Tips for IELTS Writing Task 1

The IELTS Writing Task 1 band descriptor for Task Achievement at Band 8 states: presents, highlights and illustrates key features clearly and appropriately. To achieve a high mark, it is extremely important that you study the map very carefully and ensure that the information you include in your writing is accurate and appropriate. Describing changes that do not appear in the map will result in the loss of marks for Task Achievement.

You will need to write:

• a brief introduction to the maps in your own words;
• a short overview to describe what has happened to the town in general;
• two paragraphs to describe some of the main changes;
• a minimum of 150 words.

In IELTS Writing Task 1, you may be asked to describe a bar chart. The opening paragraph should include the following information:

• the type of chart or table
• what the information is about
• the date(s)
• the place(s)
• the unit(s) of measurement.

How to write the introduction

• One sentence is enough for the introduction.
• Replace words in the general statement with synonyms or paraphrases where you can.
• If you cannot quickly write your introduction in your own words, do not waste time. Write out the words in the rubric, but remember to change them later.
• Do not write the word below from the rubric in your introduction.
• Use one of the following four prompts to help you write an introduction:
  
  
  • The graph shows/illustrates the trends in ... between ... and ...
  • The graph gives/provides/reveals/presents information about (the differences/ changes ...)
  • The graph shows that (there is a number of differences between ...)
  • The graph shows/illustrates how the sales have differed/changed ...

Prepositions are important in any task including maps. It is important to say exactly where things are located in relation to other places.

Remember that in order to achieve a higher band, it is important that your essay does not include any inaccurate, inappropriate or irrelevant information.

1. inaccurate: uses information which is incorrect based on the data presented in the chart
2. inappropriate: uses informal or colloquial language that you wouldn’t typically see in an academic piece of writing
3. irrelevant: contains information which isn’t presented in the chart

When comparing two charts, you need to carefully choose the most important information.

• Look for high numbers, low numbers and equal numbers.
• Remember to look for trends and patterns.
• Look for noticeable differences.

Adjectives and nouns

You can describe changes using adjectives and nouns. Most of the vocabulary is the same, but you need to learn the adjective and noun forms.

There was a considerable rise in the income of Amandine Bakery.

The income of Amandine Bakery saw/experienced/witnessed a considerable rise.

IELTS Writing - Pie charts

• Pie charts indicate proportions up to 100%, but can also contain numbers not percentages.
• They can contain percentages adding up to 100%, as in the example here.
• Remember they can contain units in proportions that add up to more than 100.
• Different pie charts can show changes over time, or they can all relate to the same year.