ielts journal essay writing task 1 academic pdf

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: The Complete Guide

When you sit down for the Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 on test day, you’ll see one or two visuals, such as a chart, diagram, or graph. You’ll then write a report to give information based on key features of these visuals. Overall, you have 20 minutes to write 150 words.

The good news? This is a very predictable exercise! In this post, we’ll look at what you need to know about IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 to get a high band score, from tips to sample questions.

(NOTE: This guide is a great supplemental material for any of the Magoosh IELTS study schedules . In fact, we even specifically recommend it as a source of quick reference for our one-week IELTS study plan .)

Table of Contents

Scoring categories, how can i get a 6.5 (or better) in ielts writing task 1, what’s the difference between ielts academic writing task 1 vs. task 2, top 5 tips to succeed in writing task 1, a final word on ielts academic writing task 1, ielts academic writing task 1 basics.

As I mentioned above, IELTS Writing Task 1 on the academic module of the IELTS Writing Test asks you to write about two visuals. The assignment is a lot like monthly report writing that an employee might do to submit to his or her supervisor at work: the boss only wants relevant facts and data based on the latest company numbers. This is also what the test wants!

However, you only have 20 minutes. With that in mind, here is a pacing plan that works for many test-takers. You can make modifications to the amount of time you spend on each step, as needed:

• Reading the prompt, planning the essay: 3 – 5 minutes
• Writing: 10 – 15 minutes
• Editing and proofreading: 3-5 minutes

What criteria will you be scored on for the IELTS Academic test? Check it out!

Task Achievement

IELTS defines “Task Achievement” as a measurement of “how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the response fulfills the requirements set out in the task, using the minimum of 150 words” (Source: IELTS, Test format in detail ) .

Basically, you’re supposed to follow every letter of the directions and the prompt in order to score well in this category. More importantly, it means you should NOT include things that do not belong or are not “appropriate” or “relevant” to IELTS Writing Task 1.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

According to the official IELTS rubric (PDF) , Grammatical Range and Accuracy accounts for a quarter of your score. So what does this mean for you?

First of all, your grammar should be varied. It’s important to mix up different, complex sentences, for example, rather than having them all be simple. Try to avoid using “Be” verbs too often, as well.

Second of all, your grammar should be accurate; avoid grammatical errors. If you have at least a few months left before your test, it’s a great idea to get a solid English grammar workbook to practice polishing your writing skills in this area!

Lexical Resource

You can think of “Lexical Resource” as similar to “Grammatical Range and Accuracy.” Here, IELTS examiners are looking for a wide range of vocabulary—correctly used.

Work on building your vocabulary with resources, like Magoosh’s free IELTS vocabulary flashcards . Again, this will be most useful if you have a significant amount of time before test day. 15-20 words a day is a good goal!

Coherence and Cohesion

This a measurement of your ability to present ideas logically and clearly. In other words, the IELTS exam wants to see that your ideas make sense in the order you present them and that they work together in a logical way.

For a lot of students, 6.5+ is a great goal for IELTS. So what will boost your band score in the shortest amount of time?

First of all, make sure your paragraph structure is solid. This will help your Coherence and Cohesion score, and may even boost your Task Achievement score, as well!

Next, work on linking words . This will also serve a double purpose: it can boost both your Coherence and Cohesion and your Lexical Resource scores!

Finally, make sure you practice writing model essays to improve your IELTS Writing Task 1 skills. Just copying the template once won’t do much—you’ll need to put those skills to practice over and over again to truly polish them! Here are a few resources to look at for prompts and sample answers.

• Line Graph Band 9 Model Essay
• Bar Chart with Model Answer
• Pie Chart with Model Answer
• Two Graphics with Model Answer
• Map with Model Answer

Then, check out what you need to do to score Band 9 on Writing Task 1 here !

If you’ve been studying for the IELTS already, you probably know that IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 and Task 2 are quite different. Task 2 is a standard five-paragraph essay in which you present your perspective on an issue.

Task 2 is worth more points than Task 1, and Task 2 requires more time to complete. Therefore, you may be tempted to brush aside IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 as you study, choosing instead to focus much more attention on Task 2. I encourage you to avoid this approach!

• Start reading right away—you only have 20 minutes!
• Read the summary and titles first.
• Take note of categories / units.
• Decide which information to include in your response quickly.
• Use bullet points to remind yourself of what you want to include.

Now you’re ready to go and practice IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 responses. You should practice regularly, including with full-length practice tests. Make every attempt to create real test conditions when you practice. In other words, find a time when you won’t be interrupted. Limit yourself very strictly to 20 minutes.

Taking IELTS test in General Training and need info about the General Training Writing Task 1 ? Check out Magoosh’s expert letter writing tips here! (And you can also read a guide to the entire IELTS Writing section !)

Eliot Friesen-Meyers is the Senior Curriculum Manager for Magoosh IELTS and TOEFL. He attended Goshen College (B.A.), New York University (M.A.), and Harvard University (M.T.S.), gaining experience and skills in curriculum development, ESOL instruction, online teaching and learning, and IELTS and TOEFL test prep education. Eliot’s teaching career started with Literacy Americorps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later, taught ESL programs at Northeastern University, University of California-Irvine, and Harold Washington College. Eliot was also a speaker at the 2019 TESOL International Conference . With over 10 years of experience, he understands the challenges students face and loves helping them overcome those challenges. Come join Eliot on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram . Recent blog posts Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 2

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15 responses to “IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: The Complete Guide”

Hello, This is Dr. Rohit Amale from India. This webpage of magoosh is vety informative & has many links for ielts study. I am planning to study as per magoosh guidance. I want to know that apart from magoosh vocabulary flashcard app & magoosh ielts app, is there any other app or for studying ielts? I have already downloaded these 2 apps on my device. And do these apps have all the information and the study links given in this webpage or not? Or do I have to download any other app? Waiting for reply. Many thanks. Dr. Rohit Amale

Hi Dr. Rohit,

It looks like you are signed up for a free trial with our mobile app. In order to get the most out of the apps, you will have to purchase a Magoosh Premium Subscription. Our Premium program is comprehensive and will bring you through all of the information that you need to know for the IELTS! We also have a lot of free information and resources on our blog that will help you to prepare 🙂

thank you ! it was very useful information and guidance.

I’m glad you found it useful, Amranullah!

Very useful, thank you for sharing!

You’re welcome, Almudena! Glad it helped 😀

Very helpful stuff here. Practical too. Thank you. Would not mind receiving more of it.

Glad you find it helpful, Edington!

May I know , is there available ielts writing and tasking book?

I’m afraid I don’t understand your question. Can you provide some more detail about what you are looking for?

Beneficial! Thank you for this article.

I have read in another Magoosh blog that it is necessary to use words instead of number (ie: six instead of 6) in case of writing essays. But in your sample response it is maintained otherwise. Can you give an insight to this?

The general convention in academic writing is to write out any numbers in words that can be written in two words or less and write the numbers as numbers if they are larger than two words. As far as percents and dollars go, that depends on if you are writing out the word or the number.

However, I would not worry too much about this convention. If you write the number in letters or numbers it will not affect your score. Additionally, one or two additional words will not affect your score either. You don’t want to be so close to the minimum that a couple of words would cause you to drop below the minimum. If you are currently struggling to hit the minimum word requirement, you should work on your writing until you are consistently above the minimum range.

I am currently using the Magoosh subscription course for 6 months, and I think my IELTS score has increased abruptly. I recommend Magoosh ielts for best practice.

We are so glad that Magoosh has been helping you, Falak! Keep up the great work 🙂

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Smith Adam Edi Ielts Writing Task 1 Academic Module

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Academic year: 2021

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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.

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IELTS Academic task 1

Here on IELTS Podcast, you will find useful IELTS Academic writing task 1 tips, tutorials, sample essay questions and answers to help you prepare for your Academic task 1 exam.

How much time should I spend on IELTS writing task 1 in the IELTS test?

The IELTS writing exam is divided into two sections . You have an hour to write both. Since task 1 makes up 33% of the test you should plan to spend 20 minutes on this section to ensure that you make effective use of your time.

IELTS Task 1 Marking criteria

Task 1 is marked according to the following:

• Task achievement (25%)
• Cohesion and coherence (25%)
• Vocabulary (25%)
• Grammar (25%)

IELTS Graphs, Charts or Diagrams

Academic writing task 1 requires that you summarise and compare a diagram, chart or graph, talking about the main features.

You should use at least 150 words for the task. This section is not an essay. It is a summary. You should use formal language and it must factual.

Academic writing task 1 is a report on a bar chart , pie chart, table, map diagram or process. Below we have tutorials, guiding you on how to answer the different task 1 questions.

• How to describe a process diagram
• How to describe a pie chart
• Task 1 line graph sample essay
• How to describe a bar graph
• How to describe a flow chart
• Describing a map for task 1
• Dynamic and static charts and the language of overviews
• How to describe a table of figures
• Describing a natural process
• How to describe a bar chart
• How to describe an image
• Describing a graph with numbers
• Writing tips for academic task 1

Summarise and Compare

Read the question carefully. Academic writing task 1 may contain two to three charts which may be a line graph , a table, a pie chart , a map , a diagram or a bar chart . To do well in this task you need to take a general overview of the task.

A good description will look at trends, at highs and lows and at the times that these occurred – beginnings and endings in other words. You need to describe the key features and changes in the graphs. That means just talk about the main features and don’t try to describe everything! A great tip is to use superlatives. For example:

The most expensive item was…

The largest amount spent was…

The lowest point was…

Another useful tip for IELTS writing task 1 is to find things that were the same or similar, then contrast them with what was different. For example,

‘Sales of both sugar and salt increased during the period shown, reaching their highest prices in November. In contrast, sales of coffee fluctuated significantly.’

The Process

Start off by looking at the graphs to determine what you need to summarise and compare. Write an introduction of one to two sentences. Then offer a general overview, describing trends. The next paragraphs should get into the specifics, grouping your information according to the main features and then describing each of them.

Always bear in mind that this is a test of your English-speaking abilities. Use the appropriate vocabulary . Try to showcase as much of your vocabulary as possible and make sure that your English grammar is immaculate. Write at least 150 words – this cannot include copying any of the information from the question word for word. Paraphrasing several words in a sentence is fine.

Preparing for the Exam

The best way to prepare for the exam is to get plenty of practice beforehand. First, look at some excellent essay examples for writing task 1. There are quite a few useful links at the end of this article. Find a style or model you like and try to use some of the same phrases to describe a similar diagram, remembering to write at least 150 words. Try your hand at describing and comparing various diagrams and graphs. Send them in for an evaluation and learn from the outcomes.

Useful links to help you prepare for academic task 1:

Frequently Asked Questions

Which articles should i read first.

We are here to help! There are lots of articles that can give you help and tips for specific IELTS writing task 1 types, and also more general information about writing task 1.

Make sure you don’t look at General Training articles though, because writing task 1 for General Training will not be the same.

Here are some of our favourites:

• How to get band 9 in task 1
• 5-step plan for task 1
• How to paraphrase in task 1
• Academic task 1 marking criteria
• Five essential writing skills for task 1
• What tense to use in task 1
• How to describe percentages
• Vocabulary to describe a map

Sample IELTS Writing task 1 Questions and Essays

• IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary List With Examples
• Academic task 1 sample essays and answers
• Task 1 sample charts and graph questions
• Academic task 1 sample diagram questions
• How to score well on a bar chart question in writing task 1
• IELTS academic task 1 sample question
• IELTS academic task 1 sample question – bar chart showing interest
• IELTS Academic writing task 1 question – pie chart showing usage

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The Key to IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic by Pauline Cullen [PDF]

The Key to IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic is written by author Pauline Cullen, a professional at Cambridge University and the author of many famous  IELTS books  such as The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS ,  Vocabulary for IELTS Advanced ,  Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS with Answers , The Key t o IELTS Success and  The Key to IELTS Writing Task 2 .

The Key to IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic Overview

The Key to IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic teaches the skills needed to write a formal discursive essay that will meet the criteria and finally get a band 7 or above IELTS Writing Task 1 . The book is divided into two sections. The first teaches the skills needed to write a clear, logical features guided test practice with model answers. Rather than simply presenting these as a finished writing process step by step, and show the type of thinking and planning you need to do in samples of bands 6.0-6.5. You will learn how to address them, and how to increase the band score from 6.5 to 8.

There are now 15 lessons, and the response so far has been great. As with the Writing Task 2 book, there are detailed, step-by-step explanations, and interactive exercises to allow students to develop their confidence and their skills, and up to 5 people can share a book (and the cost).

• 20 Lessons and 12 months of access—you can do it in 20 days, 20 weeks, or longer
• Learn about the problems in Task 1 that will keep you at Band 6 or lower
• No waiting—immediate access to the course
• Interactive exercises to give you immediate feedback
• Share the cost and the book on up to 5 different devices
• New writing tasks and 25 model answers

The Key to IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic Guide

To improve your score, you must learn to apply the skills the examiner is looking for in your writing. Lessons 1-10 will help you with this, so be sure to complete this section first, before moving on to the guided test practice section. Don’t rush through the sections – read, re-read, think, absorb, and be sure to complete the interactive practice exercises. Work at your own pace. Practising little and often is generally the best approach to take, and I’ve included ideas to help with this.

Throughout the lessons, you will be encouraged to review your writing. If you have done previous nearby. Reflect on your own writing problems and try to be systematic in the way that you work on fixing these. You also find a link to printable worksheets to guide you through any activities and help you organise your own notes. Print them out and have them next to you as you work through the lessons.

All of our language skills are linked in some way, and the author tried to make use of this by incorporating writing ones. These add variety, but you will also find that they have a positive effect on your writing. During the thinking stage of writing, we hear our inner voice. Lower levels tend to think of ideas in their own language word for word. At the higher levels, students can think in the language they will use to write, inner voice makes the same mistakes as when you are speaking in English, and these mistakes The listening exercises not only offer variety but should also help improve your written accuracy.

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IELTS ACADEMIC 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: 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.

Total-IELTS Ebooks: Academic Writing Task 1 Target 7.0

About the book

IELTS Academic Writing 7.0 Task 1 is a step-by-step guide to writing a band 7.0 report and provides band 8.0 model answers.

Who is the book for?

This book is suitable for IELTS students and candidates who have just started on their IELTS study program along with more experienced students who need to achieve a band 7.0​.

Unit contents

Test Tips: Explanation of the requirements for each task type.

Essential vocabulary and grammar for all types of diagrams.

Language practice exercises to reinforce grammar and vocabulary.

Task Focus: How to write an effective introduction, overview and describe the main features.

Test practice questions from IELTS past papers.

Band 8.0 model answers for each type of diagram.

Click here for sample pages from IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Target 7.0

IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1: GRADING

Try to aim for 150 – 170 words in Academic task 1 and keep in mind that even though there is no IELTS restriction on the number of words you can write (tasks 1 and 2), writing 200 + words on Task 1, it is really not necessary and is not effective time management.

However, answers under the word count are penalized in the Task Achievement criterion. 

 Click on the following link for how words are counted in IELTS writing... IELTS Word Count

You are graded in 4 criteria .  IELTS Writing Band Descriptors

The criteria are equally weighted with 25% awarded for each category and the writing band score is the average of the four. For example… ​

Task Achievement

According to the IELTS public band descriptors, a band 7.0 in Task Achievement is...​​​

Covers requirements of the task.

This is an overall grade that reflects how well the task has been answered.

Content - relevant and accurate.

Relevant means that you should not give your opinions about or reasons for data. Only describe the facts. I addition, the data you describe in your answer should be accurate. You are allowed a few lapses with these.  

Key features are selected and clearly highlighted.

You should select  and describe the main (key) features

Clear overview.

Every diagram you describe must have a clear overview

Format appropriate.

You should use divide you answer into clear and separate paragraphs with no bullet points, numbered lists or paragraph headings. ​

Note: A band score of 5 will be given for task achievement when...  

Recounts details automatically.

This happens when students try to recount every detail in the diagram.

No overview.

The answer does not have an overview.

No data to support the description.

When describing information in numerical diagrams, you must always include the data - the figures.

Coherence and Cohesion

Click on the following link for detailed explanation of Coherence and cohesion...

IELTS Writing: Coherence & Cohesion ​

Click on the following link for a list of cohesive devices...

I ELTS Writing: Cohesive Devices

Lexical Resource

Click on the link for an explanation of how your vocabulary is graded in IELTS Writing.

IELTS Vocabulary Grading: Writing

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Click on the link for an explanation of how your grammar is graded in IELTS Writing.

IELTS Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Total-IELTS Ebooks: IELTS Vocabulary Topics Target 7.0

The 18 TOPICS presented in the book are the most common ones used in the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests.

The book is suitable for all IELTS students who want to build their vocabulary resource and especially those whose target is a minimum band score of 7.0. 

18 UNITS OF TOPIC VOCABULARY that are the most common ones used in the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests. Each unit is divided into 4 sections.

The topic word lists have high level nouns and adjectives and a pronunciation guide according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA),

The verb + noun collocations range from basic to advanced.

The lists of idioms can be used, especially, in the IELTS Speaking test and General Training Writing Task 1 - informal letters.

Practice activities that review the topic vocabulary.

Click here for a sample unit from IELTS Vocabulary Topics Target 7.0

IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1: PLANNING & STRUCTURE

For all Academic Writing task 1 question types, organize your answer into 3 clear and separate paragraphs.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

The introduction begins with a paraphrase of the description and title of the diagram. This is given in the instructions for every task. It also includes a clear overview - a summary of the information included in the diagram.

 Follow the link for how to write an effective introduction.

Academic Writing Task 1: Introduction - Paraphrase & Overview

Paragraph 2: Main features & Comparisons

The main features depends on the type of diagram. For example, the main feature for map diagrams will be the greatest or most significant change according to the information. You should also make comparisons. 

Paragraph 3: Main features & Comparisons

After describing the main features in paragraph 2, describe the other features but do not try to describe every feature in the diagram. It is sufficient to describe and compare the main, most significant, ones only. 

Follow the link for how to describe and compare the main features for each type of diagram.

Academic Writing Task 1: Main Features & Comparisons

Academic writing task 1 does not need a conclusion. It is, by definition, is a summary but the overview already does this and it is not a requirement in the band descriptors to include a conclusion.

​Start by taking a few minutes to study the diagram to fully understand the task. Pay attention to the dates on the diagram and write your answer in the appropriate tense.

​ When studying the diagram, work out its function. Does it show trends or static information? Whatever one it is will determine the vocabulary and grammar needed to describe it. Note that line graphs, pie charts, bar charts and tables can all show trends.

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IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

This document provides an overview of the Writing Task 1 component of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic version of this exam. This document is suitable for scholars who are able to read and write at the intermediate, upper-intermediate and advanced levels. It is also suitable for qualified IELTS instructors and trainee IELTS tutors. Official IELTS materials in this document are reproduced under the fair use for education purposes provisions of copyright laws.

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According to the IELTS official website, IELTS candidates usually score lower in the IELTS Writing test than in the other language skills. This is disappointing for the many IELTS candidates who fail to get the overall band score they need. Surprisingly enough, few studies have addressed this issue. The present study, then, is aimed at shedding some light on why IELTS candidates usually score lowest in writing by investigating IELTS candidates' problems with the IELTS Academic Writing test. To this end, 10 Iranian IELTS candidates were interviewed concerning the difficulties they had with this test. The interview summaries were subjected to thematic analysis. The results suggested that IELTS candidates may face four main problems with the IELTS Academic Writing test: insufficient time, unclear and difficult-tounderstand task instructions, "distant" topics, and overvaluation of advanced vocabulary and grammar in the scoring system. The study suggests that IELTS candidates' problem of scoring lowest in the Writing test may not be entirely due to deficiencies in their writing skills, and that certain features of the IELTS Academic Writing test may aggravate undesirable testing outcomes. The implications of the results of the study are discussed.

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The study reported here investigated the authenticity of the Task 2 component of the IELTS writing test (academic module). Specifically, the study's aim was to find out the extent to which this component of the test corresponds to the writing requirements of university study. This was researched in two ways: through a survey of writing tasks set in the two domains, and through interviews with academic staff. In the task survey, a total of 155 assignment tasks from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses were collected and then compared with a corpus of 20 IELTS Task 2 items. The tasks were compared according to four dimensions of difference: genre; information source; rhetorical function; object of enquiry. This part of the study found that the IELTS tasks bear some resemblance to the predominant genre of university study - the essay; however, a number of important differences were observed between the two corpora. The most important of these were: i) the use of prior ...

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ABSTRACT Validity is a crucial test quality, and presenting a strong validity argument is a must and an ongoing process in the development of large-scale language tests such as IELTS and TOEFL However, the presented validity evidence for writing and speaking skills, whose evaluation is subjective by nature, is somewhat shaky in comparison with other two skills. The present study was an attempt to examine whether raters are actually assessing test takers’ writing samples based on the constructs defined in the scoring rubric. Using a standard multiple regression, the predictive ability of three objective measures, namely Fluency, Grammatical complexity, and Accuracy, were checked for learners’ scores in IELTS task 2 in writing. The preliminary analysis showed no violation of the assumptions underlying the use of the multiple regression test. The results indicate that the model explains 50% of the variance in the dependent variable, i.e., learners' scores in IELTS Task 2 in writing (adjusted R2 = .501) which was found statistically significant: F (3, 37) = 14.40, p < .001. However, among the independent variables, only the accuracy measure had a statistically significant unique contribution to R2 by 40 %, indicating that accuracy of the texts written by L2 learners is the most important factor affecting the scores they receive in the writing task in IELTS. It seems that raters are so heavily affected by the accuracy of texts written by test takers that they ignore other text qualities specified in the scoring rubric. KEYWORDS: IELTS writing test, Validity, Fluency, Grammatical complexity, Accuracy

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IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips, Model Answers & More

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Information

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice Charts

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

IELTS Charts for Practice : Academic Test Only

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

IELTS Letters for Practice : GT Test Only

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips & Free Videos

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

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

IELTS Bar Chart Video

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

Writing Task 1 Model Answers

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

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice Lessons

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

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

IELTS General Training Letter

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

10 Essential Tips for IELTS Letter Writing

How to Improve your IELTS GT Letter

Differences between GT & Academic Writing

General training model letters and practice exercises:

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

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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.

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Ielts academic writing task 1 – all lessons.

IELTS Academic Writing  –  A summary of the test including important facts, test format & assessment.

Academic Writing Task 1  – The format, the 7 question types & sample questions, assessment & marking criteria.  All the key information you need to know.

Understanding Task 1 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 1 Essay  –  Discover  3 reasons why you must plan, the 4 simple steps of essay planning and learn a simple 4 part essay structure.

Vocabulary for Task 1 Essays  –  Learn key vocabulary for a high-scoring essay. Word lists & a downloadable PDF.

Grammar for Task 1 Essays   – Essential grammar for Task 1 Academic essays including, verb tenses, key sentence structures, articles & prepositions.

The 7 Question Types:

Click the links below for a step-by-step lesson on each type of Task 1 question.

• Multiple Graphs
• IELTS Writing
• How To Plan a Task 1 Essay
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How to Structure IELTS Writing Task 1 Essays

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

I have written many times about structure on this website, but mostly I have focused on task 2 . Today, however, I am going to take some time to show you how to structure IELTS writing task 1 essays . This often seems like a mystery but in fact it is quite simple and you can usually follow a pretty basic template.

I am going to divide this lesson into two parts. First, we will deal with the IELTS Academic exam and then we will look briefly at the IELTS General exam because these require different structures. Also, keep in mind that IELTS academic writing includes line graphs, pie charts, bar charts, maps, and more, so each of these might require some changes to the essay structure.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Structure

When you do IELTS academic writing task 1, you may find yourself presented with one (or more) of the following:

• Process diagram

These require quite different language but generally you can apply a similar essay structure to all of them. Whether you are writing about a line graph or a table, you can pretty much use this IELTS writing task 1 template :

Let’s establish what “group of information” means

When you are doing IELTS Academic writing task 1, you need to examine the data and then describe it. To do this, you cannot just take a random approach and write about the different features of the data. Instead, you need to highlight the important parts.

This can be difficult, so let’s take an example.

In this line graph, we only have two lines to write about. Clearly, we could write one paragraph about men and one paragraph about women. Easy! Our structure would look like this:

To be honest, that is a very, very easy graph to describe so it was not a challenge. Let’s choose something more difficult to explore:

This is not a terribly difficult line graph to describe, but it presents a challenge for our IELTS writing task 1 structure template. How should we group these three lines?

One option is to structure it like this:

Another option is to break the information down according to time:

Grouping by Time vs Grouping by Type

The easiest way to group data for IELTS writing task 1 is to put them into different types. For example, in this line graph about a Caribbean island, we could potentially describe the number of people who stayed on the island in one paragraph and then the people who stayed on the ships in another paragraph.

But is this the best way?

When you write an essay with that structure, it becomes harder to compare the data. Remember that your question will always say “make comparisons where relevant.”

This suggests that grouping by time is better for one major reason: You can compare the different types of data over time. In this case, we can see the two sets of data are opposites, which gives us a great chance to make comparisons.

Sample Essay

Here is my sample essay about the Caribbean island.

The line graph displays the numbers of tourists that visited an unnamed Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017. The tourists are divided into two groups – those staying on cruise ships and those staying on the island itself – and these had a loosely inverse correlation. The total number of visitors, however, rose more or less continuously throughout the eight-year period. In the first year recorded, which was 2010, there were about twice as many tourists staying on the island as those staying on cruise ships. A year later, the number staying on cruise ships doubled to a half million, but this dropped back to around a quarter million in 2012. When the figures for tourists on cruise ships dropped, the number staying on the island rose quickly and over the coming few years, as this sudden increased levelled off, the number of people who stayed onboard their ship continued to grow again. Between 2012 and 2017, there were more and more visitors staying on cruise ships. From just a quarter million, this rose to two million, while the figures for those on the island levelled off at just one and a half million and then dropped slightly in the penultimate year, before finishing at one and a half. This meant that, for the final two years, more tourists stayed on cruise ships than on the island.

Can you write more than 3 paragraphs?

I would like to make clear that there is no such thing as the correct IELTS writing task 1 essay structure. It is possible to write a great essay with 2 paragraphs, but it is also possible to do it with 4 paragraphs. I would not recommend writing more than 4 paragraphs and I would certainly not recommend writing just 1! This would show a total lack of understanding of Coherence and Cohesion.

(P.S. – Read all about the number of paragraphs for IELTS writing task 2 here .)

Anyway, let’s look at an example of an essay that might be best described with 4 paragraphs:

For this task, we have to decide how to group the data. I personally find that the trend for burglary is more interesting than the others because it has much more of a change, which tells me that it should be described first. You could definitely write a paragraph that grouped car thefts and robberies together, but one is much more common than the other, so it might not work well.

I would take this approach:  

Of course, writing this much could mean taking a long time and potentially not finishing your essay. I have written an article about how many words you should write for IELTS, which you can read here .

Sample Essay – 4 Paragraphs

Ok, let’s look at the essay I wrote about crime rates in Newport.

The line graph shows changes in crime rates over a ten-year period in the city centre of Newport. Three types of crimes are listed, two of which ended the period at roughly similar levels to where they began, and one experienced a major drop. In 2003, which was the beginning of the recorded period, burglary was the most common type of crime in Newport, with just under 3,500 cases reported. This rose slightly the following year, before entering into a long downward trend, reaching a low of about 1,200 in 2008. After this, the number of burglaries reported fluctuated until 2012. The number of car thefts was about 2,800 in 2003, and ended the period slightly lower, at 2,700. During the decade-long period, it fluctuated, reaching low points in 2006 and 2008. Car theft was the second most common type of crime in 2003, but the fall in burglaries meant that from 2008 onwards, they were the most common crime in Newport. Robberies were the least common crime and followed a somewhat similar trend to that of car thefts, starting and ending the period with around 700 incidents. It fluctuated only slightly during the ten-year period.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart Structure

The previous examples were both line graphs because these are the most common type of IELTS academic writing task 1 question. However, in order to ensure you understand fully, I will also include a pie chart and show you how to structure your essay.

This is actually the most difficult IELTS writing task 1 question I have ever seen!

So how could we produce an IELTS writing task 1 essay structure to fit this?

The obvious choice seems to be writing 3 paragraphs, with 1 paragraph for each of the pie charts. That’s sensible, right?

Well, personally I think that would make it harder to draw comparisons between these data. Instead, I will group the data in terms of meals . I will look at the main meals in one paragraph and then snacks in a final paragraph. This allows me to compare all 3 nutrients!

My structure would then look like this:

**Please note that this is a quite advanced structure and it is difficult to do. I am including it to show you how it is possible to take various approaches and produce a great essay.

Sample Answer

This is my answer to the very difficult question about nutrients:

The pie charts show information about three different kinds of nutrients and their prevalence in typical American meals. There are four kinds of meal mentioned, including snacks. The figures for sodium and saturated fat are loosely similar, but for added sugar they are quite different. Sodium and saturated fat are both extremely common in typical American dinners. According to the pie charts, 43% of sodium is consumed at dinner time as well as 37% of saturated fat, but just 23% of added sugar is found in American dinners. Almost a third of sodium eaten by Americans is consumed at lunch, alongside more than a quarter of saturated fat. Breakfasts contain the lowest amount of these potentially unhealthy ingredients, at 14% sodium and 16% for both saturated fat and added sugar. The figures for snacks look quite different. More than four tenths of the added sugar consumed by Americans came from snacks, which also contained a fifth of the saturated fats and about a sixth of sodium.

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 Structure

When you take the IELTS General Training (GT) writing test, you will see that task 1 requires you to write a letter. As such, there is no “recommended essay structure” that you can use.

Instead, you should aim to write a letter that follows typical letter-writing conventions and to use paragraphs logically to guide your reader.

How can you structure an IELTS general writing task 1 letter?

I would strongly recommend this sort of approach:

Of course, I will say here that you should not take this as a 100% perfect letter template . It is merely a suggestion and you should pay close attention to the actual task you are assigned. This template can usually be adapted to make a good letter, but sometimes you need to add or combine paragraphs. Also, we might have a short paragraph at the start and/or end of the essay to give some friendly greeting or send some kind regards.

For one thing, sometimes you need to give much more weight to one part of the question, which could require using two paragraphs for that and one for the other parts. An example would be:

How to Adapt an IELTS General Writing Task 1 Format Structure

The people who score band 8 or 9 in IELTS writing are not the ones who memorize structures and vocabulary, or who attempt to predict the questions they will encounter. Instead, these are people who can learn from others but create their own essays and letters by adapting good ideas to the present situation.

Let’s look at an example question from IELTS GT writing task 1.

A large company in your area has decided to spend a certain amount of money, either to sponsor a local children’s sports team for two years, or to pay for two open-air concerts. It has asked for feedback from the general public. Write a letter to the company. In your letter, – describe the benefit of sponsoring the sports ream – summarise the benefits of paying for the concerts – say how you think the company should spend the money

How can we structure a reply to this task?

I am going to use the IELTS general writing task 1 format structure that I suggested above, with two paragraphs of explanation in the middle because there are two sides to the issue. My structure would look like this:

Here is my sample answer to the above question:

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing in response to your request for input on the decision about either spending money on a sports team or for two open-air concerts. Firstly, if you were to sponsor the children’s sports team, it would obviously be a great investment in the community. Nothing is more important to us than our children’s health and happiness. If you decided to sponsor the football team, this would mean a tremendous amount to many families. The concerts would also be beneficial in bringing the community together in a big event. This would foster some positive experiences and allow people to have fun together doing something they don’t normally do. It might also be good for local businesses. It is my opinion that you invest the money in the sports team as I think this would have the greatest benefit. For two whole years, parents would be able to watch their children play sports, and that is much better than going along to two concerts. Sincerely, David Wills

More Resources

This is a massive topic to cover and so I suggest that you continue reading once you are finished with this article. I have countless lessons on this website about IELTS writing task 1 (both academic and general) that you can read. I also have an IELTS writing task 1 template PDF file here .

More articles about structure:

• How to Describe a Bar Chart
• 7 Steps to Structuring an IELTS Essay
• How to Describe a Process Diagram

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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I liked the course very much. It extended my knowledge about IELTS task 1 essay writing. This article is very insightful, points well explained and use of tutorials and examples to give a more clear picture of how task 1 essay should be tackled. Thanks for the great post! I liked how detailed and helpful it is.

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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.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Most popular 50+ Essay Topics of 2024

• Updated On April 24, 2024
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) writing section is a 1-hour test that comprises two questions: task 1 and task 2, which assess your vocabulary, grammar, word count, collocations, and ability to construct complex sentences with moderation and without repetition. 

Table of Contents

To begin, it is pivotal to understand that the IELTS essay topics vary for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Tasks. In Task 1 of IELTS Academic, you must write a report on a graph, diagram or chart, whereas, for IELTS General Training Task 1, you must write a letter. Task 2 of the General and Academic modules is essay writing; while the topics for essays in both modules may differ, the essay writing strategy remains the same. 

Examiners use the following criteria to calculate Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 scores: Task Achievement, Task Response, Coherence, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Lexical Resource.

IELTS Writing Task 2 for Academic

The IELTS Academic Writing section consists of two tasks that must be completed in one hour: 

Writing Task 1

In Task 1, you are assigned a graph, visual information, table or chart, which you are required to describe in your own words. You must write a report in 150 words, accurately describing what the information in the graph or picture represents. The IELTS writing task 1 marking criteria accounts for 33% of the total IELTS writing evaluation score, and you should try to finish this part in 20 minutes or less because IELTS writing task 2 is more difficult and will take at least 40 minutes to complete.

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Writing Task 2

 IELTS writing task 2 marking criteria has a 66% weightage, where you must complete a 250-word essay in 40 minutes. Candidates must respond to a problem, a point of view, or an argument in this task, with a curated response. The essay’s content should be written with perfect grammar and focused solely on the topic. As task 2 holds more weight, candidates should devote significant time to it and ensure a properly curated essay for a good band score. 

Let us now review some fundamentals of IELTS essay structure that you can apply to this task. A typical writing piece includes an introduction, the main body consisting of a few paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should write the context of your issue and a thesis statement representing the main idea of your text.

The central section of your essay will discuss various facts and arguments that support or oppose the thesis statement. Finally, restate the thesis statement, bolstering it with new details from the main body. 

Here’s a list of the latest IELTS essay topics and sample questions to help you efficiently prepare for task 2 of the IELTS Writing section.

Latest IELTS Essay Topics for 202 4

IELTS essay writing topics are usually based on current events and world affairs. You will find a series of essay writing topics for IELTS in the following listicles. Also, one of the most effective ways to prepare for answering essays in the Writing section of IELTS is to work on the sample essay questions. The topic categories and essay writing samples to help students looking for the latest IELTS essay topics are stated below:

Environment

• Environmental Crisis: One of the most common topics in IELTS is the environment essay IELTS band 9. Many students, however, do not see the need to prepare for this because it is one of the most specific topics resulting in a loss of marks. 

Click here for the Environmental Crisis essay sample and answers for practice.

• Global Warming: It is common for IELTS speaking and writing sections to include questions about broad discussion topics, such as climate change, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and deforestation.

Click here for the Global Warming essay format, sample and answers for practice.

• Sustainable Energy: If you are unfamiliar with the framework and concepts of an essay, it can be a daunting task. All of the sentences must be related and formed in such a way that they provide a clear view and information. You may be penalised if you veer off-topic while writing your essay. Sustainable energy and nuclear power topics are debated topics; hence practising them will give you an edge over your peers. 

Click here for the Sustainable Energy essay structure, sample and answers for practice.

• Fossil Fuels: The IELTS essay topics for writing task 2 are usually based on common themes frequently discussed in the average aspirant’s daily life. One such theme is the use of renewable energy sources in place of nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels.

Click here for the Fossil Fuels essay sample and answers for practice.

Personality

• Importance of First Impression:  IELTS examiners have a short attention span and read hundreds of essays daily. Hence, it is pivotal for you to get the start right and make a good first impression in your First Impression is Important IELTS essay.

Click here for the Personality essay sample and answers for practice.

• Hobbies: ‘Hobbies’ is a common theme in both the IELTS Writing Task 2 and the Speaking section. This is a simple, mark-fetching topic with few challenges for students taking the exam.

Click here for the Hobbies essay sample and answers for practice.

• Fashion: Fashion is a recurring topic with global themes and one of the best topics to practise your public speaking skills.

Click here for the Fashion essay sample and answers for practice.

• Importance of Leisure Activities and School Values: The IELTS Essay on Education is one of the most challenging tasks, with unpredictable questions in the exam. These education essay topics, like the Importance of leisure activities, are opinion-driven and assess students’ ability to express their knowledge and skills thoughtfully.

Click here for the Education essay sample and answers for practice.

• Government and Society: As an IELTS exam candidate, you should review as many common topics for Writing Task 2 as possible. One such common IELTS test theme is government and society, with which you should be well-acquainted. 

Click here for the Government and Society essay sample and answers for practice.

• Ideal Society: Candidates should practise sample questions and answers for the Ideal Society IELTS essay to gain a firm grasp on writing and vocabulary and improve their overall band score.

Click here for the Ideal Society essay sample and answers for practice.

• Social Media: Social media essays are a popular topic in IELTS writing task 2. For a social media IELTS essay band 9 and similar topics, the most straightforward approach is maintaining the proper word count and being aware of various approaches to the topic.

Click here for the Social Media essay sample and answers for practice.

Business & Global Consumerism

• International Trade: Over the years, one of the topics covered in the IELTS exam has been global business. Your answer for such topics should contain everything; your responses, solutions, arguments, reasons, opinions, and evidence are critical to answering the question.

Click here for the International Trade essay sample and answers for practice.

• Management and Leadership: In any organisation, leadership and management are critical roles. Your essay for such topics should always be pertinent to the question.

Click here for the Management and Leadership essay sample and answers for practice.

• Foreign Languages: Foreign languages and language barriers are recurring themes in the IELTS writing task 2. Express your own opinions on such topics. 

Click here for the Culture essay sample and answers for practice.

• Sports and children: Sport is a recurring theme, and the essay content should not deviate from the main points at any point in the essay.

Click here for the Sports essay sample and answers for practice. Covid 19

• Covid impact: The topics of IELTS Writing task 2 are usually drawn from current events worldwide, making Covid-19 an anticipated topic. 

Click here for the Covid 19 essay sample and answers for practice.

• Obesity: Overweight essays are among the most common topics in IELTS writing task 2. Obesity, recent trends in health among children and adults, and other similar topics may also be discussed in relation to overweight.

Click here for the Health essay sample and answers for practice.

Types of IELTS Essays

IELTS essay writing topics are usually classified under various sections. You can expect essays in the IELTS exam from any of the following types:

Opinion Essays 

In this essay category, you must discuss your opinion on the given topic. Naturally, the best way to score high in such essays is to have prior knowledge of common topics that are popular in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions:

• Most teenagers today own a smartphone. Provide your opinion to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Crime novels and TV series have become quite popular in recent years. What is your opinion about these crime dramas?
• Developing nations often require international assistance. Many believe that this assistance should be monetary, while some think practical help and advice would be more beneficial. Discuss both these views along with your opinion.
• Many consider automobiles to be the biggest source of pollution in urban areas, while some believe industries are responsible for it. Explain both views and provide your opinion.
• Many people believe individuals involved with creative arts should be financially supported by the government. Some others believe they should find separate resources. Discuss each of the views and give your opinion.
• Some believe success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and motivation. While many believe success depends on other important factors like money and appearance. Discuss both views and provide your opinion. 
• Many think that governments should fund programs in search of life on other planets. However, others believe governments should focus on unresolved issues on the planet. Provide your opinion and discuss both views.

You can also check out this detailed guide on Opinion Essays to learn the appropriate structure for maximum scores!

Discussion Essays

In the case of discussion essays, the candidates need to put forward an explanation for or against any given topic. Such essays are the most common to appear in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions: 

• Many believe living in big cities comes with more advantages than residing in the countryside. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• The shopping habits of people depend more on their age group than on any other factors. Do you agree or disagree with this? 
• More and more children and minors are becoming overweight in developed nations. This is a major problem for most wealthy countries. Explain the causes and impacts of this issue.
• The internet is a great invention that brings a host of advantages for the world population. However, there are several issues in terms of security and control of personal data. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Advertising prevents originality in people and makes them look the same and do the same. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Parents today often tend to organise extra classes on weekends or even after school. Do you believe this is at all useful? Or do you think the education provided in school is sufficient?
• Some people believe that capital punishment should be done away with. Do you agree or disagree with this?

We have covered valuable tips & tricks to attempt Discussion Essays that can come in handy in your exam.

Solution Essays

For solution essays, you will have to provide a solution to a particular issue. At times, questions might be provided as to why a specific issue has occurred, and candidates have to provide their opinion on the answer.

• The massive movement of people from agricultural areas to cities in search of employment can lead to serious problems in both places. What are the problems, and how can these be solved? 

Check out our sample question and answer on Solution Essays for a more thorough explanation.

Advantage or Disadvantage Essays

In this type of essay, students have to write about a particular topic’s positive and negative sides. Such essays test your argument construction skills and how well you can use English to communicate your views as clearly and coherently as possible. 

• International tourism has greatly benefited many places. However, there have been major concerns about its impact on the local environment and inhabitants. Do the negative impacts of international tourism outweigh the benefits?
• Some countries have recently passed laws to restrict the daily working hours of employees. Explain whether this will have a positive or negative impact.
• More and more people today are visiting extreme places such as Antarctica or the Sahara desert. What are the advantages or disadvantages of such travels?
• Social media is gradually replacing in-person face-to-face contact with many people worldwide. Do the benefits of social media outweigh the disadvantages? 

Use the sample questions from the Advantage/Disadvantage Essay type to practise your writing skills.

Direct Question Essays

For this type of essay, the topics will be provided as direct questions, which students have to answer based on their experiences and thoughts.

• Shopping used to be a routine domestic task in the past. However, today, it has become more of a hobby. Is this a positive trend?
• You can get more information on these rare essay-type questions on our  Direct question essay structure blog.

Preparation Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Many students believe they don’t need to prepare much because they speak English reasonably well. Well, the IELTS exam is not that easy. In fact, even native English speakers may find the test difficult. As a result, candidates should prepare for this section rigorously and methodically and start early preparation.

• Begin your IELTS preparations at least 6 months before your intended test date, and ensure to devote some time daily to all 4 sections.
• Choose writing topics for both tasks, especially writing task 2, and try to write about them daily. Time yourself; remember that you must complete both tasks in one hour.
•  Spend significant time learning new vocabulary and brushing up on your grammatical skills. Following that is structured thinking, allowing you to convey your ideas logically. While writing, pay close attention to lucidity, logic, and clarity.
• You should expand your ideas because the IELTS writing task 2 could cover any topic. Go through all the resources like magazines, books, and online materials to expand your knowledge and vocabulary. Additionally, practice as many mock tests as possible. 

As mentioned above it’s only practice that can get you the desire scores. But along with it you also need the best preparation materials and guidance. And the best solution we suggest is to register for the LeapScholar IELTS courses . Along with live classes from the best IELTS tutors, you’ll also have access to mock tests, speaking and writing evaluations and comprehensive study materials. As a reward you’ll also receive a course completion certificate.

How to Answer Task 2 Essays in IELTS Writing Section?

Students can employ the following steps to successfully enhance their ability to answer essays in the Writing section:

Step 1: Read and Understand the Question

The first step to nailing task 2 essays is to read and understand the question carefully. Most of the time, candidates answer the question without understanding what it demands. Candidates should carefully analyse the question, identify the question type and try to identify the keywords. Finally, they should clearly understand the instructions and then attempt to answer.

Step 2: Plan the Answer

Once students have understood the question, they need to plan the structure of the answer. This will allow candidates to organise their ideas and produce a clear and coherent response. 

Step 3: Write a Solid Introduction

The introduction of the essay should give an idea of what the essay is all about. Make sure to write an appropriate introduction conveying the gist of the essay.

Step 4: Carefully Curate the Main Body

The main body is the essential part of the essay, where you must provide the necessary details. State your points accordingly and substantiate them with explanations, examples, and other relevant data. Once done, you need to give a proper conclusion.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Candidates can use the following tips to ace their IELTS Writing test:

Although IELTS is a difficult test to master, one can achieve a good score with systematic and consistent preparation. If you require assistance in acing your IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2, our Leap Scholar experts will provide the necessary guidance, tips, and tricks to help you pass your IELTS test with flying colours. If you are planning to prepare for the essay task in the Writing section, you can go through this comprehensive guide to get an idea about the latest IELTS essay topics. You can prepare for the essay task accordingly with the help of sample essay topics and questions provided in the above sections. 

Still unclear about some portions of IELTS, then enrol for IELTS professional coaching. IELTS Prep app by Leap Scholar is a one-stop solution for your study abroad dream. You can access specially crafted lessons by experts accredited by IDP, British Council, and Cambridge. About 1M + students have trusted us with their IELTS prep journey. Join us, download our IELTS prep app and get access to the best resources!

Frequently asked questions

How can you score well in ielts writing task 2.

Ans. IELTS Writing Task 2 mainly has four performance descriptors: Task Response, Cohesion & Coherence , Lexical Resource, and finally Grammatical range and accuracy. The scoring happens on four parameters, so follow these and prepare with the correct books and practice questions.

What are the most popular questions asked in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. The different types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 include: Problem/ Causes questions, Opinion questions, Advantage/ Disadvantage questions, Discussion of views, etc.

What are the main themes on which IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are based on?

Ans. Some of the broad themes include Environment, Food, Health, Art, Business, Communication, Crime & Punishment and more. Ideas and topics are taken under these broad themes for question framing.

Is it necessary to use complex words in IELTS Writing section?

Ans. Having a good vocabulary is an added advantage. However, difficult words should not be forcefully put in sentences. Your sentences should be organic and should fit the meaning and the context of your essays.

 How to develop ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 2024?

 Ans. The easiest ways to generate ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 are by analyzing model essays, finding ideas on google, talking to experts, watching movies, asking yourself some questions about the topic, generating main ideas from specific examples.

How many mistakes are acceptable in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. Making one or two mistakes is overlooked by the examiner if the overall essay is good. However, making more mistakes than that can lead to lower IELTS band score.

What are the basic topics in IELTS writing task 2?

Some of the common IELTS topics for Writing Task 2 are  Art, Environment, Education, Health, Jobs and Employment, Sport, Science and Technology Friends and Family, Government and Society etc.

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Manisha Angre

Experienced IELTS prep trainer and education management industry veteran. Specializes in public speaking, international education, market research, mentoring, and management.

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IELTS Writing samples 2024 pdf free download

IELTS Writing test lasts 1 hour and consists of 2 parts : task 1 and task 2. Writing task 1 is different for Academic and General IELTS, but Writing task 2 is the same for both modules. In Academic Writing task 1 you’re asked to describe a graph, chart or diagram. And in General Writing task 1 you have to write a letter to someone. In Writing task 2 you have to write an essay on a given topic. POLCET – the best English center in Hanoi, Vietnam

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IELTS Writing Task 1+ 2 Samples: All Samples in 1- Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Line Charts, Graph, Diagrams, Table Charts…

Over 50 High-Quality Model Essays for Your Reference to Achieve a High Band Score 7.0 to 8.0+ In 2 Weeks!

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