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How to Do IELTS Writing Test Academic Task 1

IELTS Writing Test Academic Task 1

When you have to describe a graph, table or chart as part of the IELTS Writing test, think carefully about what you need to include in your description.

You don't need to describe every detail of the information. Choose the most important and interesting features to include in your answer.

Support your description with figures, but you don't need to give all the numbers exactly.

You can be approximate by using words like: just over, just under, about, almost, a little over, a little less than, and around.

How to Do Task 1

  1. Read the title of the graph, table or chart carefully
  2. Examine the two axes of the graph
  3. Look at what each shows, and how each one is divided
  4. Examine the information shown in the table or chart
  5. How is the information organised?
  6. Identify the main and most interesting features
  7. Organise your answer based on these
  8. Divide your answer into paragraphs, corresponding to the main features
  9. Refer to your notes as you write your answer
  10. Add some details (figures) to support each main feature
  11. Try to link your ideas using linking words or phrases such as: on the other hand, while, in addition, however to join your ideas.
  12. Finally, check your answer - is your grammar, spelling and punctuation correct?

Remember - you do not need to write a conclusion, try to explain the graph/table/chart or give your personal opinion about the content ... only "summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant."

Cheat Sheet: Functional Language for High-Scoring IELTS Writing Task 1

Describing Trends

  • "There was a significant increase in ..."
  • "There was a steady decline in ..."
  • "The graph shows a plateau in ..."

Making Comparisons

  • "While A rose, B exhibited a decrease ..."
  • "In contrast to A, B ..."
  • "A is twice as much as B ..."

Describing Proportions

  • "A significant majority of ..."
  • "A small fraction of ..."
  • "Nearly half of the population ..."

Giving Approximations

  • "Approximately ..."
  • "Around ..."
  • "Almost ..."
  • "Just over/under ..."

Discussing Periods of Time

  • "From 2000 to 2010 ..."
  • "In the 20-year period ..."
  • "During the decade ..."

Making Predictions (for line graphs)

  • "It is projected that ..."
  • "It is expected to rise ..."
  • "The trend suggests that ..."

Remember to practice these phrases in context to increase fluency and make them a natural part of your IELTS Writing vocabulary.

Good luck with your IELTS writing test!

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