Academic Writing Part 1-1

Vocabulary for AC Task 1
Key vocabulary for Academic IELTS Task 1:
 Adjectives & adverbs

 Verbs & nouns
 Collocations
 Other useful phrases
 Percentages, proportions & approximations
1) Use appropriate
Vocabulary
In your Task 1 essay, you will be describing data and this requires
some very specific vocabulary that you might only use in this part of
the exam. This is what the marking criteria are referring to when
they mention ‘precise meanings’ and ‘less common lexical
items/vocabulary’.
2) Use vocabulary flexibly
You need to have a wide enough range of vocabulary that you can
say the same thing in more than one way, that is, paraphrase. This is
what the marking criteria mean by the phrase ‘allow some flexibility
and precision’. You do this by using synonyms.
3) Use collocations correctly
The marking criteria specifically mention the correct use of

collocations as something you'll be assessed on.
A collocation is a combination of two or more words that sound

correct to a native speaker when used together. The word
combination often doesn’t work if you try to replace the first word
with a synonym. For example, we say,
 heavy rain but not weighty rain
 fast food not quick food
 keen interest not eager interest

Key Vocabulary for Academic IELTS Task 1
Adjective & Adverbs
In your IELTS Task 1 essay, you are required to describe what you see
in a chart, graph, table, map or a diagram, most especially, to record
changes in the data. To do this, you will use describing words, that is,
adjectives and adverbs.
 Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or

pronouns.
 Adverbs are words that describe or modify verbs or adjectives.
Adverbs can generally be formed by adding ‘ly’ to the end of the

adjective.
Here is a table of adjectives and adverbs relevant to Task 1

questions. Don’t try to learn them all. This is only a very short essay
(min. 150 words) so you won’t be able to include much detail.
Learn 2 or 3 words for large changes and 2 or 3 for small or

moderate changes.
Large Changes:
Small or Moderate Changes:
Verbs & Nouns

You will also need some specific verbs and nouns.
 Verbs are words that describe an action or state.
 Nouns are words that refer to a thing, a place, a person or a

quality.
Many words have a verb form and a noun form as can be seen in the
tables below.
For your essay, you should learn 2 or 3 words for upward

movement, 2 or 3 for downward movement because you will
probably have to write about changes in data.
Upward movement
Downward movement
The following words can be used to describe both upward and

downward movements.
Finally, you will need a couple of phrases to describe situations that

show little or no change.
Remember to use the appropriate verb tenses in your essay.

Collocations
Many of the words in these lists can be formed into collations that
are ideal for expressing change.
There are two ways that you can create them:
 Verb + Adverb
 Adjective + Noun
Here are some examples:
Again, don’t try to learn them all. Just pick a couple that you feel
comfortable using.
The following sentences illustrate how you might use some of this
vocabulary in an IELTS Task 1 essay.
1) The price of houses went into sharp decline between 1980 and
1985 but increased significantly from 1986 to 1990.
2) Over the whole time period, there was a steady growth in the
number of women choosing to study part-time but for men, the level
fluctuated.
Other Useful Phrases
Here are a few more phrases that you may find useful.
Percentages, Proportions & Approximations
All chart, graphs and table in IELTS Task 1 questions contain

numerical data. You will gain marks if you are able to vary your
language when you present this numerical data in your essay. Using
approximations and proportions are an ideal way to do this, so we’ll
start with these as they are useful for all types of IELTS Task 1 essay
questions.
Approximations
Often, numerical data is expressed as percentages and you can use

approximations to present this form of data in a different way. Here
are some examples:
Grammar for Academic Task 1
For Writing IELTS Task 1 essays, you are required to describe the
detail in a chart, graph, table, map or diagram, most especially, to
record changes in data.
This will involve:
 Describing trends
 Describing increases and decreases
 Making comparisons
To do this, you will need to use particular sentence structures and

these are one of the things we’ll be learning about in this lesson.
We’ll also be looking at common Task 1 verb tenses and other

elements of grammar that frequently cause problems for students.
Here's an overview of the lesson:
1) Verb tenses
2) Key sentence structures
3) 2 Common grammatical errors

1) Verb Tenses
The choice of which tense to use will be determined by whether or

not the graphic contains dates and, if it does, whether the dates are
in the past or the future.
Follow these guidelines:
 No date – use the present tense
 Dates in the past – use the past tense
 Dates in the future – use the future tense
The tenses you are most likely to need are:
– Present tense – present simple, present perfect or present

perfect continuous
– Past tense – past simple
– Future tense – future simple or the future perfect
The table below gives explanations of these verb tenses and

examples from Task 1 essays.
Common Writing IELTS Task 1 Verbs
Most graphics will require you to compare data from two or more
time periods, for example, past and present or present and future
predictions, so you will need to use a range of different tenses in
your essay, as appropriate.
The key word in the sentence above is ‘appropriate’. Whilst you will
gain marks for using a good range of tenses in your Writing IELTS
Task 1 essay, you should never do so just to show that you know
many different tenses. Only use the tense that is 100% correct for
expressing a specific piece of information. It is accuracy that the
examiner is looking for.
2) Key Sentence Structures
The first two steps of writing a great Academic Task 1 essay are to:
 Analyse the question
 Identify the main features
How to Describe Trends
The two most useful grammatical structures for describing trends

are:
1) Noun phrase + verb + adverb
For example,
The number of unemployed women fell significantly.
2) There + be + adjective + in + noun phrase
For example:
There was a dramatic improvement in the percentage of people in

employment.
How to Describe Increases and Decreases
The two most useful grammatical structures for describing increases

and decreases are:
1) Noun phrase + verb + adverb
For example,
The popularity of social media climbed steadily.
2) There + be + noun + in + noun phrase
For example,
There was a fluctuation in university applications.
There is now a swimming pool in the location of the old factory.
How to Make Comparisons
Useful vocabulary for making comparisons includes:
more
most
high (er) (est)
large (er) (est)

less
least
few (er) (est)
low (er) (est)
small (er) (est)
These words can be used to form many different sentence structures

useful for making comparisons, such as.
1) More/fewer/less + noun + than
For example,
More teenagers play computer games than a sport.
2) Most/least + adjective
For example,
The most common childhood illness in 1979 was chickenpox.
3) More/less + adjective + than
For example,
Cruises were more popular than beach holidays in 2012.
4) High/low/few -er + than
For example,
A lower number of teenagers play a sport than play computer
games.
5) High/low/large/small -est
For example,
The largest proportion of immigrants came from Mexico.
These sentence structures are valuable tools for getting high marks
for your Writing IELTS Task 1 essay, so practice using them.
3) 2 Common Grammatical Errors
For many students, two aspects of grammar that are a particular

problem are:
 Prepositions
 Articles
Prepositions
There are two specific prepositions that you will probably use
numerous times in your Task 1 essay when reporting change – ‘in’
and ‘of’. They are easy to get wrong.
Follow this general rule:

 When stating the specific value of the change (number,
amount, percentage etc.) – use ‘of’.
 When stating what has changed – use ‘in’.
For example:
 An increase of 20%.
 An increase in the number of over 60’s taking exercise classes.
 A drop of almost a half.

 A drop in house prices.
 An improvement of 45 units per week.

 An improvement in retail sales from April to June.
‘Of’ is also used after a value. You will probably want to use
proportional values in your Task 1 essay so here are some examples.
 a small percentage of
 just under a quarter of
 exactly a half of
 roughly three quarters of
 a significant majority of
 a high number of
Another preposition to learn is ‘between’ which you will need to
make comparisons. For example,
The price of houses went into sharp decline between 1980 and
1985 but increased significantly from 1986 to 1990.
Articles
Many languages do not have articles, and native speakers of those

languages can find it a huge challenge to remember to use them.
In English, there are three articles – the, a, and an. Each is used in
specific instances.
1) With singular and plural nouns:
 Use the before singular and plural nouns when the noun is a
specific thing. For example,
The bar graph illustrates how many male and female students were
studying full-time and part-time in Britain during the
years 1970/1971, 1980/1 and 1990/1.
 Use a or an before a singular noun or noun phrase when the

noun is non-specific and could be any one of a group or type.
 Use a before a noun or noun phrase beginning with a

consonant. Use an before a noun or noun phrase beginning
with a vowel.
For example,
Less than 30% of the population took a foreign holiday between

1975 and 1985.
There was an upward trend in families taking an annual holiday
abroad after 1990.
2) Noun combinations:
Also, use a/an before adjective singular noun combinations such as

these from our preposition list:
 a small percentage of
 an insignificant minority of
 a high number of
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
Key Information
1) You are required to write 150 words or more.
If you write less than 150 words, you are unlikely to get more than a
Band 5 for ’task achievement’ as you won’t have fulfilled the marking
criteria.
2) You have around 20 minutes to plan and write your essay.
3) You should use a formal style of writing.
4) Task 1 contributes half as many marks to your score as Task 2. So,

Task 1 is worth 33% of the total mark in the Writing test.
Task Overview
You will be presented with one of the following graphics:
 Bar Chart
 Line Graph
 Table Chart
 Pie Chart
 Process Diagram
 Map
 Multiple Graphs
You are required to write a short report about the main features. For
example, you may be asked to:
· summarise data
· describe the stages of a process
· explain how something works
· describe an object or event
The format of the question will always be the same. It will include:
· A brief description of the graphic
· The instructions
· The graphic – chart, graph, table, etc.
Here’s a typical question. The highlighted words are always the same
no matter what type of question you get.
With the format of the question always the same, this means that
you can use the same basic method and essay structure to write any
essay for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
Assessment & Marking Criteria
As with all parts of the IELTS exam, Task 1 is marked according to

four criteria.
These are:
 Task Achievement – appropriate response to the task
 Cohesion & Coherence – the ability to present a well-

structured essay
 Lexical Resource (Vocabulary) – the ability to use a range of

appropriate vocabulary and to use it correctly
 Grammatical Range & Accuracy – the ability to use grammar

correctly and to use a range of grammar forms
Each carries 25% of the marks.

The 7 Types of Task 1 Questions
Now, we’re going to look briefly at the different type of questions for
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 and a sample question for each.
First, a reminder of the 7 question types:
 Bar Chart
 Line Graph
 Table Chart
 Pie Chart
 Process Diagram
 Map
 Multiple Graphs
1) Bar Chart
Bars charts or bar graphs are very common Task 1 questions. The
data can be presented vertically, as in the example below, or
horizontally.
Example:
The bar chart below shows numbers of seals, whales and dolphins
recorded in the Gormez Straits from 2006 to 2018.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main

features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

2) Line Graph
Line graphs are also common in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. They
are easier to interpret than they may look.
Example:
The graph below shows the population for India and China since the
year 2000 and predicts population growth until 2050.


3) Table
Tables also come up regularly in Task 1. Some students find these

harder to interpret as they are just sets of numbers with no visual
representation. However, they are never very complicated.
Remember, the IELTS exam is designed to test your language skills,
not your mathematics ability.
Example:
The tables below give information about the world population and
distribution in 1950 and 2000, with an estimate of the situation in
2050.


4) Pie Chart
Although pie charts are not as common as bar charts and line graphs,
you need to know how to answer this type of question in case you do
get one. They are just another way of visually presenting data.
Example:
The chart below shows the reasons why people travel to work by
bicycle or by car.


5) Process Diagram
Another less frequent question type is the process diagram. It could

be a natural process such as the water cycle, a manufacturing
process or the diagram of a system such as the central heating
system in a house.
Example:
The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate

electricity from wave power.

Generating Electricity From The Sea

6) Map
Occasionally, the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 question will be

about a map. It may ask you to compare two or three maps of a
place over a period of time as in this question.
Example:
The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at
Queen Mary Hospital since its construction in 1960.


7) Multiple Graphs
Multiple graph questions have more than one type of diagram and
are fairly common. They usually include two diagrams such as a bar
chart and a line graph or a pie chart and a table as in this sample
question.
Example:
The diagrams below give information on transport and car use in

Edmonton.


How to Understand & Analyse Task 1 Questions
There are 5 steps to writing a good essay for IELTS Academic Writing
Task 1:
 Analyse the question
 Identify the main features
 Write an introduction
 Write an overview
 Write the details paragraphs
One of the biggest mistakes many students make is missing out the
first step – analysing the question.
They are so worried about getting their essay finished in the 20

minutes allowed for the task that they get straight down to writing
without fully understanding the question. The result is an essay that
fails to meet many of the marking criteria and thus achieves a low
score.
Whilst your language skills may be good enough to earn you a Band 7
or 8, not answering the question appropriately could reduce your
score to a Band 6 or even lower.
It’s not difficult to analyse and understand task 1 questions once you
know how and that’s what you’re going to learn in this lesson.
Understanding the Question
The first thing to understand is that the format of every question in

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is the same.
Here’s a typical question. The highlighted words are always the same
no matter what type of question you get.
Every question consists of:
 A brief description of the graphic
 The instruction
 The graphic – chart, graph, table, etc.
So, let’s analyse what you have to do. For this, we need to look at the
‘instruction’ sentence.

You have to do 3 things:

1. Select the main features.
2. Write about the main features.
3. Compare the main features.
This is the same for every question and every type of graphic.
You’ll notice that each part of the task refers to the ‘main features’
of the graphic. You do not have to write about everything.
A key skill you must learn is how to quickly pick out the features.
Another point to note is that you are not required to give your
opinion as you would for many Task 2 essays. This is a common
mistake which will lose you marks. Only write about what you can
see in the graphic.
01. IELTS Bar Chart
There are 5 steps to writing a good IELTS bar chart essay:
1) Analyse the question
2) Identify the main features
3) Write an introduction
4) Write an overview
5) Write the details paragraphs
Use this simple planning process as you practice writing IELTS bar
chart essays and you’ll have no problem remembering it in the exam.
Steps 1 and 2 of the planning process should take around 5 minutes.

It is essential that you don’t miss these out as they are the key to
writing a high-scoring essay.
Ideally, your essay should have 4 paragraphs:
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
Paragraph 2 – Overview
Paragraph 3 – 1st main feature
Paragraph 4 – 2nd main feature
The bar chart below shows the sector contributions to India’s gross
domestic product from 1960 to 2000.


Contribution as % of India's GDP
Step 1 – Analyse the question
The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same. Here is

our practice question again with the words that will be included in all
questions highlighted .

 Sentence 1 – A brief description of the graphic
 Sentence 2 – The instructions
Sentence 2 tells you what you have to do.

You must do 3 things:

For this question, we need to identify the main trends (that is, the
general developments or changes in situation) in the three key
sectors of the Indian economy – agriculture, industry and service –
between 1960 and 2000.
Alternatively, a bar chart may be static with the data coming from
one point in time, as in the example below. For this graphic, we
would need to compare the different variables, that is, the different
leisure activities favoured by Canadian boys and girls.
Step 2 – Identify the Main Features
The graphic in IELTS bar chart questions should not be difficult to

interpret. Each question has been created to test your language
skills, not your mathematics ability.
All you are looking for are the main features. These will usually be
the easiest things to spot. As we’ve just seen, the type of key
features will depend on whether the bar chart is dynamic or static.
There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you identify

them. Here are some useful questions to ask?
 What information do the 2 axes give?
 Is it dynamic or static?
 What are the units of measurements?
 What are the time periods?
 What can you learn from the title and any labels?
 What is the most obvious trend?
 Are there any notable similarities?

There are 3 main features/trends in this IELTS bar chart:
Main feature 1: The contribution of the agricultural sector dropped

steadily.
Main feature 2: The contribution of the service sector increased

each decade.
Main feature 3: Industry remained static from 1980 to 2000.
The general trends you select will be the starting point for your
essay. You will then go on to add more detail.
With just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1, and a requirement of only

150 words, you won't be able to include many details.

Step 3 – Write an Introduction
In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that
is, say the same thing in a different way. You can do this by using
synonyms and changing the sentence structure. For example:
Question:
Introduction (Paragraph 1):
The bar graph illustrates the relative percentage contributions

made by the agricultural, industrial and service sectors to the
Indian economy between 1960 and 2000.
Ideally, key words such as ‘sector’ and ‘contributions’ should be

replaced by synonyms but there aren’t any obvious words that could
be used instead so it’s fine to repeat them. It’s important that your
language sounds natural so never try to force in synonyms that don’t
quite fit.
Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)
In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you
can see in the graph, giving only general information. The detail
comes later in the essay. You should also make any clear
comparisons you spot.

steadily.

each decade.
Now form these ideas into two or three sentences with a total of
around 40 words. State the information simply using synonyms
where possible. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are
required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.
For example:
Overview (Paragraph 2):
Over the whole time period, the significance of agriculture declined

steadily while services grew in importance decade by decade. A
different patterned emerged for industry, which initially showed a
slowly increasing percentage but then plateaued from 1980
onwards.
Step 5 – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS bar chart essay are where you
include more detailed information about the data in the graphic. In
paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first 1 or 2 key
features. Don’t forget to make comparisons when relevant.
Here are our first 2 main features again:

steadily.

each decade.
And this is an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 3:
In 1960, agriculture contributed by far the highest percentage of

GDP, peaking at 62%, but it then dropped in steady increments to a
low of 12% in 2000. The service sector, on the other hand, had a
relatively minor impact on the economy in 1960. This situation
changed gradually at first, then its percentage contribution jumped
from 28% to 43% between 1980 and 1990. By 2000 it matched the
high point reached by agriculture in 1960, showing a reversal in the
overall trend.
Step 6 – Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph
For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your
remaining feature/s. We have one main feature left to write about.
Here’s an example of what you could write:
Paragraph 4:
Industry remained a steady contributor to India’s wealth

throughout the period. As a sector, it grew marginally from 16% in
1960 to exactly a quarter in 1980 then remained static for the next
two decades, maintaining a constant share of the overall GDP.
Here are the four paragraphs brought together to create our finished
essay.
IELTS Bar Chart Essay
The bar graph illustrates the relative percentage contributions
made by the agricultural, industrial and service sectors to the
Indian economy between 1960 and 2000.
Over the whole time period, the significance of agriculture declined

steadily while services grew in importance decade by decade. A
different patterned emerged for industry, which initially showed a
slowly increasing percentage but then plateaued from 1980
onwards.
In 1960, agriculture contributed by far the highest percentage of

GDP, peaking at 62%, but it then dropped in steady increments to a
low of 12% in 2000. The service sector, on the other hand, had a
relatively minor impact on the economy in 1960. This situation
changed gradually at first, then its percentage contribution jumped
from 28% to 43% between 1980 and 1990. By 2000 it matched the
high point reached by agriculture in 1960, showing a reversal in the
overall trend.
Industry remained a steady contributor to India’s wealth

throughout the period. As a sector, it grew marginally from 16% in
1960 to exactly a quarter in 1980 then remained static for the next
two decades, maintaining a constant share of the overall GDP.
02. IELTS Line Graph
Here is the 5 steps process I recommend for planning and
writing IELTS line graph essays:
The graph below shows radio and television audiences throughout

the day in 1992.




the day in 1992.



All three tasks refer to the ‘main features’ of the graphic. You do
not have to write about everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features
and you’ll have plenty to write about.
The graphic in IELTS line graph questions should not be difficult to

the easiest things to spot. There will be lots of information in the
graphic to help you identify them.
Here are some useful questions to ask?


The timeline will give you the biggest clues as to the most significant
trends. Look for general trends.
There are 2 main features/trends in this line graph:
Main feature 1: The peak time for TV audiences is in the evening (8

pm).
Main feature 2: The peak time for radio audiences is in the morning
(8 am).
The general trends you select will be the starting point for your
essay. You will then go on to add more detail. However, with just 20
minutes allowed for Task 1, and a requirement of only 150 words,
you won't be able to include many details.
We’re now ready to begin writing our essay. Here’s a reminder of the
4 part structure we’re going to use.

Question:

the day in 1992.
The line graph illustrates the proportion of people in the UK who

watched TV and listened to the radio over 24 hours from October
to December 1992.

can see in the graph, giving only general information. The detail
This is where we write about the general trends. Here are the ones
we picked out above.

pm).
(8 am).
For example:
Overall, a significantly greater percentage of the TV audience

watched in the evening while radio had the most listeners in the
morning. Over the course of each day and night, more people
watched TV than listened to the radio.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS line graph essay are where you
paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first key
feature. Don’t forget to make comparisons when relevant.
Here is our first main feature again:

pm).
Paragraph 3:
Less than 10% of people watched TV between 1 am and 12 noon

but at 4 pm this figure increased rapidly, reaching a peak of almost
half the population at 8 pm. After this, the graph records a sharp
decline in viewers, reaching a low of only a tiny percentage by 3
am.

second key feature.
(8 am).
Paragraph 4:
Radio, on the other hand, shows a very different trend. The most
popular time for listeners to be tuned in was just after 8 am when
around 27% of the population was listening. After a brief peak, the
numbers dropped steadily to barely 2%, apart from fluctuations at
around 4 pm and 10.30 pm. The percentage of listeners remained
low overnight before beginning a rapid ascent from 6 am to the 8
am high.
essay.
IELTS Line Graph Essay

IELTS Table Chart
There are 5 steps to writing a high-scoring IELTS table chart essay:
Here’s our practice question:
The tables below give the distribution of world population in 1950

and 2000, with an estimate of the situation in 2050.


The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same, with the
instruction sentence (highlighted below) identical in every question.
Here is our practice question again.




All you are looking for are the main features. However, this can be a
challenge as tables generally contain a lot of information, making it
difficult to pick out the key features. Use the information in the
So, what information is contained in this graphic?
Here's our IELTS table chart again.

The key to understanding it is to use the clues given in the title, the
row and column headings and the units of measurement.
For example, the title of the table tells us that it shows changes in
world population from 1950 to projected levels in 2050.
The world is divided into regions (Africa, Asia, etc.) and data is given
for three specific years – 1950, 2000 and projected data for
2050. This is a clue that we will need to use past, present and futures
tenses in our essay.
In the first table, the units of measurement are billions of people and
in the second table, percentages of the total world population are
used.
Don’t look at the numbers in detail at this stage. Instead, focus on

general trends. What are the most notable changes in data between
1950 and projected figures for 2050?
There are a number of different features we could select from this

IELTS table chart. Here are the three that I’ve chosen:
Main feature 1: The only region where the percentage is expected to
increase by 2050 is Africa.
Main feature 2: Europe is expected to have the greatest drop in

percentage contribution by 2050.
Main feature 3: The only region showing a fluctuation in percentage

contribution over the whole time period is Asia.
The key features you select will be the starting point for your essay.
You will then go on to add more detail later. However, with just 20


Question:

The table compares changes in worldwide population distribution

between the six key regions from 1950 to 2000, with predictions for
the year 2050.
This is all you need to do for the introduction.
can see in the table, giving only general information. The detail
Here are the key features we picked out above.


around 40 words. State the information simply, using synonyms
For example:
The only region where the percentage contribution is expected to

increase by 2050 is Africa, while Europe is expected to have the
greatest drop in proportion over the same time span. The sole
continent showing a fluctuation in percentage contribution over
the hundred year period is Asia.
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS table chart essay are where you
paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first 1or 2 key
features. Don’t forget to make comparisons where relevant.
Here are the first two again:


Paragraph 3:
From a relatively small percentage contribution of 9% in 1950, the

people of Africa are forecast to make up a fifth of the total world
population by 2050. This is almost a reversal of the situation for
Europe which stood at 22% in 1950 and is expected to continue its
steady decline to reach just 7% in 2050.
remaining key features.

Paragraph 4:
Another notable trend can be seen in the data for Asia which is the
only region to show an increase in proportion contribution over the
first fifty years but the prediction of a decline, albeit small, looking
forward to 2050. The remaining regions, North America, Latin
America and Oceania each make up less than 10% of the total
world population and show only minor fluctuations in contribution
over the whole time period.
IELTS Table Chart Essay
IELTS Pie Chart
Using this 5 steps process to plan and write IELTS pie chart essays will
help you to achieve high marks in Task 1:
In this lesson, we’re going to work thorough each step as we answer

a practice question and I want to start by highlighting the importance
of steps 1 and 2. It is essential that you learn how to do this planning
stage properly if you hope to write a high-scoring essay.
Before we begin, here’s a model essay structure that you can use as
a guideline for all IELTS Academic Task 1 questions.
We now have everything we need to begin planning and writing our

IELTS pie chart essay.
bicycle or by car.



bicycle or by car.

The graphic in IELTS pie chart questions should not be difficult to

Pie charts always show percentages or proportions. Apart from that,

they are essentially the same as bar charts and line graphs in that
they are a way of presenting data visually.
the easiest things to spot. There will be lots of information in the

 Pie charts generally have titles and labels or sometimes a key
instead of segment labels as in our practice question. The key
explains what each segment of the pie chart represents.
 So, what information is contained in the two pie charts?
 Here's our IELTS pie chart again.
They show two different methods of travelling to work and illustrate
the reason why people choose these types of transport.
What main features stand out?
There are 2 main features in these IELTS pie charts:
Main feature 1: The largest proportion of people who cycle do so for

health and environmental reasons.
Main feature 2: The highest percentage of people who drive do so

because it’s comfortable.
Another notable feature is that the only reason included in both pie
charts – that the method is faster – shares almost the same
proportion for both modes of transport.
We may not have space to cover this final feature but we’ll note it
just in case we need it to make up the words.
You will then go on to add more detail. However, with just 20

Question:
bicycle or by car.
The two pie charts display the key reasons why people choose to
either cycle or drive to work by percentage.
can see in the pie charts, giving only general information. The detail
Here are the ones we picked out above. I’ve added the additional
feature as it will fit well in the overview.


Main feature 3: For an almost equal proportion of people, their

chosen method is the fastest.
around 40 words. State the information simply, using synonyms
For example:
The largest proportion of people who cycle, have made this choice
for health and environmental reasons whilst the prime advantage
of driving to work is considered to be the comfort of travelling by
car. Notably, for an almost equal proportion of people, their chosen
method is the fastest.
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS pie chart essay are where you
feature. Don’t forget to make comparisons where relevant.
Here is our first main feature again:

Paragraph 3:
Taken together, health and fitness and less pollution are reasons
given by over half of all people who prefer travelling by bike. Each
represents a 30% portion which is double the next most popular
reason which is a lack of parking issues at 15%.
second key feature.
I’ve added the third main feature again as it will round off the essay
well. In an exam situation, I would include it if I had time.

Main feature 3: For an almost equal proportion of people, their

chosen method is the fastest.
Paragraph 4:
A different set of concerns has affected the decision of those who

choose to commute by car. Comfort is by far the most significant
factor at 40% of people, but distance to work is a more important
concern for just over a fifth of drivers. For 14% of people, a faster
journey time is the key factor compared to a figure of 12% of
cyclists who find their means of transport quicker.
ince there is no time frame given in the question, you could use
either the present simple tense or the past simple tense. I've used
the present simple tense. Whichever tense you choose, remember to
be consistent throughout your whole essay.
essay.
IELTS Pie Chart Essay
IELTS Process Diagram
An IELTS process diagram question can contain a wide variety of
different types of graphics. It could be a natural process such as the
water cycle, a manufacturing process or a diagram of a system.
Using these 5 steps will help you to write a high-scoring process

diagram essay:

IELTS process diagram essay.



 The graphic – diagram, chart, graph, table, etc.

The graphic in IELTS process diagram questions should not be

difficult to understand. There are not usually any numbers to analyse
as in other types of question, just a diagram to interpret or, as in our
practice question, two diagrams which each show part of the
process.
All you are looking for are the main features. These should be the
easiest things to spot. There will be lots of information in the graphic
to help you identify them, especially, titles, labels and captions.

1) Is it a linear or a cyclical process?
A linear process starts and finishes at different places. It will often

involve the manufacture or creation of something, starting with the
raw materials going in at one end and the finished product coming
out the other end. An example of this can be seen in this diagram
from a past IELTS process diagram question about the manufacture
of bricks.
Linear process
A cyclical process, on the other hand, is a process that goes back to

the beginning and repeats over and over again, such as the life cycle
of a frog or a butterfly.
Cyclical process
2) Where does the process start and end?
For a linear process this will usually be obvious. It may be harder to

determine for a cyclical process so it’s important that you examine
the graphic carefully to find out.
3) How many steps are there to the process?
If there are a lot, it can be helpful to number them from 1 to

whatever number the final stage is.
4) Can the process be easily broken down into stages?
In the brick-making graphic, for example, there are three stages:
a) Creating the bricks from clay
b) Manufacturing the finished product by drying and firing
c) Packaging and delivery

In the life cycle graphic above, there are also three distinct stages as
the frog passes through different stages of development – egg,
juvenile, adult.
5) What are the raw materials? What is produced at the end of the
process?
These questions obviously apply only to manufacturing processes.
For other types of process, it might be more appropriate to ask the

following question.
6) What is the end result of the process?
This question is relevant for our practice IELTS process diagram

question which shows a process that creates something using a
particular structure. The end result is the production of electricity.
So, what main features stand out in our practice graphic? Here it is
again.
This graphic doesn’t contain very much detail. There are only two
stages to the process:
Stage 1: Electricity is generated as the wave flows into the structure

(Diagram A).
Stage 2: Electricity is also created as the receding wave draws air

back down the column (Diagram B).
Other diagrams are more complex and you have to go through them
stage by stage to work out what’s happening and then pick out just 2
or 3 main feature to write about.
You will then go on to add more detail later. However, with just 20

Question:

The two diagrams illustrate a method of creating electricity from

the force of waves using a specifically designed man-made
construction.

In the second paragraph, you should give a general description of the

diagram/s or process. The detail comes later in the essay.
State the information simply using synonyms where possible. No

elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the
appropriate words and correct verb tenses.
For example:
The structure, consisting of a wave chamber and a tall column

containing a turbine, is erected on a steeply sloping coastal cliff or
sea wall where it is subject to the movement of the ocean waves.
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS process diagram essay are where

you include more detailed information. In paragraph 3, you should
explain the first key feature in more detail.
For this question, we will expand on the first stage of the process.
Here it is again:
Stage 1: Electricity is generated as the wave flows into the structure

(Diagram A).

Paragraph 3:
The first diagram shows how the incoming wave fills a large
chamber and forces the air inside this space up the column and
through the turbine. The pressure of the air rotates the turbine
which generates a current of electricity. The process does not end
there for the structure is able to continue producing power as the
sea recedes as can be seen in the second diagram.
remaining key features or, for this question, the second stage of the
process.
Here it is again:
Stage 2: Electricity is also created as the receding wave draws air

back down the column (Diagram B).
Paragraph 4:
As the water now flows away from the structure, it draws air back
down the column and downwards through the turbine in the same
direction as the previous upward flow of air. The turbine continues
to turn thus generating even more electricity.
essay.
IELTS Process Diagram Essay
IELTS Map
IELTS map questions are the easiest to answer. There are no
numbers to analyse, just 2 or 3 maps to compare. Very occasionally,
there might only be a single map, but this is rare.
The maps will be of the same location at different times. This could
be in the past, the present time or a plan for a proposed
development in the future. You are required to write about the
changes you see between the maps.
There are 5 steps to writing a high-scoring IELTS map essay:
I must emphasise the importance of steps 1 and 2. It is essential that

you complete this planning stage properly before you start writing.
You’ll understand why when I guide you through it. It should only
take 5 minutes, leaving you a full 15 minute to write your essay.
In this lesson, we’re going to work through the 5 stages step-by-step

as we answer a practice IELTS map question.

IELTS map essay.
The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.



questions highlighted.

 The graphic – map, chart, graph, table, etc.
All you are looking for are the main features. Start with the earliest
map. Identify the key features and look to see how they have
changed in the later map, and again in the final map if there are
three.
1) What time periods are shown?
Are the maps of past, present or future situations? This is important

to note because it will determine whether you write your essay using
past, present or future tenses.
The two maps in our practice IELTS map question show the village of
Stokeford at two different times in the past. This immediately tells us
that we will need to use the past tense in our essay.
2) What are the main differences between the maps?
What features have disappeared? What new features are in their

place?
3) What features have remained the same over the time period?
Although the location on the maps will have undergone major

development, some features may remain unchanged.
Also, think about directional language you can use, such as:
 north
 south
 east
 west
 north-east
 north-west
 south-east
 south-west
So, what information is contained our maps? Here they are again.
Source: IELTS past paper

There are a number of different features we could select such as, the
loss of the shops, the disappearance of farmland, the enlargement of
the school and the development of the large house into a retirement
home.
Many maps will contain far more changes than our sample maps and
the changes may be more complex. In such cases, you won’t have
time to write about all of them and will need to select just 2 or 3
main features to focus on.
Our maps are quite simple so we’ll list all 4 of the major changes I’ve
just identified.
Main feature 1: The farmland has been built on.
Main feature 2: The large house has been converted into a

retirement home.
Main feature 3: The school has been enlarged.
Main feature 4: The shops have disappeared.
The key features you select will be the starting point for your IELTS
map essay. You will then go on to add more detail later. However,
with just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1, and a requirement of only
150 words, you won't be able to include many details.

For this essay, we’ll adapt this a little to write about two of the
features in Paragraph 3 and the other two features in Paragraph 4.

Question:
The two maps illustrate how the village of Stokeford, situated on

the east bank of the River Stoke, changed over an 80 year period
from 1930 to 2010.
In the second paragraph, you should describe the general changes

that have taken place. The detail comes later in the essay.
State the information simply. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar

structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb
tenses.
For example:
There was considerable development of the settlement over these

years and it was gradually transformed from a small rural village
into a largely residential area.
Two sentences would be better than one for the second paragraph
but we’ll be getting into the detail if we say more about these maps
at this point, so we’ll leave the overview as one sentence.
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS map essay are where you include
more detailed information. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence
to support your first 1or 2 key features.
In the case of our main features, 1 and 3 are closely related so we’ll
write about these two together.
Here they are again:
Main feature 1: The farmland has been built on.
Main feature 3: The school has been enlarged.

Paragraph 3:
The most notable change is the presence of housing in 2010 on the

areas that were farmland back in 1930. New roads were
constructed on this land and many residential properties built. In
response to the considerable increase in population, the primary
school was extended to around double the size of the previous
building.
remaining key features.
Here are the two we have left:
Main feature 2: The large house has been converted into a

retirement home.
Main feature 4: The shops have disappeared.
This is an example of what you could write:
Paragraph 4:
Whilst the post office remained as a village amenity, the two shops
that can be seen to the north-west of the school in 1930, no longer
existed by 2010, having been replaced by houses. There also used
to be an extensive property standing in its own large gardens
situated to the south-east of the school. At some time between
1930 and 2010, this was extended and converted into a retirement
home. This was another significant transformation for the village.
essay.
IELTS Map Essay

IELTS Multiple Graph
IELTS multiple graph questions are quite common in the Academic
Task 1 Writing test. Students often panic when they see these as
they are worried about having to interpret two different types of
data.
However, as long as you’ve learnt how to write essays on each type

of graph, you will have no problem with multiple graphs questions.
A question could include any combination of the following:
 Bar Chart
 Line Graph
 Pie Chart
 Table Chart
You'll find lessons on each of them via the links above or in the menu
at the bottom of this page.
The process for planning and writing IELTS multiple graph essays is
the same as for any other Academic Task 1 essay.
Here is the 5 steps process I recommend that you use:


Paragraph 3 – Details of 1st graph or chart
Paragraph 4 – Details of 2nd graph or chart
Now that we have all these tools we need, we’re ready to begin
planning and writing our IELTS multiple graph essay.
Here’s our practice question, which includes a pie chart and a table:
The pie chart shows the main reasons why agricultural land
becomes less productive. The table shows how these causes
affected three regions of the world during the 1990s.


Source: IELTS past paper

The graphics in IELTS multiple graph questions should not be difficult

to interpret. Each question has been created to test your language
the easiest things to spot. In most Task 1 questions, you will be
looking for two main features in one graph, chart or table. In multiple
graph questions, look for one main feature in each graphic.
There will be lots of information in the graphics to help you identify

them.
Here are some useful questions to ask? The first question relates
specifically to bar charts and line graphs but the rest apply to all
graph and chart types.

So, what main feature stands out in each of the graphics in our
practice question? Here are the pie chart and table again.

The main features are:
Pie chart: The biggest cause of land degradation worldwide is over-

grazing.
Table: Europe had the highest percentage of degraded land.
Paragraph 3 – Details of 1st graph or chart
Paragraph 4 – Details of 2nd graph or chart

Question:
The pie chart illustrates the primary causes of land deterioration

across the globe while the table outlines how three different
regions were affected by these damaging factors in the 1990s.
have identified, giving only general information. The detail comes
later in the essay. However, with just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1,
and a requirement of only 150 words, you won't be able to include
many details.
Here are the features we picked out above.

grazing.
For example:
It is clear from the pie chart that the main reason why farmland
becomes less productive is over-grazing. The data in the table
reveals that Europe had the highest percentage of degraded land
compared to North America and Oceania for the period recorded.
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS multiple graph essay are where you
include more detailed information about the data in the graphics. In
feature.
Here it is again:

grazing.
Paragraph 3:
The pie chart presents two additional key reasons for the decrease
in the productivity of agricultural land. These are deforestation and
over-cultivation. Although tree clearance is almost as damaging as
grazing too many animals, at 30%, it has a 5% lower impact than
over-grazing. Excessive cultivation is the least problematic at just
over a quarter of the total.
second key feature.
Paragraph 4:
According to the table, 23% of Europe’s agricultural land was

affected by these damaging practices. This was almost double the
percentage in Oceania, the next most affected region. North
America experienced by far the lowest level of productivity loss
with a figure of just 5% of its total agricultural land.
essay.
IELTS Multiple Graph Essay

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Vocabulary for AC Task 1

Key vocabulary for Academic IELTS Task 1:

 Adjectives & adverbs

2) Use vocabulary flexibly

3) Use collocations correctly

The marking criteria specifically mention the correct use of

A collocation is a combination of two or more words that sound

 heavy rain but not weighty rain

 fast food not quick food

 keen interest not eager interest

Adjective & Adverbs

 Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or

 Adverbs are words that describe or modify verbs or adjectives.

Adverbs can generally be formed by adding ‘ly’ to the end of the

Here is a table of adjectives and adverbs relevant to Task 1

Learn 2 or 3 words for large changes and 2 or 3 for small or

Small or Moderate Changes:

Verbs & Nouns

 Verbs are words that describe an action or state.

 Nouns are words that refer to a thing, a place, a person or a

For your essay, you should learn 2 or 3 words for upward

The following words can be used to describe both upward and

Finally, you will need a couple of phrases to describe situations that

Remember to use the appropriate verb tenses in your essay.

There are two ways that you can create them:

Here are some examples:

Percentages, Proportions & Approximations

All chart, graphs and table in IELTS Task 1 questions contain

Often, numerical data is expressed as percentages and you can use

This will involve:

 Describing increases and decreases

To do this, you will need to use particular sentence structures and

We’ll also be looking at common Task 1 verb tenses and other

Here's an overview of the lesson:

2) Key sentence structures

3) 2 Common grammatical errors

The choice of which tense to use will be determined by whether or

Follow these guidelines:

 No date – use the present tense

 Dates in the past – use the past tense

 Dates in the future – use the future tense

The tenses you are most likely to need are:

– Present tense – present simple, present perfect or present

– Past tense – past simple

– Future tense – future simple or the future perfect

The table below gives explanations of these verb tenses and

 Analyse the question

 Identify the main features

How to Describe Trends

The two most useful grammatical structures for describing trends

1) Noun phrase + verb + adverb

The number of unemployed women fell significantly.

2) There + be + adjective + in + noun phrase

There was a dramatic improvement in the percentage of people in

The two most useful grammatical structures for describing increases

1) Noun phrase + verb + adverb

The popularity of social media climbed steadily.

2) There + be + noun + in + noun phrase

There was a fluctuation in university applications.

There is now a swimming pool in the location of the old factory.

How to Make Comparisons

Useful vocabulary for making comparisons includes:

high (er) (est)