Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic test requires you to provide a summary of at least 150 words based on a given graph (bar, line, or pie chart), table, chart, or process illustration. Unlike Writing Task 2, where you share your opinion, Task 1 requires you to write a factual report without giving personal views or conclusions about the data.
When starting your response, follow these three steps to effectively address the task:
1. Identify the main idea presented in the graph or table, which will form the focus of your opening sentence.
2. Consider the details of the data, such as units of measurement and time frames, and include them as necessary.
3. Pay attention to language usage, including introductory expressions, verb tenses, and expressions of time or measurement.
You have three possible ways to begin your response:
1. Avoid copying directly from the question prompt, as it wastes time and doesn’t showcase your language skills.
2. Start by referring directly to the main message conveyed by the visual data, demonstrating your ability to recognize the key concept or trend.
3. Combine the first two methods, using fixed expressions that refer to the visual data itself.
Here are some sample sentences and useful words and phrases to enhance your writing:
Sample Sentences:
– There was a substantial increase in the value of stocks on March 15th.
– House prices rose dramatically in July.
– The number of tourists visiting New York fell sharply in October.
– The percentage of students walking to school continued to rise gradually over the ten-year period from 2000-2010.
– There was a sharp increase in employee turnover after the strike.
– Interest in environmental issues has risen steadily over the last 10 years.
Useful Words and Phrases:
1. Percent vs. Percentage:
– Use “percent” after a number: More than 25% of the students are from Brazil.
– Use “percentage” after words like “the,” “a,” “this,” and “that,” often preceded by an adjective: A small percentage of residents have lived in the building for more than 20 years.
2. Writing Numbers:
– For numbers up to ten, write them in words: Five percent of the employees were late this month.
– For numbers over 10, use digits: More than 50 percent of the students handed in their assignments late after the long weekend.
– When a sentence starts with a number, always write it in words: Twenty-five students were from China.
Remember to vary your language and use appropriate tenses based on the time frame presented in the data. Additionally, the overview paragraph should contain two or three sentences summarizing the main features of the graph. Avoid using “to conclude,” as it is only suitable for discursive essays. Stick to a summarizing tone and present the main trends or patterns observed in the visual data.
Responses