A About the task

1 Read the information about the task.

Task 1 tests your ability to look at visual information in a graph, chart, table or diagram, and identify and report
the most important information in your own words .
One common way to present visual information is in the form of a line graph. On the question paper, you see a
line graph with a title. The instructions for writing your response appear in a box above the graph. There is also
a brief description of the information in the line graph in the box. There is usually a key (legend) which helps you
to distinguish the lines on the graph and tells you what each line represents. Your job is to look at the graph and
select, summarise and describe the most important information.
Line graphs typically show trends. A trend is a movement of data in a general direction over time. On a line
graph, trends are represented by the direction of the lines. Trends can be upward or downward or they can
remain at the same level . An important part of your response is to describe trends and to compare them.
The horizontal axis usually involves units of time: days, months, years, and so on . Usually the time represented
in the task is in the past, but some graphs include projections about the future . The vertical axis can show almost
any kind of data: costs, temperatures, rainfall, amounts of some commodity, population figures, and so on.
It's important to examine the graph before you write your answer, and to think about what the graph is telling
you . You have to look and think carefully and choose what information to include so that your response reports
only the key information .
Here are the basic rules for writing about a line graph:
• Look at the graph carefully and decide what the most important information and striking features are .
• Write a well-organised overview.
• Include data to support the key points.
• Use an academic register or style.
• Write at least 150 words .
• Complete the task in about 20 minutes .
• Include only the key points. Minor details or irrelevant data can be left out.
• Don't do any calculations or give your opinion about the information.

184 ACADEMIC WRITING

 1 h11"1•11¥*

2 Work in pairs. Complete the sentences (1-9) with the correct ending (A-1).
1 Your overall task is to identify and write about
2 You should write
3 You aren't required to write
4 The graph usually has
5 The text box above the graph includes
6 The numbers on the horizontal axis usually represent
7 The key on a line graph provides
8 The direction of the lines on a line graph shows
9 You have about

A information about what each line represents.

B units of time.
C over 150 words.
D trends, which can be rising, falling, or level.
E an explanation or analysis of the information on the graph .
F the most important information shown in the line graph.
G 20 minutes to complete the task.
H a title above it.
I instructions and some information about the graph.

B Sample question
3 Read the instructions and answer the question. Use the rules about the task from
Section A to help you. Then look at the sample answer on page 334. Which aspects of
the task did you find difficult?

IELTS PRACTICETASK
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below gives information about the technology that households in one US city used for
watching television between 2004 and 2014.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

200,000--.-------------------~

- - - Satellite
- - - - Cable
•· ·······Internet
-..
0
Q)
.c
=== Broadcast

E
:I
2
0
2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014
Year

ACADEMIC WRITING 185

 'hiiii!i,11§*

C Tips and tactics

4 Work in pairs. Read the tips and tactics and discuss these questions.
a Which tips and tactics do you think are the most useful?
b Did you use any of these tips and tactics when you answered the sample question
in Section B?
c Which tips will you use in the future?
The first step is to look carefully at the information in the line graph. Don't rush through
this step. Make sure you understand the graph before you start to write.
2 Underline important words in the question and circle important points on the graph.
3 Identify what key information is being presented in the graph and which important dates,
figures or striking features you'll need to write about.
4 Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs: introduction, first main
paragraph and second main paragraph.
5 If the line graph has more than two lines, try to arrange the data into two or three groups.
For example, you could divide the data into rising trends and falling trends.
6 Look carefully at the timeframe that the graph covers and work out what tenses you
need to use (past, present, present perfect or future).
7 Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the graph in general terms, but don't
repeat the exact wording of the question.
8 Then describe one or two general trends shown in the graph. Don't go into detail; just
report the most important trends you see when you look at the graph.
9 In the first main paragraph, select and write about the features that are most important
and interesting, for example, rising or falling trends, or where lines intersect, and include
relevant data to support the points you make.
10 Focus on the general direction of a trend; don't write about each change in direction of a
line.
11 Don't try to write about all the data in the line graph and don't include details that are
irrelevant to the main trends.
12 Remember, don't try to analyse or explain the information in the graph, or do any
calculations; just describe and report it.
13 Keep track of the time. Don't spend more than 20 minutes on Task 1.
14 Make sure your handwriting is clear and legible.
15 Keep in mind the criteria that the examiners use to mark your response. (For marking
criteria, see About the Academic Writing Test, page 180.)

D Skills-building exercises
INTRODUCTORY VERBS
indicate The graph indicates the growth in the service sector and the decline in the
manufacturing sector.
show This graph shows how two programs performed over a ten-year period.
compare The graph compares changes in the annual rainfall in four cities.
provide/give information Information is provided/is given in this graph about the gradual
growth of productivity for several firms.
provide data This graph provides data about three trends: ... , ... , and ....

186 ACADEMIC WRITING

 81·W11 %14¥*

Q FOCUS 5 Look at the title and the graph about average temperatures in Paris, Dubai and
Melbourne. Write four introductory sentences about the graph using introductory
Writing introductory
verbs from the box on page 186. Try to use different sentence structures and
sentences to
vocabulary in each sentence.
describe the graph
in general terms
1 Thi~ grnph ~how~ the CJ.VerCJ.ge tempernture~ in three citie~ ova CJ. two-month period.

Average temperatures - Paris, Dubai and Melbourne

35

-
(.)
0
c:
...
Q)

...co...::I
30

25
20

15
------- -
_

_
Paris

Dubai
Q)
c.
E 10
~
5 - Melbourne
0 I
April May June
Month

DESCRIBING TRENDS

UP .71
rise (v) Production costs rose to their highest level of the year in July.
rise (n) There was a rise in production costs to the highest level of the year in July.
go up (v) Between 1900 and 2000, the population went up by over a million people.
grow (grew, grown) (v) The number of first-time users grew rapidly in 2015.
growth (n) There was a rapid growth in the number of first-time users in 2015.
increase (v) The numbers of cyclists increased between 2005 and 2010.
increase (n) There was an increase in the number of cyclists between 2005 and 2010.

DOWN~

decline (v) The construction of new homes declined for ten years in succession.
decline (n) There was a decline in the number of new homes for ten years in succession.
go down (v) After a brief rise, imports went down again.
decrease (v) Average test scores decreased at three of the schools.
decrease (n) There was a decrease in test scores at three of the schools.
drop (v) In 2008, foreign investment dropped by over 20%.
drop (n) In 2008, there was a drop in foreign investment of over 20%.
fall (fell, fallen) (v) The number of overseas students fell in 2013.
fall (n) There was a fall in the number of international students in 2013.

SAME~

stay the same The company's market share stayed the same.
remain constant For three months, the percentage remained constant.

UP AND DOWN ~ .71 ~

fluctuate (v) The number of seasonal workers employed by the company fluctuates each
year.
fluctuation (n) There have been fluctuations in the number of seasonal workers employed
by the company.
go up and down (v) Fares have gone up and down over the last few months.

ACADEMIC WRITING 187

 1 h11" 1d%*

PREPOSITIONS OFTIME
at (+time of day) at noon; at 8 a.m.
on (+ date/day of the week) on 1st October; on Mondays
in (+ month/season/year/decade/century) in June; in the summer; in 2074; in the 7990s; in
the 2 7st century
for (a period of time) for ten years; for the next several months
by (before or at a specific point in time) by 10th April; by the end of 2076
until (up to a certain point) until December 37; until 2020; until the beginning of 2074
from ... to/between ... and (starting points and ending points) from 2001 to 2075;
between 7st January and 3 7st June
before/after (+ point in time) before 5:00 p.m.; after the 19th century
around (+period of time or point in time) around 7997; for around six months
during (for the duration of a period of time) during the 1980s; during the winter; during
April

.,. .,. For more information and practice of prepositions, see Grammar Resource Bank page 327.

Q FOCUS 6 Look at the graph about the number of university applications. Write sentences with
the words in brackets. Write about main trends or important points.
Describing general
trends and main (rise I from ... to)
features The number of applications: received by Atherton Univas:ity ros:e from 1Clo0 to 2005.
2 (climb to I by)
3 (fall to I in)
4 (a decline in I during)
5 (fluctuate I between ... and}
6 (level off I around)
7 (reach a peak I around)
8 (drop I after)
9 (stay the same I from ... to)

Number of applications received by four universities

7,000

6,000

....t/Ic: 5,000
Cl
"C
....::I 4,000
-..
t/I

..c 3,000
Cl

E
::I
z 2,000

1,000

0
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Year

Atherton University The University of Lakewood

Alstead University Lindslade College

188 ACADEMIC WRITING

 '411'%'4¥*
ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES
UP OR DOWN QUICKLY 1'..lt
rapidly (adv) The number of smartphones in use has risen rapidly over the last ten years.
rapid (adj) In this decade, there was a rapid increase in smartphone use.
suddenly (adv) Employment figures dropped suddenly during the following ten years.
sudden (adj) The next decade saw a sudden decrease in employment figures.
sharply (adv) The price of textbooks rose sharply.
sharp (adj) There was a sharp rise in the price of textbooks.
dramatically (adv) Exports fell dramatically last year.
dramatic (adj) There was a dramatic fall in exports last year.
significantly (adv) Property taxes rose significantly in 2014.
significant (adj) There was a significant rise in property taxes in 2014.
steeply (adv) The number of people attending the event increased steeply in 2013.
steep (adj) The year 2013 saw a steep increase in the number of people attending the event.
major (adj) A major expansion of the company's marketing department is expected in the
next few years.

UP OR DOWN MORE SLOWLY ?I~

steadily (adv) The number of tourists visiting the park rose steadily.
steady (adj) The park experienced a steady increase in the number of tourists.
gradually (adv) The population of the province gradually declined.
gradual (adj) There was a gradual decline in the population of the province.
slightly (adv) Bus fares may go up slightly.
slight (adj) A slight increase in bus fares is expected.
minor (adj) There were minor fluctuations in the value of raw materials.

~~ For more information and practice of adjectives and adverbs, see Grammar Resource Bank pages 313-315.

ACADEMIC WRITING 189

 ''¥111%14**
7 Look at th~ graph about students studying languages at university. Write two
sentences about each language. Use vocabulary from any of the language boxes on
pages 186-189 to help you. Try to write about main trends or significant features.
French
The number of ~tudent~ ~tudying French increa~ed ~omewhat from 1CJCJO to 1CJCJ5.

Number of students studying languages at one university in the UK

450

400 French

350 Spanish
....cIll 300 German
Q)
"C Chinese
....Ill:J 250
-.
0
Q)
.Q
200
Polish
Arabic
E
:J
z 150

100

50

0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Year

DESCRIBING PROJECTIONS
Some line graphs make predictions about the future. When you are describing a projection,
you should use language that indicates that these activities take place in the future and that
the data is uncertain.
might+ infinitive The costs of doing business in Country B might rise next year.
may+ infinitive Government revenues may go down again during the next quarter.
will+ probably+ infinitive According to the graph, the number of websites
will probably double over the next few years.
is +probably+ going to + infinitive There is probably going to be an increase in the
number of television dramas this autumn.
noun+ is predicted A sudden increase in tourism is predicted.
is predicted+ to + infinitive The number of tourists is predicted to rise.
noun + is expected A decline in the average age is expected.
noun + is expected+ to+ infinitive The average age is expected to go down.
It is expected that+ clause It is expected that the average age will decrease .

.,._ .,._ For more information and practice of future tenses, see Grammar Resource Bank pages 304-306.

190 ACADEMIC WRITING

 'h11'%'4**
Q FOCUS 8 Look at the graph showing worldwide rice consumption. Write sentences about the
four projections. Remember to use language from the box on page 190 to indicate that
Using the right
the data is uncertain.
tense to describe
projections According to Projection 1. rice con!;;umption ciround the world i!;; expected to grow to over
520 metric tonne!;;.

Four estimates of worldwide rice consumption

Cii'
Q)
600

t~;;~__::::;;;~~'.:~~;~~~~~3 -
c:
c: 500
0
+"
u Projection 1
·;::: 400
+"
Q)
E 300 -
-1-------------------------1 - Projection 2
Q)
- Projection 3
u
200 -1-------------------------1
-
·;:::
0
+"
c:
:I
100 -+--------------------- - --1 - Projection 4

0 0 I I I I I I
E
<t 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040
Year

Q FOCUS . 9 Work in pairs. Look at the line graph below and answer the questions.

Understanding the
task The graph below gives information about marriage and divorce in the United
Kingdom from 1956 to 2006.

Cii' Marriage and divorce

"C
c:
(IJ
fl)
:I
500
0 - All marriages
.c:
~
400 - First marriages
..
fl)
Q)
u
0
.~
300 +---------~----------===<::::7"''--":-1 - Divorces
"C
......
fl)
Q) 200 -+-----------------~'"="-----1 - Remarriages
Cl

..
(IJ
·;:::
100
-
(IJ

E
..
0
Q)
.c
0
I

E 1956 1966 1976 1986 1996 2006

:I
2 Year

1 What basic information does the graph provide?

2 What do the four lines on the graph indicate?
3 What is measured on the vertical axis? What unit of measurement is used?
4 What is measured on the horizontal axis?
5 What trends do you see in the graph?
6 What are some of the most important features of this graph?
7 Should you try to report on all the changes in direction that you see in the graph?
Why?Nl/hy not?

ACADEMIC WRITING 191

 1 h111" 1
.!i**
Q FOCUS 10 Look at the graph about marriage and divorce on page 191 again. Answer the questions.
Writing an 1 Which of these statements about the graph (A or B) do you think is the best introductory
introductory sentence? Why is it better?
sentence and A This graph provides information about marriage and divorce in the United
describing the main Kingdom from 1956 to 2006.
trends
B This graph indicates the changing nature of marriage, divorce and remarriage
over a period of five decades.
2 Which of these statements best describes the main trends of the graph? Why is it better?
A In general, we see that the number of marriages declined dramatically over this
period, while the number of divorces and remarriages slightly increased.
B Overall, the marriage rate went from about 405,000 per year to less than 300,000
a year, while the number of divorces went from about 30,000 a year to about
150,000.

Q FOCUS 11 Look carefully at the graph below and answer the questions. (3-5 minutes)
Identifying the What is the overall purpose of the graph?
important points 2 What are one or two important points about the population in:
and key features in a the United States? b Nigeria? c Japan?
a graph
3 What points of comparison can you make about changes in population in these three
countries?

The graph below gives historical information and projections about changes in
population in the United States, Nigeria and Japan.

Population changes in three countries

600
Q)
c.0 500

-
Q)
c. 400
0
en 300
c
.2 200
:lE Japan
100
0
1950 1975 2000 2025 2050
Year

12 Now write your answer. (10-15 minutes)

Write an introductory statement (based on the information in the text box above the graph)
and describe the main trends shown in the graph in paragraph 1.
2 Give details about changes in population in the three countries in the next paragraph .
Remember to use the appropriate tenses (past and future for predictions).
3 Compare the population changes in the third paragraph .

13 Check your work. Look for mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Make sure
that you have used the correct tenses, and used a good variety of language for describing
graphs. (3-5 minutes)

14 Work in pairs. After you have finished, look at the model answer on the DVD-ROM.
Compare your answers with the model answer and think about the marking criteria. (See
page 180 for marking criteria.)

192 ACADEMIC WRITING

 Ffrfo11%'Q¥M

IELTS PRACTICETASK
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below gives information about how teenagers (aged 12-19) in one state in the
United States communicated with each other.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

How teenagers in one US state communicated

60
...
.. .. -··
...CIJ
... .. .. ..
I/) 50
Cl
ra
c:
CIJ
....
CIJ

-
ra
0
40
30
20
....... ····· -
.......
- .....- ............
-- - - --
0~
10
O -t-~~~~~~~...-
. ~~~~~~--..~~~~~~~-t

Nov 2006 Nov 2007 Feb 2008 Sep 2009

Year

• • •• • • ·······Text messages
- - - - Calls on cell phones

- - - Talk face-to-face
lllllllltllllllllUlllUllll!llllllllllllll •lllllllll Email

Which statement best describes how you feel about Task 1 Line Graphs tasks?

I feel confident about writing responses for Task 1 Line Graphs.

I did OK, but I still need to do more work on writing responses forTask 1 Line Graphs.
I need more practice with writing responses for Task 1 Line Graphs. I need to focus on ...

ACADEMIC WRITING 193

 Whale sharks swimming at the Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa, Japan

A About the task

1 Read the information about the task.

This version of Task 1 tests your ability to look at and identify the most important and relevant information and
trends in a bar chart, and then report the information in your own words.
On the question paper, you see a bar chart with a title. The instructions for writing your response appear in a box
above the chart. There is also a brief description of the information in the bar chart in the box. There is usually a
key (legend) that explains what each bar represents. Your job is to look at the chart and select, summarise and
describe the most important information.
Bar charts represent different values with rectangular bars. They present the same sort of information that is
found in line graphs but in a different form. Typically, one axis represents some numerical value such as costs,
income, birth rates, temperatures, etc. The other axis can represent many different types of information: units
of time , different countries or cities, means of travel, sources of energy, and types of people (male and female;
employed and unemployed; teenagers and adults, etc.).
Bar charts are often used to compare things and many bar charts show trends - changes in numbers in a
certain direction over time. You should describe these trends and compare and contrast them in your response.
However, be aware that not all bar charts show consistent trends.
There may also be exceptions. For example, a chart may show that the number of people who use smart phones
has been growing annually except for one year.
It is important to look at the bar chart carefully and think about the information in the chart. You shouldn't write
about all of the information; you have to choose the points to write about carefully.
Here are the basic rules for writing about a bar chart:
• Look at the chart carefully and decide what the most important information and striking features are.
• Write a well-organised overview.
• Include data to support the key points .
• Use an academic register or style.
• Write at least 150 words .
• Complete the task in about 20 minutes.
• Include only the key points. Minor details or irrelevant data can be left out .
• Don't do any calculations or give your opinion about the information.

194 ACADEMIC WRITING

 'h11':'!¥M ----,
2 Work in pairs. Look at the bar chart and answer the questions.
1 What topic does it provide information about?
2 What is meant by the term 'trends'?
3 What trends do you see in this chart?
4 What is meant by the term 'exception'?
5 What exception do you see in this chart?
6 Which are the lowest and highest bars in the chart?

B Sample question
3 Read the instructions and answer the question. Use the rules about the task from
Section A to help you. Then look at the sample answer on page 334. Which aspects of
the task did you find difficult?

IELTS PRACTICETASK
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The chart below gives information about how commuters travelled to work in one city in New Zealand.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

60o/o ................................................................................................................................................................................. ·······

Q)

g.
Q)
50%
c.
"Cl
Q)
> 40%
Q
c. . 1996

-
E
Q)

Q
Q)

en
30%

20%
2006

:!
c
Q)

• -
~ 10%
c..

0%

~c,
•
~
~<-:> ~'?J
-c,~ ~
~~
- -
~c,
~c,
~'?J
~'$'
ro'
~" ~o
<{~ ~o
Forms of transport

ACADEMIC WRITING 195

 ''·W''·''i*
C Tips and tactics
4 Work in pairs. Read the tips and tactics and discuss these questions.
a Which tips and tactics do you think are the most useful?
b Did you use any of these tips and tactics when you answered the sample question
in Section B?
c Which tips will you use in the future?
The first step is to look carefully at the information in the bar chart. Don't rush through
this step. Make sure you understand the chart before you start to write.
2 Underline important words in the question and circle important points in the bar chart.
3 Identify what key information is being presented in the bar chart and which important
dates, figures or striking features you'll need to write about.
4 Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs: introduction, first main
paragraph and second main paragraph.
5 Look carefully at the timeframe that the bar chart covers and work out what tenses you
need to use (past, present, present perfect or future).
6 Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the bar chart in general terms, but
don't repeat the exact wording of the question.
7 Then describe one or two general trends or features shown in the bar chart. Don't go into
detail; just report the most important trends and features you see when you look at the
chart.
8 In the first main paragraph, select and write about the features that are most important
and interesting, and include relevant data to support the points you make.
9 When selecting key information, look for the highest and the lowest bar. Look for any
trends and exceptions to those trends .
10 Don't try to write about all the data in the bar chart and don't include details that are
irrelevant to the main trends.
11 Remember, don't try to analyse or explain the information in the chart, or do any
calculations; just describe and report it.
12 Be careful when talking about quantities. If you're unsure about exact figures, it's better
to give an approximate figure, e.g. Factory A produced around 5,000 units.
13 Keep track of the time. Don't spend more than 20 minutes on Task 1.
14 Make sure your handwriting is clear and legible.
15 Keep in mind the criteria that the examiners use to mark your response. (For marking
criteria, see About the Academic Writing Test, page 180.)

196 ACADEMIC WRITING

 Ff.Hi•=•&••
D Skills-building exercises
APPROXIMATION
around The population grew by around a million people in that decade.
about According to the chart, about 45%of all people surveyed believe in UFOs.
roughly Roughly 300,000 units were manufactured in factory A in 2005.
approximately Approximately 4,000 more people attended this year's parade.
almost The vacancy rate for hotel rooms is almost zero in August.
nearly Nearly 90% of people in the country agreed with this decision.
just over Just over 2.5 billion people worldwide own digital cameras.
just under This state has just under 300 days of sunshine a year.

NUMBERS AND AMOUNTS

the number of
The number of serious storms to affect New England rose to 21 this year.
the amount of
The amount of natural gas produced this year increased sharply.
more than
There was more rainfall in April than in May.
fewer than
The chart indicates that fewer people visited this website in 2012 than in 2011.
less than
The factory produced less pollution during 2010 than in the previous year.
(about) the same as
The amount of time it takes to complete task A is (about) the same as the amount of time it
takes to complete task B.
To make these expressions stronger, you can use many, much, far: many more than, much
more than, far less than
To make these expressions weaker, you can use slightly or a little: slightly more than,
a little less than
twice as many as
There were nearly twice as many accidents at the factory this year as last year.
twice as much as
According to the chart, there was about twice as much coal mined in this county in the 1940s
as in the 1990s.
(nearly/almost) doubled
The amount of milk produced at this dairy farm nearly doubled over the five year period.
The number of runners in the race almost doubled between 2000 and 2015.
half as many as
There were only about half as many applications for jobs received in January as there had been
in July
half as much as
A dollar in 1980 was worth around half as much as it had been in 1967
amount + times + as many as There were, on average, about three times as many pages
in newspapers in country A as in country B.
amount+ times+ as much as
There was around four times as much traffic in city X as in city Y

ACADEMIC WRITING 197

 ''¥11'''''*
Q FOCUS 5 Look at the chart about world production of bicycles and cars. Write sentences about
the information in the chart using these phrases:
Comparing numbers
and amounts using the number of
approximation The number of care;; produced roc;;e to itc;; highec;;t point in 2000 to about 50 million.
2 slightly more/ than
3 roughly three times as many I as
4 far fewer I than
5 about twice as many I as
6 only half as many I as

The chart compares worldwide production of bicycles and cars over a fifty-year period.

World production
250

Ci>
c:
200
,g
'E 150
.<::
"'«; 100 Bicycles

--""''
u

§;. 50
u Cars
ii5
0

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Year

6 Look at the chart about snowfall in Canadian ski resorts. Then write complete
sentences with information from the chart. Use the expressions in the language boxes
on page 197.
Viking Mountain I November I December
Viking Mountain had c;;!ightly lec;;c;; c;;now in November than in December.
2 Viking Mountain I Snowbury I November
3 Snowbury /Viking Mountain I December
4 Powder Peak I December I November

The chart shows the amount of snowfall at three Canadian ski resorts over a two-
month period.

November December

~
0
e Viking Mountain
:.><
0"'
gi Snowbury
E
z"'
Powder Peak

0 10 20 30 40
Amount of snowfall (in centimetres)

198 ACADEMIC WRITING

7 Look at the chart below. Use information from the chart to write sentences with
these words and phrases.
the most expensive
The 'Geiiing Olympic5:: in 2003 were the mo5::t expen5::ive.
2 the second most expensive
3 the least expensive
4 slightly higher than
5 much less costly than
6 far more expensive

The chart shows the initial estimate of costs and the actual costs for the Summer
Olympics from 1976 to 2012.

250 ............................................................................................................. ········································· ······· ..

-;n
c
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Initial estimate

• Actual spending

11"11" For more information and practice of comparatives and superlatives, see Grammar Resource Bank ··c:
pages 315-316. . . · .:··

ACADEMIC WRITING 199

 The chart below provides information about student accommodation at one US
university in 2013.

Student accommodation 2013

3500

~ 3000
Q)
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::::s
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0
....
Q)

"E::::s 2000
z
1500

1000

500

GLOSSARY
dormitory (n) student
accommodation Undergraduate students
provided by a
university • Graduate students

Q FOCUS 8 Look carefully at the chart and the instructions and answer the questions. (3-5 minutes)
Identifying the 1 What is the overall idea of the chart?
important points 2 What are two important points about undergraduate student accommodation?
and key features of 3 What are two important points about graduate student accommodation?
a bar chart 4 What points of comparison can you make between undergraduate and graduate student
accommodation?

9 Now write your answer. (10-15 minutes)

Write an introductory statement (based on the information in the text box above the
chart) and describe the overall idea or main trend shown in the chart in paragraph 1.
2 Write two or three important points about undergraduate student accommodation.
3 Write two or three important points about graduate student accommodation.
4 Compare the information about graduate and undergraduate student accommodation.
Give examples to support your answer.

10 Check your work. Look for mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Make sure
you have used comparative and superlative forms correctly, and used a good variety of
language to describe charts. (3-5 minutes)

11 Work in pairs. After you have finished, look at the model answer in the answer key on
the DVD-ROM. Compare your answers with the model answer and think about the
marking criteria. (See page 180 for marking criteria.)

200 ACADEMIC WRITING

 '411'='91+

IELTS PRACTICETASK
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task .

The chart below gives information about the purpose of visits to five cities in the UK in 2013.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.

Write at least 150 w ords .

.Holiday
80
. Business
Visiting friends
or relatives
70 Miscellaneous

60

50

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30

20

10

0
Liverpool
UK cities

Which statement best describes how you feel about Task 1 Bar Charts?
I feel confident about writing responses for Task 1 Bar Charts .
I did OK, but I still need to do more work on writing responses for Task 1 Bar Charts.
I need more practice with writing responses for Task 1 Bar Charts. I need to focus on ...
...... For further practice, see the DVD-ROM.

ACADEMIC WRITING 201

 A climber on limestone pinnacles, Madagascar

A About the task

1 Read the information about the task.

This version ofTask 1 tests your ability to look at and identify the most important information in a table, and then
report the information in your own words.
On the question paper, you see a table with a title. The instructions for writing your response appear in a box
above the table. There is also a brief description of the information in the table in the box. Your job is to look at
the table and select, summarise and describe the most important information.
The columns and rows in the table may represent different time periods, different types of people, different
countries and so on. Each box in the table contains numbers. There may be certain trends (a general direction in
which something is developing or changing), sharp increases or decreases, or exceptions. Your task is to identify
the most important and interesting·points, and write a well-organised overview, comparing and contrasting
where appropriate.
Here are the basic rules for writing about a table:
• Look at the table carefully and decide what the most important information and striking features are.
• Write a well-organised overview.
• Include data to support the key points.
• Use an academic register or style.
• Write at least 150 words.
• Complete the task in about 20 minutes.
• Include only the key points. Minor details or irrelevant data can be left out.
• Don't do any calculations or give your opinion about the information.

2 Work in pairs. Look at the table on page 203 and answer the questions.
What information does the table provide?
2 Look at the text shaded in darker blue across the top of the table. What information does
this give you?
3 Look at the text shaded in darker blue in the left-hand column. What information does this
give you?
4 What trends can you see in the table 7
5 What exceptions to the trends can you see in the table?
6 How much time would you have to write about a table like this in an IELTS exam?
7 How long (how many words) should your answer be?

202 ACADEMIC WRITING

 Monthly mobile phone usage by age in one Australian city

2007 2012
Age group Minutes used Texts Minutes Texts
sent/received used sent/received

younger than 18 760 1004 322 1898

18-24 728 705 401 1392

25-34 640 530 633 854

35-44 516 252 502 590

45-54 577 134 568 304

55-64 478 103 442 202

older than 64 405 32 578 18

B Sample question
3 Read the instructions and answer the question. Use the rules about the task from
Section A to help you. Then look at the sample answer on page 335. Which aspects of
the task did you find difficult?

IELTS PRACTICETASK
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below gives information about passenger arrivals and departures at the six main airports
serving London for the year 2012.

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

Write at least 150 words.

Passengers in and out of London's airports, 2012

Airport Number of Change % of total Distance

passengers from 2011 passengers from central London
(in millions)

Heathrow 70.0 + 0.9% 52% 22km

Gatwick 34.2 + 1.7% 25% 48km

Stansted 174 -3.2% 13% 64km

Luton 9.6 + 1.1 % 7% 57km

London City 3.0 + 0.8% 2% 11 km

Southend 1.2 + 135% 1% 64km

Total 135.0 + 1.0%

ACADEMIC WRITING 203

 hi·fo11MM49

C Tips and tactics

4 Work in pairs. Read the tips and tactics and discuss these questions.
a Which tips and tactics do you think are the most useful?
b Did you use any of these tips and tactics when you answered the sample question
in Section B?
c Which tips will you use in the future?
The first step is to look carefully at the information in the table. Don't rush through this
step. Make sure you understand the table before you start to write.
2 Underline important words in the question and circle important information in the table .
3 Identify what key information is being presented in the table and which important figures
or striking features you'll need to write about.
4 Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs: introduction, first main
paragraph and second main paragraph.
5 Look carefully at the timeframe that the table covers and work out what tenses you need
to use (past, present, present perfect or future).
6 Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the table in general terms, but don't
repeat the exact wording of the question.
7 Then describe one or two general trends or features shown in the table . Don't go into
detail; just report the most important features you see when you look at the table.
8 In the main paragraph, select and write about the features that are most important and
interesting, and include relevant data to support the points you make.
9 When selecting key information, look for the highest and the lowest figures in each set of
figures, and the range between them.
10 Look for similarities and differences in the information in the table and try to divide the
information in the table into groups. Write about each main point.
11 Don't try to write about all the data in the table and don't include details that are irrelevant
to the main trends.
12 Remember, don't try to analyse or explain the information in the table, or do any
calculations; just describe and report it.
13 Keep track of the time . Don't spend more than 20 minutes on Task 1.
14 Make sure your handwriting is clear and legible .
15 Keep in mind the criteria that the examiners use to mark your response. (For marking
criteria, see About the Academic Writing Test, page 180.)

D Skills-building exercises
Q FOCUS 5 Look at the table on page 205 about sources for films. Then look at the sentences
(1-5). Choose the best option to complete the sentences.
Using the correct
wording to describe Based on original screenplay I Films based on an original screenplay had the highest
the categories or per cent I percentage of market share.
figures in a table 2 Films based on books or plays I Books and plays represented about a third of all the films
made during this period.
3 There were slightly more based on fact I movies based on fact made than on TV I movies
based on TV shows, and based on fact I films based on fact had a higher total gross.
4 Legend and fairy tale I Films that were based on legends and fairy tales represented just
under two per cent of all movies made in this period.
5 Theme park rides I Movies based on theme park rides had the lowest percentage of
market share I market share per cent but had by far the highest average gross.

The table shows the source material on which Hollywood movies were based
from 1995 to 2013.

204 ACADEMIC WRITING

 Fff1ilMM!I
Movies Total gross ($ billions) Average gross ($ millions) Market share (%)
1 Original screenplay 4,972 775 15.6 47.2
2 Based on books/plays 1,087 49.2 116.2 29.9
3 Remake 264 10.9 36.4 5.8
4 Based on TV 180 8.8 48.7 5.3
5 Based on fact 188 11.2 41.3 6.8
6 Based on legend and fairy tale 43 1.7 40.1 1.1
7 Based on theme park ride 7 1.4 196.0 0.8

6 Write four more sentences based on the information in the table. Make sure you
correctly identify the category you are writing about.

USINGTHE CORRECTTENSE
Present simple: If no definite time periods are given, you should use the present simple.
People over the age of 65 send and receive the lowest number of text messages.
Past simple: When a table gives definite past time periods, you should use the past tense.
In the 1950s, about half the population of the United States lived in urban areas.
Present perfect: If you are looking back from now to actions or situations at an earlier
time in the past that are in some way connected to the present, you should use the
present perfect tense. The number of internet users has increased significantly since 1998.
Past perfect: You can use the past perfect tense when you are talking about two periods
of time in the past. Only about 15 % of the population lived in cities in 1850, but by 2000,
that number had reached nearly 70 %.
Possibility in the future: If the table involves projections about the future, use verb forms
that express possibility in the future. The urban population may reach 70 % by 2025.

Ii> Ii> For more information and practice of tenses, see Grammar Resource Bank pages 303-308.

Q FOCUS 7 Read the box above about using the correct tense. Then look at the two tables below
about car colours and answer the questions.
Identifying the
timeframe to help 1 Write five sentences about the information in the first table .
you choose the 2 Write five sentences about the information in the second table. Use the correct verb
correct tense tense in each sentence.

Overall preference White Black Silver Blue Grey Red Green Other
for car colours in
four countries/
North America 20 17 17 13 12 11 3 7
regions (% of total Brazil 11 25 31 3 16 8 2 4
new cars sold) Europe 10 26 20 13 18 7 2 4
South Korea 18 26 44 2 8 1 0 1

Preference for car 1994 2004 2014 2024 (estimated)

colours globally
(% of total new cars White 21 20 27 25
sold) Black 11 13 16 15
Silver 15 25 20 25
Blue 9 9 8 9
Grey 10 6 13 8
Red 12 7 4 15
Green 8 6 4 1
Other 14 14 8 3

ACADEMIC WRITING 205

 MtJ1iiMM41

Q FOCUS 8 Rewrite the following sentences. Replace the underlined words using words or
expressions with a similar meaning.
Using synonyms to
demonstrate a wide 1 The amount of goods moved by rail has increased over the years .
range of vocabulary 2 According to the table, more bicycles are made in China than in the European Union.
3 About $10 million of luxury goods are imported every year.
4 The data shows that more types of materials are being recycled.
5 The income from oil exports went dow n in 2012 and then again in 2014.
6 The data from the year 1995 is quite interesting.
7 Farmers in this province grow fruit and vegetables.
8 Some of these changes were important, but others were less so.
9 These numbers changed radically in the early 1900s.
10 Brazil's performances in World Cup matches have generally been very good.

Q FOCUS 9 Look at the table below about milk production in Australia and answer the questions.
(3-5 minutes)
Identifying the
important points What is the main point of the table?
and key features in 2 What overall trend do you see?
a table 3 Are there any exceptions to this general trend?
4 What are one or two important points about Australian milk production in 2001/2002?
5 What about in 2010/2011?
6 What points of comparison can you make between these two years?

The table below provides information about milk production in Australia in

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

Australian milk production

2001/2002 2010/2011

July 590 590

August 630 710

September 830 1050

October 920 1350

November 840 1120

December 790 1060

January 730 970

February 550 740

March 570 730

April 580 690

May 590 640

June 610 590

206 ACADEMIC WRITING