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WRITING TASK ONE (ACADEMIC)

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 asks you to write a report (not an essay) based on visual information such as a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, or flow diagram. Some exams may include more than one diagram/graph for comparison in the same answer.

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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:

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  • Time: 20 minutes

  • Word count: Minimum 150 words

  • Task type: Descriptive report

  • Purpose: Summarise and compare data or describe a process/visual accurately and clearly.

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YOU NEED TO:

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  • Summarise the main trends, differences, or stages (depending on the visual).

  • Compare data or describe changes over time (if applicable).

  • Avoid giving opinions or analysing beyond what the data shows.

  • Use formal, objective language.

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KEY SKILLS NEEDED:

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  • Data interpretation and selection

  • Paraphrasing and summarising

  • Using specific language for description (see our vocabulary lists for recommended words)

  • Appropriate grammar and sentence structure (know how to use passive voice when appropriate)

  • Paragraphing and report structuring

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SUGGESTED PRACTICE ACTIVITIES:

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  • Analyse sample tasks and identify key features (without writing the full report).

  • Write just introductions or just overviews for a range of tasks.

  • Practice converting raw data into summaries.

  • Rewrite model answers in your own words to build paraphrasing skills.

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Writing Task 1 Academic example graphs and diagrams

Below are examples of all types of visual data that come up in the IELTS Writing Academic Task 1. The graphs show information related to international students, the map is a basic example of a location and the flow diagram shows the stages of bread being made from wheat. 

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Scroll through the examples to see which ones you are familiar with and which ones you need more practice with. 

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For each type of chart/diagram there are guide questions for you to think about when completing similar questions in the exam. The writing in blue is an example of notes you might write to plan your answer, using the example graph/chart.  

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The key thing to remember with this task is that you do not need to describe every part of the chart/diagram in detail, it is to describe trends and key features from an objective point of view. This means you should not write your opinion - this task is purely descriptive and not explanatory. 

Bar charts can either be vertical (as in the given example here), or they can be horizontal.

 

When you are thinking about the points to describe, consider the following questions (answers for the example are in blue):

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  • What categories are being compared? students studying abroad for five different countries

  • Are the values increasing, decreasing, or remaining steady? all of them are increasing each year

  • Are there any clear highs or lows? the number for India increased most dramatically, all the statistics for China are clearly higher than every other country for each year. India moves from having the lowest number in 2010, to the second highest in 2020

  • Is the data static (one point in time) or dynamic (multiple time points)? dynamic, the data covers a 10-year period​​

ielts academic task 1 writing bar chart example

BAR CHARTS

Line graphs show changes or trends over time, so pay attention to the time period that the data is based on. Consider this, and other points below:

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  • What time period is shown? 2010 to 2020, a 10-year time period

  • Which lines show a rise, fall, or fluctuation? most lines show a steady increase without fluctuations, and India shows a slightly more dramatic increase

  • Are there any crossovers or points where values are equal? India crosses over Australia, Canada and the UK, climbing from the lowest in 2010 to the second highest in 2020

  • Which trends are the most significant or consistent? India is the most significant because it has the biggest and quickest increase, all other countries increase at approximately the same pace. China remains at the top throughout

ielts academic writing task 1 line chart example

LINE GRAPHS

In this example, there is one pie chart so the only comparison needed is between the segments. However, in the exam there may be more than one pie chart to compare with similar or related data. You need to describe the largest/smallest segments, any similarities and any interesting data points. Consider:

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  • What does each slice represent? the number of students from a particular country studying in Florida, USA in 2018

  • Which categories are the largest and smallest? Chinese students make the largest category and British students make up the smallest. The largest category is quadruple the number of the smallest one

  • Are you comparing one chart or multiple charts? (just one chart)

  • If there are two time points, has the proportion of each category changed? (not applicable to this chart)

ielts academic task 1 writing pie chart example

PIE CHARTS

Tasks with tables of numerical information may or may not be presented with an additional table of related information, or a related graph. Think about the following:

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  • What are the categories and units of measurement? students from five different countries and the cost of international study

  • Which values are highest and lowest? the lowest is India in 2010, and the highest is China in 2020

  • Are there any clear patterns, increases, or decreases? The numbers for each country increase year-on-year, with China remaining the highest for each. India has the biggest increase overall

  • Are you comparing data across time or between groups? (both time and groups)

ielts academic task 1 writing table example

TABLES

Maps can show a variety of different areas, and are often presented as a before and after for comparison (as with the example here). You should describe major changes and the proximity of objects/buildings to each other. To plan your answer, think about the following:

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  • Are you comparing different time periods or different locations? different time periods (one current and one in the future)

  • What features have been added, demolished, or modified? the car park will be moved and expanded, the rough grass patch will be reduced in size and moved, making way for a larger pond that was originally central. The sandpit will also be reduced. The wooded area will stay the same size.

  • Have land uses or functions changed (e.g., from farmland to housing)? The function of the golf course will still be the same

  • Are there changes in infrastructure (roads, transport, buildings)? there will be no new roads or buildings

ielts academic writing task 1 map example

A map of a golf course in 2025 and the plans for 2030

MAPS

Flow diagrams (or process diagrams) show how something works or how it is made. You should describe this in a clear and logical way, thinking about:

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  • Where does the process start and end? it starts with the wheat being sown and ends when the bread is placed on shelves for sale

  • How many stages are there? there are twelve steps

  • Are there any decisions, loops, or branches in the process? each step follows the last with no detours or loops

  • Is the process cyclical (repeats like the water cycle) or linear (one direction like a food recipe)? it is linear as the end product cannot be used to begin again

ielts academic task 1 writing flow chart example

FLOW DIAGRAMS

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