IELTS Writing – Task 1 - Overview

In Task One, you have to write a short report of 150 words about a graph, chart, table, diagram or a process. You are advised to

spend 20 minutes on this part of the test.

IELTS Writing – Task 1 – Line graph

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Fantasian Oil Exports (millions of barrels/year)

Oil

This is a simplified example of a Writing Task 1 focusing on a line graph. In Task 1 you are required to present a report which gives an overview of the main trends in the graph, along with some of the key details. Before moving on, think about what you would write.

IELTS Writing – Task 1 – Bar chart

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Fantasian Oil Exports (millions of barrels)

The data in the Task 1 might also be presented as a bar graph.

IELTS Writing – Task 1 – Pie chartInformation from one particular year can also be shown on a pie chart

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Exports from Fantasia 2005

Oil Rubber Tea Cotton

Coffee Paper

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Process DiagramThe Production of Cocoa Powder

IELTS Writing – Task 1 – Line graphThis line graph shows the amount of oil exported from Fantasia in the period 1960 to 2000. It is clear that there was an overall rise in oil exports from this country, although they began to fall towards the end of this period. Looking in more detail, it can be observed that from 1960 to 1970 there was a slight rise in exports, from 10 million to 20 million barrels. From 1970 to 1980 there was a moderate increase in exports, to 45 million barrels, and then a dramatic rise to 100 million barrels in 1990. From 1990 to 2000, however, exports fell moderately to 80 million barrels per year. Nevertheless, in 2000, exports were still eight times higher than they were at the start of this period.

IntroductionOverviewDetail1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

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Fantasian Oil Exports 1960-2000 (millions of barrels)

Oil

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Useful Language (for reporting changes over time)

1.

2.

3.

1. There was a slight rise in X. X rose slowly.

2. There was a moderate rise in X.X rose moderately

3. There was a dramatic rise in X.X rose dramatically.

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Useful Language (for reporting changes over time)

1.

2.

3.

1. There was a slight fall in X. X fell slightly.

2. There was a moderate fall in X.X fell moderately

3. There was a dramatic fall in X.X fell dramatically.

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Useful Language (for reporting changes over time)

1.

2.

1. X was stableThere was no change in XX remained steady

2. X fluctuated There was a fluctuation in X

IELTS Writing – Task 1 – Bar chart

1960 1970 1980 1990 20000

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40

60

80

100

120

Fantasian Oil Exports (millions of barrels)

The data in the Task 1 might also be presented as a bar graph.

IELTS Writing – Task 1 – Bar graphBar charts can give data over a time period (e.g. 1960 to 2000) or they can give data from one particular time. The following bar chart gives data on Fantasian exports in 2005 as a percentage of total export value. How would you write about this chart? Would you use words like ‘fall’ and ‘rise’?

Oil Rubber Tea Cotton Coffee Paper0.00%

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Exports from Fantasia 2005

2005

IELTS Writing – Task 1 – Bar graphThis bar chart shows the various products which were exported from Fantasia in 2005 as a percentage of total exports from that country. It is clear that oil is by far the most important of the six export products. Looking in closer detail at the chart, it can be observed that oil accounts for 35% of all exports in 2005. This is 15% higher than the next most important export, which is tea, at 20%. Cotton and paper were equally important to the Fantasian economy in 2005. They made up 30% of the total figure, while coffee and rubber were relatively minor contributors to the export figure, at 10% and 5% respectively. Fantasia is clearly a country that relies heavily on its natural resources and agriculture.

IntroductionOverviewDetail

Oil Rubber Tea Cotton Coffee Paper0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

Exports from Fantasia 2005

IELTS Writing – Task 1 – Pie chartThis pie chart shows the various products which were exported from Fantasia in 2005 as a percentage of total exports from that country. It is clear that oil is by far the most important of the six export products. Looking in closer detail at the chart, it can be observed that oil accounts for 35% of all exports in 2005. This is 15% higher than the next most important export, which is tea, at 20%. Cotton and paper were equally important to the Fantasian economy in 2005. They made up 30% of the total figure, while coffee and rubber were relatively minor contributors to the export figure, at 10% and 5% respectively. Fantasia is clearly a country that relies heavily on its natural resources and agriculture.

IntroductionOverviewDetail

Information from one particular year can also be shown on a pie chart

35.00%

5.00%20.00%

15.00%

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Exports from Fantasia 2005

Oil

Rubber

Tea

Cotton

Coffee

Paper

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Useful Language (for reporting situations at one particular time)

•Language of simple description•Language of comparison & contrast

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Useful Language (for reporting situations at one particular time, or over time)

Simple descriptionIn 2005, oil accounted for 35% of total exports from Fantasia.Coffee exports were 10% of total exports.Cotton and tea represent 30% of the total export figure.

SuperlativesOil was the most important export in 2005, at 35% of total exports.At 15%, cotton was the second most important export.The least valuable export was rubber, at only 5%.Coffee and rubber were the least significant exports, at 10% and 5% respectively.

Comparison & ContrastCotton and paper were equally important exports, at 15% each.Oil was 15% more valuable than cotton, at 35% of total exports.Cotton was more valuable than coffee as an export from this country in 2005.Oil was 35% of total exports in 2005, whereas rubber was only 5%.There was a 15% difference between exports of oil and cotton. In 2000, oil exports were eight times higher than they were in 1960.

Writing Task 1 – Process Diagram

Sometimes, instead of a graph or table, the Task 1 may be a diagram which shows a process (the way something works, or how something is done). The language used in this kind of task is different from the language we use in writing about graphs or tables.

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Process DiagramThis diagram shows various stages in the production process for cocoa powder, from the tree to the finished confectionery product. Firstly, the cocoa pods are grown on the plantation, which takes between 8 and 40 years. When each pod contains 20-50 beans, they are harvested. Next, the fruit is opened up and the beans are removed. They are then put into wooden containers to ferment for a few weeks. After that, the beans are spread out on tables and left to dry in the sun for a week before being sorted to remove any bad ones, and packed into sacks. The cocoa beans are then loaded onto ships and exported to overseas manufacturers. The manufacturers clean and grind the beans and then roast them. Next, various kinds and qualities of cocoa powder are combined in the blending process. The resulting cocoa powder is used in the manufacture of chocolate drinks, cakes, biscuits and other confectionary items.

The Production of Cocoa Powder

Introduction & OverviewDetail

IELTS Writing Task 1 – Useful Language (for describing processes)

PASSIVE VOICEIn describing processes we can use active or passive voice. However, the present simple passive is used more. We can say:

–“The plantation workers harvest the cocoa pods” (active) OR–“The cocoa pods are harvested (by the plantation workers) (passive)

The present simple passive is formed as follows:

Noun + present simple of ‘be’ + Past participle (pp)

Cocoa beans are harvested

SEQUENCING WORDSBecause we are writing about stages in a process, we need words to link these stages. Look at the sequencing words in these sentences:Firstly, the cocoa pods are grown.

Next, they are harvested.

They are then dried in the sun.

Before being shipped, the beans are packed in sacks.

The beans are ground after being sorted and cleaned(notice in the last two examples that ‘before’ and ‘after’ are followed by ‘being + pp’ because this is a phrase)

IELTS Writing Task 1 Key points to remember

1. Read the question very carefully. Highlight the key words in the question and on the diagram (you can write on the test paper). Look for and highlight the overall trends.

2. You must write at least 150 words. If you write fewer than 150 words, you will be penalized. You should know before the exam roughly what 150 words looks like in your own handwriting. (Don’t waste time counting them in the exam).

3. Paraphrase the prompt – do not copy it. If you copy phrases or sentences from the prompt, they will not be included in the word count.

4. Make sure you write an overview. You should report the overall trends. You can highlight the most significant information on the diagram. This can come at the start or the end of your writing.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Key points to remember

5. Make sure you organise your ideas in a logical fashion. Group related information together in separate paragraphs.

6. You do not have to write a conclusion. An overview can be used as a conclusion.

7. Be careful to use the figures and data correctly.

8. You should spend only 20 minutes on Task 1 (it is worth less than Task 2). Wear a watch to help you time yourself.