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How to Write an IELTS Writing Task 1

Further Samples:

On the following pages you can see model answers for IELTS writing
task 1 questions.

Model 1
Fast Food Consumption
Line Graph

There are examples of all the different types of task which include line
graphs, pie charts, tables, processes, diagrams and maps.
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Vocabulary

First, on this page, youll get an

overview of how to answer a task
1.
Answers will always vary
depending on the type of graph or
diagram, and the type of language
will vary, but there is a certain
structure that they all follow.
Once you have studied the general
structure, you can view other
examples by following the links in
the right hand column.

Model 2
Charity Spending
Pie Chart
Model 3
School Attendance
Table
Model 4
Shopping Mall
Map
Model 5
Brick Manufacturing
Process

To get more practice on how to write a graph over time and use the
language of change, follow this link.

Model 6
UK GDP
Bar Chart

IELTS Books

How do I answer an IELTS writing task 1?

IELTS Forum

To analyse this, well look at a line graph. Look at the following

question and the graph.

Model 7
Team Scores
Bar Chart

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You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Model 8
Electicity Generation
Pie Chart

The line graph below shows changes in the amount

and type of fast food consumed by Australian
teenagers from 1975 to 2000.

Model 9
British Emigration
Bar Chart

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting

the main features and make comparisons where
relevant.

Model 10
UK Visits
Line & Bar

Write at least 150 words.

Model 11
Car Theft
Line Graph
Model 12
Arrests
Pie & Bar
Model 13
Modes of Transport
Bar Chart
Model 14
Living Expenditure
Table
Model 15
Making Chocolate
Process

There are three basic things you need to structure an IELTS writing
task 1.
1. Introduce the graph
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1. Introduce the graph

2. Give an overview
3. Give the detail
Well look at each of these in turn.

1) Introduce the Graph

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.
Here is an example for the above line graph:
The line graph illustrates the amount of fast food
consumed by teenagers in Australia between 1975 and
2000, a period of 25 years.
You can see this says the same thing as the title, but in a different
way.

2) Give an Overview
You also need to state what the main trend or trends in the graph
are. Dont give detail such as data here you are just looking for
something that describes what is happening overall.
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.
Here is an example:
Overall, 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.
You may sometimes see this overview as a conclusion. It does not
matter if you put it in the conclusion or the introduction when you do
an IELTS writing task 1, but you should provide an overview in one of
these places.

3) Give the Detail

You can now give more specific detail in the body paragraphs.
When you give the detail in your body paragraphs in your IELTS
writing task 1, you must make reference to the data.
The key to organizing your body paragraphs for an IELTS writing task
1 is to group data together where there are patterns.
To do this you need to identify any similarities and differences.
Look at the graph what things are similar and what things are
different?
As we have already identified in the overview, the consumption of fish
and chips declined over the period, whereas the amount of pizza and
hamburgers that were eaten increased.
So it is clear that pizza and hamburgers were following a similar
pattern, but fish and chips were different. On this basis, you can use
these as your groups, and focus one paragraph on fish and chip and
the other one on pizza and hamburgers.
Here is an example of the first paragraph:
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
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1985, the consumption of fish and chips gradually

declined over the 25 year timescale to finish at just
under 40 times per year.
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 questions asks.
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,
increasing sharply throughout the 1970s and 1980s,
exceeding fish and chips consumption in 1985. It
finished at the same level that fish and chips began, with
consumption at 100 times a year.

Full Model Answer:

The line graph illustrates the amount of fast food consumed by

teenagers in Australia between 1975 and 2000, a period of 25 years.
Overall, the consumption of fish and chips declined over the period,
whereas the amount of pizza and hamburgers that were eaten
increased.
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 times per year.
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,
increasing sharply throughout the 1970s and 1980s, exceeding fish
and chips consumption in 1985. It finished at the same level that fish
and chips began, with consumption at 100 times a year.
(191 words)
Want to learn more about writing graphs that describe
change?
Follow this link for a lesson on this and other IELTS topics
Next >>>

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18 comments
Aicha Tanjoui Works at Work in Canada
I have a big problem for making a phrases and expressions, please I need your help friends to improve my writing.
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1 Like January 13 at 12:17am
Qusai Sadaldin
really helped thanks aloot.
Reply
1 Like November 27, 2012 at 1:04pm
Ibrahim Alhumaidi University of Brighton

I think, it is the best website for student who have exam for IELTS that my opinion and I hope you explain more for digram because some digram n
think the digram is difficult for student because all of them have a little information about it. if you can give us some information about that. And th
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6 Like June 5, 2012 at 7:28pm
Ielts Buddy

Top Commenter

Hi, glad you have found it of some help. What kind of diagram do you mean - IELTS process?
Reply Like June 7, 2012 at 6:02am
Gul ST Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Reply Like June 22, 2012 at 3:49am
Sabina Lama Jhapa, Nepal
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4 Like June 1, 2012 at 12:53am
Ielts Buddy

Top Commenter

That's ok, glad to hear you like some of the content on the site. Good luck.
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1 Like June 4, 2012 at 5:55am
Randa Swaiha Instructor at American University in Cairo
Thank you so much for the valuable data about the IELTS. I still need to improve my reading and listening skills and my test is this coming Saturday
more sources? Your help is greatly appreciated.
Reply
2 Like April 17, 2012 at 10:41am
Ielts Buddy

Top Commenter

Hi, sorry for the late reply, only just saw your post. I don't know anymore specific sources - I think you'd just need to search online an
the test on Saturday.
Reply Like April 20, 2012 at 3:33pm
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