IELTS Writing Task 1: Essentials in 60 seconds
Here’s what we want you to keep in mind:
- IELTS Academic Writing consists of 2 tasks.
- The IELTS Writing module lasts for 60 minutes in total, so it’s up to you to divide the time for both parts according to your strengths and weaknesses.
- Ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on IELTS Writing Task 1.
- The great thing about IELTS Writing Task 1 is that, with its shorter 150-word limit, it’s quicker to complete. This gives you the perfect opportunity to stay focused and craft a clear, concise response without feeling rushed, leaving you more time for the bigger Task 2.
Here’s IELTS Writing Task 1 at a glance:
IELTS Writing Band Descriptors
- Task Achievement: Make sure you answer the question completely by summarising and interpreting the visual data correctly.
- Coherence & Cohesion: Arrange your ideas in a clear order, and use linking words to connect your ideas smoothly so your writing is easy to understand.
- Lexical Resource: Use a variety of appropriate words and phrases to describe the data without repeating the same words too often.
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Show that you can use different sentence structures and keep your grammar correct throughout your writing.
If you’re still confused about IELTS Writing, now is a good time to brush up on your knowledge.
IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic Test): Format
Writing Task 1 in IELTS often presents you with various types of visual data, including line graphs. These graphs display data points connected by lines, which depict trends over time, such as growth, changes in percentages, or fluctuations in numbers. In this task, your job is to summarise the key trends and provide a clear, detailed description of the graph.
Let’s explore how to approach these tasks, particularly when dealing with line graphs.
Line Graph
These graphs contain data points connected in straight lines that depict a subject's numbers, percentages, or a specific growth timeline.
How to answer?
- Overview: Begin with a general summary of the overall trend or the most significant changes visible in the graph.
- Identify Key Trends: Highlight major increases, decreases, or fluctuations, and specify when these changes took place over the time period covered.
- Comparisons: For graphs with multiple lines, compare their trends. Note any similarities or differences between the categories represented.
- Data Details: Support your observations by including relevant data points and figures from the graph to make your description more precise.
- Formal Tone: Use formal language and accurate vocabulary to describe the trends. Words like "rose," "declined," "stabilised," and "fluctuated" are useful for describing changes in data.
Pie Chart
A circular shape chart divided into parts containing percentages. IELTS commonly presents two graphs and asks you to compare or give an overview.
How to Answer?
- Overview: Start with a general statement summarising the overall distribution or key trends in the chart. Mention the biggest or smallest sections without giving specific data yet.
- Identify Key Proportions: Highlight the most significant segments of the pie chart. Identify the largest and smallest categories, as well as any notable differences between them.
- Comparisons: Compare the different sections of the pie chart. Discuss similarities and differences between the proportions of various categories.
- Data Details: Mention the specific percentages or figures associated with each segment. Make sure to support your observations with relevant data from the pie chart.
- Formal Tone: Use formal and precise vocabulary when describing proportions, such as "accounts for," "represents," "comprises," or "constitutes." Avoid informal phrases like "big chunk" or "small part."
Bar Graph
These charts contain rectangular boxes whose length/height depicts a value. These graphs can be presented in a linear (values in ascending or descending order) or non-linear (values in random order) form.
How to Answer?
- Introduction: Start by paraphrasing the question. Mention what the bar graph shows, including the key categories, time period (if relevant), and units of measurement.
- Overview: Give a general summary of the main trends or comparisons in the graph. Highlight the largest or smallest categories, as well as any noticeable overall trends.
- Identify Key Trends: Look for significant patterns, such as increases, decreases, or stable trends across the bars. Mention any notable changes, if applicable, and group similar categories together for clarity.
- Comparisons: Make comparisons between the different bars. If there are multiple bars representing different groups, compare the differences or similarities between them. Focus on both major and minor differences.
- Data Details: Support your description with specific figures or percentages from the bar graph. Be sure to include important data points without overwhelming your writing with too many numbers.
- Use Formal Vocabulary: Use precise and formal language to describe the data, such as "increased," "decreased," "was higher than," "was lower than," or "remained steady." Avoid casual language and stick to objective descriptions.
Diagram/process
Sometimes, IELTS may ask you to describe a pictorial representation of a step-by-step process. The diagram will consist of a series of steps illustrated in pictures. Remember, each diagram will contain a clear start and end point!
How to Answer?
- Introduction: Begin by paraphrasing the question. Describe what the diagram or process depicts and what it illustrates.
- Overview: Provide a general summary of the overall process or key stages. Highlight any significant features, such as the final outcome or the main steps involved.
- Describe the Steps: Break down the process into clear, logical steps. Describe each stage in chronological order, ensuring that the flow of the process is easy to follow.
- Use Linking Words: Use appropriate linking words to show the progression from one step to another. Words and phrases like "first," "next," "then," "after that," and "finally" help guide the reader through the process.
- Data Details: If applicable, mention any specific data, measurements, or outcomes at each stage of the process to provide more context and clarity.
- Formal Tone: Maintain a formal tone throughout your writing. Use precise vocabulary relevant to the process, such as "purification," "treatment," "filtration," "sedimentation," and "disinfection."
Table Chart
Analysing a table is straightforward; each row and column corresponds to a set containing a category (such as age, time, place) and its data.
How to Answer?
- Introduction: Begin by paraphrasing the question. Describe what the table presents, including the categories, time periods, and units of measurement.
- Overview: Summarise the main trends or notable features of the data presented in the table. Highlight any significant patterns, such as the highest or lowest figures or any trends observed.
- Identify Key Data: Focus on the most important data points. Highlight key figures that stand out and provide context for these figures, such as increases or decreases in sales.
- Make Comparisons: Compare data across different categories or regions. Discuss similarities and differences in the figures, drawing attention to any significant contrasts.
- Data Details: Use specific figures from the table to support your observations. Reference relevant data without overwhelming the reader with too many numbers.
- Formal Tone: Maintain a formal tone throughout your writing. Use precise vocabulary to describe the data, such as "increased," "decreased," "accounted for," "remained stable," or "varied."
Remember that sometimes you may also get a combination, such as a pie chart and a bar graph.
Following the instructions, you must write a report of typically 150 words. It’s important to adhere to the word limit and follow the instructions word for word.
How to Answer IELTS Writing Task 1-Academic?
IELTS Writing Task 1 is simple and requires no professional writing practice. However, you must maintain a formal tone and pay attention to grammar, vocabulary and accuracy. You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words, or you will be penalised for being too brief. Writing more is fine, but keep in mind that Task 2 is worth twice as much, so manage your time wisely.
Make sure your answer is relevant to the topic, and write in full sentences without using notes or bullet points. Plagiarism will result in severe penalties.
Here are 5 strategies you can use to create a well-written content piece.
- Read the instructions clearly: Pay attention to the word limit and the requirements presented to you. For instance, if the task is to “compare”, you must provide a comparison report, not just a summary.
- Interpret the data wisely: Identify the type of visual information given to you. Is it a bar graph, a table, or something else? Once you have identified the question type, apply specific strategies. Don’t read the data quickly; these are mostly numbers, and losing track is easy.
- Write it in your mind before you write it on the paper: Prepare your answer mentally! Think of how you’re going to start and end it. Give it a structure, and only when you feel sure about it start putting it down.
- Don’t waste time: Don’t spend too much time on a single sentence. If you’re unsure about something, write what you know and move on. You can always revisit and edit it.
- Review and edit: Reviewing your writing is a must! Check for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and for any other improvements.
And that’s it! It’s that simple.
IELTS Writing Task 1 (General Training Test): Format
Depending on the context, you can frame your letter to be formal, semi-formal, or in an informal setting. Your question will be in this format:
- Situation
- Who to address the letter to
- Main points to include in the letter
Example:
Typically, your letter should not exceed the word limit of 150. Ideally, you should complete and review the letter in the first 20 minutes of the IELTS Writing Test. Sticking to this time limit is important, as Task 2 is longer and requires more time.
Here’s what else you should keep in mind:
- Stick to the letter-writing format. Ensure your letter has all the fundamental elements, such as the salutation, date and signatures.
- Ensure that the tone of your letter is relevant to the context. For instance, if your topic was to write a letter to a recruiter, you must not make it informal!
- The purpose of the letter must be preserved throughout. You must not deviate away from the given context.
How to Answer IELTS Writing Task 1 (General Training Test)
Pigeons may no longer deliver letters, but it is still a relevant skill worth learning! Not your forte? Here are the top 3 strategies to help anyone craft a compelling letter.
- Introduce right: Your opening paragraph is crucial and must immediately convey the purpose of your letter. For instance, if you were writing to enquire about a position, you would say, “I’m writing to enquire regarding the position of a content writer at your company.”
- Choose a relevant tone: Depending on the letter's receiver, judge the tone you will use. For example, if you’re writing a letter to your friend, you might want to keep it semi-formal to informal. An informal letter should be conversational; you can use direct speech to achieve this. You can also use words like “Dear <name>” to establish your tone. However, if you’re writing a formal letter, you should say, “Dear sir/madam,” use passive language and longer sentences.
- Structure your letter: Decide the order in which you will cover all the bullet points given to you. Make sure the letter has a logical flow to it. Your letter will start with an introduction (greetings and stating the purpose), move on to the body (highlighting main points) and a closing (signing off).
IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Question & Answer
Sample Question
The amount of money that a children's charity located in the USA spent and received in one year, 2016.
Sample Answer
The pie charts show the income and spending of a children’s charity in the USA in 2016. Donations comprised most of the charity’s income, while program services comprised the largest share of its spending. The total income slightly exceeded the total expenditure.
In detail, donated food was the largest source of revenue, contributing 86%. Community contributions followed with 10.4%, and program revenue made up 2.2%. Smaller amounts came from investment income, government grants, and other sources, totalling just 0.8%.
Program services were the biggest expenditure, accounting for 95.8%. The remaining expenses were fundraising (2.6%) and management/general costs (1.6%).
The total income was $53,561,580, slightly higher than the total expenditure of $53,224,896.
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