The Complete Guide to IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

In academic IELTS, you will need to attend two types of Writing tasks, the first task is to describe the visuals such as Graphs, or Charts, and the second task is to respond to the subjective essay type questions. In this Blog, we will discuss the step by step approach to respond to the question.

Firstly, the task one is highly predictable, which means that the question is all about describing the visual image, and it can be any types of graphs including bar graph, line graphs, pie charts and Maps. Hence, it is important for the test takers to understand the format and style of writing to score good in the tasks. For this task, you are asked to describe the visuals using 150 words and it should be reporting style. The marking for this task depends on how accurately the information given in the visuals are reflected in our report. Accuracy is measured on the relevance of data or information provided in the visuals with the precise language. So, do not add any information, which is not a part of visual.  Further, it measures the English language skills based on your report writing. We have come across in our schools and colleges and familiar with the report writing format. However, it is advised to do some preparation by practicing different types of questions. Preparation I significant because you could avoid the hesitation of how to structure and what appropriate language styles and words required to describe the visuals. For instance, if the visual is a line chart, then it is about the indication of past, present or future trends. Therefore, to explain the trends, the ups and downs, we should be prepared with the right choice of words. By preparing for the line graph will help us to understand the different types of trends such as steady trends, increasing trends, decreasing, fluctuating and mix of all. So, learn to use to proper adjectives, for instance, dramatically increased, steep decline are the word choices that would get you an extra score. Similarly, for all sort of images, there are ways and word choice available as discussed for the line graph. For example, in case of pie charts, we need to use constitute, accounts for or contributes, therefore, the preparation on different types of visuals with the word choices and sentence formation to describe the data and information is the first step to improve your confidence to respond task 1.

While approaching the task, you should read the instruction and the visual titles. In most cases, the titles could help you to write a solid introduction about the topic. Moreover, you could go through templates to improvise your ability to introduce the topics. For instance, the reporting on what? When? And how the information’s are calibrated, whether in percentage, or in numbers and so on.

While practicing this task, write down the categories, units and information that are given in the visuals. The reason being that the information provided in the visuals can be anything including time data, trends, or flow charts tor the process charts that describe the series or steps or events and the numbers presented in different formats. Knowing the type of information helps to master the word choices precisely according to the given information. Once you master the word choices and structure, it is important to mange the time. This task should be completed in 20 minutes time and may need some editing finally, therefore, try to complete the tasks in 16-17 minutes and give enough time to edit and proofread it. Finally, practice a lot and use all the strategies and specific word choices while practicing, so that you could easily enhance your skills.

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