IELTS Academic Task 1 Preparation and Writing Tips

Basic Requirements for IELTS Academic Task 1:

  • You will be given a graph, chart or pictorial and you need to summerise the information.
  • You need to finish the whole task within 20 minutes.
  • Write at least 150 words.

Tips for Academic Task 1 writing:

  • Read the instructions carefully.
  • Take your time to understand the instructions and what is required to fully complete the task response.
  • Take few notes and make a plan and organize them to describe them effectively.
  • Understanding the key information presented in the diagram/ graph has immense importance. So, you should analyze what you see to determine the most significant trend in the diagram.
  • Try to identify 2-3 main and substantial points in the diagram and focus on it while you are describing.
  • Paraphrase the key words using different words and vocabulary.
  • Write the information overview presented in the diagram. This is one of the keys for high score. This can be included with introduction and conclusion and this should be done in couple of sentences and not more than 3 sentences.
  • Consider the grammatical accuracy, sentence formation and relevancy. If the diagram presents the information in the past, then past tense is appropriate to describe the information. If the diagram has future predictions, you should use future tense in your writing too.
  • Try to use a variety of verbs, adjectives and sentence formation while you summarise or describe a graph. You should do so to show that you have a rich vocabulary and you can present information in a variety of ways.
  • To describe the degrees of change of your essay, use variety of words like:
    minimal, slight, gradual, moderate, considerable, significant, substantial, enormous, dramatic etc.

Do’s & Don’t in your Academic IELTS task 1 (Graph Writing)

Do’s:

  • Try to find out the most important and significant trends from the diagram.
  • Use appropriate and relevant tenses while depicting the graph.
  • Always try to paraphrase key words and use appropriate synonyms whenever possible.
  • Write minimum 150-170 words.

Don’ts:

  • Describe every detail.
  • Rush answers ignoring instructions.
  • Don’t start writing without understanding the task first.
  • Don’t try describing every numbers presented in the chart and graph.
  • Don’t use too many linking words and phrases like:
    and, but, next, then, to begin, though, after, whereas, later, while, meantime, even though, additionally, therefore etc.
  • Do not copy the words form exam questions or from the title or demonstration.