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IELTS Writing - Academic Task 1

One should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The task should consist of at least 150 words.

We can use four paragraphs for IELTS writing task-1.

Para 1 – introduction

Para 2 – body analysis-1

Para 3 – body analysis -2

Para 4 – conclusion (Optional)

Probable Word allocation for each Para:

· Introduction : 30-40 words

· Body paragraph – 1 : 50-60 words

· Body paragraph – 2 : 50-60 words

· Conclusion : 20-30 words

Those who need advance materials, click on the following link to download the PDF of more words and with a sample answer.

https://rapidshare.com/files/1356916018/Academic_task_1.pdf

Types of Charts

In the IELTS Academic Task 1, you must be able to identify, understand and describe various types of graphic information. This is considered an important academic skill, because it shows you can intelligently and clearly interpret and describe data presented in charts, tables, graphs and diagrams. If you have written your answer very well, even someone who cannot see the graphic should be able to understand what happened.

5 Steps to Mastering Academic task

To prepare yourself to complete Task 1, follow the five steps below:

1. Learn to recognize and identify different graphic forms, such as line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, etc.

2. Know what key information, comparisons and trends to look out for.

3. Practice using the specific vocabulary required to describe those trends.

4. Learn how to follow a plan to start, complete and finish your answer. Use sample Task 1 questions,

5. Included on this website, to practice writing out a full response. At first, do not time yourself. Later, once you've got the hang of it, time yourself and make sure you finish in 20 minutes.

6. Know what NOT to include in your response.

By following the steps above, you will be prepared and confident, no matter what type of question appears in Task 1 of your actual IELTS exam.

Steps 1 & 2 – Identify Types of Charts, Look for Trends

Line Graph

A line graph plots the changes in data over time:

Ask yourself:

· What is the highest level / point?

· What is the lowest level / point?

· Is there a point till when the trend was increasing or decreasing?

· When did the trend change?

Bar Charts

A bar chart consists of rectangular bars arranged horizontally or vertically from the x or y axis.

The length of a bar shows the values it represents. The values are listed on one axis and each bar shows what is being measured on the other axis. Bar charts are useful for comparing data. In studying a bar chart, you may want to look for the following information:

· Which is the tallest bar?

· Which is the shortest bar?

· Have the bars changed over time? How?

· How do the bars compare to each other?

Pie Chart

A pie chart is a circular chart divided into sectors or pie slices. It presents information in segments of a circle or pie, which together add up to 100%. Here's an example:

Ask yourself:

· Which is the largest segment?

· Which is the smallest segment?

· How do the segments compare with each other?

Tables

A table presents information in different categories, making it easy to compare.

The sample table below shows the percentage of students who came to college on foot, by car, bicycle or public transportation, at a College in the year 2010-2011.

Method of Student Travel to College by Percentage

Walking	12
Bicycle	20
Car	25
Public Transport	43

Look out for the following:

· What is the highest figure?

· What is the lowest figure?

· What is second highest, etc.?

Step 3 – Vocabulary of Trends

To get high marks on the Academic Task 1, you must show the examiner that you know how to use a range of vocabulary to describe and interpret visual information. You must be able to use the appropriate verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs to provide precise descriptions.

For a detailed list of essential vocabulary, check the section of this website on Vocabulary for Task 1.

Step 4 – Write your answer according to a plan

To be able to complete Task 1 in 20 minutes or less, write your answer according to the following plan:

1. Write one sentence to introduce the subject and graphic.

2. Write one or two sentences to show the relationship between the data or to comment on the main trend.

3. Write an in-depth description of the information given. Include details from the most important to the least important, depending on time.

4. Write one sentence to conclude your answer.

Step 5 - What not to write

Only describe the data. Don not give your interpretation of it. You are not being asked why you think the data in the chart is the way it is, so do not write about that.

IELTS Writing - Academic Task 1 -
Vocabulary

The following words and phrases will help you describe trends:

Nouns	a rise an increase a surge a growth a peak a fluctuation a variation a period of stability a plateau a fall a decrease a decline a dip
*Verbs*	to rise to increase to surge to grow to peak to skyrocket to fluctuate to vary to fall to decrease to decline to dip to dive to plunge
Phrases	to show an upward trend to show a downward trend to hit the highest point to hit the lowest point to reach a peak to show some fluctuation to fluctuate wildly to remain stable to remain static to remain unchanged to stay constant to reach a plateau to level off to flatten out the highest the lowest the second highest the third highest compared to compared with relative to
Adverbs	sharply suddenly rapidly abruptly dramatically significantly steadily considerably markedly slightly gently gradually wildly
Adjectives	sharp sudden rapid abrupt dramatic steep significant steady considerable marked slight gentle gradual

Time

From …………………. to……. ( from 2000 to 2005)

Between …………and …………. ( between 2000 and 2005)

In ……… ( for any single year)

From ….. for the next/ following ( period) ( from 2000 for the next 5 years)

Over a period of ………. Up to ….. ( over a period of 5 years up to 2005)

For …….(period) up to ……….. ( for 5 years up to 2005)

Structure of the information:

· Structure: Subject + verb + adverb + time change + amount changed.

Example:

Rate of unemployment skyrocketed abruptly over a period of 2 years up to 2005 to 45%.

· Structure: There was a/an + adjective+ noun + in + noun + time change + amount changed.

Example:

There was a drastic increase in the rate of unemployment between 2003 and 2005 to 45%.

Preposition problem 1 – by and to

Prepositions are horrid in English. Have another look at the graph:

Note how these two sentences mean exactly the same:

The rate of unemployment rose to 12% in 2010.

The rate of unemployment rose by 5% in 2010.

Preposition problem 2 – in and of

This one is harder. We use “in” to describe changes in things and “of” to describe changes in number or amount. For example,

There was a rise in the rate of unemployment

There was a rise of 5% in the rate of unemployment.

EXAMPLE OF TASK ONE

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below shows the unemployment rates in the US and Japan between March 1993and March 1999.

Write a short report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
You should write at least 150 words.

Model answer:
According to the results of the labor-force research published recently, the following conclusions can be drawn from it:

In March, 1993, United States had seven percent of their workforce which might not seem disastrous until compared with Japan, where 2.5% were unemployed. However, the unemployment rate in United States began declining slowly since March 1993, and reached 5% mark in the middle of 1996. Japan turned out to be less lucky, as their unemployment rate doubled in three years. From then on, the percentage of unemployed workforce in United States remained roughly the same — about 5% until March 99, although there were minor falls and rises in the unemployment rate.

As for Japan, the percentage of unemployed fell rapidly by 0.5—0.6% after March 1996, but from summer 1996 and onwards it grew steadily and without any falls to reach 5.0% boundary in March 1999.

The major conclusion that I’ve drawn using the graph, is that number of unemployed in USA decreased by about 2.0% in the course of six years, while in Japan it actually increased by 2.5% percent. As a result, in March 99, both Japan and US had about 5% of their work force unemployed.

(198 words)

What is being tested?

Task two questions asking you to describe a process rarely appear on the IELTS test. They are different from table, graph and chart description because they test your ability to:

Present a point of view with convincing evidence
Challenge an alternate point of view
Focus on the topic and avoid irrelevancies
Communicate in a style that is easy to follow and cohesive
Use English accurately and appropriately

Agree OR Disagree Discuss And Give Opinion Opinion Essays

IELTS examiners are really experienced people who have been well trained for this purpose. From the very short description, you can see that they have some criteria that are used to judge your level of English.

Hence, we should understand what they want from us. Without knowing that, it's like you're playing a game but without knowing the rule how to win.

Now let's get into the real work. What are the criteria that you need to know? They are the way how your essay will be graded.

This is how your essay is graded

There are 4 components: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

Task Response means to what extend your essay covers the topic. For example, if the topic is
"The advantages and disadvantages of globalization", you would have to write about both aspects not just only advantages or just only disadvantages.

Coherence and Cohesion means how well your paragraphs and sentences are connected. If your first paragraph is about advantages of globalisation, you should start your second paragraph with phrases such as "Despite the advantages, there are many disadvantages we should be aware of". Otherwise, your essay is just a list of items which are not related to each other.

Lexical Resource means vocabulary and different types of sentences, simple and complex. You should be able to demonstrate your capability in using English.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy means spelling and grammar of sentences. You should be able to spell the words correctly, do not forget articles “a” and “the”, punctuations is also important.

One more important thing to know: the four criteria are equally weighted. It means that if you forgot about “Coherence and Cohesion” in your essay, you will loose 1/4 of your essay points.

2. Don't repeat the mistakes of others

The topics of IELTS are very different every year. However, they are very similar to each other in content. Because of this, you can study other people's mistakes and based on that, you can improve yourself.

Following are some mistakes that you need to be aware of:

a) Lacking of linking words

Sometimes, IELTS students also have mistakes in using these linking words such as misusing between "On the other hand" and "Moreover".

b) Weak grammar:

The tenses such as simple present, present perfect and simple past are not used probably. There is no way that you can master this in a short time. We are developing this section for you but it will take some time. For the time being, you can google it up for exercises related to this.

c) Repeating the question:

This is a very common one. For example, a sample writing task 2 requirement: "You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Professional sports involve large sums of money and receives enormous media coverage. Meanwhile serious culture, including music, art and theatre, is badly neglected. This is making our society shallower. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Then in your introduction you shouldn't write like this "Professional sports involve large sums of money and receives enormous media coverage. Meanwhile serious culture, including music, art and theatre, is badly neglected. Personally, I think that ..."

d) Your writing doesn't address the issue

For example, a sample writing task 2 requirement: "Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion."

For this requirement, you have to write both why it is justified to have sports professionals' salary higher than the salary of people from other professions and why it is unfair.

If you don't write any of the two aspects, you will lose half of your marks.

e) No clear writing structure:

Following is a general structure for an IELTS Writing Option Essay.

IELTS is designed in such a way that your score reflects your English capability not how smart you are. Saying as such doesn't mean you can write whatever in your essay. Remember this is about academic writing. Hence, you need to follow some certain structures to express your ideas.

As you can see from the example above, there are generally 3 sections of an essay:

1) Introduction is a must. You don't believe you could get a good grade without introduction, do you?

2) Body: Normally we have to give 3 paragraphs. Three is a magical number. It can do wonders to your overall band score.

3) Conclusion. You do not want to infuse your examiner with a feeling of incompleteness.

Take a look again at the picture:

As we mentioned, this is an opinion essay. It means for this type of question, you are given the problem (in red) and then asked to discuss it (in blue). Example: " Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion."

Because of the nature of the opinion essays, you need to do more planning and thinking of the ideas. What are the other types of questions you can see in the exam? Totally there are 3 different types for an IELTS Writing Task 2:

References:
ielts-blog

Agree OR Disagree

Communicating