Advanced IELTS Writing Task 1 Exercises
with Answer Key & Explanations
Exercise 1: Trend Precision & Variation
Instruction: Rewrite each sentence using more precise vocabulary and varied structure.
1. Sales went up a lot from 1990 to 2000.
✔ Answer: 1. Sales rose significantly between 1990 and 2000.
📝 Explanation: Used 'rose significantly' for stronger vocabulary.
2. There was a small drop in the birth rate.
✔ Answer: 2. The birth rate experienced a slight decline.
📝 Explanation: Used 'experienced a slight decline' to vary sentence structure.
3. The number stayed the same.
✔ Answer: 3. The number remained stable.
📝 Explanation: Used 'remained stable' to replace 'stayed the same'.
4. Car production increased fast.
✔ Answer: 4. Car production grew rapidly.
📝 Explanation: Used 'grew rapidly' for a more formal and precise phrase.
Exercise 2: Complex Data Comparison
Visual Prompt: A bar chart shows the percentage of people who used four different
transportation types (car, train, bus, bike) in three cities (London, New York, Tokyo) in
2020.
Task: Write a comparative paragraph including:
- One comparative with “whereas”
- One superlative phrase
- One sentence with a percentage + fraction
- A concluding sentence using approximation.
✔ Sample Answer:
In 2020, car usage was the highest in New York, accounting for 60%, whereas London had a
significantly lower car usage at 40%. Tokyo had the highest proportion of bicycle users,
making it the most eco-friendly city among the three. Approximately 50% of Londoners
used public transport, which is equivalent to one-half of the population. Overall, just under
half of Tokyo’s residents relied on buses for daily transport.
📝 Explanation: Includes 'whereas', superlative ('the most eco-friendly'), percentage +
fraction ('50%... one-half'), and an approximation ('just under half').
Exercise 3: Cohesion Challenge
Instruction: Link the following ideas using cohesive devices and paraphrase appropriately.
Write as a fluent overview paragraph.
- Canada exports most wheat overall.
- EU exports increased gradually.
- Australia’s exports fell.
- Canada’s data fluctuated.
✔ Sample Answer:
Overall, Canada had the highest wheat exports during the period, although its figures
fluctuated. By contrast, exports from the European Union rose steadily, while those from
Australia experienced a downward trend.
📝 Explanation: Used 'overall', 'although', 'by contrast', and 'while' to link ideas and maintain
fluency.
Exercise 4: Preposition Precision
Instruction: Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions (e.g., at, to, by, in, with):
1. The number of tourists rose ___ 1,000 ___ 2010 ___ 1,500 ___ 2015.
✔ Answer: 1. The number of tourists rose from 1,000 in 2010 to 1,500 in 2015.
2. The rate of unemployment peaked ___ 12% ___ the first quarter.
✔ Answer: 2. The rate of unemployment peaked at 12% in the first quarter.
3. Japan’s figures were slightly higher ___ those of South Korea.
✔ Answer: 3. Japan’s figures were slightly higher than those of South Korea.
4. Spending increased ___ 20%, reaching a total ___ $3 million.
✔ Answer: 4. Spending increased by 20%, reaching a total of $3 million.
Exercise 5: Map Transformation Task
Visual Prompt: A town map showing changes between 2000 and 2020 (e.g., new park,
replaced factory, extended residential area).
Task: Write two body paragraphs that:
- Use at least three prepositions of location
- Include one passive structure
- Include one sentence using time connectors
✔ Sample Answer:
In 2000, the northern part of the town was occupied by an old factory, which was later
replaced by a community park in 2020. The park is located to the east of the new residential
area and adjacent to the river.
Since the factory was demolished in 2010, the area has undergone significant development.
A new residential block has been constructed to the west of the park, while a commercial
zone was established next to the railway station.
📝 Explanation: Includes spatial prepositions ('to the east of', 'adjacent to', 'to the west of'),
one passive construction ('was replaced'), and one time connector ('since').
