In Academic Writing Task 1 you describe a visual (a graph, chart, table, diagram or map) in at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. It is a short report: no opinions, no causes, just the most important information, clearly organised.
This page explains the approach that works for every Task 1 question. Then choose your chart type below for a full guide with a practice question, a 20-minute writing editor and a Band 8 model answer.
Choose your chart type#
| Chart type | What it shows | Key skill | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar chart | Amounts in different categories | Comparing | Bar chart guide |
| Line graph | Change over time | Describing trends | Line graph guide |
| Pie chart | Proportions of a whole | Fractions and shares | Pie chart guide |
| Table | Lots of exact figures | Selecting data | Table guide |
| Process diagram | Stages of how something is made or works | Passive voice, sequencing | Process guide |
| Map | How a place changed | Location and change language | Map guide |
Some questions combine two visuals (for example a line graph and a table). Use the same structure, and make sure your overview covers both.
How Task 1 is marked#
Task 1 counts for one third of your Writing score. Examiners use four criteria, each worth 25%:
- Task Achievement: Is there a clear overview? Are the key features selected and supported with accurate data?
- Coherence and Cohesion: Is the information logically grouped into paragraphs, with clear linking?
- Lexical Resource: Is the vocabulary precise and varied (rose sharply, accounted for, was replaced by)?
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Is there a mix of simple and complex sentences, with few errors?
The single most important point: without an overview, Task Achievement is usually limited to Band 5, however good the rest is.
The 4-paragraph structure#
| Paragraph | What to write | Example (line graph) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduction | Paraphrase the question: what, where, when | The line graph shows the number of people who visited three museums in Riverton between 2000 and 2020. |
| 2. Overview | The 2–3 main features, no numbers | Overall, visitor numbers at two museums rose, whereas the third became steadily less popular. |
| 3. Body 1 | First group of details with figures | Start points, the first museum’s changes |
| 4. Body 2 | Second group of details with figures | The biggest change, the decline |
Aim for about 160–190 words. Writing much more takes time from Task 2, which is worth twice as much.
How to write a strong overview#
- Ask: what would I tell someone about this chart in one breath? That’s your overview.
- Look for the biggest, smallest, highest, lowest, and the general direction (up, down, stable).
- Start with Overall, or In general, and write two sentences, no numbers.
- Put it right after the introduction, so the examiner can’t miss it.
How to choose which numbers to use#
You don’t need every figure. Choose the extremes (highest and lowest), the start and end of any trend, turning points (peaks, crossings) and exceptions that break the pattern. Group similar figures together (between 3 and 5 hours in every group). Approximations are fine, but they must be true: 32% is almost a third, not nearly half.
Task 1 vocabulary#
Trends (line graphs, bar charts over time)#
| Up | Down | Other |
|---|---|---|
| rose, increased, climbed, grew | fell, declined, dropped, decreased | fluctuated, remained stable, levelled off |
| a rise / an increase / growth in | a fall / a decline / a drop in | peaked at, hit a low of, overtook |
Add an adverb for size and speed: sharply, dramatically, significantly, steadily, gradually, slightly.
Comparisons (bar charts, tables)#
twice as many as · three times higher than · slightly more than · considerably lower than · by far the highest · whereas · by contrast · similar to
Proportions (pie charts, percentages)#
a quarter (25%) · almost a third (32%) · just over half (52%) · the majority · a small minority · accounted for · made up · the share of
Processes and maps#
is collected → is sorted → is melted (passive) · first, next, after which, finally · has been replaced by · was demolished · to make way for · in the north-west of
Common Task 1 mistakes#
- No overview, or an overview hidden at the end.
- Listing every number instead of selecting and comparing.
- Giving opinions or reasons (“because people prefer…”). Task 1 is a factual report.
- Copying the question word for word in the introduction. Paraphrase it.
- Wrong tense: past data needs past tenses; maps from a past date to today need the present perfect.
- Writing under 150 words, which is penalised. Count your words while you practise.
Practise#
Pick a chart type from the table above, set the 20-minute timer in the editor and write your answer before you look at the model. For extra help with language, see how to describe trends, select data points, see the big picture, compare and contrast and choose the right tense. You can check your length with our IELTS word counter.
FAQ#
How many words should I write for Task 1?#
At least 150. Most Band 7–8 answers are about 160–190 words. Writing more than about 200 words usually doesn’t raise your score and takes time from Task 2.
How long should I spend on Task 1?#
About 20 minutes, including 2–3 minutes to study the chart and plan. Task 2 is worth twice as much, so don’t let Task 1 run over.
Do I need a conclusion in Task 1?#
No. You need an overview, which summarises the main features. You can put it after the introduction (recommended) or at the end, but don’t add opinions.
Is General Training Task 1 the same?#
No. General Training Task 1 is a letter. See our IELTS letter writing guide.