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Writing Task 1 (Academic Test)

General Information:

IELTS Writing section image containing text "IELTS Writing"

Sometimes more than one type of chart is combined, for example a pie chart and a table. Other times there could be two tables or two other charts.

 

The task assesses your ability to identify key features and trends, compare similarities and differences and then present the information accurately and logically, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar.

 

The best approach is to give an overview of 1 or 2 main or general points that you can see in the visual (chart, map etc.) in your introduction, and then follow with 2 paragraphs that look at more detailed points. It is usually possible to group the detailed points into two groups and address each group in a separate paragraph. 

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You should spend approximately 20 minutes on completing Task 1, which means that you should manage your time effectively to ensure that you can complete the task within the given time.

 

You are recommended to spend 3 or 4 minutes planning your response before you begin writing. During this time, you should:

  • read the instructions carefully

  • analyse the given chart, graph, table, diagram or map

  • decide on your overview of the data given - this is a very general comment about the major trend that you can see in the data and will be in your introduction

  • choose how you will organise your paragraphs -  look for a way to group the data or information in a way that fits nicely into 2 body paragraphs

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Go to mock IELTS Academic Test Writing Task 1 questions & model answers

The graph below shows the consumption of orange juice and some other types of juice in a European country between 1990 and 2010.

 

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

Line graph showing the consumption of orange juice and some other types of juice in a European country between 1990 and 2010

Line Graph Task:

Bar Chart Task:

The graph below shows the average number of tickets sold in a theme park from Monday to Sunday during three periods of the day.

 

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

Bar chart showing the average number of tickets sold in a theme park from Monday to Sunday during three periods of the day

Pie Chart Task:

The pie charts below shows the number of people employed in several job types in the United Kingdom in 1991 and 2001.

 

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

Pie charts showing the number of people employed in several job types in the United Kingdom in 1991 and 2001

Diagram Task:

The diagram below shows the processes involved in the water cycle.

 

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features.

Diagram showing the processes involved in the water cycle

Map Task:

The diagrams below show the changes that have occurred around a school between 1990 and 2010.

 

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

Diagram showing the changes that occurred around a school between 1990 and 2010

Examples of Task Types:

The IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 requires you to write a report summarising or describing a visual representation of information. There a several types of visual:

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  • line charts

  • bar charts

  • pie charts

  • tables

  • diagrams

  • maps

  WRITING  

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