VPN is on your system. Please stop it before use this website.

IELTS Writing Task 1 is a task in which you have to write a summary of at least 150 words about some information given in the form of a graph, chart, or diagram. You must select the main features and describe and compare the data.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Types of Questions

There are two categories of task one

1. Data Base
2. Informative questions

In Data base question there are 4 kinds of questions. These are:

1. Line Chart/Graph
2. Bar Chart/Graph
3. Pie Chart/Graph
4. Table Chart

In Informative there are again 4 types of questions. These are:

1. Process chart
2. Flow chart
3. Life cycle
4. Map

Format of task one

Paragraph 1- Introduction

Paragraph 2- Overview

Paragraph 3- Details

Paragraph 4- Details

Paragraph 1 (Introduction)

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Paragraph 2 (Overview)

Sentence 1- Overview of first main feature

Sentence 2- Overview of second main feature

Sentence 3- Make general comparison, if appropriate

Paragraph 3 (Details of significant feature 1)

Sentence 1- Supporting details

Sentence 2- Supporting details

Sentence 3- Supporting details/comparison details, if appropriate

Paragraph 4 (Details of significant feature 2)

Sentence 1- Supporting details

Sentence 2- Supporting details

Structure of introduction of task one

In introduction should write about what the line/pie/bar/table talks about. Preferably, we have to write what/when and where just write 1-2 sentences that state what the IELTS writing task 1 depicts. You need to do this by paraphrasing the graph.

For example

The question says:

The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type of fast food consumed by Australian teenagers from 1975 to 2000.

And you can paraphrase the question by saying:

The line graph compares the fast food consumption for a period of 25 years between 1975 and 2000, of teenagers in Australia

In this way, you have managed to say the same thing as the title, but in a different way as per question statement.

For paraphrasing you can use

1. Change introductory expressions

The graph/chart/table/diagram

• gives information about/on
• provides information about/on
• shows
• illustrates
• represents
• depicts
• compares 

1. Paraphrasing

You can rewrite a phrase by using the word how:

• shows the number of people ... = shows how many people ...
• depicts changes in spending on ... = depicts how much changed spending on ...

You can rewrite a phrase by using synonyms:

• number of = quantity of (not interchangeable with amount of)
• spending = expenditure
• rate = percentage
• ratio = proportion
• information = data
• change can be sometimes replaced by increase, decrease or variation
• share = portion
• place = site

1. Time periods
   • from 1985 to 1995 = between 1985 and 1995
   • in 1985 = in the year 1985
   • in 1985 and 1995 = in 1985 and 1995 respectively = in the years 1985 and 1995

Examples:

• The table shows consumption rates from 2001 to 2004.
• The graph shows consumption rates in 2012 and 2015

What is an overview?

We need to provide a short summary of the main features in the overview paragraph by picking out 2-3 of the most significant things you can see and writing them in general terms. Generally, do not support anything with data from the graph or chart, write about what you can see without data.

The overview should be the second paragraph of a four-paragraph structure.

Some examples of task one

Question1.

The pie charts show information about energy production in a country in two separate years.

 

The pie charts detail the distribution of various energy sources in a given nation in the years 1995 and 2005.

Overall, it is readily apparent that production of two main energies (coal and gas) rose marginally, while petrol declined considerably. ‘Other’ and nuclear production also grew greatly, despite remaining less popular in both years.

In 1995, coal, gas, and petrol were roughly equal in terms of energy production with each slightly above 29%. By 2005, the figures for coal and gas had risen moderately (30.93% and 30.31%, respectively) while petrol exploitation declined to represent just 19.55% of all sources.

The data for the remaining categories was considerably lower with ‘other’ accounting for 4.9% of energy production to begin the period and nuclear noticeably higher at 6.4%. By 2005, ‘other’ had narrowed the disparity and nearly doubled to 9.1% as nuclear energy use grew more slowly to reach 10.1%.

Question 2.

The pie charts below show the percentage of time working adults spent on different activities in a particular country in 1958 and 2008.

 

The pie chart gives information about the proportion of time working adults spent on several activities in one country in 1958 and 2008.

Overall, the most popular activity spending for adults was working, while the lowest was in other interests or playing sports and going out with friends at the end of the period.

In 1958, people spent 33% of time working and increased to 42% in 2008, the highest among all categories. While, Sleeping was the second most popular activity in 1958 by 32%, this figure dropped to 25% in 2008.

Regarding to relaxing at home, this proportion stood at 8% in the beginning of the period, before rose slightly to 13% in 2008. Similarly, people who spent their time going out with friends or family started by 19% in 1958, and then declined to double in 2008. However, the number of people who spent time doing other interests or playing sports, and travel to work was witnessed as the least favorite activity among all categories.

Informative type of task one

Different Types of Process Questions

There are generally two different types of process questions: natural and man-made.

Natural processes include things like the life cycle of a butterfly or frog, pregnancy, the water cycle or how cows produce milk.

You might also be asked to describe a man-made process like how coffee, tea, beer or wine are made, how cement or bricks are produced or how an ATM or the internet works.

It does not matter if it is man-made or a natural process. The same skills and system we use to answer process questions are the same for both.

Writing Task 1 Process Questions: 5 Step Plan

To understand the task and quickly make a plan to answer process questions you should follow the 5 steps below:

1. Understand the process. Find the start and the end of the process. Count how many stages there are and understand what each stage does and the relationship it has with the stage before and after it.
2. Paraphrase the question.
3. Describe what is happening generally in 2 sentences in overview paragraph .
4. Divide the process in two and write two separate paragraphs detailing each stage of the process.
5. Check your work.

Some examples of task one informative

Question1.

The diagram details the process of making smoked fish.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The process details the steps by which smoked fish is produced.

Overall, it is readily apparent that smoking fish can be divided into 3 main stages beginning with catching and transportation, followed by storage and processing, and finally further storage and transportation to fish shops for retail.

The process commences when fish are caught in nets and then transported by boat to a port. From this point, they are frozen and then later undergo a thawing process in fresh water. The next stage is to slice open the fish and put them in a salt water solution that also contains some amount of yellow coloring. Following this, the actual smoking takes place.

After smoking, the fish are packaged in boxes and frozen at zero degrees centigrade in larger containers. They are finally grouped into cold storage bins and distributed by truck to shops to sell to consumers.

Question 2.

The diagram details the process of making leather products.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The diagram details the process by which leather products are made for retail.

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are 3 main steps to this entirely man-made process beginning with initial transportation of the raw material to the factory, followed by preparation and processing of the material, and finally the production of consumer products.

Firstly, the leather skins from various animals are dried. Subsequent to this, they are taken to a factory by truck where they are washed in water and lime. The skins are then soaked in more lime for a period of time before being run through a machine with large rollers that flattens them out.

Next, the flattened skins are soaked in tannin, which is composed of water and vegetable matter. They are then polished by another rolling device and taken to another factory by trucks. In this factory, the final products are crafted and available to consumer shops.

Introduction to Map question

This guide on IELTS Writing Task 1,  IELTS Writing Task 2 maps questions will cover:

• Different kinds of map question
• Structure
• Describing specific changes
• Describing general changes
• Describing locations
• Sample answer

You will also be able to learn some new vocabulary that will help you deal with any Task 1 maps question.

In the IELTS writing test, you might be asked to describe a map in task 1. This type of question is becoming increasingly popular, but the easiest one to score high marks if you’re prepared.

Different Kinds of Map Questions

There are three main types of map questions:

1. Describe one map in the present day.
2. Describe two maps- one in the present and one in the future.
3. Describe two maps- one in the past and one in the present.
4. The first kind is very rare, as it only requires you to use the present simple, and no comparisons can be made.
5. The second kind occasionally comes up and requires you to use present and future tenses. This kind of question is normally about the future development of a town or city. It requires the same vocabulary as the other two.
6. The third is the most common.
7. You will normally be shown two maps, as above and asked to select and report the main features and make comparisons where relevant. You will obviously use both present and past tenses to describe the maps and how the town has developed.

Question 1.

 

The map describes changes to West Park Secondary School over a period from 1950 to 2010.

Overall, West Park Secondary School contained fewer buildings in 1950 and was located nearer residential and agricultural land. By 2010, several facilities had been added for students and there was the notable addition of a large car park.

In 1950, 3 rows of houses were located to the left of the school, just above a large section of farmland and a playground attached to the school. By 1980, there were significant alterations related to housing. The former houses were replaced by a car park and science block and the farmland was removed in favor of a sports field. The playground remained unchanged.

By 2010, the playground had been reduced in size in order to make room for a small sports field. The most significant change by this time was the expansion of the car park overtaking the area previously occupied entirely by the sports field. Other structures were unaltered from 1980.

Question 2.

The maps below Shows University sports courts in 1990 and now.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

 

The map describes how a university sports courts area has changed from 1990 to the present day.

 Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the number of total courts for tennis and basketball has increased at the expense of parking and a park, while a formal building with a gym now houses various exercise facilities. These changes allow for more varied activity.

In 1990, on the left side of the map was a park with trees and grass as well as a car park. Today, the park has been replaced by a large basketball court and the car park by 4 tennis courts.

On the right side of the map, a structure to contain the various athletic facilities has been erected with only the indoor pool and reception area in the same position in the new building. The changing room beneath the reception area and pool has been lengthened and moved slightly to the right so as to line up directly above a new, large fitness centre. The fitness centre has replaced two tennis courts, now outside the main building.