IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Tips Introduction The writing module of the IELTS exam can be one of the most difficult aspects of the entire IELTS test. It is critical to comprehend, that section one of the writing module is different for the various variants of the test (Academic and General Preparation). The tips below will help aspirants in figuring out what to expext in the Academic Task 1 for the IELTS exam. It will prepare them about what to expect on the test day and allow them to prepare for the exam and be successful in getting their student visa or achieve their other academic purposes. Types of tasks in section 1: Section one of the writing module of IELTS academic can have several different types of questions but overall they are divided in to three types of questions and depending upon the type of question, the candidate should include various aspects of details in the answer. • Charts • Processes • Maps Charts : The varieties under charts can include line graphs, bar diagrams, pie charts. There are chances that some tables are included with them. Therefore, the candidate is expected to describe the graph as well as table. The candidate should first mention in the introductory paragraph that what the graph is all about. Then, in the subsequent paragraphs, details about the numbers in the graphs and table(if applicable) should be included with focus on beginnings, trends, comparisons and endings.
Graph Introduction (Introduce the contents of the diagram by including data type, years, units of measurement) Body Paragraph 1
Detailed information Body Paragraph 2 Detailed information Conclusion Overall picture (highest and lowest figures/ number of steps involved)
SOLVED EXAMPLE : The chart below gives information on the percentage of British people giving money to charity by age range for the years 1990 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
The bar diagram presents insights into the proportion of Britons by age , donating money to charitable organisations in the year 1990 and 2010. To begin with, in the year 1990 the amount of donations showed continuous increase from age 18 to 50 and reached a peak of around 41% in the age group of 36 to 50 years and then formed a plateau. And, with increase in age beyond 50 years the amount of contributions towards charitable purposes showed a mild decline. Similarly, in 2010 the pattern followed the same trend as in 1990 and the percentage of charity showed a continuous increase from age 18 to 65 , but in comparison to 1990 the zenith level of contributions was reached in the age group of 51-65 and then , similar to 1990, there was a bit of decline. Overall, almost similar trend was observed in both the years from ages 18 to 15. But a significant point to note is that there was a trend reversal after the age of 50 , and the number of people donating in 2010 was more than the amount of population in 1990.
Processes : In these types of questions the candidates are presented with a picture with focus on conversion of something from one form to another. The whole process can be either divided in to several stages or shown as a snapshot of the working model of something. The candidate should first mention in the introductory paragraph that what the process is all about.Then, in the subsequent paragraphs, details about the stages in the picture should be included with focus on starting steps, movement from one stage to another and finishing steps.
Process Introduction (Introduce the contents of the diagram by including years, steps involved) Body Paragraph 1 -Detailed -Sequence of steps to complete the process
information
Body Paragraph 2 Detailed information Conclusion Overall picture (number of steps involved)
SOLVED EXAMPLE : The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building industry. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
The information illustrated in the pictorial representation gives insights into the step by step procedure followed for bricks building process for the construction businesses. To begin with, the process starts with digging of clay, a special type of mud which is sticky in nature and is used for pottery and making other things, by the digger. The clay dug from earth is passed over to a metal grid over a roller, to filter out the fine material from the raw stuff. The material so obtained is mixed with sand and water before passing through the moulding process, which shapes them into the structure of bricks. Each brick is separated from the other one, coming out of the mould, with the help of a wire cutter. In the further process, the bricks are collectively kept in a drying oven for 24 to 48 hours, to take out any extra moisture. After the drying process, the bricks are kept in two different chambers of different temperature ranges. The temperatures in those kilns vary from 200 degrees to 1300 degrees centigrade. Once, the heating process is over, then the bricks are allowed to cool down for 48 to 72 hours before being sent for packing and further for delivery to required sites. Overall, the process of bricks making is a collection of several steps and all steps are so
interlinked with each other that any lapses in one can ruin the quality of the final product.
Maps : In these types of questions the candidates are presented with a pictures with current and previous versions of the same place. Several points in the pictures remain unchanged and some points are converted totally. The candidate should first mention in the introductory paragraph that what the maps are all about.Then, in the subsequent paragraphs, details about the changes in the picture should be included with focus on changed points, unchanged points, totally new points.
Maps Introduction (Introduce the contents of the pictures by including years) Body Paragraph 1 Detailed information Body Paragraph 2 Detailed information Conclusion Overall picture (changed features, unchanged features (without explanation))
The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Answer: The two maps display an island before after it was developed for tourism. Overall, it is apparent that over the period, the island was completely transformed with addition of tourist facilities, however the eastern part of the island appears to be have left undeveloped. The island was just a barren land before development of tourists facilities, with some palm trees on the extreme west, overlooking the sea and beach on the north end. The central zone was completely free and few palm trees were also present in the eastern side of the beach.
The island on the whole underwent significant changes although the green areas remained at the same place. In the center, a reception area has been developed which was connected to a restaurant on the north and pier on the south with a newly constructed vehicle track, allowing yachts to access. Moreover, two accommodation areas have been built to east and west of the restaurant. All the accommodations were joined by a footpath which extends to the beach on the west side where tourists can do swimming. However, the extreme east side of the beach remains unaltered. Tips for writing IELTS Writing Academic Task 1 : 1. First go through the question in detail.
• Do not make any assumptions yourself. 2. Concluding paragraph.
• Always include a paragraph with focus on what most significant point of the diagrams are. • It is very important component, so do not miss it. 3. Never give your own opinion.
• The part is only about analyzing data given to you, so never give person advice or opinion and never make up your own data. 4. Use of appropriate Vocabulary
• Make us of words to describe patters, trends and other changes as per words mentioned below.
Vocabulary for Task 1 (Aca) Introduction • The given/provided/shown • diagram/diagrammatic representation/pictorial representation/illustration/pic chart/bar graph/bar chart/line graph/table/tabular representation
• shows/depicts/illustrates/reveals/describes/represents/reflects/gives information about Up Verbs Verbs soar leap Climb Rocket Surge
Example the use of water soared in March the prices leapt to 90% in one year populations climbed to over one million by 1980 use of cars rocketed in the first decade a surge of migration is seen in November
Down verbs Sink Slip back Dip Drop Plummet
The cost of housing sunk after 2008 Use of electricity slipped back to 50 in May Divorce rate dipped in the 60s A drop in crime can be seen last year Tourists to the city plummets after September
Adjectives of Degree Adjective Significant
Example Adverb A significant change Significantly
Dramatic Sudden Substantial Sharp
A dramatic shift A sudden rise A substantial gain A sharp decrease
Dramatically Suddenly Substantially Sharply
Example Changed significantly Sifts dramatically Has risen suddenly Gained substantially Had decreased sharply
Steady Adjectives Adjective Consistent Steady Constant
Example A consistent flow A steady movement Constant shift
Adverb Consistently Steadily Constantly
Example Flowed consistently Moved steadily Sifted constantly
Adjective Slight Gradual Marginal
Example A slight rise A gradual fall A marginal change
Adverb Slightly Gradually Marginally
Modest
A modest increase
Modestly
Example Rose slightly Has fallen gradually Had changed marginally Increases modestly
Small adjectives
These adjectives can be used to describes more general trends Adjective Upward Downward Overall
Example By looking at the five data points, there appears to be a clear upward pattern in prices Over the past quarter century there is a downward trend in use of pesticides The overall shift in the market seems to favour the use of nuclear power