In IELTS Writing Task 1 of the Academic test, you are given 20 minutes to analyze and describe visual information such as graphs, charts, tables, maps, or processes. This task tests your ability to interpret data and summarize information clearly and accurately.
To score well, you should organize your response into a coherent structure, typically following these steps:
1. Introduction: Briefly describe what the graphic or diagram is about.
2. Overview: Summarize the main trends or significant features.
3. Details: Present specific data points, comparisons, or relevant details.
Your answer should be 150 words or more, focusing on clear, logical progression while maintaining a formal, concise writing style. Key criteria for scoring include Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Different types of Task one questions
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you may encounter various types of visual information to analyze and describe. Here’s a list of the most common types:
1. Graphs
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Line Graph: Shows trends over time.
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Bar Chart: Compares quantities across different categories.
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Pie Chart: Represents proportions of a whole.
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Table: Displays data in rows and columns for comparison.
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2. Diagrams
Process Diagram: Illustrates steps in a process, such as manufacturing or natural cycles.
Flow Chart: Shows stages in a sequence or decision-making process.
3. Maps
Single Map: Shows details of one area (e.g., a town or campus).
Comparative Maps: Display changes in a location over different time periods or before and after a development.
4. Mixed or Multiple Data Sources
These tasks combine two or more visual elements, like a bar chart and pie chart, or a line graph with a table. You’ll need to integrate and compare information across these sources effectively.
How should you write task one?
Each type requires specific language and structure, focusing on comparisons, trends, or describing changes accurately.
We are presenting a topic here as an example. It would be beneficial for you to provide a writing structure along with the corresponding scores for each component.
Writing Task One Question: an example
answer for band 6 – 6.5
The line graph shows how much money three bakeries in Calgary—Amandine Bakery, Mari Bakeshop, and Bolo Cakery—earned each year from 2000 to 2010.
At the beginning in 2000, Mari Bakeshop made the most income, about $80,000, while Amandine Bakery earned around $55,000, and Bolo Cakery earned the least, just under $20,000. Over the years, Mari Bakeshop’s income went up and down between $60,000 and $90,000 but started dropping after 2005 and reached about $40,000 by 2010.
Amandine Bakery’s income stayed steady at around $55,000 from 2000 to 2005. After that, it gradually rose and reached about $100,000 in 2010, making it the highest earner by the end.
Bolo Cakery started with low earnings, but they increased from 2000 to 2005, reaching about $40,000. After that, its income went up and down but stayed mostly between $40,000 and $50,000 until 2010.
In general, Amandine Bakery improved the most in income, while Mari Bakeshop’s income decreased. Bolo Cakery had some growth but remained the lowest earner.
Key Features for Band 6.0 to 6.5 (less than 7.0)
Simpler Vocabulary: More basic language like “went up and down” and “stayed steady” is used instead of more advanced terms.
Limited Sentence Complexity: The answer uses mostly simple sentences with only a few complex structures.
Less Detail and Precision: The explanation is clear but lacks more sophisticated vocabulary and variety in sentence structure seen at higher bands.
Cohesion and Organization: The response is organized but has simpler transitions and limited linking phrases, reflecting Band 6-level coherence.
This version meets Band 6.0 to 6.5 standards by focusing on clear but basic descriptions, limited vocabulary range, and simpler grammar.
answer for band 7.0
The line graph shows the yearly earnings of three bakeries in Calgary—Amandine Bakery, Mari Bakeshop, and Bolo Cakery—from 2000 to 2010. At the start of the period in 2000, Mari Bakeshop earned the highest income, around $80,000, while Amandine Bakery earned about $55,000, and Bolo Cakery had the lowest income, just below $20,000. Throughout the years, Mari Bakeshop’s income fluctuated, staying between $60,000 and $90,000, but started to decline after 2005, reaching around $40,000 in 2010. Amandine Bakery’s income remained stable from 2000 to 2005, around $55,000. After 2005, it saw a steady increase and reached around $100,000 in 2010, becoming the highest-earning bakery by the end of the period. Bolo Cakery’s earnings started low but showed growth from 2000 to 2005, reaching around $40,000. After that, its income also fluctuated but generally stayed steady near $40,000 to $50,000 by 2010. Overall, Amandine Bakery showed the most improvement in income, while Mari Bakeshop’s earnings declined. Bolo Cakery had modest growth but remained the lowest earner.
Key Features for Band 7.0
This answer is likely to be rated around Band 7 in IELTS Writing Task 1 based on the assessment criteria. Here’s a breakdown of why it would likely achieve this score:
1. Task Achievement:
The response effectively covers the main points and trends in the data, providing relevant comparisons among the bakeries and accurately mentioning their income levels over time. There is a clear overview, particularly in the last paragraph. However, the overview could be slightly more prominent or comprehensive at the start of the response. This level of detail generally meets Band 7 standards, as it shows understanding and clear description of the data.
2. Coherence and Cohesion:
The answer is well-structured, with logical organization of ideas. Each bakery’s performance is discussed in its own paragraph, and there is a clear progression through the time period covered. Minor improvements in transitioning between ideas or enhancing the overview’s prominence could make it clearer, but it is cohesive enough to fit Band 7 requirements.
3. Lexical Resource:
Vocabulary is varied and mostly appropriate. Phrases like “steady increase,” “fluctuated,” and “showed growth” demonstrate a good command of descriptive language. However, there is room for more variety or precision to enhance the language further, such as using terms like “experienced significant growth” or “demonstrated a downward trend.” This vocabulary use aligns well with Band 7, though slightly more variety would strengthen it.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy:
The response shows good grammatical control with accurate sentence structures. There are both simple and complex sentences, though the complexity could be increased to achieve a higher band. Most sentences are error-free, fitting well with Band 7’s requirement of good grammatical range and accuracy, though Band 8 would require more sophisticated sentence structures and a higher degree of complexity.
Overall: This response provides a clear, accurate, and cohesive answer that fits within Band 7. Minor improvements in vocabulary variety, sentence complexity, and overview structure could raise it to a Band 7.5 or even 8, but as it stands, it comfortably meets Band 7 criteria.
answer for band +8.0
The line graph illustrates the annual earnings of three bakeries in Calgary—Amandine Bakery, Mari Bakeshop, and Bolo Cakery—over a ten-year period from 2000 to 2010.
Overall, Amandine Bakery experienced a consistent upward trend, becoming the highest-earning bakery by the end of the period, while Mari Bakeshop’s revenue showed significant fluctuations before declining sharply after 2005. In contrast, Bolo Cakery’s income rose gradually, though it remained the lowest among the three.
At the start of the period in 2000, Mari Bakeshop earned approximately $80,000, making it the top earner, while Amandine Bakery’s income was around $55,000, and Bolo Cakery’s earnings lagged at just under $20,000. Mari Bakeshop’s revenue fluctuated between $60,000 and $90,000 until 2005, after which it declined steadily, reaching a low of around $40,000 by 2010.
Amandine Bakery, on the other hand, maintained stable earnings of approximately $55,000 from 2000 to 2005. However, from 2005 onwards, it saw a marked increase in income, culminating at nearly $100,000 by 2010, the highest among the three bakeries by that time.
Bolo Cakery, despite starting with the lowest revenue, demonstrated gradual growth between 2000 and 2005, reaching around $40,000. Its income then fluctuated moderately but generally stabilized between $40,000 and $50,000 from 2005 to 2010.
In summary, Amandine Bakery displayed the most significant growth in revenue, while Mari Bakeshop’s earnings declined notably, and Bolo Cakery maintained modest growth throughout the period.
Key Features for Band +8.0
1. Task Achievement: This answer clearly summarizes the main trends and provides accurate details and comparisons, meeting high standards for Task Achievement.
2. Coherence and Cohesion: The structure is well-organized, with smooth transitions between points. Each bakery’s performance is discussed logically, and comparisons are seamlessly incorporated.
3. Lexical Resource: Vocabulary is varied and precise, with terms like “consistent upward trend,” “significant fluctuations,” “marked increase,” and “stabilized” demonstrating a strong command of language suitable for describing data.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The response uses a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and passive constructions, with no noticeable errors.
This answer meets Band 8 or higher criteria through its sophisticated vocabulary, clear and cohesive structure, and precise, detailed description of the data.
