ACADEMIC

WRITING TEST
IELTS

TASK DESCRIPTION
BASIC RULES
TIPS AND TACTIS
 ABOUT THE ACADEMI C
WRITING TEST

The IELTS Academic Writing Test is designed to test your ability to

write in clear, coherent, and well-organised English.

In TASK 1, you see some visual information on the question paper.

For example, there may be a chart, a graph, a table, a diagram or a
map/plan. Your job is to describe this visual information in your own
words.

In TASK 2, a point of view or argument is presented on the question

paper. Your job is to comment on this, giving your own opinions with
examples from your own knowledge and experience.
 TASK 1
DESCRIBING VI SUAL
INFORMATION
For TASK 1, you see some sort of visual information which you need
to describe.

Your job is to describe the most important points in the statistical or

diagrammatic information in your own words.

There are six TASK 1 Writing lessons:

1. Line Graphs
2. Bar Charts
3. Tables
4. Pie Charts and Multiple Charts
5. Diagrams
6. Maps and Plans
 TASK 1-1
LINE GRAPHS
Line Graphs tipically show trends. A trend is a movement of data in a general
direction over time. On a line graph, trends are represented by the direction
of the lines. Trends can be upward or downward or they can remain at the
same level. An important part of your response is to describe trends and to
compare them.

The horizontal axis usually involves units of time: days, months, years, and
so on. The vertical axis can show almost any kind of data: costs,
temperatures, rainfall, amounts of some commodity, population figures and
so on.

BASIC RULES
- Look at the graph carefully and decide what the most important information
and striking features are
- Write a well-organised overview
- Include data to support the key points
- Use academic register or style
- Write at least 150 words
- Complete the task in 20 minutes
- Include only the key points
- Do not do any calculations or give your opinion about the information
 TASK 1-1
LINE GRAPHS

-TIPS AND TRICKS-

1. Look carefully at the information in the line graph
2. Underline important words in the question and circle important points on
the graph
3. Identify what key information is being presented in the graph
4. Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs:
introduction, first main paragraph and second main paragraph
5. Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the graph in general
terms, but do not repeat the exact wording of the question
6. Then describe two general trends shown in the graph. Do not go into
details; just report the most important trends
7. In the first main paragraph, select and write about features that are most
important and interesting
8. Do not try to write about all the data in the line graph and do not include
details that are irrelevant to the main trends.
 TASK 1-1
LINE GRAPHS
 TASK 1-1
LINE GRAPHS
 TASK 1-1
LINE GRAPHS
 TASK 1-1
LINE GRAPHS
 TASK 1-2
BAR CHARTS
Bar charts represent different values with rectangular bars. Tipically, one
axis represents some numerical value such as costs, income, birth rates,
temperatures, etc. The other axis can represent many different types of
information: units of time, different countries or cities, means of travel,
sources of energy, and types of people.

Bar charts are often used to compare things and many bar charts show
trends -changes in numbers in a certain direction over time.

BASIC RULES
- Look at the chart carefully and decide what the most important information
and striking features are
- Write a well-organised overview
- Include data to support the key points
- Use academic register or style
- Write at least 150 words
- Complete the task in 20 minutes
- Include only the key points
- Do not do any calculations
or give your opinion about
the information
 TASK 1-2
BAR CHARTS

-TIPS AND TRICKS-

1. Look carefully at the information in the bar chart
2. Underline important words in the question and circle important points on
the bar chart
3. Identify what key information is being presented in the chart
4. Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs:
introduction, first main paragraph and second main paragraph
5. Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the chart in general
terms, but do not repeat the exact wording of the question
6. Then describe two general trends shown in the chart. Do not go into
details; just report the most important trends
7. In the first main paragraph, select and write about features that are most
important and interesting
8. Do not try to write about all the data in the bar chart and do not include
details that are irrelevant to the main trends.
 TASK 1-2
BAR CHARTS
 TASK 1-2
BAR CHARTS
 TASK 1-3
TABLES
The columns and rows in the table may represent different time periods,
different types of people, different countries and so on. Each box in the
table contains numbers. There may be certain trends (a general direction
in which something is developing or changing), sharp increases or
decreases, or exceptions.

BASIC RULES
- Look at the table carefully and decide what the most important
information and striking features are
- Write a well-organised overview
- Include data to support the key points
- Use academic register or style
- Write at least 150 words
- Complete the task in 20 minutes
- Include only the key points
- Do not do any calculations
or give your opinion about
the information
 TASK 1-3
TABLES

-TIPS AND TRICKS-

1. Look carefully at the information in the table
2. Underline important words in the question and circle important information
in the table
3. Identify what key information is being presented in the table
4. Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs:
introduction, first main paragraph and second main paragraph
5. Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the table in general
terms, but do not repeat the exact wording of the question
6. Then describe two general trends shown in the table. Do not go into
details; just report the most important trends
7. In the first main paragraph, select and write about features that are most
important and interesting
8. When selecting key information, look for the highest and the lowest figures
in each set of figures, and the range between them
9. Look for similarities and differences in the information in the table and try
to divide the information in the table into groups. Write about each main
point
10.Do not try to write about all the data in the bar chart and do not include
details that are irrelevant to the main trends.
TASK 1-3
TABLES
 TASK 1 - 1/2/3
CHARTS

-OUTLINE-

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
Sentence 3- Supporting details/Comparison details, if appropriate
 TASK 1 - 1/2/3
CHARTS

-OUTLINE-

Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
This paragraph should be one sentence long and demonstrates
your ability to paraphrase. You do this by using synonyms.

Paragraph 2 (Overview)
An overview is a general statement, highlighting the most important
information in the table. It should not include any numbers. This is
just a summary of the main features. You can use numbers to
support your answer in paragraphs 3 and 4.

Paragraph 3 (Details of significant feature 1)

In this paragraph, you take the first general statement from
paragraph 2 and support it with details from the graph.

Paragraph 4 (Details of significant feature 2)

Same as paragraph 3

You should not write a conclusion. Conclusions are for opinion or

discursive essays and we are not expected to do this in task 1.
 TASK 1-4
PIE AND MULTI PLE CHARTS
A pie chart is a circular graph that is divided into segments. It looks like a
pizza cut into uneven slices. It shows the relationship between the parts
and the whole. The circle itself represents 100% of something and each
slice represents a certain percentage of that thing.

BASIC RULES
- Look at the chart carefully and decide what the most important
information and striking features are
- Write a well-organised overview
- Include data to support the key points
- Use academic register or style
- Write at least 150 words
- Complete the task in 20 minutes
- Include only the key points
- Do not do any calculations
or give your opinion about
the information
 TASK 1-4
PIE AND MULTI PLE CHARTS

-TIPS AND TRICKS-

1. Look carefully at the information in the graphs/charts
2. Underline important words in the question and circle important information
in the graphs/charts
3. Identify what key information is being presented in the graphs/charts
4. If there is more than one pie chart, look for similarities and differences
between them. If there are two or more different graphs/charts, try to work
out the relationship between them.
5. Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs:
introduction, first main paragraph and second main paragraph
6. Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the graphs/charts in
general terms, but do not repeat the exact wording of the question
7. Then describe two general trends shown in the graphs/charts. Do not go
into details; just report the most important trends
8. In the first main paragraph, select and write about features that are most
important and interesting
8. When selecting key information, look for the largest and smallest
segments
9. You may write a conclusion briefly explaining any relationship between the
graphs/charts and summarising the main information in one sentence
10.Do not try to write about all the data in the graph/chart and do not include
details that are irrelevant to the main trends.
 TASK 1-4
PIE AND MULTI PLE CHARTS
 TASK 1-4
PIE AND MULTI PLE CHARTS
 TASK 1-4
PIE AND MULTI PLE CHARTS
 TASK 1-4
PIE AND MULTI PLE CHARTS
 TASK 1 - 4
MULTIPLE CHARTS / GRAPHS

-OUTLINE-
Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question sentences.
There will normally be two question sentences and you should combine
them into one sentence by using ‘and’ or ‘while’. This will allow you to
produce a complex sentence and gain points for grammatical range and
accuracy.

Paragraph 2
Sentence 2- Overview of two of the main features from graph number 1.
Sentence 3- Overview of two of the main features from graph number 2.
Sentence 4- Overview of any comparisons if necessary (optional).

Paragraph 3
Sentence 5- Details of first main feature of graph number 1,
Sentence 6- Details of second main feature of graph number 1.

Paragraph 4
Sentence 7- Details of first main feature of graph number 2.
Sentence 8- Details of second main feature of graph number 2.
Sentence 9- Details of any comparisons (if any).
 TASK 1-5
DIAGRAMS
There are several types of diagram. You may see a diagram with a clear
beginning and a clear end, a diagram involving alternative stages, a
diagram which shows two processes (one that follows another) or a
cyclical diagram.

BASIC RULES
- Look at the diagram carefully and decide what the most important
information and striking features are
- Write a well-organised overview
- Include data to support the key points
- Use academic register or style
- Write at least 150 words
- Complete the task in 20 minutes
- Include only the key points
- Do not do any calculations
or give your opinion about
the information
 TASK 1-5
DIAGRAMS
-TIPS AND TRICKS-
1. Look carefully at the information in the diagram
2. Underline important words in the question and circle important information
in the diagram
3. Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs:
introduction, first main paragraph and second main paragraph
4. Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the diagram in
general terms, but do not repeat the exact wording of the question
5. Then write a sentence about the entire process
6. Next, divide the steps shown in the diagram into two paragraphs
7. Follow the order if the steps in the process
8. Use sequencing words and phrases to separate the steps of the process
9. You can reuse technical terms from the labels on the diagram but write
them in your own sentences
10. No concluding paragraph is necessary for this type of response
 TASK 1-5
DIAGRAMS
 TASK 1-5
DIAGRAMS
 TASK 1 - 5
PROCESS

-OUTLINE-

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.

Paraphrase the question.

Describe what is happening generally in 2 sentences. This is

your overview paragraph and I will show you how to write this in
more detail below.

Divide the process in two and write two separate

paragraphs detailing each stage of the process.
 TASK 1-6
MAPS AND PLANS
Typically, there are two maps or plans showing the same site at two
different points in time. The maps and plans indicate the time periods
that they represent with labels. There are a number of changes from the
earlier map to the later one. Your job is to describe the changes that took
place at that location during that time period.

BASIC RULES
- Look at the map or plan carefully and decide what the most important
information and striking features are
- Write a well-organised overview
- Include data to support the key points
- Use academic register or style
- Write at least 150 words
- Complete the task in 20 minutes
- Include only the key points
- Do not do any calculations
or give your opinion about
the information
 TASK 1-6
MAPS AND PLANS

-TIPS AND TRICKS-

1. Look carefully at the information in the maps/plans
2. Underline important words in the question and look for differences
between the first map/plan and the second
3. Plan your writing. You can usually divide it into three paragraphs:
introduction, first main paragraph and second main paragraph
4. Begin with an introductory sentence that describes the maps/plans in
general terms, but do not repeat the exact wording of the question
5. Then describe one or two of the main changes
6. In the first main paragraph, write about the most important changes first
7. In the second main paragraph, describe the remaining changes
8. Use information from the key in your response and use the scale, if there
is one, to estimate distances
 TASK 1-6
MAPS AND PLANS
 TASK 1-6
MAPS AND PLANS
 TASK 1-6
MAPS AND PLANS
 TASK 1 - 6
MAPS

-OUTLINE-
Paragraph 1- Paraphrase Sentence
Paraphrase question using synonyms.

Paragraph 2- Overview
Make two general statements about the map. You should describe
the maps generally and write about the most noticeable differences
between the two maps. You could ask yourself the following
questions to identify general changes. Is the map more or less
residential? Is there more or less countryside? Are there more or
less trees? Were the changes dramatic or negligible? Were there
any major improvements in infrastructure? How have the buildings
and leisure facilities changed?

Paragraph 3- Main Body 1

Three to four sentences about specific changes that have occurred.

Paragraph 4- Main Body 2

Further three to four sentences about specific changes that have
occurred.