English 

Pro Tips

Different Graphics in Academic Task 1

In this lesson, we look at the different graphic types that appear in task 1 of the writing test.
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How You Are Assessed for Task Achievement

Task Achievement is 25% of your writing score. There are certain things we need to do to make
sure we get a high score for Task Achievement:

1. Mention key features

e.g. if there are six countries, then you must write about six countries

2. Have a clear overview

e.g. “Overall, all six countries experienced growth between 1992 and 2002”

3. Show data/evidence from the graphic

e.g. “Spain experienced rapid growth (from 3% in 1999 to 42% in 2015)”

4.Make comparisons of data

e.g. “China grew at a quicker rate than England over these years”

5. Don't include irrelevant or inaccurate information

e.g. “China's economy grew after 2002”.
NOT: “China's economy probably grew because of their focus on technology”

Focusing on the different graphic types

Let's look in a bit more detail at all of the different graphic types and what our answers should
include.

Table
Key details
8 countries
Both dates: 2005, 2015
The percentage change

Extra details we should mention

biggest/smallest changes
most/fewest students abroad
which % changes are similar,
etc.
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Line graph/chart
Key details
All 5 sports/categories
Order of favourite sport
Beginning and end dates
Dates when trends change

Extra details we should mention

gradual decline in hockey
basketball dipped in 1990
relatively steep and consistent
decline in baseball, etc.

Bar graph/chart
Key details
All 4 sectors
All 3 dates
That 2028 is a prediction
When trends change

Extra details we should mention

increases in popularity of I.T.
large decline in retail, etc.

Stacked bar graph/chart

Key details
All 5 store types
All 3 dates
A general trend of more stores
What trends have changed

Extra details we should mention

The more data the better
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Pie chart(s)
Key details
All 3 countries
All age categories
Total number of visitors

Extra details we should mention

The more data the better

Process diagram
Key details
8 steps
That waste is composted
Making One bottle

Extra details we should mention

The more data the better

Map diagram
Key details
Second map is a plan
All the things that are:
the same
different

Extra details we should mention

The more data the better
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More than one graphic

Key details
First graphic: bar graph
3 regions
2 dates
Second graphic: pie chart
All costs
% of each cost

Extra details we should mention

The more data the better

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