How to Organize Your Task 1 Answer

 

Hey everyone.

Today we will learn about IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic). You probably know that Task 1 involves describing a graph or a chart, but you might be wondering how to structure your description.

I recommend a basic 3-paragraph structure for Task 1:

  • A short introduction
    • State the overall purpose of the graph.
    • Give an overview of what is happening (basically 1-3 sentences describing the most important overall trends or features in the graph).
  • Body paragraph 1
    • Separate the data from the graph into two body paragraphs, each one talking about separate aspects of the graph.
    • Select and describe key features of the graph.
  • Body paragraph 2
    • Select and describe the rest of the key features of the graph.

Now, before we talk in depth about each paragraph, let's check out a fantastic example answer that uses this structure perfectly. After that, we’ll break down exactly what you need to do yourself to achieve a high band score.

Let’s go.

 

A Great Example Answer:

IELTS Task 1 Example Answer bar graph

 

This chart shows the total minutes (in billions) of all telephone usage in the UK between 1995 and 2002, in three different categories: local fixed lines, national/international fixed lines, and mobile calling. Both national/international as well as mobile calling minutes increased throughout the period, while local fixed line calls rose and fell, peaking in 1999.

Local fixed line calling minutes remained the highest of all three types of calling throughout the period. These minutes began at just above 70 billion, rose sharply until 1998, and reached their peak in 1999 at around 90 billion minutes. After 1999, the decline in fixed line calling was as dramatic as its previous rise, and the most recent year (2002) lists its minutes at around 70 billion, just like in 1995.

National/international fixed line calling and mobile calling both experienced similar trajectories, although national/international remained higher in total minutes, while mobile calling experienced a more dramatic recent rise. Between 1995 and 2002 national/internal calling minutes rose from below 40 billion minutes to just over 60 billion in 2002. Mobile calling, on the other hand, started below 5 billion minutes in 1995, grew modestly to over 10 billion in 1999 and then exploded to around 45 billion minutes in the following three years.

 

This is an excellent answer. This answer would most likely receive a 9 on the IELTS Writing Test for Task 1.

Let’s break it down and find out what it does well.

 

How do I make a Great Introduction like this?

First, you should know that your examiner is going to specifically check your Task 1 answer to see if you included an overview of the task. That means that you need to provide some kind of overall statement about its most significant trends or features.

The introduction is a perfect place to include this overview! It's listed as Step 2 below.

Step 1: Begin your introduction by stating the overall purpose of the graph:

“This chart shows the total minutes (in billions) of all telephone usage in the UK between 1995 and 2002, in three different categories: local fixed lines, national/international fixed lines, and mobile calling.”

You can do this easily by rephrasing the question. Try to avoid using all of the exact same words in the question though, or you will lose marks for your vocabulary.

Step 2: Next, include an overview (1-3 sentences) that describes the most obvious overall trends or features of the graph:

“Both national/international as well as mobile calling minutes increased throughout the period, while local fixed line calls rose and fell, peaking in 1999.”

 

Making a great introduction is really important! But, it's also pretty simple, and now you know how.

For more practice writing a great Task 1 Introduction, see the links at the end of this post.

 

How do I make Great Body Paragraphs like in the example?

 

Let’s talk about what the example answer does well in its two body paragraphs.

  • It GROUPS its observations into two separate paragraphs:

Notice how Body Paragraph 1 talks about local fixed line calling minutes for the entire paragraph, while Body Paragraph 2 compares and contrasts the three types of phone usage. This is a really good way to show the examiner you are organized, and increase your band score in Coherence and Cohesion.

Of course, there is usually more than one way to group information for a graph, so this is something you have to decide how to do yourself. As long as you do it in a reasonable way, then this will help your band score.

  • It cites specific data from the graph:

“These minutes began at just above 70 billion, and rose sharply until 1998”

“the most recent year (2002) lists its minutes at around 70 billion"

“Between 1995 and 2002 national/internal calling minutes rose from below 40 billion minutes to just over 60 billion in 2002.” 

  • It links together its observations in a coherent way, using excellent linking words:

“Both national/international as well as mobile calling minutes increased throughout the period, while local fixed line calls rose and fell, peaking in 1999.”

“National/international fixed line calling and mobile calling both experienced similar trajectories, although national/international remained higher in total minutes, while mobile calling experienced a more dramatic recent rise.”

And, notice that it does not include any personal interpretation or opinions!

 

To Summarize:

So that's it! For your Task 1 (Academic), you need:

  • A short introduction
    • Step 1: state the overall purpose of the graph, which you can do by restating the question in your own words.
    • Step 2: Give a quick overview (the most important part of Task 1!) of the most important trend or features.
  • Body paragraph 1
    • First figure out a way to GROUP the data in the graph into two separate body paragraphs.
    • Select and describe key features of the graph, linking your ideas together in a coherent way.
  • Body paragraph 2
    • Repeat the above process with the remaining aspects of the graph.

 

You can use this exact same structure on every single Task 1! Great, right?

 

Here are some links to other lessons that can help you with Task 1 writing: