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The Free School

IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

Dr. Jay Jericho

jay@thefreeschool.education

Introduction

This document provides an overview of the Writing Task 1 component of the Academic

version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

This document is suitable for scholars who are able to read and write at the intermediate,

upper-intermediate and advanced levels. It is also suitable for qualified IELTS instructors

and trainee IELTS tutors.

Official IELTS materials in this document are reproduced under the fair use for education

purposes provisions of copyright laws. You may visit the School’s IELTS Academic

Writing Task 1 website at this link to access missing diagrams referred to in this

document:

http://www.thefreeschool.education/ielts-task-1.html

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This document contains six sections, in the following order:

Section 1: Example of an IELTS Academic writing task 1 exam question

Section 2: Quantitative data diagrams

Section 3: Picture diagrams

Section 4: Analytical requirements

Section 5: Analysis and discussion guidelines

Section 6: Study guidelines

Section 7: Further references

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Section 1: Example of an official IELTS Academic writing task 1 exam question

Source:

http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-sample-tests/writing-sample-test-1-

academic/writing-task-1

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All text shown in bold blue font on forthcoming pages

are a live internet web link that include an official

IELTS Writing Task 1 illustration diagram.

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Section 2: Quantitative data displays

There are seven main types of diagram used in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

1. Line graph

This diagram quantifies the movement of something being measured over time.

2. Bar graph

This diagram quantifies the size of something compared to other items being measured

using a diagram that has an X axis and a Y axis.

A stacked bar graph combines two or more quantitative items of analysis within each

bar.

3. Pie chart

This diagram quantifies the comparative size of two or more items by showing the

proportion of a circle ('pie') that each item being measured comprises relative to others in

that data set.

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4. Data table

This diagram uses column and row headers to classify and analyze data from a data set.

This data may be qualitative (text) or quantitative. This example summarizes quantitative

data.

Source: IELTS

Sometimes IELTS combine quantitative diagrams to form one data set that requires

analysis.

Examples:

Example 1: pie chart and bar graph

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Example 2: pie chart and data table

Source: IELTS

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Section 3: Picture diagrams

5. Cycle diagram

This diagram uses an illustration to show the logical flow of a process, usually from start

to completion.

6. Maps

This diagram uses a picture model to illustrate a geographic location.

Source: IELTS

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7. Objects

This diagram uses a picture illustration to show an item which may be living or non-

living.

Combination picture diagram example:

Cycle and object

Section 4: Analytical requirements

Most IELTS Academic task 1questions requires you to do one or more of the following:

1. Comparison analysis

Discuss similarities.

Example: Comparing radio and television audiences by time of day

Major similarity: both have very low audiences (less than 10%) between 2am and 6am.

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2. Contrast analysis

Discuss differences.

Example: Contrasting radio and television audiences by time of day

3. Composition analysis

Discuss the various individual parts that comprise the whole.

Example: Analysis of cultural leisure activities by gender

4. Cause-and-effect analysis

Explain why a particular event is the driver of an outcome.

This question may require you to analyze a picture diagram or a quantitative diagram.

Please do not be intimated. You do not require special technical knowledge or training.

You should use your analysis skills to identify how an event is a factor that drives an

outcome. The answer is in the diagram.

Example: There are three major causes of global land degradation

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5. Logic analysis

Explain why a person or persons has designed a process or object in a particular way.

This question may use a picture diagram and does not require technical knowledge. You

need to identify the start and end of the cycle/process. You then need to discuss these

stages in a logical order, using your own vocabulary, as guided by the stated question.

Example: The logic behind the design of a structure - ventilation and heating

Section 5: Analysis and discussion guidelines

1. Essential to identify all major issues

Most diagrams require you to identify at least two major features to earn a minimum

band score of 6.5 for the Task Achievement part of your score.

Example:

Consumption of hamburgers and pizza in Australia from 1975 to circa 1995 both

record an upward trend

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The consumption of fish and chips in Australia from 1975 to 2000 reports a downward

trend.

2. Advantageous to identify a third and possibly a fourth discussion point

As a general rule, most IELTS picture diagrams and quantitative data analysis diagrams

include at least two major points that you are expected to discuss in addition to a third

point that is worthy of comment, if you have the time to do so.

Using this method that seeks out 3 or 4 discussion points may be useful in cases where

you struggle to meet the minimum word count limit required of the question.

Please make sure that you discuss the two most obvious (i.e. dominant) patterns first.

Only discuss a third and a fourth major point of analysis if you have sufficient time.

Note: IELTS do not impose upper word limits on answers in this section.

Example: third discussion point

Consumption of hamburgers and pizza in Australia from 1995 to circa 2000 are

both flat.

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3. Select new vocabulary

You will receive a higher band score if you use your own vocabulary to discuss words

that appear in the question and images. You may do so by selecting a suitable synonym

from your vocabulary.

For example, the heading of a diagram may state “Analysis of Average Income by

Gender from 2000 to 2017”. In your discussion, you may state “This graph quantitatively

compares mean earnings for men and women during the new millennium”.

Section 6: Study guidelines

You should aim to master the logic that underpins each diagram/picture. Always address

the requirements stated in the question on a case-by-case basis.

The writing task 1 diagram that you must discuss in an IELTS exam may not match the

format and structure of any diagrams that you have seen in IELTS’s official exam

practice materials. You should therefore not memorize a template answer formula as a

strategy to prepare for Academic writing task 1.

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New example: IELTS may combine a bar graph with a line graph.

New example: IELTS may include three diagrams/pictures in one question.

New example: IELTS may include four diagrams/pictures in one question.

New example: Some IELTS bar graphs place the bars on the Y axis.

New example: Most IELTS bar graphs place the bars on the x axis.

New example: IELTS sometimes use three dimensional bar graph diagrams

Section 6: Further reading

These resources listed overleaf are available YouTube subscriber name The Free School.

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http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html

http://www.thefreeschool.education/motivation-letters.html

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http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html

http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html

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http://www.thefreeschool.education/writing-center.html

http://www.thefreeschool.education/finances.html

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http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html

http://chat.thefreeschool.education/