Test takers often struggle with deciding what to present and how to present it in an IELTS

Academic Writing Task 1 response.

Today we will take a closer look at IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, task achievement, and
the features you need to include in your response to get band 7 or above.

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you will be shown a diagram, a visual way to represent
information. You may be shown one or more than one diagram. This visual information can
be shown as a:

 Table
 Chart
 Diagram
 Process
 Graph
 Map

You will also be given the following instructions:

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.

You will need to do an information transfer task – the visual information you are given needs
to be presented in the form of text.

As part of the task, you will need to:

1. Write an introduction
2. Write an overview (a summary of what you see)
3. Present and highlight the key features with figures (data)

Let’s take a closer look at the last three points – the introduction, the overview and the key
features that need to be presented.

Write an introduction
The reason for an introduction is to tell the examiner what you are going to write about. It is
basically the question paraphrased. For example, what the visual diagram is, the data
source and when the data was collected.

The introduction:

 Can be one sentence

 Is the question rewritten into your own words (paraphrased)

Remember, if there are two diagrams in your task, you need to introduce both. This can be
done in one or two sentences.

DO DON'T

Present irrelevant
information (E.g. the x-axis,
the y-axis, the grey line
represents female
unemployment, the black
Write a clear introduction to describe what you see. triangle is males)

Paraphrase the question prompt. Use synonyms and

phrases for non-key information. (E.g. unemployed = people Copy the question prompt
who are unemployed / 1970-2000 = over three decades from word-for-word (E.g. phrases
1970 to 2000.) from the question)

Change the keywords in the

question to inaccurate
synonyms
(E.g. unemployed females
Use keywords in your introduction (E.g. dates, times, in Australia to
countries, genders). unemployed girls in Oz.)

Introduce all charts, diagrams or tables.

Let’s look at some sample introductions and see how you might introduce them if you apply
the above tips.
 The table illustrates employment numbers in Australia over a thirty-year
Table period from 1970 to 2000.

The chart compares the number of cars that were made in France,
Chart Germany and Norway over a decade from 2000 to 2010.

Diagram The diagram shows how car parts are assembled.

Process The cycle shows how man-made fibres are produced.

The maps illustrate changes in an English village over a century from 1915
Map to 2015.

The graph presents data from Ireland showing cinema attendance in major
Graph cities in 2016.

The pie charts show the main energy resources used to generate power in
Two a town in Australia, while the table shows how much energy was
charts consumed by the community in 1989.

The overview
The overview in your response should summarise what you see in the visual diagram. It
should summarise the main:

 Trends
 Changes
 Developments
 Stages
 Noticeable features

You need to present a clear overview to reach a band 7 and higher. Let’s take a closer look
at the task achievement band descriptors to see how important a clear overview is in IELTS
Academic Writing Task 1.

Band descriptors - Task achievement

 Presents a clear overview of main
Band 7 trends, differences or stages

Presents an overview with

Band 6 information appropriately selected

Recounts detail mechanically

Band 5 with no clear overview

DO DON'T

Include data or figures in your

Use linking words to summarise what you see. (E.g. overview. Only include a summary
Overall, To summarise, In summary) of the main trends or features.

Identify everything in the overview.

Look for trends in the diagram(s). Is there an overall It should just be a summary
increase, decrease or fluctuation in the visual diagram? statement of the most noticeable
Are there any high or low points? Is it stable? features in the diagram.

If the visual diagram shows future predictions, summarise Highlight key features with data
the future trends in your overview. (figures).

Highlight any change in the overall trend of the visual

diagram. (For example, a dip)

If we apply the above tips, here are some examples of how an overview might look.

Introduction | Overview

The table illustrates employment numbers in Australia over a thirty-year period from
1970 to 2000.
Overall, it can be clearly seen that the numbers of people employed have increased
Table over the period, whereas the unemployed figures have remained stable.

The chart compares the number of cars that were made in France, Germany and
Norway over a decade from 2000 to 2010.
In brief, Germany was the major producer of vehicles over this period followed by
Chart France and Norway.
 The diagram shows how car parts are assembled.
It can be seen that there are four main stages to car manufacturing. To be specific,
Diagram these are moulding, machining, joining and shearing.

The process shows how man-made fibres are produced.

It can clearly be seen that there are six steps involved in the production of cloth
Process starting with the raw materials and ending with the final product.

The maps illustrate changes in an English village over a century from 1915 to 2015.
In summary, in one hundred years, the village has experienced major changes
Map transforming it from a small farming village to an industrial town.

The graph presents data from Ireland showing cinema attendance in major cities in
2016.
To summarise, it can be seen that the younger age groups visit the cinema most,
Graph whereas older people rarely attend.

The pie charts show the main energy resources used to generate power in a town in
Australia, while the chart shows how much energy was consumed by the community
in 1989.
Two Overall, by looking at the charts it can be seen that oil is used the most as an
charts energy source in this town and that most power is required for domestic cooling.

Key features
In your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 response, you must present the key
features and use data to support your description.

The key features are the features that stand out the most in the diagram. For example, if a
diagram shows 5 countries, then these 5 countries are the key features. If you miss a
country, your description will be incomplete, and you will receive a band 4.

If we look at the band descriptors below, you will notice that you need to clearly present all
key features to achieve a band 7 or higher.

Band 7 Clearly presents and highlights key features

 Band 6 Presents and adequately highlights key features

Band 5 Presents, but inadequately covers, key features

Band 4 Attempts to address the task but does not cover all key features

The table below outlines examples of visual diagrams and what the key features may be for
each.

Visual Key features

 5 age groups
 Major trends
 Outstanding figures (E.g. highs, lows)
 Two years
Graph showing 5 age groups over two years

 5 different types of fuel

 Major fuel type
Pie chart showing 5 types of fuel

 2 maps
 Things that have remained the same
 Things that have changed (E.g. location,
renovation, removal)
 Things that are new (E.g. building, roads,
Map showing a town 50 years ago and a facilities)
town now

 Each of the 7 stages

 Any extra step that is part of the process
Process showing 7 stages
  Three products
 Three years
 Numbers that are noticeable (E.g. highest,
lowest, unusual trends)
Chart showing three products over 3 years

To successfully address the task, you need to:

 Describe the key features in the visual diagram
 Use data from the visual diagram to support each key feature (E.g. figures, numbers,
percentages, buildings, structures, rooms)

If you do not use data in the visual diagram to support the key features, your response will
match the band 5 description.

Band (Academic) recounts detail mechanically with no clear overview; there may be no
5 data to support the description

What data should you present to get a band 7 or higher?

 Supporting data for each element (E.g. age groups, products, years)
 Noticeable figures that stand out (E.g. Highs, lows, fluctuation or period of stability)
 Figures that have increased or decreased
 Figures that have not changed at all, that remain the same
 Names of buildings on a map (E.g. Shop, post office, library)
 Roads, pathways or bridges shown on a map
 Things that have changed within the visual diagram (E.g location, renovation, removal)
 Things that are new (E.g. buildings, roads, facilities)
 Each stage in a process
 Any extra step that may be part of a process
 The materials or equipment used in the process
DO DON'T

Present the data mechanically (E.g. In

1992, it was 2%. In 1993, it was 3%.
Present the figures given in the visual diagram And in 1994, it was 6%...)
 Present the correct number scale shown on the visual Present data inaccurately. Make sure
diagram (E.g. hundreds, thousands, ten-thousand, you read the Y-axis carefully to see
hundred-thousand, millions, tonnes) what data is shown.

Use calculations to respond to the

Write the correct number format when presenting task (E.g. calculate averages, add or
figures from the visual diagram (E.g. 100; 1,000; subtract numbers). Remember to
10,000; 100,000; 1,000,000) present the data as given.

Misread the data and present it

Use the correct data set represented in the visual incorrectly. (For example, saying
diagram (E.g. percentage, number, barrels per day, females instead of males - 72% of
grams, kilograms, people) females play football)

To recap on what we have learned here today, remember these three things, and you’ll be
on your way to achieving a band 7 or higher in task achievement IELTS Academic Writing
Task 1.
1. Write a clear introduction. But don’t copy the question.
2. Write a clear summary of what you see in the overview
3. Present and highlight all the key features with figures (data)

And remember, Academic Task 1 does NOT need a conclusion.

IELTS practice Academic Writing test - Task 1

Task 1

The graph below shows the proportion of four different materials that were recycled
from 1982 to 2010 in a particular country.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

IELTS practice Academic Writing test - Task 2

Task 2

Write about the following topic:

Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local
languages. If these are not taught, many are at risk of dying out.

In your opinion, is it important for everyone to learn English? Should we try to ensure
the survival of local languages and, if so, how?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.