This document provides an overview of the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, which involves summarizing information from diagrams. It discusses the different types of quantitative and picture diagrams commonly used, including line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, data tables, cycle diagrams, maps and objects. It outlines the analytical requirements such as comparison, contrast, composition and cause-and-effect analysis. Guidelines are provided for identifying major issues, selecting new vocabulary, and addressing the specific requirements of the question. The document recommends mastering the logic of each diagram type rather than memorizing templates.

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The Free School
IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1
Dr. Jay Jericho
jay@thefreeschool.education
Introduction
This document provides an overview of the Writing Task 1 component of the Academic
version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
This document is suitable for scholars who are able to read and write at the intermediate,
upper-intermediate and advanced levels. It is also suitable for qualified IELTS instructors
and trainee IELTS tutors.
Official IELTS materials in this document are reproduced under the fair use for education
purposes provisions of copyright laws. You may visit the School’s IELTS Academic
Writing Task 1 website at this link to access missing diagrams referred to in this
document:
http://www.thefreeschool.education/ielts-task-1.html

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This document contains six sections, in the following order:
Section 1: Example of an IELTS Academic writing task 1 exam question
Section 2: Quantitative data diagrams
Section 3: Picture diagrams
Section 4: Analytical requirements
Section 5: Analysis and discussion guidelines
Section 6: Study guidelines
Section 7: Further references

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Section 1: Example of an official IELTS Academic writing task 1 exam question
Source:
http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-sample-tests/writing-sample-test-1-
academic/writing-task-1

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All text shown in bold blue font on forthcoming pages
are a live internet web link that include an official
IELTS Writing Task 1 illustration diagram.

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Section 2: Quantitative data displays
There are seven main types of diagram used in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
1. Line graph
This diagram quantifies the movement of something being measured over time.
2. Bar graph
This diagram quantifies the size of something compared to other items being measured
using a diagram that has an X axis and a Y axis.
A stacked bar graph combines two or more quantitative items of analysis within each
bar.
3. Pie chart
This diagram quantifies the comparative size of two or more items by showing the
proportion of a circle ('pie') that each item being measured comprises relative to others in
that data set.

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4. Data table
This diagram uses column and row headers to classify and analyze data from a data set.
This data may be qualitative (text) or quantitative. This example summarizes quantitative
data.
Source: IELTS
Sometimes IELTS combine quantitative diagrams to form one data set that requires
analysis.
Examples:
Example 1: pie chart and bar graph

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Example 2: pie chart and data table
Source: IELTS

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Section 3: Picture diagrams
5. Cycle diagram
This diagram uses an illustration to show the logical flow of a process, usually from start
to completion.
6. Maps
This diagram uses a picture model to illustrate a geographic location.
Source: IELTS

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7. Objects
This diagram uses a picture illustration to show an item which may be living or non-
living.
Combination picture diagram example:
Cycle and object
Section 4: Analytical requirements
Most IELTS Academic task 1questions requires you to do one or more of the following:
1. Comparison analysis
Discuss similarities.
Example: Comparing radio and television audiences by time of day
Major similarity: both have very low audiences (less than 10%) between 2am and 6am.

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2. Contrast analysis
Discuss differences.
Example: Contrasting radio and television audiences by time of day
3. Composition analysis
Discuss the various individual parts that comprise the whole.
Example: Analysis of cultural leisure activities by gender
4. Cause-and-effect analysis
Explain why a particular event is the driver of an outcome.
This question may require you to analyze a picture diagram or a quantitative diagram.
Please do not be intimated. You do not require special technical knowledge or training.
You should use your analysis skills to identify how an event is a factor that drives an
outcome. The answer is in the diagram.
Example: There are three major causes of global land degradation

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5. Logic analysis
Explain why a person or persons has designed a process or object in a particular way.
This question may use a picture diagram and does not require technical knowledge. You
need to identify the start and end of the cycle/process. You then need to discuss these
stages in a logical order, using your own vocabulary, as guided by the stated question.
Example: The logic behind the design of a structure - ventilation and heating
Section 5: Analysis and discussion guidelines
1. Essential to identify all major issues
Most diagrams require you to identify at least two major features to earn a minimum
band score of 6.5 for the Task Achievement part of your score.
Example:
Consumption of hamburgers and pizza in Australia from 1975 to circa 1995 both
record an upward trend

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The consumption of fish and chips in Australia from 1975 to 2000 reports a downward
trend.
2. Advantageous to identify a third and possibly a fourth discussion point
As a general rule, most IELTS picture diagrams and quantitative data analysis diagrams
include at least two major points that you are expected to discuss in addition to a third
point that is worthy of comment, if you have the time to do so.
Using this method that seeks out 3 or 4 discussion points may be useful in cases where
you struggle to meet the minimum word count limit required of the question.
Please make sure that you discuss the two most obvious (i.e. dominant) patterns first.
Only discuss a third and a fourth major point of analysis if you have sufficient time.
Note: IELTS do not impose upper word limits on answers in this section.
Example: third discussion point
Consumption of hamburgers and pizza in Australia from 1995 to circa 2000 are
both flat.

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3. Select new vocabulary
You will receive a higher band score if you use your own vocabulary to discuss words
that appear in the question and images. You may do so by selecting a suitable synonym
from your vocabulary.
For example, the heading of a diagram may state “Analysis of Average Income by
Gender from 2000 to 2017”. In your discussion, you may state “This graph quantitatively
compares mean earnings for men and women during the new millennium”.
Section 6: Study guidelines
You should aim to master the logic that underpins each diagram/picture. Always address
the requirements stated in the question on a case-by-case basis.
The writing task 1 diagram that you must discuss in an IELTS exam may not match the
format and structure of any diagrams that you have seen in IELTS’s official exam
practice materials. You should therefore not memorize a template answer formula as a
strategy to prepare for Academic writing task 1.

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New example: IELTS may combine a bar graph with a line graph.
New example: IELTS may include three diagrams/pictures in one question.
New example: IELTS may include four diagrams/pictures in one question.
New example: Some IELTS bar graphs place the bars on the Y axis.
New example: Most IELTS bar graphs place the bars on the x axis.
New example: IELTS sometimes use three dimensional bar graph diagrams
Section 6: Further reading
These resources listed overleaf are available YouTube subscriber name The Free School.

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http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html
http://www.thefreeschool.education/motivation-letters.html

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http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html
http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html

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http://www.thefreeschool.education/writing-center.html
http://www.thefreeschool.education/finances.html

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http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html
http://chat.thefreeschool.education/