IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: How to get a band 7 or higher.
Tips, Time Management and more



The IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 requires you to write a report based on visual information that you are provided. This visual information can come in various forms:

  • Graphs
  • Tables
  • Charts
  • Diagrams
  • Maps
    • Your task is to summarize, describe, and explain the information presented in your own words. This involves highlighting and comparing the main features and making comparisons where relevant.


    For the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you can divide your answer into four main parts within the 20-minute timeframe:

    1. Introduction (2-3 minutes):

    The introduction should paraphrase the task prompt, introducing the visual diagram(s) succinctly. It’s important to describe what you see without presenting irrelevant information or copying the question verbatim. For tasks with multiple diagrams, each should be introduced concisely.

    2. Overview (3-4 minutes):

    A clear overview is crucial and should summarize the main trends, changes, developments, stages, or noticeable features of the diagram without including specific data or figures. This part is key to achieving a higher band as it shows an understanding of the overall information presented.

    3. Detailed/Body Paragraphs (10-12 minutes):

    Usually, there should be 1-3 paragraphs in the body part. Identifying and describing the key features with appropriate supporting data is essential. The key features might include age groups, types of fuel, changes in a map, or stages in a process, among others. Accurate presentation of these features, using data directly from the diagram, supports a higher band score.

    4. Rechecking (3-5 minutes):

    Ideally, you should allocate at least 3-5 minutes for rechecking. This allows you to identify and correct any mistakes in grammar, vocabulary, or data representation. Additionally, ensuring your answer is complete before the time limit provides an opportunity to refine your introduction, overview, and the detailed presentation of key features.


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    Here are some key points to consider to achieve a band 7 or higher in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1:

  • Word Count: Your report should be at least 150 words long. It's crucial to meet this minimum word count, but be concise and focus on the most significant features of the visuals.
  • Presenting Data: To score well, you should present data accurately and relevantly, matching the diagram's scale and context. Avoid mechanical recounting of details or incorrect presentation of figures. The data should support the key features and trends identified in the overview and key features sections.
  • Language: Use appropriate academic language and vocabulary to describe trends and data. For example, words and phrases like "increased", "decreased", "remained stable", "a significant rise", "a slight drop", etc., are useful for describing trends.
  • Accuracy: Ensure that the data and information you mention are accurate according to the visuals provided. Misinterpreting the data can negatively affect your score.
  • No Conclusion: Unlike Task 2 essays, in Task 1, you do not need to provide a conclusion or your opinion. Your job is to report and describe what you see in the visual information accurately.
  • Do paraphrase the question for the introduction, use linking words for the overview, identify main trends, and support key features with data.
  • Don't include irrelevant details in the introduction, data in the overview, or present data inaccurately.

    • Example Question and Model Answer:

    Question:
    You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
    The chart below shows the number of men and women in further education in Britain in three periods and whether they were studying full-time or part-time.
    Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

    ielts academic writing task 1 question image 1 ielts academic writing task 1 question image 2

    Quick points you can infer from the above bar graphs are :

  • The overall participation in further education, for both men and women, increased over the 20 years.
  • For both genders, part-time study numbers were consistently higher than full-time study numbers throughout the periods observed.
  • For men, full-time numbers doubled from 100,000 to 200,000, and part-time numbers increased from 200,000 to 300,000.
  • Women's numbers also rose significantly, with full-time participation tripling from 50,000 to 150,000 and part-time numbers increasing from 150,000 to 250,000.
  • Men outnumbered women in both full-time and part-time studies.
  • The growth rate of part-time studies was consistently higher or equal to that of full-time studies for both genders.



    • Model Answer:

      The chart illustrates the number of individuals, split by gender and further divided into full-time and part-time students, who were engaged in further education in Britain across three distinct years: 1980, 1990, and 2000.

      It is evident from the chart that both men and women saw an increase in participation in further education over the 20-year span, with a notable rise in part-time studies for both genders. In 1980, there were 100,000 men and 50,000 women enrolled in full-time education, which increased to 200,000 and 150,000 respectively by the year 2000. Part-time figures also grew from 200,000 to 300,000 for men and from 150,000 to 250,000 for women over the same period.

      One key observation is that, throughout the three decades, there were consistently more men than women participating in further education, regardless of whether the study was full-time or part-time. However, it is also noticeable that the gap between the number of men and women in part-time education narrowed slightly, especially in the year 2000 where the difference was 50,000, compared to the 50,000 and 100,000 differences seen in 1980 and 1990, respectively.

      Moreover, the increase in part-time study was more pronounced than that for full-time study for both genders, indicating a possible trend towards more flexible study arrangements during the period.

      In summary, the chart shows a clear upward trend in the number of individuals pursuing further education in Britain, with a stronger preference for part-time study, and suggests a gradual closing of the gender gap in further education participation.



    Practicing this format will help you become familiar with different types of visuals and improve your ability to quickly and effectively organize and report on the information they contain.

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