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IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples

Here you will find IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples for a variety of common tasks that appear in the writing exam.

The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.

It's a great way to help you to prepare for the test. 

The amount of money that a children's charity located in the USA spent and received in one year, 2016.

Model Answer >>>

The Proportions of Pupils Attending Four Secondary School Types Between Between 2000 and 2009.

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.

Process Diagram

The process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building industry.

The components of GDP in the UK from 1992 to 2000.

The scores of teams A, B and C over four different seasons.

The electricity generated in Germany and France from all sources and renewables in the year 2009.

British Emigration to selected destinations between 2004 and 2007.

Line and Bar Chart

Visits to and from the UK from 1979 to 1999, and the most popular countries visited by UK residents in 1999.

Thefts per thousand vehicles in four countries between 1990 and 1999.

Pie and Bar Chart

The percentage of persons arrested in the five years ending 1994 and the most recent reasons for arrest.

The different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.

The proportion of monthly household income five European countries spend on food and drink, housing, clothing and entertainment.

How chocolate is produced.

The monthly spending in dollars of a family in the USA on three items in 2010.

How tea leaves are processed into five tea types.

Pie and  Bar Chart

The percentage of women in poverty and the poverty rates by sex and age in the United States in 2008.

Line and Pie Chart

The number of books that were borrowed in four different months in 2014 from four village libraries, and the pie chart shows the percentage of books, by type, that were borrowed over this time.

Four countries of residence of overseas students in Australia

Development of the village of Ryemouth between 1995 and present.

Public Sector Employment in 2015 and 2020.

Cultural Activities of Differing Age Groups

Construction of Tourist Facilities on an island.

Average House Price Comparison.

Average carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions per person

Leisure Activities amongst Australian children.

Structure used to generate electricity from wave power.

Bar & Pie Chart

Men and women attending various evening courses

Changes to Grange Park.

Populations in Yemen and Italy.

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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 Rainwater
• 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 Improving  Line Graph Introduction Paragraph
• 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 Frog Diagram: Introduction & Overview Practice
• Introduction Paragraph: Correcting 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 Task 1 Topics June & July 2024

The collection of the recent IELTS Academic Writing Topics is a compilation of topics which have been recently used in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. These topics cover a wide range of topics, from everyday topics such as shopping and leisure activities to more complex topics such as healthcare, economics, and technology. The topics are chosen from past IELTS exams and reflect the kinds of topics students may be asked to write about in their upcoming IELTS exam. The Collection of the recent IELTS Academic Writing Topics provides students with useful practice material to help them prepare for the IELTS exam.

Choose one of the topics and practice your writing skills daily. If you are having difficulty coming up with your own topic ideas, simply click the "Answers" button and you will be presented with a range of possible topics.

Write on this topic Answers ···

• Unlimited Task 1 checks Get all the feedback you need to keep improving your charts and letters.
• Unlimited Task 2 checks Practice and perfect your skills with essays.
• Personalized suggestions Know how to boost your score.
• Detailed mistakes analysis Get instant feedback. Spot every mistake.
• Topic ideas generator Get topic-specific ideas to enhance your writing.
• Vocabulary helper Get the right words for any topic.
• Progress tracking Track your writing improvements.

IELTS Exam Preparation: Free IELTS Tips, 2024

Ielts sample charts (ielts writing task 1).

The Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic test requires you to write a summary of at least 150 words in response to a particular graph (bar, line or pie graph), table, chart, or process (how something works, how something is done). This task tests your ability to select and report the main features, to describe and compare data, identify significance and trends in factual information, or describe a process.

Exam Preparation

Ielts preparation, ielts sample letters (ielts writing task 1).

The purpose of this section is to help you with the Writing Task 1 of the IELTS General test. In Task 1, candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. It is suggested that about 20 minutes is spent on Task 1, which requires candidates to write at least 150 words. Depending on the task suggested, candidates are assessed on their ability to:

- engage in personal correspondence - elicit and provide general factual information - express needs, wants, likes and dislikes - express opinions (views, complaints etc.)

IELTS Writing Task 2 (IELTS Sample essays)

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write at least 250 words. You will be presented with a topic and will be tested on your ability to respond by giving and justifying an opinion, discussing the topic, summarizing details, outlining problems, identifying possible solutions and supporting what you write with reasons, arguments and relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1. Writing scripts are marked by trained and certificated IELTS examiners, who all hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

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IELTS Writing Task 1 – Sample Questions and Practice Resources

On the IELTS Academic exam, Writing Task 1 requires you to look at an informational graphic and describe the contents of the graphic in writing. In this post, we’ll look at different IELTS Writing Task 1 samples to prepare you for test day. In addition to advice and practice, you’ll also get our IELTS Writing Task 1 Examples PDF with Answers for portable prompts and model answers.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples With Answers PDF

If you want a print-friendly version of the IELTS Writing Task 1 samples in this post, click below to access the IELTS Writing Task 1 examples PDF!

Note that all the IELTS Writing Task 1 samples are model essays for a band 9 IELTS score. The line graph sample prompt includes a detailed scoring explanation. You can learn more about scores for IELTS Writing Task 1 by consulting the official IELTS rubric .

• Take a good look at our guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 paragraph structure . The guide tells you everything you need to know about how Writing Task 1 essays and paragraphs should be structured, with an example question and model essay.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples: The Major Question Types

Below are questions for each common infographic in IELTS Writing Task 1: bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, process diagrams, and maps.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Line Graph with Model Answer and Scoring Explanation

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Bar Chart With Model Answer

Pie Chart with Model Answer

Process Diagram with Model Answer

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Map with Model Answer

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Two Different Types of Graphics

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Additional Resources for Writing Task 1

Now that you’ve seen some models for how this task is done, you should be ready for some real practice! Here are some resources from Magoosh that should help.

• Practicing using these common IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 linking words .
• Familiarize yourself with the test with IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Ultimate Guide video , and use a Writing diagnostic quiz to assess your current strengths and weaknesses.  

• Use study schedules to help you find time to study and stay motivated. To help you organize your time, use this IELTS study schedule if you only have a week to go before you will take the IELTS. If you have a month, this one month IELTS study schedule offers more extended practice.  
• Find high-quality study materials. We offer a huge collection of study reources for the whole IELTS Writing seciton ! Don’t forget about Magoosh IELTS Prep which includes lessons on IELTS Writing Task 1 (and all other sections of the exam!) to help you prep smarter. In addition to many video lessons and practice essays, the 6-month plan allows students to get feedback and scoring on four practice IELTS Writing essays; the 1-month plan includes feedback on one essay. You can also browse more recommended books and resources !

David is a Test Prep Expert for Magoosh TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, he’s helped students with TOEIC, PET, FCE, BULATS, Eiken, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. David has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His work at Magoosh has been cited in many scholarly articles , his Master’s Thesis is featured on the Reading with Pictures website, and he’s presented at the WITESOL (link to PDF) and NAFSA conferences. David has taught K-12 ESL in South Korea as well as undergraduate English and MBA-level business English at American universities. He has also trained English teachers in America, Italy, and Peru. Come join David and the Magoosh team on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram , or connect with him via LinkedIn !

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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?

Ielts task 1 marking criteria, 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.

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.

Summarise and Compare

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 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.

Preparing for the Exam

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.

Sample IELTS Writing task 1 Questions and Essays

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Academic Writing Task 1 Sample

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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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IELTS Writing Task 1 & 2 Guide: Lessons with Band 9 IELTS Writing Samples for Both the Academic & General Writing Test

In this guide you'll learn how to write high scoring essays for IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2 . No matter which test you're taking, either academic or general training, we have you covered; This guide includes IELTS writing samples, topics, and detailed lessons for general writing task 1 & 2 and academic writing task 1 & 2.

Get free IELTS writing sample answers after completing an IELTS writing practice test.

Below is our full list of IELTS writing questions with sample essays. Note: The red links are our most popular and recommended writing questions rated by our students and you can practice them free anytime you like.

The table shows existing and projected changes in the proportion of people over 65 in the populations of three countries from 2015 to 2030.

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

Write at least 150 words.

Projected Changes in the Population over-65 in three countries to 2030

The table shows the proportion of people in England who agreed with same-sex marriage from 1989 to 2013.

Percentage of people agreeing with same-sex marriage by religious denomination (%)

The table demonstrates the change in six types of transportation used by commuters in three cities between 2000 and 2010.

Changes in Market Share for six different types of transportation between 2000 and 2010

The table illustrates the relative risk demonstrated by four different transport types in the United Kingdom in two years.

Relative risk of different forms of transport in the UK from 2014 to 2016

The table below gives the average time spent and distance traveled by UK commuters in one year.  Time and distance are given in minutes and miles accordingly.

Commuting Habits of different regions of the UK in a year

The diagram shows the process by which milk and related products are produced.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features.

The diagram shows the process by which sheep embryos are cloned.

The diagram shows the  the life cycle of flowering plants

The diagram shows the process by which plastic is recycled.

The diagram shows the process of the water treatment.

The diagram shows the process by which electricity is generated in two types of hydroelectric power station.

The diagram shows the the life cycle of a frog.

The diagrams show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth.

The diagram below shows the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

The pie chart below shows the native languages spoken by students at Bakersfield Senior College in two separate years.

The pie chart below illustrates the different types of smartphones used by attorneys in the U.S. in one year.

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

The pie charts below show the proportion of freshwater withdrawals made by various economy sectors in three countries in a given year.

The pie charts below show the results of a customer satisfaction survey comparing the performance of York Telecom and a competitor in April.

The pie graph depicts the main reasons for the productivity loss of agricultural land worldwide.  The table shows how these causes influenced three world regions during the 2000s.

The charts below show the percentage of Irish students at one university who spoke an additional language to English from 2000 to 2010.

The graphs below show the unemployment rate of citizens in the US with a further classification displaying average salary per week in 2005.

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

The line charts show the amount of beer sold to pubs and supermarkets over six years, where a bar graph displays the amount of pubs closed over the same period.

The table shows the proportion of fifty-year-old adults who were never married over five decades in Japan.  The chart represents the Japanese marriage and divorce rate from 1970 to 2016.

Number of 50-year-old adults who never been married (%)

The table shows the number of people (millions) that remain undernourished around the world from 2000 to 2009.  The chart displays the global price of two food grains over the same period.

Number of Undernourished People Worldwide

The table shows total revenue created by complementary medicine over three years.  The two charts illustrate the number of hospitals offering complementary medicine over twenty five years with a further classification showing which kinds of medicine proved the most popular in 2012.

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

Revenue from Complementary Medicine in the U.S. (in billion US dollars)

The bar chart below shows the preference for different types of Complementary or Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies among US adults in 2007.  The table lists which therapies where the most popular over two years.

Therapies Showing Significant Gains between 2002 and 2007 (%)

The graphs below give information concerning smartphone ownership as a percentage of population in a country from 2000 to 2010, and by level of education for the years 2000 and 2010.

The bar charts show education data related to young adults aged 15 years in 10 different countries in 2015.  The first chart shows in which countries adolescents do the most homework in terms of hours per week. The second chart shows the nations that scored the best on an international science test.

The pie chart below represents the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive.  The bar chart shows how these causes affected three regions of the world in the 1990s.

The pie chart below shows the frequency of U.S. Adults’ online purchasing habits in 2015, while the bar chart shows a further classification denoting online purchasing preferences.

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

The diagrams below show the coastal village of Seaville in 1980 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. 

The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 

The charts below give information on the ages of the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 

The pie charts below show units of electricity production by fuel source in Australia and France in 1980 and 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 

The charts below show the percentage of water used for different purposes in six areas of the world. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. 

Table Of Contents

Ielts writing test information, ielts academic writing task 1, ielts general writing task 1, ielts writing task 2.

The writing test consists of 2 writing tasks and you'll have a total of 60 minutes to complete both. You can complete the tasks in any order, just make sure you manage your time well and spend around 20 minutes on IELTS writing task 1 and 40 minutes on IELTS writing task 2.

IELTS Academic Writing Task VS IELTS General Writing Task

The IELTS offers two test versions. The Academic version is for people looking for higher education, while the general Training version is for those looking to simply migrate or perhaps a lower education. There are more criteria for both versions, so please contact IELTS customer service to learn which test is right for you.

So which test harder? The academic test, as you may have guessed, is more difficult than the general training test. The difference between the two is IELTS writing task 1's difficulty. Luckily, only Writing Task 1 is different. IELTS writing task 2 is the same for both test versions. The table below summarizes the two types of IELTS writing tests.

IELTS Academic Writing Task Overview Video

Ielts general writing task overview video.

Coming soon!

How IELTS Writing Test is Scored

In the IELTS writing test, your writing score will be scored based on four categories. These are known as Task Achievement/Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Refer to the following band descriptors which IELTS examiners use to score the writing section of the test: - IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors - IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors

Note that the scoring criteria for both tasks include:

• Task Achievement/Task Response  - Did you fully answer the question and present a fully developed answer?
• Coherence and Cohesion  - Does your argument or analysis make sense? Is it well thought-out and presented in a complete way?
• Lexical Resource – Did you use a wide range of vocabulary in a natural, formal tone?
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Is your essay virtually error-free? Did you manage to use a wide range of grammatical structures?

Are IELTS Writing Task 1 & IELTS Writing Task 2 Worth the Same Amount of Points? Well Just like how you will spend double the time writing IELTS writing task 2, it's also worth around double the points. Now it's not exactly double. Another way to look at it is to add the score for writing task 2 score twice. So take the band scores 7 for task one and 4 for task two and you get the following formula on how to calculate your IELTS writing score: (7 + (4 x 2))/3 = 5. Therefore, the total IELTS writing band score is around 4.5 - 6. You see we can't give an exact number because IELTS has not made their scoring formula public, but the formula presented here is fairly accurate up to a difference of about 0.5 points.

In IELTS academic writing task 1, you are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.

Regardless of which visual information is presented to you, your job is to write a summary of the visual information. and describe the main trends, overall differences, main changes, or the main components of a system, or the main phrases of a process. You must write 150 words or more, and you should spend around 20 minutes on this part of the test. The writing structure can be as follows:

• Introduction: Paraphrase the question
• Overview: Describe the overall trend or write a general overview of the main groupings
• Body paragraph 1: Write in detail about the first grouping in a logical way
• Body paragraph 2: Write in detail about the second grouping in a logical way

So the steps to write the report for this task is very simple:

• Analyse the chart(s) and plan how to group the information
• Write an essay using the recommended essay structure
• Proofread essay

Let's look at each different possible type of visual graphs, tables, charts, and diagrams you could encounter in your IELTS writing test:

• Line graphs
• Mixed (including two or more of 1-6 above)

Line Graphs

In this type of task, you will be given one or more line graphs. Each line graph will have 1-8 lines showing how values change over time. The time period could be the past, the present or the future, or a combination of all three. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task - Line Graphs

In a line graph, there are usually multiple lines that show changes over time. In your writing, you need to group information based on lines having similar trends or values, so your essay structure will be as follows:

• Body paragraph 1: Describe the first grouping of lines having similar trends or values.
• Body paragraph 2: Describe the second grouping of lines having similar trends or values.

Let’s write an essay for the aboved sample question.

Step 1: Analyse the graph and plan how to group the information

It is evident that hamburgers consumption and fried chicken consumption show an upward trend, whereas the pizza consumption shows a downward trend. Therefore, the best way to group the data would be as follows:

Step 2: Write an essay using the recommended essay structure

Now that you’ve analyzed the task and figured out how to group the information, let’s write the essay.

Model Essay

The chart illustrates the consumption of three kinds of fast food by teenagers in Mauritius from 1985 to 2015. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.  Write at least 150 words.

Introduction

The line graph depicts the consumption of three types of fast food, (hamburgers, pizza, and fried chicken) over a 30 year period by Mauritian teenagers.  Units are given as the number of times each kind was eaten per year.

Overall , hamburgers and fried chicken had become the most popular foods by 2015 with the biggest increase in numbers eaten, while pizza that was the most widely-eaten at the start, declined precipitously in popularity.

Body paragraph 1

With regards to hamburgers, consumption showed a steady upward trajectory from 10 times eaten per year to over 70 times.   Likewise , teenagers in Mauritius ate fried chicken only 5 times per year in 1985 before rising dramatically to a plateau in 2005, then increased slightly at the end of the period to finish as the second most popular food.

Body paragraph 2

On the contrary , although pizza was the most popular food with Mauritian adolescents in 1985, its consumption fell continuously from 60 times a year to just 10 pizzas by the last year.

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the entire IELTS Academic Writing Task - Line Graphs lesson.

In this type of task, you will be given one or more bar charts. The bar charts may show how values change over time (dynamic data), the differences between values at one point in time (static data), or the results of a survey or questionnaire. The information could be about the situation in the past, the present, or the future, or a combination of all three. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Charts

Bar charts are pretty common in IELTS writing task 1 academic. There are three different scenarios you will encounter in a bar chart task:

• A bar chart with categories on the x axis
• A bar chart with dates or years on the axis (functions as a line graph)
• Two bar charts presented

Each scenario requires you to write the report differently. Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the following bar charts lessons: - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 1 lesson. - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 2 lesson. - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 3 lesson.

In this type of task, you will be given one, two. or three pie charts. The pie charts may show percentages of a total figure. If you have one pie chart, it will represent one point in time (static data) . If you have two or more pie charts, they may represent how the percentages change over time or compare different countries or groups. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Pie Charts

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Pie Charts lesson.

In this type of task, you are given a table containing data. can show dynamic figures which change over time or static data for one point in time. Often there is too much information, so you won't be able to include every detail. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Tables

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the following tables lessons: - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Tables Part 1 lesson. - IELTS Academic Writing Task - Tables Part 2 lesson.

Process Diagrams

For this type of question, you will be given a diagram which shows how something works. The diagram may show a machine, a system, or a natural phenomenon. Often there is no data or little data included. Your task is to summarize the information shown in the diagram.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Process Diagrams

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Process Diagrams lesson.

For this type of question, you will be given one, two or three maps. The maps may show a town, city, island, or other geographical area. Maps usually show the changes which occurred in the area during a period of time. The changes could be related to construction (e.g. developing an area for tourism) or destruction (e.g. how an area was affected by a natural disaster such as an earthquake) Your task is to write a summary of the changes which took place and cover the most important points.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Maps

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Maps lesson.

In this type of task, you will be given two sets of data. The data will be different types. For example, one set might be change over time while the second set is static. Alternatively, one set of data could show percentage whereas the second set shows numbers. You may also be given an illustration (e.g. a diagram or map) and a set of data (e.g. a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, or table) Your task is to summarise both sets of data.

How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Mixed Data

Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Mixed Data lesson.

Vocabulary for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

To score high on this task, you need to learn how to use appropriate words and phrases to present the data given in a pie/bar/line/mixed graph. We suggest you sign up for a 7 day free trial and complete the following lessons:

• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about numbers
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about percentages
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about changes in data

IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples

This section presents a list of IELTS writing samples for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Line Chart Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Chart Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Pie Chart Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Map Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Process Diagram Questions
• IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Mixed Data Questions

In IELTS general training writing task 1, you will be presented with a situation and will need to write a personal response in the form of an informal, semi-formal or formal letter of at least 150 words. The situations you are asked to write about are common, everyday ones such as:

• writing to a college accommodation officer about problems with accommodation,
• writing to a new employer about time management problems they are having,
• writing to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport,
• writing to a renting agency to sort out problems with the heating system in their house.

In regards to the situation, you will be given information in the form of three bullet points that you must include in your response. You may be required to request or give information and/or explain a situation. To do this, you may need to do some of the following:

• ask for and/or provide general factual information,
• express needs, wants, likes or dislikes,
• express opinions or complaints,
• make requests or make suggestions/recommendations.

IELTS General Writing Style

The writing style you'll use depends who you're asked to write to (i.e. the audience) and how well you're supposed to know them. You need to write in a style that is appropriate for your audience and that will help you to achieve your purpose for writing, e.g. writing to a friend (informal) or writing to a manager (semi-formal or formal). You do not need to include any addresses at the head of your letters.

How to Avoid Losing Points in IELTS General Writing Task 1

As mentioned, don't spend any more than 20 minutes on this task and make sure you write at least 150 words or you will be penalised. While you will not be penalised for writing more than 150 words, you should remember that a longer task 1 answer may mean that you have less time to spend on task 2, which contributes twice as much to the Writing band score.

You should also remember that you'll be penalised for irrelevance, if the response is off-topic or is not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). You will be severely penalised for plagiarism (i.e. copying from another source).

Causes and effects

Discuss both views and give your own opinion, advantages and disadvantages, problems and solutions, two-part question.

Now, let's look at sample questions and model essays for each essay type.

• Advantages & Disadvantages
• Problems and Solutions
• Two-part Question

In this type of question, you will be given a problem or situation. Your task is to describe the causes of the situation and some of the effects of the situation.

Obesity among children has risen sharply over the last decade in western countries.   Such a trend is largely the result of a tendency towards convenience in society, yet its effects may be detrimental to children’s long-term mental and physical health.

The prime causes of obesity are unhealthy eating habits and an inactive lifestyle.   In recent years , there has been a surge in the consumption of convenience foods among modern families.   Busy parents with no time to cook rely on prepared meals to feed their families.  Such foods have little to no nutritional value which contributes to obesity .   In addition , children these days spend inordinate amounts of time playing video games than playing outside with friends resulting in insufficient physical activity each day.   For example , studies show that children in France exercise on average around 20 minutes per day as compared to 75 minutes 30 years ago.  

The possible effects of obesity are a range of health issues.   Regarding physical health, diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, are known to be higher in overweight children than their peers.  These put a child’s life in danger, and may further affect mental health growing up.  When children are obese , they are more likely to be bullied and ostracized by classmates because they look or behave differently.   This has been known to cause low self-esteem and depression in many, and thus shun friends in favor of time alone.

In conclusion , through poor diet choice and inactivity , obesity is a growing problem that can cause lasting damage to a child’s mental and physical development.    However , by addressing this problem while young, much can be done to aid a child in becoming a healthy functioning adult.

In this type of question, you will be given two opposing views related to an issue. Usually, the two views will be in separate sentences connected by a transition word such as "however" to indicate that the two views contrast. Your task is to write a discursive essay, contrasting both sides of the issue and presenting your own view.

According to some, good health goes hand in hand with regular exercise, yet others feel that it is more important to maintain a balanced diet .   In my opinion, I believe that exercise is more essential for the majority of people.

There are several benefits to a balanced diet for good mental and physical health .  For one thing , eating well lifts moods.  Simple foods that are varied in color and type can lift mood and lower the risk of depression.  Eating more fruits, colorful vegetables, proteins, and whole grains helps the body run efficiently.  This makes dieters feel good , and as a result more willing to be active which thus makes them healthier.   For another thing , eating well makes people less prone to getting sick by building a body less susceptible to disease . Vitamins and minerals in diet boost immunity , which protects the body against certain diseases like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure .

On the other hand , I believe that exercise is more effective at improving health since it encourages long-term health habits from the beginning.  Exercising not only burns calories , but makes people feel good.   While starting a diet is never a pleasant experience, cardiovascular exercises like cycling, walking or swimming trigger endorphins in the brain that immediately decrease stress levels, and enhance our sense of well-bein g.   Once people start feeling good from exercise, they are more likely to continue.   Moreover , exercise doesn’t have to be for long periods to achieve instant benefits.  Doctors usually advise exercising for 20 minutes three times per week, a sufficiently short enough time to make a habit of , and fit into busy schedules.

In conclusion , while good diet is necessary, exercise offers greater convenience, flexibility, and by making people feel good, encourages good health habits in the long run.  

In this type of question, you will be asked to discuss the positive and negative aspects of a situation, solution or trend. You may also be asked to give your opinion about which side you think is more important.

More and more students are taking a year away from their studies between graduating from school and beginning university.  Students can save for and think about their future during this period, though there are several drawbacks to consider.

To begin with , by taking a year after high school, students can avoid costly mistakes of starting a degree that they are not interested in.  A year is a good time to consider options and decide what subject is best to study.   Secondly , a gap year is excellent for character development.   When graduating high school at 18, most people still don’t know what life direction they wish to take.  Studies show that students who take a gap year doing something constructive like travelling do better in at university later on than those who do not.   Finally , a year away from studies provides the chance to save money .   That way, at university, students may focus more on classes , and less on debt.

However , spending such a long time away from studying may cause some students to lose good study habits, and gain bad habits instead.  After 12 years of continuous schooling , many teenagers may be distracted by the prospect of earning money, and lose the motivation to continue their studies.   Furthermore , individuals without a constructive plan for their education-free year may be tempted to procrastinate and waste time.   Lastly , travelling overseas can be expensive, and there is a real possibility that students may end up in more debt by the start of the university year.

To sum up , although students who take a year out can save money and achieve greater life-direction, this time may also be wasted, lead to greater debt, or cause unintended life decisions that may later be regretted.  

In this type of question, you will be given a problem or situation. Your task is to describe the causes of the situation and some solutions to the problem. The question may ask for general solutions (e.g. How could this problem be solved) or ask how specific groups can solve the problem (e.g. What steps can governments and individuals take to address the problem?). You do not need to mention the effects in detail, just briefly.

Before as now, emigration from the countryside to the city continues apace worldwide as people seek a better standard of living .   However , life in the big city is often hard on new immigrants.  There are several reasons for this as well as solutions for governments to handle them.

Most difficulties emerge since rural folk are unaccustomed to city life on moving there.   For a start , the cost of living is much greater than in a town or village.  City residents must pay more for utilities, housing, transportation and food, which causes many immigrants to share overcrowded housing in a bid to save money.   Secondly, unemployment in the city is a major challenge for new arrivals.  Many immigrants are unprepared for the fierce job competition when arriving in a city.  This inevitably drives unemployment up, which may quickly lead to poverty .   Finally , healthcare costs are often high in the city, and if made sick, many immigrants often lose meagre savings to pay for their medical care .

To solve these challenges, and improve life for all inhabitants , city governments have several options available to them.   Firstly , ensure an adequate housing supply to prevent overcrowding .  Developing low-end, cost effective housing for migrants would reduce living expenses and provide a base for first-time inhabitants starting a new life .   Secondly , establish job schemes and professional training programs for new city residents.  This would help them to find reliable work and figure out their next step.   Finally , make affordable healthcare available to all.  Guaranteeing access to affordable healthcare provides a social safety net for new city citizens as they adjust to city life.

In conclusion , given the diverse challenges faced by city immigrants, ensuring decent accommodation and healthcare, as well as creating job programs, can help many hit the ground running and begin contributing to city life.

In this type of question, you will be given two questions and you will need to answer both questions. The two questions will be different. For example, you might need to assess the importance of an idea or action (e.g. How import is it?) and say whether you agree or disagree (e.g. Do you agree or disagree?).

Some people regard the arts as fundamental pillars of society, and even in today’s technology-dominated world, art and music are still important.  More than ever before, I believe it is necessary to teach children such subjects in school for the many benefits they bring society.

Art and music are central to life in developed civilisations . For a start, they help society to reflect on what it has become.  As society advances, artists help to interpret the changes and problems created by progress in unique ways.  Artists use their creativity to draw attention to key issues such as the increasing mountains of trash produced or the rich-poor divide . Secondly , artists make people more humble by helping them remember their humanity and their connections to the world around them.  Pictures of nature, society, tribal scenes, past and present make people think about their roots and consider where they’re heading.   Finally , music gives joy and inspiration to many people.  It helps to express emotion and lift mood when feeling down .  

While in school , there are key advantages to learning art and music.   For one , both give children the creativity to express themselves.  Children live in a world of adults; however , art and music classes allow all to be themselves which is good for their mental development .   For example , while older children are less inclined , younger children often find singing, dancing and painting to be among their favorite classes.   In turn, studying music has proven beneficial in helping children connect more with their emotions.  This produces more rounded adults able to connect with their knowledge through science and their emotions through art and music.

In conclusion, for adults and children, the arts bring not only joy, but inspiration, and helps both to remember who they are really are in a world dominated by science .

In this type of question, you will be given a question which contains an opinion. Your task is to write an essay in response to the opinion. This type of question often asks if you agree or disagree with an opinion.

It is said by many that social networking websites like Facebook are negatively influencing society.   Although I believe this the effect of social media on society is somewhat negative, there are also clear benefits to individuals from using it.

Regarding society , social networks are causing a decline in meaningful relationships.   Firstly , people spend less time having good conversation with each other face-to-face.    Most people spend more time having short conversations with dozens of people online, and less time having longer, meaningful conversations with friends face-to-face . This erodes close relationships over time and may be creating a more socially disconnected society as a result. Additionally , there is some evidence that social media sites like Facebook have created a more socially awkward and antisocial society .  The average European spends four hours per day chatting online, yet this familiarity with the screen is causing many to become more anxious talking with others in person as a result .

However , there are distinct advantages to the individual from using social media.   For one, it is very easy to find work when online.  Through group functionality on sites like Facebook, job seekers can easily find a job they desire in the right field, thus increasing job satisfaction when at work.   Finally , social networks bring like-minded people together in an unprecedented way . Whether it is friends looking to organize an event, or people looking to meet others with similar interests it is extremely easy to find people online. For example , just take the explosion in minor hobbies like board games clubs that have become popular due to the interconnected nature of social media.

In conclusion, in my opinion, although there is some evidence to show social networking may affect society badly in the long run, in the short term, its effects on individuals seem more positive.

IELTS Writing Samples and Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

In general, there are 4 steps to approaching the IELTS Writing Task 2:

1. Read and Understand - Although this step may seem self-explanatory, many test takers let their nerves get the best of them and do not fully understand the question at hand. This is why the first thing you will need to during Writing Task 2 is to fully understand the question and underline key words . Additionally, think of these two things:

• What type of essay will I need to write? (For example, it can be Problem and Solution ).
• How familiar am I with this topic? (This question is important, because it may affect the outline you choose to use.

2. Plan your Outline - Now that you’ve understood what the question is asking as well as which type of essay you will have to write, you are ready to map out your outline. Do not skip this step. This should take only 2 or 3 minutes and will act as a reference for you going forward. Also, depending on how the question asks you, the outline will be different. To learn how to analyze question and plan the outline for each essay type, check out our IELTS writing task 2 lessons

The following blog posts teach you how to tackle each question type and contain over 100 IELTS writing task 2 questions and samle essays. Feel free to use them for your IELTS preparation.

• How to Answer Opinion Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Discussion Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Advantage & Disadvantage Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Problem and Solution Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Answer Cause and Effect Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
• How to Answer Two-part Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

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A Complete Guide on IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

In Academic Writing Task 1, you will be given one or multiple diagrams that can be in many forms such as, graphs, pictures, data tables etc. You will be asked to write an essay on the given diagrams.

You will need to write at least 150 words for this essay.   Yes, you can write a few more than 150, but never go below 150. If you write even 149 words, you will lose marks. To be in the safe zone, write 170-180 words. However, we recommend not exceed 190. If you write 195/200/200+, it will be too many words  and will damage your score.

In fact, you are required to show how well you can communicate in English. Understanding the question properly and then answering precisely is one of the important communication skills. If you write less than the instructed number of words, or if you write too many words, the examiner will get the impression that you have  failed to understand the basic instruction sentence.

3 Simple Steps for Academic IELTS Writing Task 1

You need to do three simple things for Academic IELTS Writing Task 1. This is all you have to do for this task:

Paraphrase the question sentence

Write an overview paragraph

Focus on one or two key features

If you can cover just these 3 bullet points within 160-180 words, you are absolutely fine. 

Task 1 Question Types 

There are 7 types of questions for Academic IELTS Writing Task 1. Click on each question type to read their step by step detailed discussions.

A pie chart is a circular statistical graph which is divided into slices that illustrate proportional relationship.

A line graph is a line that is connected with individual data points showing quantitative variations over the time. 

A bar chart presents categorical data with rectangular bars with heights or lengths proportional to the values that they represent.

Table Chart

You might be given one or two data tables. You will need to describe the significant data changes for the given time.

Process Diagram

You will be given a picture or a drawing that shows the production steps of a final product, or the working procedure of a mechanical device/machine etc.  Most of the students fear this question not because it is difficult, but because of their confusion how to answer this.

This is a very easy question to answer. There will be no data to analyse in this question type. It will be all about comparing between 2 or 3 maps.

Multiple Graphs

There will be more than one data diagrams. You will need to describe major changes or relations among them.

Writing Task 1 Essay Structure

Paraphrasing the question sentence

Overview paragraph

The first body paragraph

The second body paragraph

It's actually very easy to get a good score in IELTS writing task 1. Just write the major features that are very obvious in the graphs. Don't write anything that is minor or not in the graph. Click  Academic IELTS  Task 1 essay  structure  and jump to the detailed discussion.

Check the following resources:

A complete guide on IELTS Writing

A complete guide on General Training Writing Task 1

A complete guide on Writing Task 2 (GT + Academic)

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Academic IELTS Task 1 – Vocabulary for Task 1 Essays –

As with all parts of the IELTS exam, Academic IELTS Task 1 is assessed on four criteria. We looked at the first two, Task Achievement and Cohesion and Coherence, on the Task 1 overview page ( IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 ) and it’s now time to focus on Vocabulary. 

This lesson includes:

          1) Understanding the marking criteria

          2) Key vocabulary for Academic IELTS Task 1:

• Adjectives & adverbs
• Verbs & nouns

Collocations

• Other useful phrases
• Percentages, proportions & approximations

          3) A word list PDF to download.

Understanding the Marking Criteria

Before we start looking at the specific vocabulary you will need for your IELTS Task 1 essay, it’s essential that you understand how vocabulary is assessed. Vocabulary, also called Lexical Resource, carries 25% of the marks so, you need to know what the examiner is looking for.

We’re going to focus on Bands 6 - 8 as these are the levels most students are aiming for. Here are the official marking criteria for Vocabulary. Don’t worry if you don’t fully understand them. I explain the main points below. If you follow my guidance in this lesson, you’ll be able to meet these criteria and get a good score for IELTS Task 1.

You can see a full table of all the band level marking criteria for Writing IELTS Task 1 by clicking this link –  Task 1 Marking Criteria . 

The marking criteria for vocabulary can be summed up in a single sentence:

• Vocabulary (Lexical Resource)  is the ability to use a range of appropriate vocabulary and to use it correctly.

Of course, there’s more to it than that and there are three key things you need to do to get a high score for vocabulary. Correct spelling is obviously essential so I won’t say any more about this.

1)   Use appropriate vocabulary                                                                                

In your Task 1 essay, you will be describing data and this requires some very specific vocabulary that you might only use in this part of the exam. This is what the marking criteria are referring to when they mention ‘precise meanings’ and ‘less common lexical items/vocabulary’.

You’ll find lists of useful Task 1 specific words below.

2) Use vocabulary flexibly

You need to have a wide enough range of vocabulary that you can say the same thing in more than one way, that is, paraphrase. This is what the marking criteria mean by the phrase ‘allow some flexibility and precision’. You do this by using synonyms.

Paraphrasing also involves using different sentence structures, which I cover in the lesson on  Grammar for Academic IELTS Task 1 . 

3) Use collocations correctly

The marking criteria specifically mention the correct use of collocations as something you'll be assessed on.

A collocation is a combination of two or more words that sound correct to a native speaker when used together. The word combination often doesn’t work if you try to replace the first word with a synonym. For example, we say,

• heavy rain  but not weighty rain
• fast food  not quick food
• keen interest  not eager interest

My advice here is to only use collocations you are 100% sure are correct. These are something to focus on when learning vocabulary and I include some Task 1 related examples in the word lists we’ll now focus on.

Key Vocabulary for Academic IELTS Task 1

Adjective & adverbs.

In your IELTS Task 1 essay, you are required to describe what you see in a chart, graph, table, map or a diagram, most especially, to record changes in the data. To do this, you will use describing words, that is, adjectives and adverbs.

• Adjectives  are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns.
• Adverbs  are words that describe or modify verbs or adjectives.

Adverbs can generally be formed by adding ‘ly’ to the end of the adjective.

Here is a table of adjectives and adverbs relevant to Task 1 questions. Don’t try to learn them all. This is only a very short essay (min. 150 words) so you won’t be able to include much detail.

Learn 2 or 3 words for  large changes  and 2 or 3 for  small or moderate changes .

Large Changes:

Small or Moderate Changes:

Verbs & Nouns

You will also need some specific verbs and nouns.

• Verbs  are words that describe an action or state.
• Nouns  are words that refer to a thing, a place, a person or a quality.

Many words have a verb form and a noun form as can be seen in the tables below.

For your essay, you should learn 2 or 3 words for  upward movement , 2 or 3 for  downward movement  because you will probably have to write about changes in data.

Upward movement

Downward movement

The following words can be used to describe both upward and downward movements .

Finally, you will need a couple of phrases to describe situations that show little or no change .

Remember to use the appropriate verb tenses in your essay.

Many of the words in these lists can be formed into collations that are ideal for expressing change.

There are two ways that you can create them:

• Verb + Adverb
• Adjective + Noun

Here are some examples:

Again, don’t try to learn them all. Just pick a couple that you feel comfortable using.

The following sentences illustrate how you might use some of this vocabulary in an IELTS Task 1 essay.

1) The price of houses went into  sharp decline  between 1980 and 1985 but  increased significantly  from 1986 to 1990.

2) Over the whole time period, there was a steady growth in the number of women choosing to study part-time but for men, the level fluctuated .

Other Useful Phrases

Here are a few more phrases that you may find useful.

Percentages, Proportions & Approximations

All chart, graphs and table in IELTS Task 1 questions contain numerical data. You will gain marks if you are able to vary your language when you present this numerical data in your essay. Using approximations and proportions are an ideal way to do this, so we’ll start with these as they are useful for all types of IELTS Task 1 essay questions.

Approximations

Often, numerical data is expressed as percentages and you can use approximations to present this form of data in a different way. Here are some examples:

I’ve created a PDF of these word lists. Download it here: Task 1 Vocabulary PDF

You now have more than enough vocabulary to write a high-scoring Academic IELTS Task 1 essay. Use the lists when you practice writing Task 1 essays. You'll soon become familiar with the vocabulary and this will help you to choose which words and phrases to learn fully and memorise.

You’ll also find some useful vocabulary for making comparisons on this page:

Grammar for Academic Task 1 Essays

And, there’s a lot more help with Task 1 in the lessons in the menu below.

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Ielts task 1 ( academic)  – 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.

• Table Chart
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• Multiple Graphs
• IELTS Writing
• Academic Task 1 Vocabulary
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IELTS Writing Task 1 question types: A comprehensive guide

This comprehensive guide breaks down the different question types in the Writing Task 1 section, including graphs, bar charts, pie charts, tables, and maps.

Content Tags

In the IELTS Writing test, there are a variety of question types you can receive.  It is important to have a look at these so you don’t have any surprises when you sit your test. 

In Task 1 of the IELTS Writing Academic test, you have visual items, such as graphs and charts, and you are expected to provide a description of them, including data, comparison and contrasts and an overview. 

It is common to see diagrams like this which indicate the number, percentage or rate of something over a period of time.  In this case, the time span is over 15 years and there are 3 separate lines (categories).  Line graph tasks can include 2,3, 4 or possibly up to 6 lines in the whole chart. 

Similar to line graphs, bar charts can also display data in a linear way (e.g. from 1990 to 2000 in this case).  However, data can also be categorised in a non-linear way such as below: 

Pie charts normally have figures displayed in percentages and it is common to see tasks where there are 2 or more of them.  Similar to bar graphs, they can be categorised in linear or non-linear ways.  

The charts below show the percentage of second language classes taken by Australian secondary school students in two different cities in 2017.  

The charts below show the percentage of second language classes taken by Australian secondary school students in Adelaide.  

Sometimes data can be displayed in table form, where it can be categorised in both linear or non-linear ways, similar to bar graphs and pie charts.  The data can be displayed in numerical or percentage form.  

The table below shows the number of registered junior players in 4 different types of football in an Australian city in 2015 according to 3 different age groups.  

Here you can see that the data can also be categorised by age group, which is another way to display data besides just according to place or time. 

Combination

Besides these individual forms of displaying data, you may find there could be a combination of graph types together, such as a line graph and a pie chart.  

The diagrams below show the average cost of 3 different types of media device over a period of 6 years, plus their payment method for these devices according to 4 age groups in 2020.   

As you can see in this particular question, the time reference can also include future projections (the line graph continues until 2026).

Sometimes you may be asked to describe a process.  These can be either of something that is man-made or something that occurs in nature.  Take note that a process task has a starting point and ending point (make sure you mention all steps in the process).  Process questions also need to include an overview.   

In tasks that ask you to compare and contrast maps, they can either be of an indoor space (e.g. a floor plan) or an outdoor space (e.g. buildings, roads, nature, etc.).  It is normal to have a task that shows maps with two different dates: 

Two dates in the past (e.g.  1966 & 2016) 

A map in the past and a current map (e.g. 2016 and present) 

A map in the past or present compared to something that is projected or planned in the future (e.g., present and 2032)   

The diagrams below show the features of the town centre of Trentville in 1966 and compares them to the changes that could be seen in 2016.  

The A to Z of IELTS

Find the list of related articles you need to improve your speaking, writing, and reading skills. Now, prepare and aim for a high band score

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IELTS Bar Chart Sample Essay

Static or Dynamic?

Before writing an IELTS task 1 bar chart or line graph answer it is important that we analyse the question correctly. Taking a few minutes to do this will help us write a clear answer that fully responds to the question. Just what the examiner wants us to do.

The first thing we need to do is decide if the bar chart is static or dynamic. Static means that the data comes from one point in time. Dynamic means the data comes from more than one point in time.

Whether a chart is static or dynamic will affect the information we choose to include in our answer and the kind of language (tense, grammar etc.) we use.

If it is dynamic we will have to compare the different times and comment on the general trends over the time period.

If it is static we will have to compare the different variables, in this case countries, car price, GDP and time it takes for one person to buy a car.

Main Features

Every IELTS academic task 1 question asks us to ‘select and report the main features’.

This means that we have to not only pick the most significant information from the graph and include it in our essay, but also decide which information is not important and should therefore not be included in our essay. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in task 1 is including all the information you see.

So which information should you choose?

You should look for:

• highest/lowest values
• biggest differences
• similarities
• significant exceptions
• anything else that really stands out

There are 3 main features in this graph

1) It takes over 26 years for a Vietnamese person to buy a car.

2) Vietnam has the second highest average costs but the second lowest wages.

3) Cost of a car in Singapore is nearly 3 times the next most expensive.

I advise my students to follow a basic four paragraph structure for these kinds of questions.

Paragraph 1 

Paraphrase the question using synonyms.

Paragraph 2 

Provide an overview of the main features. No need to include any data in this paragraph, just tell the examiner what is happening in general terms. If you had to describe the main features in two sentences, what would you say?

Paragraph 3

This is where we get more specific and use data. Take 2 of the main features (from your overview) and describe them in detail using data from the chart.

Paragraph 4 

Simply do the same thing as you did in paragraph 3, but with two other main features (from your overview).

Sample Answer 

The graph compares the GDP per capita, cost of a Toyota Camry and approximate length of time it takes for 1 citizen to purchase that mode of transport in eight Asian countries.

Despite having the second lowest average yearly income, it costs more to buy this car in Vietnam than in all but one other Asian nation. It also takes significantly longer for a standard person to buy an automobile in Vietnam than in any other state in Asia. On the other end of the scale, Singaporeans have to pay nearly three times more for their cars than the Vietnamese and it takes them the least amount of time to afford a motor vehicle.

It costs $49,944 to buy a Toyota Camry in Vietnam, but this dwarfs the average yearly income per person at just $1,910. It would therefore take a normal man or woman 26.1 years to save up for that particular car.

This is in contrast to Singapore where it costs $126,245 for that model of motorcar, however the average salary is much greater at $55,182. This means that it generally takes just over 2 years for a typical individual from Singapore to acquire this vehicle.

(200 words) Band 9.

It should be noted that this is not a real IELTS task 1 question. This is just a chart that I saw on the internet, but it allowed me to make a very important point- you don’t have to mention everything on the graph. I only talked about 2 out of the 8 countries and I still wrote 200 words and answer the question fully. The key is finding the most significant data and not talking about anything else. Don’t worry, you won’t lose marks for not talking about everything, quite the opposite.

This graph is also good for demonstrating how important it is to vary your vocabulary. There were four words that could have been overused in this essay- car, average, country and people. Instead of repeating them over and over again I used synonyms to show the examiner I have a wide vocabulary and gain extra marks. Here are the synonyms:

Car- Toyota Camry- automobile- vehicle- motor vehicle- motorcar

Average- approximate- normal- typical- standard

Country- countries- nation- state

People- citizen- man or woman- individual

Next time you see a chart or graph in a newspaper, in a textbook or on the internet, think about what the main features are and what common words would you have to vary with synonyms.

I hope you have found these tips useful. If you have any questions, let me know below.

For more band 9 sample essays check out our task 1 sample essay page.

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All IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Types (+Tips & Examples)

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 can be a challenging test for many students. One of the reasons for this is the variety of question types that may appear on the test, including bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, tables, maps, diagrams, and more. However, understanding the different types of questions and how to approach them can make all the difference in achieving a high score.

In this blog post, we will explore all of the different types of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions that may come up on the test. We will also provide examples and tips on how to approach each type of question, so you can feel confident and prepared on the test day.

Types of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Question

Here are all of the different IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 question types you need to know:

1. Describing a Line Graph

Line graphs are used to show trends or changes over time.

• What is the chart representing?
• What is the unit of measurement?
• Is there a specific time frame or interval shown?
• How many lines are displayed on the chart?
• What is the tense used in the description of the chart?
• Study the x-axis and y-axis labels and the units of measurement.
• Look for trends, fluctuations, and significant points on the graph.
• Introduction: Paraphrase the question.
• Identify the main trend(s) or pattern(s) in the graph.
• Highlight the main trends or patterns.
• Provide a broad description of the data, including any significant changes or fluctuations.
• Describe the trend and the significant changes.
• Break down the data by showing specific data points and trends.
• Compare and contrast the data if applicable.
• Use linking words and phrases to connect the data points and trends.
• Use a variety of verbs to describe trends, such as “rise,” “increase,” “grow,” “fall,” “decrease,” “drop,” and “level off.”
• Use adjectives to describe the degree of change, such as “dramatic,” “significant,” “moderate,” or “slight.”
• Use linking words and phrases to connect ideas and show relationships, such as “while,” “although,” “despite,” and “due to.”
• Use the simple present tense to describe general truths or ongoing trends, such as “the data shows,” “the graph indicates,” or “the trend is.”
• Use the past tense to describe specific data points or changes, such as “in 2015, the figure was,” “there was a sharp increase in,” or “the numbers fell dramatically.”
• Sample line graph and model answer:

It is important to identify the key features of the graph, such as:

• The highest and lowest points
• The overall trend
• Any significant changes

2. Describing a Bar Graph

Bar graphs are used to compare data between different items or groups.

• What is the main subject of the bar chart?
• What are the units of measurement used?
• Are the bars arranged in any particular order?
• How many categories or groups are being compared?
• What is the overall trend displayed in the chart?
• Identify the different categories on the x-axis and the values on the y-axis.
• Look for comparisons and contrasts between the bars.
• Identify the main differences or similarities between the categories.
• Compare the highest and lowest bars and any significant differences.
• Provide a brief description of the data, including any significant differences.
• Describe the comparison between the items or groups.
• Break down the data by showing specific data points and comparisons between the categories.
• Highlight the significant differences.
• Use linking words and phrases to connect the data points and comparisons.
• Use appropriate adjectives to describe the size or quantity of each category, such as “large,” “small,” “significant,” or “minor.”
• Use linking words and phrases to compare and contrast categories, such as “in contrast,” “on the other hand,” and “similarly.”
• Use the simple present tense to describe general truths or ongoing comparisons, such as “the chart shows,” “the data indicates,” or “the difference is.”
• Use the past tense to describe specific data points or comparisons, such as “in 2015, the figure for A was,” “B had a higher percentage than,” or “there was a significant contrast between.”
• Sample bar graph and model answer:

• The highest and lowest bars
• The most and least popular items
• Any significant differences

3. Describing a Pie Chart

Pie charts are used to show data percentages of a whole.

• What does the pie chart represent?
• What are the percentages or proportions shown?
• Are there any significant differences between the sections of the chart?
• What is the largest or smallest section of the chart?
• What conclusions can be drawn from the chart?
• Identify the different categories and their corresponding percentages.
• Look for the largest and smallest slices and any notable differences.
• Identify the largest and smallest slices and any significant differences.
• Compare the largest and smallest slices and any significant differences.
• Provide a brief description of the data.
• Describe the proportions of the groups
• Highlight the most and least represented groups
• Use percentages and fractions to describe each category.
• Use adjectives to describe the degree of difference between categories, such as “marked,” “slight,” or “significant.”
• Use linking words and phrases to show relationships between categories, such as “corresponding to,” “accounting for,” and “contributing to.”
• Use the simple present tense to describe general truths or ongoing proportions, such as “the pie chart illustrates,” “the data suggests,” or “the largest slice is.”
• Use the past tense to describe specific data points or proportions, such as “in 2015, the percentage for C was,” “D accounted for a smaller proportion than,” or “there was a slight shift in the distribution from.”
• Model answer:

It is important to identify the key features of the chart, such as:

• The largest and smallest segments
• The most and least represented groups

4. Describing a Table

Tables are used to present data measurements in a structured format.

• What is the main topic or subject of the table?
• What are the categories or variables being compared?
• How are the values arranged within the table?
• Are there any significant differences or patterns in the data?
• What are the highest or lowest values in the table?
• Study the headings and units of measurement for each column and row.
• Look for patterns, rankings, and comparisons.
• Identify the highest and lowest values and any significant differences.
• Break down the data by showing specific data points and comparisons between the rows and columns.
• Highlight the most and least profitable professions.
• Use appropriate adjectives to describe the size or quantity of each row or column, such as “lowest,” “highest,” “most,” or “least.”
• Use linking words and phrases to compare and contrast rows or columns, such as “in contrast,” “on the other hand,” and “similarly.”
• Use the simple present tense to describe general truths or ongoing rankings or comparisons, such as “the table presents,” “the data compares,” or “the figures show.”
• Use the past tense to describe specific data points or rankings, such as “in 2015, the number for X was,” “Y had the highest total of,” or “there was a significant difference between Z and.”

It is important to identify the key features of the table, such as:

• The highest and lowest values
• The most and least profitable professions

5. Describing a Map

Maps are used to show a location or a facility such as a street map and a plan of a building or site.

• What does the map show?
• What is the scale of the map?
• Are there any significant features or landmarks highlighted on the map?
• What is the overall trend or pattern shown in the map?
• What conclusions can be drawn from the map?
• Identify the key features of the map, such as roads, buildings, landmarks, and areas of open space.
• Look for patterns, such as the layout of streets or the distribution of buildings.
• Identify any changes or developments over time.
• Summarize the main stages and the overall process.
• The location of the shops or facilities.
• Highlight the distance between them.
• Describe the key features of the map in a logical and organized way.
• Use linking words and phrases to connect the different features.
• Use prepositions to describe the location of features, such as “to the north of,” “adjacent to,” or “surrounded by.”
• Use adjectives to describe the size, shape, or function of features, such as “large,” “narrow,” or “commercial.”
• Use the simple present tense to describe general truths or ongoing features or locations, such as “the map displays,” “the data identifies,” or “the area is.”
• Use the past tense to describe specific data points or locations, such as “in 2015, the building was,” “there used to be a park where,” or “the river flowed through.”

It is important to identify the key features of the map, such as:

• The location of different shops or facilities
• The distance between them

6. Describing a Process/Diagram

Process diagrams are used to show the stages or steps in a process and their order.

• What is the process being shown in the diagram?
• What are the main stages or steps in the process?
• Are there any key inputs or outputs shown in the diagram?
• Are there any significant changes or transformations in the process?
• What is the final outcome or result of the process?
• Identify the different stages or steps in the process and their order.
• Look for the inputs, outputs, and transformations that occur.
• Look for any significant changes or developments.
• Identify the main stages of the process and the inputs, outputs, and transformations that occur.
• Describe the main steps and the significant changes of the process in detail and the key features of each.
• Use linking words and phrases to connect the different stages.
• Use appropriate verbs to describe each stage of the process, such as “input,” “transform,” or “output.”
• Use linking words and phrases to show the sequence of stages, such as “after,” “before,” “subsequently,” and “finally.”
• Use the simple present tense to describe general truths or ongoing stages or transformations, such as “the diagram represents,” “the data outlines,” or “the process involves.”
• Use the past tense to describe specific data points or stages, such as “in the first step, the input was,” “there was a change in the output from,” or “the transformation led to.”

It is important to identify the key features of the diagram, such as:

• The starting and ending points
• The main steps

7. Describing Combination

A combination task may include two or more types of graphs or diagrams, and it requires candidates to compare and contrast the information presented.

• What types of charts or diagrams are included in the combination?
• What is the main topic or subject of the combination?
• How are the various elements of the combination related to each other?
• What is the overall trend or pattern shown in the combination?
• What conclusions can be drawn from the combination?
• Study the different elements of the visual representation and how they relate to each other.
• Look for patterns, trends, and comparisons between different types of data.
• Identify the different elements of the visual representation and how they relate to each other.
• Describe each element in detail and the key features of the different types of graphs or diagrams
• Compare and contrast the data presented.
• Use linking words and phrases to connect the different elements and show their relationships.
• Use appropriate language for each type of visual representation and show how they are related to each other.
• Use linking words and phrases to connect ideas and show relationships, such as “whereas,” “in comparison,” “in addition,” and “moreover.”
• Use appropriate tenses for each type of visual representation and make sure they are consistent throughout the analysis.
• Use linking words and phrases to connect ideas and show relationships between different tenses, such as “while,” “although,” “despite,” and “due to.”

In conclusion, the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 test can be challenging, but understanding the different types of questions and how to approach them is crucial to achieving a high score. By familiarizing yourself with line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, tables, maps, and combinations thereof, you can feel confident and prepared on test day.

Remember to focus on the key trends, comparisons, components, data points, and features, and use specific data to support your analysis. With these tips and examples in mind, you can be well on your way to achieving your desired score.

Related Posts

25 Expert Tips For IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 Success

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100 Common Phrases For IELTS Academic Writing Task 2

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Grammar for IELTS Essay Writing Task 2

• GT Task 1 Letter
• Academic Task 1 Report
• Essay task 2

IELTS writing task 1 and task 2 in the IELTS use the same scoring criteria. However, task 2, which is an essay, requires a minimum of 250 words and carries more marks than writing task 1. It also allows more opportunities for using a wide range of grammatical structures.

Table of Contents

1.2 compound, 1.3 complex.

• Conditionals
• Relative pronouns
• Adverbial Phrases
• Punctuation
• Gerunds and Infinitives
• Subject-verb agreement
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample
• 10.1 Suggested Structures for Various Essay Types

10.2 How to Give Opinion

10.3 how to list advantages and disadvantages, 10.4 how to express problem and solutions, 10.5 how to make a comparison, 1. sentence structures.

Using a variety of sentence structures is crucial if you want to get a high band score. This doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to only incorporating complex sentences, but rather a combination of simple and compound sentences as well.

Contains one independent clause.

Example: Traffic has become a big problem in the city.

Contains two independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction. Remember to always use a comma before coordinating conjunctions when joining two independent clauses together

Example: Traffic has become a big problem in the city, so it is time the community finds a solution.

Contains a dependent clause and a subordinating conjunction.

Example: Traffic has become a big problem in the city because of the increase in the number of cars on the road.

2. Conditionals

Conditional sentences might not be suitable for all essays, but whenever you can use them, you should, as they are an excellent way of including more advanced sentence structures.

Familiarise yourself with the structures of conditionals:

• 1st conditional: If + present simple, will
• 2nd conditional: If + past simple, would
• 3rd conditional: If + past perfect, would have

Example: In my opinion, if the entire world worked together, climate change would no longer be a problem.

3. Relative pronouns

Using relative pronouns to create more complex sentences and add information is essential if you’re aiming for a high band score.

Relative pronouns ( like which, where, when, whose, who, and that ) modify nouns.

If the information added is crucial to the meaning of the sentence, you don’t have to use commas. However, if it’s not important, you can place it between commas.

Example: Governments play a crucial role in shaping environmental policies, which are increasingly seen as essential for sustainable development.”

4. Adverbial Phrases

This is an excellent way to add more information to your simple sentences. These are phrases that can be placed at the beginning of a sentence to provide information on time, place, manner, or frequency.

Don’t forget to place a comma after the adverbial phrase.

Example: In developing countries, access to clean water remains a big issue.

5. Punctuation

The comma is the punctuation symbol that gets overused or misused most often.

Avoid writing unnecessarily long sentences and make use of conjunctions.

When should you use a comma?

• Place a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, yet, so, or nor, for) to join two complete ideas (independent clauses).
• Use a comma after a phrase or clause that introduces a sentence, signalling the end of the introductory part and the beginning of the main clause.
• Use commas when separating each item in a series of three or more items that have the same function and form in a sentence.
• Enclose clauses that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence (nonrestrictive clauses). These clauses can begin with relative pronouns like who, whom, whose, that, and which.

6. Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds are verbs ending with -ing that function as nouns in sentences.

Example: Creating a plan to improve waste management is a crucial step to ensuring you succeed.

Infinites are the base of the verb with “to” in front.

Example: The community refuses to give up.

7. Subject-verb agreement

This is a fundamental rule in IELTS writing. If the subject in the sentence is singular, the verb has to be as well. To master this, you need to be able to differentiate between singular and plural nouns.

“A group of people” is often mistaken for plural. However, saying “the group” makes it singular.

Example: The government has implemented new laws.

All tenses must be used accurately within this essay to ensure your meaning is clear. On top of this, you’ll need to incorporate a variety of tense structures to obtain a high band score for grammatical range and accuracy.

The most common tense to use in an IELTS essay is the present simple tense. This is because you’ll mostly be stating facts in the essay.

Example: Pollution is a massive issue in big cities.

You can also incorporate the future tense if you want to make predictions.

Example: By 2050, renewable energy sources will hopefully replace most fossil fuels.

The past tense should be used when discussing past events. When stating a specific date in the past, you’ll make use of the past simple tense.

Example: About 50 years ago, people didn’t understand the need to recycle.

9. IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample

Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale while others believe it is better to deal with them nationally.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

10. Types of Essays in Task 2

• Advantages Disadvantages
• Problem Solution
• Double question

The grammar rules stay the same,  regardless of the essay type, yet there are some sentence structures we’d recommend using to express your opinion, etc.

10.1. Suggested Structures for Various Essay Types

Let’s delve into 4 complex sentence structures you can use in your introduction for

Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others think it is a waste of valuable money.

What is your opinion?

Suggested Structure: Other view + Opinion

Example: Even though some people might think that spending money on protecting endangered species is a waste of money, I believe that it’s essential for people to do everything they can to stop species from going extinct.

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have more of an opportunity to study abroad.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Suggested Structure: Not only + but also

Example: Not only does studying abroad improve a student’s communication skills, but it also creates independence as they learn to navigate life away from home.

One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion What do you think the causes are?

What solutions can you suggest?

Suggested Structure: Both + ___ + ___ contribute to

Examples: Both overpopulation and a lack of roads contribute to the overall congestion of traffic in the city.

Suggested Structure: While ____ + also

Example: While expanding the metro can help address the issue, the city also needs to create plans to build more roads in te future.

Suggested Structure:  It is argued by some + whereas

Example: It is argued by some that environmental issues should be solved on a global scale, whereas others feel that they are best dealt with nationally.

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