IELTS WRITING – TASK 1

LESSON 2: BODY STRUCTURES OF WRITING TASK 1

 • Structure of Writing Task 1
I

• Steps to write Task 1

II

• Practice
III
 I. STRUCTURE OF WRITING TASK 1
Map (bản đồ)

• 1 sentence
A writing Task 1:
Introduction • Paraphrase the topic
⮚ Has 4 main parts
⮚ Should be finished within 20
minutes • 1-2 sentences
Overview • Summarize the main features

• 3-4 sentences
Detail 1 • Key information, data points & comparisons

• 3-4 sentences
Detail 2 • Key information, data points & comparisons
II. STEPS TO WRITE TASK 1
Map (bản đồ)
⮚ 4 STEPS should be used to fulfill Task 1 successfully

Grouping
information
Build up ideas and write 2
& write detail bodies
Overview (5 (10 mins)
mins)
Step 2:
Paraphrase the
topic & write
Introduction (2
mins)
Step 1: Topic
analysis (1-2
mins)
II. STEPS TO WRITE TASK 1
Map (bản đồ)
1. Step 1: Topic analysis
⮚ Spend 1-2 minutes on this step by answering below questions:
✔ What is the main subject?
✔ What is the unit used in the chart?
✔ Are the any specific time or period of time?
What tense should be used?

Example:

✔ The main subject is The number of males

and females involved in fitness activities

✔ The units are people, men, women

✔ The period is from 1970-2000 => Simple

past tense
II. STEPS TO WRITE TASK 1
Distinguish some common subjects used in charts: The number of…, the amount of…, The proportion of…
Subject Example

The number of + Countable noun (plural) + V The number of students of Patado

(singular) increases by about 1000 students every year.

The amount of + Uncountable noun + V The amount of electricity produced from nuclear
(singular) power increased gradually to 2 million KWh.

The percentage of + Noun (countable or The percentage of electricity produced from

uncountable) + V (singular) nuclear power increased by 10% in 2010.

The proportion of + Noun (countable or The proportion of boys joining Math classes is
uncountable) + V (singular) 10% higher than that of girls.

The figure(s) for + Noun (countable or - The figure for visitors to Vietnam was 20 million
uncountable) + V (singular/plural) in 2015.
- The figure for unemployment in Vietnam was
over 15 thousand people in 2010.
PRACTICE STEP 1

❖ What is the main subject?

❖ What is the unit used in the chart?
❖ Are the any specific time or period of
time? What tense should be used?
PRACTICE STEP 1

❖ What is the main subject?

❖ What is the unit used in the chart?
❖ Are the any specific time or period of
time? What tense should be used?
PRACTICE STEP 1

❖ What is the main subject?

❖ What is the unit used in the chart?
❖ Are the any specific time or period of
time? What tense should be used?
 II. STEPS TO WRITE TASK 1
2. Step 2: Paraphrase the topic & write Introduction Map (bản đồ)
The Introduction’s content is the answer for below question:
✔ What is presented in the chart?
⇒ Write your Introduction with one sentence using paraphrasing words.

Example:
“The chart shows the average number
of commuters travelling each day by car,
bus or train in the UK between 1970 and 2000.”
Let’s analyze the topic
=> Final Introduction
“The chart illustrates how many people
commuted daily by three different means
of transport in the UK over a period of 30
years.”

“The chart illustrates how many people

commuted daily by three different means
of transport in the UK over a period of 30
years.”
 Tips to paraphrase the topic.
Map (bản đồ)
Paraphrasing types Example
the number of + countable noun (plural) The chart shows the number of young males and females playing sports in 2000.
= how many + countable noun (plural) + verb = The chart shows how many young men and women played sports in 2000.

the amount of + uncountable noun The chart illustrates the amount of electricity produced from three sources in 2010.
= how much + uncountable noun + verb = The chart illustrates how much electricity was produced from three sources in
2010.

the percentage of + noun (countable or uncountable) The chart shows the percentage of men and women participating in soccer.
= the proportion of + noun (countable or uncountable) = The chart illustrates the proportion of male and female participants in soccer.

the figure/figures for + N (countable or uncountable) - The chart shows the number of young males and females playing sports in
2000.
= The chart shows figures for young men and women playing sports in 2000.
- The chart illustrates the amount of electricity produced from three sources in 2010.
= The chart illustrates figures for electricity production from three sources in 2010.
- The chart shows the percentage of women participating in soccer.
=> The chart illustrates figures for soccer participation among females.
Practice Step 2 Map (bản đồ)
Paraphrase the topics below:
1. The line graph shows the information for Internet users as percentage of population in three
countries from 1999 to 2009.
.................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................
2. The graph below shows the number of Asian elephants between 1994 and 2007.
.................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................
3. The bar chart below shows shares of expenditure for five major categories in the United States,
Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan in the year 2009.
.................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................
4. The pie charts below show electricity generation by source in New Zealand in 1980 and 2010.
.................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................
5. The table below gives information on consumer spending on different items in five different countries
in 2002.
.................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................
II. STEPS TO WRITE TASK 1
Map (bản đồ)
3. Step 3: Build up ideas & write Overview

⮚ Find 1-2 most noticeable features in the chart (The lowest point, the trend of the chart,…)
⮚ Write 1-2 sentences to summarize those two features
⮚ Not mention numbers or specific data in Overview part (Leave them in the main bodies)
Useful phrases: “Overall, It is evident/ obvious/ apparent/ clear that…”

Notes:
Do not use Subject pronoun “As you can see from the chart,…” or “We can see that…”
II. STEPS TO WRITE TASK 1
Map (bản đồ)
4. Step 4: Grouping information into 2 main bodies.

⮚ In Task 1, it requires “Summarize the information by selecting and reporting

the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.”
⮚ Students need to focus on “selecting and reporting the main features” &
“make comparisons where relevant”
Notes:
Do not add all the numbers & data into your Writing
 Map (bản đồ)

HOMEWORK
Thank you!