IELTS EXPERT WRITING TASK 1 (basic) - PINES INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

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PIA IELTS GUARANTEE COURSE

Writing Task 1 Academic

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION - 2

WRITING INTRODUCTION IN TASK 1 - 6

LINE GRAPH - 10

OVERVIEW - 11

PREPOSITIONS FOR GRAPHS - 14

BODY PARAGRAPH - 17

BAR CHART - 27

PIE CHART - 37

TABLE - 48

DIAGRAM - 57

MAP - 70

MULTIPLE CHARTS - 80

APPENDIX TASK 1 QUESTIONS - 89

SAMPLE - 100

REFERENCE - 109

INTRODUCTION

IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

The Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic test requires you to write a summary of at least

150 words in response to a particular graph, table, chart, or process (how something works, how something is done) This task tests your ability to select and report the main features, to describe and compare data, identify significance and trends in factual information, or describe a process

QUESTION TYPES

 Line graph Analyze movement

 Bar chart Compare size

 Table Analyze changes in different categories

 Pie chart Compare proportion

 Diagram Process / Procedure

 Map Compare changes / Compare options

 Multiple charts Same topic with different data

HOW TO PRESENT YOUR REPORT

The report should have three to four paragraphs The paragraph should include an introduction, an overview (a summary) of the information and two (body) paragraphs that show details There is no need for a conclusion

BASIC STRUCTURE GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

This is a skillful paraphrase of the question Skillful means you will need to substitute words with synonyms and restructure the sentence

For example Question: The diagram below shows the various stages involved

in the production of beer

Paraphrase: The given flow chart describes the process of brewing beer

An overview can be included in the introduction paragraph Starts with ‘In brief, ’

Make comparisons and contrasts where possible

Use a variety of language and complex sentences

Remember to use sequencing language when describing a

TIPS

1) You should spend no more than 20 minutes on writing task 1 and you should write at least 150 words

2) Look at the figure carefully and decide what information you will include

3) Plan your answer briefly It is okay to spend up to 5 minutes doing this, but no more 4) Remember to have one paragraph dedicated for interpreting the graph/chart/diagram (an overview)

5) Stick to what you can see on the graph Do not give your opinion

6) Use adverbs and adjectives to give life to your descriptions

Ex) ‘the student population dropped over two years’ vs ‘the student population

dropped markedly over two years’

7) Use synonyms and paraphrases where possible Try not to repeat words

8) Decide what tense to write in (past/present/future)

9) Try to group smaller/less important numbers together and then describe them in that group

Ex) ‘Tidal, solar and wind energy all showed modest rises over the period, making up about one tenth of Australia’s power production

RECOMMENDED TIME FRAME FOR TASK 1

1 Look at resources 1min

2 Plan (identifying and grouping) 2mins

3 Paraphrase introduction 2mins

THE MARKING CRITERIA

 Task Achievement

- This criterion assesses how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the response fulfills the requirements set out in the task, using a minimum of 150 words

 Coherence and Cohesion

- This is concerned with the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the response organizes and links information, ideas and language

Coherence – refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing

Cohesion – refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices

 Lexical Resource

- This refers to the range of vocabulary the candidate has used and the accuracy and appropriacy of that use in terms of the specific task

 Grammatical Range and Accuracy

- This criterion refers to the range and accurate use of the candidate’s grammatical resource

WRITING INTRODUCTION IN TASK 1

You need to begin with one or two sentences that state what the IELTS writing task 1 shows

To do this, paraphrase the title of the graph, making sure you put in a time frame if there is

one

Paraphrasing in Task 1

 Being able to paraphrase sentences is an essential skill for gaining high scores in IELTS exam There are two methods of paraphrasing: using synonyms of key words and altering grammatical structures When you are just starting out just try to use synonyms as this is the easiest method

 Be careful, though, that you use an appropriate synonym so you stay in context As you perfect the use of synonyms, start playing with grammatical structures by swapping subjects and objects and also using relative clauses Practice this skill as it will definitely make task one easier

Paraphrase example

Question

The chart below shows the number of hours studied per night by school students in

Australia based on age

Paraphrase

The given graph illustrates the data about how long Australian school students, of varying

ages, study per night

shows / represents / depicts / enumerates / illustrates / presents / gives / provides / describes / expresses / outlines/ compares and contrasts/ gives data on / gives information on / presents information about / shows data about / demonstrates / outlines / summarizes

the comparison of differences

changes

number of

information on data on

proportion of amount of

information on data about

percentages of FOR DIAGRAM (shows process/steps)

- The series of images highlight the stages of

- The diagram highlights the process by which

Practice 2

The graph below shows the unemployment rates in the US and Japan between March

1933 and March 1999

Practice 3

The graph below shows how many minutes US elementary school students spent walking and bicycling each day in 1977, 1990 and 2001

Practice 4

The table below shows the number of museum patrons by age between 1997 and 2003

Practice 5

The chart below shows the literacy rates of three different continents between 1930 and

2000

Practice 6

The graph below shows the consumption of meat in Spain between 2001 and 2011

hike recede steady steadily

surge plunge consistent consistently

shoot up drop continuous continuously

 Can be used for different types of chart, graph, table and diagram

Sample Phrases / Collocations

Sales crept up for two

years

Sales leveled off for the next 10 years upward tendency

Sales surged substantially There was a significant

rise in 1990 constant decline

Sales shrank continuously Sales decreased with

fluctuations flattening trend Sales fluctuated through to

the next 10 years a slight increase descending trend

OVERVIEW

The overview is a two sentence paragraph that identifies and reports on the main features

or trends of the figure It is very important as it shows the examiner that you have

understood the data presented

Example

The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type of fast food consumed by

Australian teenagers from 1975 to 2000

One thing that stands out in this graph is that one type of fast food fell over the period, whilst the other two increased, so this would be a good overview

Overview

In brief, the consumption of fish and chips declined over the period, whereas the amount of

pizza and hamburgers that were eaten increased

This covers the main changes that took place over the whole period

Overview

Overview

0 500

PREPOSITIONS FOR GRAPHS

1 It is very important that you know how to correctly use prepositions in the IELTS writing task 1

2 Certain prepositions go with certain words when you use the language of change

3 If you put them in the wrong place or use the wrong preposition, you may confuse what you are trying to say

 First, take a look at this graph model answer and notice how some of the prepositions are used They have been highlighted in bold

Sample Task 1 Answer

The line graph compares the number of car thefts for every thousand vehicles in four

countries from 1990 to 1999 In brief, it can be seen that car thefts were far higher in Great

Britain than in the other three counties throughout the whole time frame

To begin, car thefts in Sweden, France and Canada followed a fairly similar pattern over the

first five years, all remaining at between 5 and 10 per thousand The general trend though for France and Canada was a decline in the number of vehicles stolen over the period, with both at around 6 in 1999 In contrast, Sweden experienced an upward trend, starting the period at approximately 8, and finishing at just under 15

Interestingly, car thefts in Great Britain started at 18 per thousand, which far exceeded that of the other countries It then fluctuated over the next nine years, reaching a peak of 20 thefts per 1000 in 1996, and ending the period slightly lower than where it began, at approximately

17 per thousand

1 In May, the price of gold rose slightly $1,500

2 Holidays to foreign destinations remained constant about 85,000 per month for the last two months of the year

3 Profits increased 4 million dollars to 6 million dollars last year

4 From 2001 to 2010, the price of electricity has increased 125%

5 Bike sales reached a peak 20,000 in September

6 There is a sharp increase in traffic levels from 8am to 9am, nearly 3000 cars traveling on the road

7 The last decade has seen a steep increase the number of people diagnosed with diabetes

8 At the start of the year, the turnover of the company stood £1.3 million

9 During the summer, student numbers at the school fluctuated 150 and 170 per week

10 Following this, the number then fell a low of 20 per month

BODY PARAGRAPHS

1 In body paragraphs, you can give more specific detail of the chart, graph or diagram

2 When you give the detail in your body paragraphs, you must make reference to the data

3 The key to organizing your body paragraphs for writing task 1 is to group data together

where there are patterns

4 To do this you need to identify any similarities and differences

Example

The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type of fast food consumed by

Australian teenagers from 1975 to 2000

 What things are similar and what things are different in the graph?

: As we have already identified in the overview that pizza and hamburgers were following

a similar pattern, but fish and chips were different On this basis, you can use these as

BODY 1

Fish and chips

1975: most popular fast food / 100 times

1980 – 1985: brief rise

1985 – 2000: gradually declined / under 40 in 2000

 Here is an example of the first paragraph:

“Turning to the detail, in 1975, the most popular fast food with Australian teenagers was fish and chips, being eaten 100 times a year This was far higher than Pizza and hamburgers, which were consumed approximately 5 times a year However, apart from a brief rise again from 1980 to 1985, the consumption of fish and chips gradually declined over the 25 year timescale to finish at just under 40.”

 As you can see, the focus is on fish and chips This does not mean you should not mention the other two foods, as you should still make comparisons of the data as the question asks

BODY 2

1975 – 1995: increased gradually / overtook

the consumption of fish and chips in 1990

1995 – 2000: leveled off

1975 – 1990: increased sharply / exceeding

fish and chips in 1985

2000: finished at the same level that fish and

chips began / 100 times

The second body then focuses on the other foods:

“In sharp contrast to this, teenagers ate the other two fast foods at much higher levels Pizza consumption increased gradually until it overtook the consumption of fish and chips

in 1990 It then leveled off from 1995 to 2000 The biggest rise was seen in hamburgers as the occasions they were eaten increased sharply throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, exceeding that of fish and chips in 1985 It finished at the same level that fish and chips began, with consumption at 100 times a year.”

FULL MODEL ANSWER

This line graph illustrates the comparison data about the fast food consumption of teenagers

in Australia between 1975 and 2000, a period of 25 years In brief, the consumption of fish and chips declined over the period, whereas the amount of pizza and hamburgers that were

eaten increased

Turning to the detail, in 1975, the most popular fast food with Australian teenagers was fish and chips, being eaten 100 times a year This was far higher than Pizza and hamburgers, which were consumed approximately 5 times a year However, apart from a brief rise again from 1980 to 1985, the consumption of fish and chips gradually declined over the 25 year timescale to finish at just under 40

In sharp contrast to this, teenagers ate the other two fast foods at much higher levels Pizza consumption increased gradually until it overtook the consumption of fish and chips in 1990

It then leveled off from 1995 to 2000 The biggest rise was seen in hamburgers as the occasions they were eaten increased sharply throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, exceeding that of fish and chips in 1985 It finished at the same level that fish and chips began, with consumption at 100 times a year

(203 words)

3 There is a range of describing words available to you: noun, verbs, adverbs and adjectives

4 The effect of these words can make a big difference to your score as they are attributed to your Lexical Resources, Grammatical Range and also Cohesion

Let’s have a look at some bad and good examples

Question:

The graph below shows the average student numbers of an elementary school from the 1950’s to the 2000’s

0 100

A poor answer

The line starts at about 650 then goes down to 600 in the 1960’s till the 1970’s It then goes down a long way through the 1970’s ending at 250 by the 1980’s It then goes up over the next two decades finishing at about 350 in the 2000’s

 The problem with this answer is that it is not particularly academic

 The words ‘up’ and ‘down’ are quite simple and do not accurately describe what is happening

 The graph is also described quite literally by using the word ‘line’ rather than relating it back to student numbers

 It is incredibly boring to read as there are very few descriptive words to give life to the chart

A better answer

As the graph shows, the school had its highest average of students in 1950 at around

650 This number then dropped slightly over the next decade to about 600 at which point enrollments leveled off through to the 1970’s From 1970’s until the 1980’s, the amount of students plunged, bottoming out at close to 250 After that, however, the student number rose steadily to roughly 350 by the 2000’s

 In this example, the use of adjectives and adverbs in combination with nouns and verbs add life to the chart, making the report flow better, easier to understand and more interesting to read

 Some examples are the use of: plunged, dropped slightly, bottoming out, rose

steadily, and leveled off

Warm Up

Practice 1 The graph shows the rate of smoking in Someland

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant

NOTE

Answer

Practice 2 The graph below shows the amount of money spent on books in Germany, France, Italy and Austria between 1995 and 2005

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below

NOTE

Answer

BAR CHART

Lexical Resources for Bar Chart

Language of Change

the highest the highest value much

the largest in first place significantly

higher/larger than in the next position relatively

greater than the next highest value slightly

less/smaller than the last position subtly

twice that of / double that

of the lowest three times that of the top (number) positions

similar to the bottom (number)

positions

Sample Phrases / Collocations

The highest value was found in … ‘X’ was 3 times that of ‘Y’

X was in second place ‘X’ was greater/less than ‘Y’

The top three figures ranged between

and

X’s value was relatively smaller than Y’s

value

Describing a Bar Chart

 When you get a chart or graph to describe, it is always important to check whether

there is a time frame or not If there is, you will need to use the language of change

 However, it is not enough just to describe the changes of each element on their own and ignore how they relate to each other

 You are asked to compare the data as well So you must compare the elements

where relevant in your IELTS task 1

 You must also group data together to make sure you have a well-organized and

coherent answer

 To do this, you need to look for similarities and differences when you first analyze

the graph in IELTS task 1, and decide what can be logically put together or not

Your Answer

Introduction + Overview

1) Grouping the data for body paragraphs

It is a good idea to divide your answer into paragraphs so it is well organized To do this, you

should group similar things together into paragraphs or sections

If you look at the chart, you will see that ActiveX and Java have a similar pattern, both steadily increasing over the period (apart from the slight fall of ActiveX in week 4), so these could be put together

BODY 1

Active X and Java Active X and Java: showed a similar trend

Active X: remained higher than Java, fall in week 4

Java: increased at a steady rate

 An example of the first paragraph:

“Turning to the detail, downloads of ActiveX and Java showed a similar trend, with both gradually increasing from week 1 to week 5 However, the purchases of Active X remained significantly higher than for the other product over this time frame In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000, while those for Java were about 30,000 lower With the

 On the other hand, Net is the lowest and it has a different pattern – falling and then rising again So this could be described in another paragraph

BODY 2

Net

The least downloaded product

fell over the next two weeks

increased sharply over the following two weeks

 The second body then focuses on the others:

“The product that was downloaded the least was Net This began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks to a low of approximately 25,000 It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which was well below that of Active X”

There is usually more than one way to group the data for an IELTS task 1, so this needs to

be your decision As long as it is logical and makes your answer easy to follow and read, this should be okay

Full Model Answer

The bar chart illustrates the download rate per week of ActiveX, Java and Net computer packages over a period of five weeks In brief, it can clearly be seen that ActiveX was the most popular computer package to download, whilst Net was the least popular of the three

Moving to the detail, downloads of ActiveX and Java showed similar patterns, with both gradually increasing from week 1 to week 5 However, the purchases of Active X remained significantly higher than the other product over this time frame In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000, while those for Java were about 30,000 lower With the exception of a slight fall in week 4, downloading of ActiveX kept increasing until it reached a peak in the final week of just over 120,000 Java downloads also increased at a steady rate, finishing the period at 80,000

The product that was downloaded the least was Net This began at slightly under 40,000, and,

in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks to reach a low of approximately 25,000 It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which was well below that of ActiveX

(Words 198)

2) Language of Change

There are several examples of language of change in the chart, so it is important to learn how to use these correctly in order to successfully write an IELTS task 1 chart over time Here are some examples:

You will need to practice this type of language, and also make sure you know a variety of structures to get a better score If you keep repeating the same kind of phrases this will show you have a more limited range of lexis and grammar

3) Making Comparisons

In IELTS task 1, you must also compare the data as you are asked to do in the criteria

If you just write about what happened to ActiveX, what happened to Java, and what happened to Net without showing any relationship between them, this won’t be enough Here are some examples of where comparisons are made between the products in the bar chart, and the language of comparison is highlighted in bold:

- It can clearly be seen that ActiveX was the most popular computer package to download, whilst Net was the least popular of the three

- Downloads of ActiveX and Java showed similar patterns, with both gradually

increasing from week 1 to week 5

- However, the purchases of Active X remained significantly higher than for the

other product over this time frame

- In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000, while those for Java were about 30,000 lower

- Java downloads also increased at a steady rate, finishing the period at 80,000

- The product that was downloaded the least was Net This began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks

- It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000,

which was well below that of Active X

Warm Up

Practice 1 The graph shows female unemployment rates in each country of the United Kingdom in 2013 and 2014

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant

Female unemployment rates in the four countries of the UK

Answer

Practice 2 The bar chart below shows the percentage of people that said they regularly enjoyed certain sports from 1985 to 2005

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information

Answer

accounted for

Sample Phrases / Collocations

‘A’ accounted for the largest proportion of

Percentages to fractions or ratios

5% one in twenty 45% more than two fifths 10% one in ten 50% half

15% less than a fifth 55% more than half

20% a fifth 60% three-fifths

25% a quarter 65% two-thirds

30% less than a third 70% seven in ten

Question

The pie charts show the main reasons for migration to and from the UK in 2007

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

 The best way to organize the answer in this type of chart is to write about the pie charts together, comparing each of the reasons, rather than writing one paragraph about immigration and one about emigration

 The purpose of the chart is to compare the information, so doing it this way will make

it easier to see the similarities and differences of each reason for moving

 Language of change such as ‘increase’ and ‘decrease’ is not necessary when describing the information since there is no change It is one fixed year in the past

 It is possible to get two or more pie charts with different years In this case, you would use the language of change