The IELTS Writing Task 1 challenges students to describe a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, table, map, or flow diagram. The line graph is the most common, so it features most prominently in this PPT. Check out http://www.ted-ielts.com for more IELTS writing guides and tips.

1. An overviewIELTS WRITING TASK 1

2. This part of the IELTS exam is intended to test how
well you can:
 Organize your ideas
 Respond appropriately to a task
 Use a range of grammar and vocabulary with
accuracy
PURPOSE

3. You need to look at one of the following:
 Table
 Graph
 Chart
 Map
 Process diagram
And describe what you see. You must select and report the main
features, making comparisons where necessary.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

4. 150
This is the minimum number of words you should write,
but don’t go too far over.
20
This is the recommended number of minutes
you should spend on task 1.

5. What you
might
need to
describe.
EXAMPLES

6. Here is a sample task 1 question:
EXAMPLE
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type
of fast food consumed by Australian teenagers from 1975 to
2000.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the
main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

7. Here is a sample line graph that accompanies the question:
EXAMPLE

8.  The question will
appear above.
 The graph will
appear below.
EXAMPLE

9. MORE EXAMPLES

10. Title
Legend
X and Y
axis
Lines
Units
Pay attention to
the key features.

11. Pie charts:
OTHER EXAMPLES

12. Bar charts:
OTHER EXAMPLES

13. Maps:
OTHER EXAMPLES

14. Process diagrams:
OTHER EXAMPLES

15. Mixed:
OTHER EXAMPLES

16. How to
answer the
question
fully
WHAT TO DO

17. You will always be required to describe what you see. You
should:
 Report the main features
 Look for trends
 Make comparisons
Don’t:
 Describe everything
 Add anything extra
TASK ACHIEVEMENT

18. The structure for task one is simple:
 Introduction
 Paraphrase the question
 Describe the general trend
 Paragraph 1
 Describe some of the important data
 Paragraph 2
 Describe the rest of the important data
STRUCTURE
There are many ways
to group the data. Pay
attention to trends
and categories.

19. What is important? Let’s look at an example:
WHAT TO DESCRIBE
Highs
Lows
Sharp
Rises
Falls

20. When you have identified the key features and trends, you need
to choose which to include and prepare a structure.
HOW TO DESCRIBE

21. To structure this, you could describe one line for each
paragraph as there are only two lines.
HOW TO DESCRIBE
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2

22. You should use appropriate language:
HOW TO DESCRIBE
Remember:
adjective + noun
(a sharp rise)
(a steady fall)
verb + adverb
(rise sharply)
(fall steadily)

23.  Line graphs are the most common, but pie charts, tables, and
bar charts are also frequently included.
 Maps and process diagrams are less common, but sometimes
appear. Be prepared.
 The language required for all of these is slightly different.
 Always use formal language and avoid personal pronouns (I,
you, we, she, etc).
NOTES

24. Good luck with your IELTS Writing Task 1. Check out my IELTS
website, which uses TED Talk videos to help you improve your
IELTS score.
THE END