Academic IELTS Writing Task 1

For Academic IELTS Writing Task 1, you should follow a general structure to write your answers:
  1. Introduction – As the name suggests, you should write a brief introduction in one or two sentences about the task given to you. Just paraphrase the title of the task. Write about units of measurement, if given in the task. 
  2. Overview – In the overview, you should write about the main feature or features and overall trend in the task like highest, lowest value. Do not give more detailed information or make comparisons using the data. If you forget to write an overview at the beginning, then you can add it after body paragraphs to state the overall trend of your task.
  3. Body Paragraphs – Make two body paragraphs and write about specific detail by referring to the data. Usually, two body paragraphs are sufficient. Avoid making a single body paragraph as it will result in an unclear answer. Organize body paragraphs in such a way that patterns of similar and different data can be grouped. For this, analyze your task to find any similarities and variations in the data before writing your answer. Use data values to support your writing and make comparisons. Missing data in your body paragraphs will impact your band score, and you will not achieve a band score higher than 5 in Task Achievement. 

Note – Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 does not need any conclusion, so you should not write it. 

How to plan Academic Task 1 ?

It is crucial to plan your task before you start writing. Follow these steps to plan your task:

  • Visualize the data and carefully read the title of the task.
  • Find if there is any measuring unit.
  • Find the overall trend of the task.
  • Mark key features, such as maximum and minimum values.
  • Group the data based on similarities and variations.
  • Divide and organize data into your body paragraphs.

How to be selective in academic IELTS writing task 1?​

If too much information is given in a graph, chart, or table, do not write about every single detail in body paragraphs. Be selective.

Steps:

  1. Mark key information in the task.
  2. Make comparisons with other given information in the task.

How to group data?

Let us assume there are four given categories in a task. If there is any similarity between any two pieces of information, group them in one paragraph and the other two in the second paragraph.

Golden Rules to attempt your Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 to achieve a higher band score:
Try to explain your task in such a way that a person can understand the graph, table, map, diagram, or a process by just reading your answer.
Think about a friend who missed a lecture, and you have to explain the whole lecture orally via a phone call.

Let’s understand how to attempt different tasks types:

Bar Chart and Line Graph – It is most important to check if your task has a time frame. Mostly, Line Graph and Bar Chart show variation in time. If there is a variation in time, you will need to show the change in time in your sentences. It is better to focus on significant data like the maximum value or the minimum value.

Pie Chart – While writing about an IELTS pie chart, you should make a comparison between items and group them based on similarities and differences. 

Table – You should focus on significant data, just like a bar chart and line graph. If an IELTS table shows a variation in time, then you should compare and show a change in time in your sentences.

Diagram / Process – It does not appear frequently in the IELTS writing test. However, you should prepare for it to be on the safe side. Processes or diagrams have various stages, including the starting and end of the process. Sometimes, you have to carefully analyze the process to find the beginning of the process.

Click here for Sample Questions and Answers for Academic IELTS Writing Task 1

Words or Phrases to make Comparisons and Contrasts:

It is crucial to make comparisons and contrasts using data figures in body paragraphs to achieve a higher band score in academic IELTS writing task 1.

You can use these words to compare two data figures:

  1. similarly
  2. same as
  3. likewise
  4. like
  5. as well as
  6. also
  7. similar to

Superlative Adjectives can also be used to make comparisons. However, superlative adjectives are used to compare a single item with a group of items. Some examples of superlative adjectives:

  1. highest
  2. lowest
  3. maximum
  4. minimum
  5. most
  6. least
  7. smallest
  8. biggest
  9. shortest

Words to make comparisons:

  1. as opposed to
  2. when compared with
  3. unlike
  4. whereas
  5. in contrast to
  6. on the other hand

Line Graph / Line Chart:

IELTS line graphs show change over time.

Vocabulary for IELTS writing task 1 line graph:
It is essential to use a variety of words to represent upward and downward trends in a line graph.

Verbs and Nouns for IELTS line graph:
Use these verbs and nouns to write about a change in a line graph in Academic IELTS writing task 1.

To show an upward trend in a line graph:

  1. rise
  2. climb
  3. increase
  4. go up
  5. grow

To show a downward trend in a line graph:

  1. decline
  2. decrease
  3. fall
  4. drop

To show other changes in a line graph:

  1. steady – balanced, regular, constant
  2. stable – fixed
  3. unchanged – not changed
  4. fluctuate – rise or fall irregularly
  5. dip – drop, slope downwards
  6. peak (at) – reach a highest point
  7. level off – having the same position, unchanged

Adverbs and Adjectives to describe IELTS line graph:

Adverbs:

  1. considerably – by a notably large amount, to a larger extent, greatly
  2. dramatically – by a strikingly large amount, to a large extent, greatly
  3. gradually – slowly, in a gradual way
  4. rapidly – very quickly
  5. sharply – with a sudden change
  6. slightly – to a small degree
  7. significantly – in a sufficient great way (to be worthy of attention)
  8. steadily – in an even manner
  9. steeply – sharply, by a very large amount

Adjectives:

  1. considerable – large
  2. dramatic – sudden
  3. gradual – progressing slowly
  4. rapid – at a great rate, happening in a short time
  5. sharp – sudden
  6. slight – inconsiderable, small
  7. significant – sufficiently great
  8. steady – not changing, regular, even
  9. steep – rising or falling sharply

To write about a change that occurs over a period of time in an IELTS writing task 1 line graph:

  1. over the period/ over the given period
  2. from ___ to ___ / between ___ and ___ (mention values)
  3. the first year / the initial year
  4. the last year / the final year
  5. at the beginning (of the period) / at the starting (of the period)
  6. at the end (of the period)