IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING
Tips for the Academic Writing test - Task 1
In Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Paper you will be asked to describe a graph, chart, table, diagram or map. You need to write at least 150 words. It’s best to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 to leave yourself enough time for Task 2 (remember Task 2 is worth more marks).
Here are some tips to help you with the task:
In Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Paper you will be asked to describe a graph, chart, table, diagram or map. You need to write at least 150 words. It’s best to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 to leave yourself enough time for Task 2 (remember Task 2 is worth more marks).
Here are some tips to help you with the task:
- Read the question carefully and make sure you understand the graph, chart, table, diagram or map. Be clear about what you are describing.
- Write a short introduction by paraphrasing the question (i.e. rewrite the question in your own words).
- Be sure to give a summary (i.e. look at the big picture – what’s happening overall. There’s no need to mention any numbers in this part.)
- Try to use a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary.
- Separate your paragraphs.
- Choose the key information to describe or compare.
- Make comparisons where you can. Avoid simply stating what is in the question.
- Describe specific details. Use the numbers in the chart, table or graph to help you describe the key points.
- Divide your main description into 2 paragraphs. This will help you to have a clear structure and organisation; especially important when the question has two separate diagrams, tables or maps.
- Describing every single detail – there are usually a lot of numbers. You don’t need to mention them all.
- Giving reasons or sharing your opinions - the question will not ask you to do this.
- Q1
Giving an overview
The overall trend of the graph shows that there are _____ women than men studying engineering. (TWO CORRECT ANSWERS)
more
fewer
few
- Q2
Introducing the main details
Starting with Table 1 it can be seen that a _____ number of cars were driven by people in the USA than in Brazil.
higher
high
highest
- Q3
Comparing two details using numbers
In the year 2006, the number of road users in the USA and Switzerland were 153 million and 7 million _____.
respectively
separately
in respect
- Q4
Giving contrasting data
It is noticeable that the 60-75 age group read more than 3 times the amount per day than the 20-30 age group. _____, the 20-30 age group spend 4 times more time than the 60-75 age group on the internet. (TWO CORRECT ANSWERS)
By contrast
However
In contrast
- Q5
Describing a major trend
A major point of interest is that walking was _____ than cycling.
popular
more popular
popularer
- Q6
Moving on to another point
Turning to transport, it can be seen that the _____ popular mode of transport out of all those shown in the pie chart was buses.
less
lesser
least
- Q7
Noting a significant detail
The year 2013 has _____ the highest amount of rainfall.
by far
far
farthest
- Q8
Comparing maps
In 2009, considerable changes took place in the park with a(n) _____ number of tennis courts than before. (TWO CORRECT ANSWERS)
greater
larger
increase
- Academic Writing Task 2 - question types and essay formats
In the Academic Task 2 essay you may be asked from a range of questions. Whatever the question, it’s good to have an essay structure in mind. A four-paragraph structure is the most common, and the easiest to adapt to different questions.
Before you take the test, practice using the structure so you can plan your essay quickly on the day of the test.
Here are some possible question types and four-paragraph structures to match:
Agree or Disagree - Many children these days have an unhealthy diet. Both schools and parents are equally responsible for solving this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- Introduction: paraphrase the question and give a general answer that will summarise your opinion
- Main paragraph 1: I agree/disagree because … + supporting reasons
- Main paragraph 2: Another reason I agree / disagree is …
- Conclusion: paraphrase your argument and sum up.
Advantages or Disadvantages outweigh each other - In some countries, governments are encouraging people to use their cars less and to take public transport instead. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
- Introduction: topic and give your opinion (more advantages or disadvantages?)
- Main paragraph 1: Advantages
- Main paragraph 2: Disadvantages
- Conclusion: summarise your opinion in a different way from the introduction
- Crime rates tend to be higher in cities than in smaller towns. Explain some possible reasons for this problem and suggest some solutions.
- Introduction: topic and general answer to question
- Main paragraph 1: Give reasons for problem
- Main paragraph 2: Offer some solutions
- Conclusion: summarise (and paraphrase) your argument
- Some people say children use technology too much these days. Others believe that using technology now will help them in the future. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
- Introduction: topic and give your opinion
- Main paragraph 1: Discuss one view
- Main paragraph 2: Discuss second view
- Conclusion: summarise (and paraphrase) your opinion
- Some people think that history as a subject at school is not useful and should be replaced with a more practical subject. Why do you think it is important to learn about history? What would be the effect if children were not taught history?
- Introduction: topic and give an overall answer to both questions
- Main paragraph 1: Answer first question
- Main paragraph 2: Answer second question
- Conclusion: summarise both answers
- Introduce the topic by paraphrasing the question
- Try to give two or three ideas in each paragraph
- Always support your ideas with examples
- Make sure examples are quite general – not personal examples
- Conclude by summarising your opinion in a different way from the into (paraphrase)
- Some useful links
As Rob and the learners interviewed in Step 6.1 mentioned, many people consider the Academic Writing module to be one of the most challenging parts of the test. In addition to the general writing skills covered in Week 4, the following resources are useful for both learners who are new to academic writing and to more experienced writers looking to introduce more advanced language and techniques.
Writing Skills Practice contains a number of excellent introductory activities for both Academic tasks at B2 level.
Our Writing for a Purpose academic writing resources and vocabulary exercises have a large number of activities for advanced learners.
Sample Task 1 and Task 2 writing questions with sample answers and examiner comments.
If you’re looking for ideas to practise for Task 2, 301 Prompts for Argumentative Writing is a useful resource from the New York Times.
This British Council worksheet has a range of practice exercises and vocabulary to help you prepare for Task 1.
The Academic Phrasebank from Manchester University is full of useful expressions for describing trends, cause and effect, comparing and contrasting and more.
An Academic Writing Module: Paragraphs is a useful resource from Victoria University of Wellington to develop skills in paragraphing, topic sentences, coherence and cohesion.