Writing
Describing a chart, graph, table, map or process in 150 words. Academic module only. With a practice exercise.
IELTS Academic Task 1 gives you a chart, graph, table, map or process and twenty minutes to describe it in at least 150 words. It is worth a third of your writing band, and it is the paper candidates most often misunderstand.
The misunderstanding is simple. Task 1 asks you to report what the data shows. It does not ask why, it does not ask for your opinion, and giving either is one of the fastest ways to lose marks under Task Achievement.
The question types
Five types. The approach is the same; what changes is the language.
Data over time. You describe trends: what rose, what fell, what stayed level, and where the peaks and lows were. The commonest type by far.
Usually comparison between categories, sometimes over time as well. You describe the largest, the smallest and the notable differences.
Raw numbers with no shape drawn for you, which makes it harder. You have to find the pattern yourself before you write anything.
Proportions of a whole. Percentages and fractions carry the description, and two pie charts usually means comparing two points in time.
A map shows change to a place over time. A process shows stages in a sequence, and takes the passive and sequencing language rather than trend language.
Common, and it catches people. You must cover both and, where possible, connect them rather than describing each in isolation.
Method
Four paragraphs, twenty minutes, and two things never to include.
Paraphrase the question. Do not copy it, because copied words are excluded from your word count and score nothing.
The most important paragraph. State the two or three biggest features without numbers. An answer with no overview cannot reach Band 6 for Task Achievement.
Group the data logically, then support each group with specific figures. Do not describe every number; select what matters.
The chart shows what happened. Why it happened is not in the data, and speculating about it is outside the task.
No it is worrying that, no in my view. Task 1 is a report, and opinion belongs in Task 2.
Task 2 is worth twice as much. Candidates who overrun on Task 1 lose more than they gain.
Practice
Decisions about what belongs in a Task 1 answer.
The line graph below shows electricity generation from renewable sources in four countries between 2000 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
You have twenty minutes and must write at least 150 words.
1Which sentence belongs in the overview?
B. The overview states the biggest features without specific figures. A belongs in a body paragraph, C speculates about cause, and D gives an opinion.
2Which sentence should not appear at all?
C. The graph shows what happened, not why. Explaining causes is outside the task and does not earn marks.
3How many paragraphs should a Task 1 answer have?
Four. Introduction, overview, and two body paragraphs. The overview is the one candidates most often leave out, and its absence caps Task Achievement.
4You have described every figure on the graph and reached 260 words. What is the problem?
You have not selected. The instruction says select and report the main features. Listing everything shows no judgement and takes time from Task 2.
5How long should you spend on Task 1?
About twenty minutes. Task 2 carries twice the marks, so it gets the other forty.
It is the commonest reason an otherwise competent Task 1 answer scores Band 5 for Task Achievement, and candidates rarely realise they have omitted it.
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Knowing the structure is straightforward. Whether your selection of features is the right one is a judgement an examiner makes.
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A 150-word report describing a chart, graph, table, map or process, written in about twenty minutes. It is worth a third of your writing band.
No. Task 1 is a report of what the data shows. Opinions belong in Task 2, and giving one in Task 1 costs marks under Task Achievement.
No. The chart shows what happened, not why. Speculating about causes is outside the task and earns nothing.
Two sentences stating the biggest features without specific numbers. It is required: an answer without one cannot reach Band 6 for Task Achievement.
No. General Training Task 1 is a letter. The chart description is Academic only.
Full membership
Anyone can list numbers. Choosing which features matter, and whether you chose the right ones, is the judgement an examiner brings.
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