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IELTS WRITING TASK-1

(Academic)
Introduction to Writing Test

Writing module has two activities, Writing Task-1 & Writing Task-2.
You'll be given 60 minutes to complete both tasks. Response to both
writing task should be formal.
► You should spend 20 minutes on Task-1 and 40 minutes on
Task-2.
► The word limit for Task 1 is minimum 150 words. And limit for
Task-2 is minimum 250 words.
► Remember, Task-2 contributes twice as much as Task-1 to the
writing score.
► There are four marking criteria for each tasks.

Marking Criteria for Writing Task-1

Criteria (100%) Meaning

Task Achievement (25%) Describing the main points,
including overview, specific
points and a proper organized
structure in at least 150 words.
Coherence & Cohesion (25%) Making your ideas flow logically
and smoothly by using proper
words and phrases.
Lexical Resource (25%) Having a diverse vocabulary and
using them accurately and
effectively.
Grammatical Range and Using a variety of sentence
Accuracy (25%) structure while using correct
grammar in those structure.

Task-1 Question Type

In Task-1 you are asked to describe information that is usually

presented in various graphic form. You maybe asked to do one of

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the following:
► Organize, summarize and report the information.
► You maybe asked to select and compare two or more sets of
data.
► Explain a process or procedure.
► Describe an object or how something works.
Make sure you are writing them in your words, not parroting
the question.
Here are some of the question types that makes a frequent
appearance:

► Line graph.
► Bar Chart
► Pie Chart
► Table
► Map
► Diagram
► Picture
► Flow Chart
► Process
Sometimes there will be more than one type of graph in one single
question. You may get a Task-1 having 2 or 3 types of graphs such
as a mixture of line graph, pie graph, bar graph or table, etc.

Task-1 Body Structure

The structure is very important. You should organize the information in

logical order and put it into different paragraphs. This is important
because, by doing so, you’ll be showing the examiner that you understand
the Task Achievement criteria. You’ll need to write at least 150 words, so
dividing them properly is a smart idea.
Introduction
► Description of the graph, written in your own words.
► Write around 20-30 words or one or two sentences.
► Spend around 3-5 minutes max.

Overview
► Pointing out the key points. (Major trends, Major groups,
Exception)

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► Write around 30-50 words.
► Spent around 3-5 minutes max.

Essay Body 1
► Detailed information.(Major trends, Major groups, Exception, Group information.Other
similar ideas)

► Elaboration of the overview.

Essay Body 2
► Detailed information.(Major trends, Major groups, Exception, Group information.Other
similar ideas)

► Elaboration of the overview.

Structure and paragraphs are an essential part of the

Writing Task-1.

Conclusion or Overview?

Conclusion or Overview, is one of the most common

confusing part of IELTS writing task. Conclusion and

Overall has different meaning as well as different purpose.

Conclusion is a summarized paragraph that repeats and

restates the main points as well as the insights gained by

analyzing data.

Where Overview is paragraph that states all the key

features presented in the visual data (such as a graph or

chart). It highlights the most important information

without too much detail.

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Since, Task-1 is a short report, with a word limit;

adding conclusion is a bad idea. It’s not just better to

give an overview for Task-1, it’s critical. Understanding

and giving a overview falls under the marking criteria

known as “Task Achievement”. If you don’t provide

Overview, its unlikely to get band score above 5.

Tips for Task-1

General Writing Rules

1. Focus on Language Use: Your ability to use English

effectively is what matters most.
2. Question Analysis: Ensure your answer covers all parts of
the question.
3. Word Count: Write between 150 to 190 words.
4. Originality: Use your own words; copied words don’t count.
5. Structured Writing: Avoid notes or bullet points; use
paragraphs.
6. Model Answers: Memorizing doesn’t help; understand and
practice.
7. Sentence Length: Use varied sentence lengths for clarity.
8. Accuracy: Pay attention to spelling, punctuation, and
grammar.

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9. Variety: Avoid repetitive words and be mindful of
singular/plural forms.

Task 1 Specific Tips

1. Data Presentation: Focus on the data, not personal

opinions.
2. Graphic Details: Identify key details in different types of
graphics.
3. Summarize Effectively: Highlight important trends and
differences.
4. Logical Comparison: Compare categories logically in pie
charts.
5. Big Picture: Understand and convey the main trends and
significant data points.
6. Support with Figures: Use approximations for numbers;
show understanding.
7. Comparative Language: Use comparative terms to discuss
data.
8. Process Diagrams: Identify all stages and use sequence
words.
9. Technical Terms: Use provided explanations for difficult
terms.
10. Linking Points: Use connector words to link ideas.

Organizing Writing

1. Planning: Spend time organizing your thoughts before

writing.
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2. Bullet Points: Use the back of your question paper for notes.
3. Word Estimation: Learn to estimate word count visually.
4. Time Management: Allocate time for planning, writing, and
revising.
5. Indentation: Ensure your writing is well-structured with clear
paragraphs.
6. Handwriting: Make sure your handwriting is legible.

By following these guidelines, you'll be able to present your

information clearly and effectively, which is key to scoring well on
the IELTS Writing Task 1.

Introducing the graph

The graph/table/pie chart/bar chart/diagram ...

 gives information about/on ...

 provides information about/on ...

 shows ...

 illustrates ...

 compares ...

 explains why ...

 describes ...

 draws the conclusion of (a survey) ...

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Example: The pie charts provide information on the

proportion of males and females working in agricultural

sector.

Some Essential Vocabulary For Task-1

Vocabulary for Introduction Part;
Some popular words and synonyms for the introduction part of Writing
Task-1 is given below,
Information
Diagram Number
Chart Outline Graphi Illustratio Data Reports
c n Percentage
Shows Info Details
Descriptio Table Sketch Line
Amount
n
Depicts Points out Demonstrate graph
Figure Liner Flow Bar Chart Statistics Findings
Proportion
s
States Representati Contrasts
Elaborates Chart Facts
Quantity
on
Portrays
Layout Presents
Visual Compares
Plan Pie Chart Notes
Representati
Views Represent Display
on
s
Gives Indicates

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Vocabulary for Line graph;

These words can also be used for Bar/Table graph, in similar context.

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Describing Change;
Small Change ► Slightly
► Slowly
► Minimally
Big Change ► Sharply
► Rapidly
► Dramatically
► Significantly
► Considerably
► Substantially
Medium Change ► Moderately
► Modestly

Combining Words;
You can create combination words to describe, line graphs. Some
popular words and their forms for line graph is given below;

Verb Adverb Adjective Noun

Increased Slightly Slight Increase
Rose Rapidly Rapid Rise
Decreased Moderately Moderate Decrease
Grew Substantially Substantial Growth
Escalated Sharply Sharp Escalation
Dropped Dramatically Dramatic Drop
Climbed Minimally Minimal Climb
Fell Slightly Slight Fall

Usually there’s only two type of word combination for line

graph,”Adjective + Noun’ and “Verb + Adverb”. Example, Sales

in our local market slightly increased.

Time Phrases;
Words Example
In In 2000/In 20th century/In 20
years.
For For the first 20 days/For 20
years.
During During 20 months/ During 20th
century.

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From-To From 2000 to 2020.
Between-And Between 2010 and 2020.
Other time phrases are, Stood at, Started at, Finished at.

Percentage Vocabulary Percentage Proportion

/Amount
(Line/table/Pie/Bar); /Number
/Majority
Percentage Fraction /Minority

80% Four-Fifths 75%-85% A very large

majority
75% Three-Quarters 65%-75% A significant
proportion
50% Half
10%-15% A minority
25% A Quarter 5% A very small
number.
20% A Fifth

10% One in Ten

Percentage Qualifiers

77% Just over three

quarters. Eventhough the words in
the above table are
interchangeable, its better
77% Approximately
to use number for
three quarters.
countable nouns and
amount for uncountable
49% Just under a half nouns.

49% Nearly a half

32% Almost a third

Additional info for Pie chart:

In a pie chart most rational thing is to compare categories together
across the chart, focusing on similarities and differences, rather
than writing about each chart separately.

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Adding Data

There are two way to incorporate data

1. By using - Brackets (…)
2. By using - Which +
i. Is
ii. Makes up
iii. Constitutes
iv. Accounts for

Example:
 White is considerably more common than blue.
 White(55%) is considerably more common than blue(20%).
 White which is 55%, is considerably more common than blue which
makes up 20%.
 Red which constitute 28%, is almost twice as popular as blue,
which is 13.8%.
 The other colors, which account for 8%, are considerably less
popular than blue (20%).

Vocabulary for accurate data;

When there isn’t any clear percentage number in the presented
graph, to give accurate information these following expressions
should be used,

Under Under, less than, below, slightly under, just under,

almost, nearly , close to, well under, considerably
under, considerably less than, significantly less
than.
Over Over, Above, more than, just over, slightly over,
marginally above, well over, considerably, more
than.
About About, approximately, around, more or less

These are better than guessing percentage number, because it shows the

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examiner your flexibility and your vocabulary.

Graphs And Tenses

It is important to select proper tense for graphs. Specially
when time is involved.
► If a specific time in the past has given, you will need to use
past simple tense.
► If two things took place at the same time then, you may use
past continuous tense for one of them. Ex; While laptop sale
was rising during this period, there was no change in cell phone
sale.
► By using since or recently you are refereeing events that
have come up to the present, meaning the present perfect
tense. Ex; The use of Internet has risen enormously since 1990’s.
► With “by” you will often need to use the past perfect or the
future perfect tense. Ex; By the end of the century the rate of
urbanization had doubled.

Vocabulary for Maps/Diagram

► To the North of
► To the South of
► To the East of
► To the West of
► In the North-West
► In the North-East
► In the South-West
► In the South-East

Some Essential Words For Maps

On, To, Next To, Near, From, By, Across From, Nearby, Beside,
Over, Along.

Size & Scale Spatial

Location and Direction Relationships
In the vicinity of Compact area Close proximity
Adjacent to Vast expanse Farther afield
To the north/south/east/west Expanding region
Centrally located
of Limited space
Extensive territory Clustered together

Small-scale Spaced
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Located to the left/right of
Near the outskirts of
Adjoining
Bordering on

Often in maps you would need to discuss the changes that happen to
buildings and other areas. Usually those changes are needed to write in
passive form.

Process Diagram (Voice & Vocabulary)

The first step in writing process diagram is to learn

where/when/how the process starts and ends. Knowing this
information will help you by giving structure to your writing. The
obvious thing is to start at the beginning of the process and
carry on until the end.
When we describe an IELTS process, we focus on the activities, not
on the person who is doing it. And in these case we use passive
voice not active voice.

What is passive voice?

Most sentence comes with this this structure,

Subject+Verb+Object
Ex: Pinky(S)+Makes(V)+Tea(O)
This was an example of an active voice. Now if you want to turn it in
passive voice, we need to make the Object(Tea) the Subject and the
Subject(Pinky) the Object. Also adding “to be” Verb and past
principle tense.(Verb 3)
Ex: Tea(O)+ is made (To be + V3)+ by Pinky(S)

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Vocabulary

Some of the most useful words for describing a process is the

language of sequencing. The key is variation, try not to use the
word, “and then” too often.

Some Alternatives

The First/Firstly A Further This step involves

After this/that Eventually The Second/Secondly

The Next Finally At the same time/Meanwhile

Initially To begin with After this stage is complete

Earlier/Later Afterwards Following this/that

Some contextual vocabulary for Task-1

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comparison contrast addition consequence
almost the same different from in addition as a result
as
in common with differ from moreover thus
explanation reason overview condition
correspond to even so besides so
in other words since in conclusion if
in the same way in contrast to furthermore therefore
such as as/so in summary unless
just as in opposition also consequently
to clarify cause
to to sum up whether
likealike
like, because
less thanof astowell
conclude
as it Provided that
follows that
forresemble
instance due than
more to to recap
what’s more for
thereby
forsimilar
exampleto owing to
otherwise in short
additionally So that
eventually
that is
similarly theslower
reason why
than brief
likewise whether
then
totobe
illustrate
parallel to in other words
still/yet run
anddown Depending
in that case on
namely leads to synopsis
resemblance however moreover admittedly
likewise nevertheless and then
at the same time although/even too
as though
also unlike not only, but
also

time degree cause and effect

before most important as

after first thus

since primarily for this reason

next principally as a result

then above all because

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soon in the first place since

at the same time less important due to

while second therefore

meanwhile in the place consequently

simultaneously to a lesser degree so that

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Listing Giving examples Generalising

firstly, secondly, thirdly for example in general

first, furthermore, finally for instance generally

to begin, to conclude as follows: on the whole

next that is as a rule

Reinforcement in this case for the most part

also namely in most cases

furthermore in other words usually

moreover Result/consequence Highlighting

what is more so in particular

in addition therefore particularly

besides as a result/consequence especially

above all accordingly mainly

as well (as) consequently Reformulation

in the same way because of this/that in other words

not only ... but also thus rather

Similarity hence to put it more simply

equally for this/that reason Expressing an alternative

likewise so that alternatively

similarly in that case rather

correspondingly under these circumstances on the other hand

in the same way Deduction the alternative is

Transition to new point then another possibility would be

now, in other words Contrast

as far as x is concerned in that case instead

with regard/reference to otherwise conversely

as for ... this implies that ... on the contrary

it follows that if so/not in contrast

turning to Stating the obvious in comparison

Summary obviously Concession (smth unexpected)

in conclusion clearly even though

to conclude naturally however

in brief of course however much

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to summarise as can be expected nevertheless

overall surely still

therefore after all yet

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