IELTS Writing Task 1

IELTS Writing Task 1

Graph, map or process description (150 words) that you should spend around 20 minutes on and is worth ⅓ of the total writing marks.

In IELTS Writing Task 1 you need to write a short report based one of the following:

As this task is about writing a report/description, no opinion should be given and you should not write a conclusion.  This task tests your ability to:
    • select and report main features
    • to describe and compare data
    • identify significance and trends in factual information
    • describe a process
This part of the test is worth one third of your marks for the writing section, writing task 2 is worth double the marks. You only have about 20 minutes to complete this task and you should write just over 150 words (with a maximum of around 200).

 Layout (bar charts, line graphs, pie charts and tables)

*Process diagrams and maps also require the introduction and overview part. Then for the process diagram the following paragraph(s) will describe the process using linking words. For the map, the following paragraphs will develop key observations or contrast key things/different years.

IELTS Writing Task 1 layout
IELTS Writing Task 1 layout

 

Introduction

Introduction sentence reiterating/paraphrasing the question.  You say what it is about in your own words. Synonyms are good.

Overview

Here you will mention the general trends and important things you notice. You should make 3-4 points.

*You can start with “Overall, ….” and then make your points.

Some possible points to mention:

    • What does the data do from start to finish?
    • Do they generally go up or down or do they fluctuate?
    • Any significant difference from the general trend?
    • Overall increase/decrease?
    • Peaks/lows or what are the highest/lowest values?
    • What are the most noticeable differences or similarities?
    • Any significant exceptions/anomalies?

Data Paragraph 1 

Support points made in the overview using data.

Data Paragraph 2

Another paragraph to support points made in the overview using data

Tips

    • Some words and phrases to try and include are:  ‘while’, ‘although’, ‘with’, ‘even though’, ‘whereas’ and ‘on the other hand’.
    •  Use a variety of verbs such as grow, rise, fall, increase, decrease and  fluctuate to describe trends.

Writing Task 1 Model Answers

More

Example questions (from ieltsessentials.com)
Example questions (from IELTS-exam.net)
Example questions (from www.ielts.org)
Example question (British Council)
 

IELTS Writing Task 2 Guide