up your claim when summarizing the essential details of a diagram. In other words, you add data, such as exact figures, percentages, etc.
For instance:Â
- Between 2003 and 2019, USB sales climbed significantly from 39 (million) to 62 million units.
- From 39 million units in 2003 to 62 million the following year, USB sales modestly climbed.
6. Variations in Vocabulary
The breadth of vocabulary you employ is increased by using these changes, which can make your writing more fascinating and raise your band score.
- Sales of USBs decreased somewhat in 2012.
- 2012 saw a modest decline in USB sales.
- In 2012, USB sales saw a modest decline.
