ielts writing

1. IELTS Writing
Task 1 Overview

2. Task 1 Description
Task asks the writer to describe a graph,
chart, table or process in 150+ words.
The idea is to describe, compare and
contrast -- NOT to give opinions.
Bar charts - line graphs - pie charts -
tables most frequent.
Sometimes maps - diagrams or flow
charts.

3. Most Common Charts and Graphs
Bar Chart Line Graph Pie Chart
Table Process Flow

4. Task 1 Paragraph Outline
I – Describe what is presented
 (What am I looking at?)
II - General trend or overview
 (What is the point?)
III – Specific information from the chart
 (Tell me more.)
IV - Conclusion

5. Paragraph 1 – Sample openings
Describe what the data is referring to….
 (paraphrase the ggiivveenn iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn))
This is a bar graph which shows
the sales of 7 different..…in the year …….
This line graph describes the percentage gain
of two different ..…in Asia for the year …
The table illustrates a variety of ....

6. Paragraph 2 – General Trend
Describe the basic trend, overall information
 Basically, …. are the most popular goods during….
 Generally speaking, the number of …. are far greater in
 As can be seen, the sales of …. improved substantially
 The chart depicts two opposing trends…..

7. Paragraph 3 – Specific Information
Detailed descriptions or comparisons
People in developing nations attended school for an average of
around 3 years, with only a slight increase in years of schooling
from 1980 to 1990. On the other hand, the figure for
industrialised countries rose from nearly 9 years of schooling in
1980 to nearly 11 years in 1990.
From 1999 to 2004, the
immigration rate rose by
nearly 150,000 people, but
there was a much smaller rise
in emigration.
From 1980 to 1990, the number of
scientists and technicians in
industrialised countries almost
doubled to about 70 per 1000 people.

8. Paragraph 4 – Concluding information
Describe the basic trend, overall information
 It can be concluded from the chart that….
 In summary, it is clear that….
 In conclusion, it may be speculated that….
 It can be concluded from this table that ….

9. The exam will be assessed on:
1. Task Fulfillment
Following instructions properly.
Writing clear, accurate & relevant description of info.
Focusing on important trends presented as graphic info.
2. Coherence & Cohesion
Organising writing using suitable structure.
Using connective words to link sentences & paragraphs
logically.
3. Vocabulary & Sentence Structure
Using a range of appropriate vocabulary.
Using a variety of sentence structures.

10. How to Prepare for Task 1
Become familiar with graph types.
Do practise exercises describing graphs.
Become familiar with ways to:
 express percentages.
 express numbers & statistical data.
 express trends.
 make comparisons between data.