IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Everything you Need to Know
There are two tasks in the test of IELTS writing – IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2. Task 1 refers to write a report according to the question statement provided in the test along with a chart or diagram in case of IELTS writing task 1 academic. While IELTS writing task 1 general refers to write a letter according to the situation given in question statement of a test.
IELTS writing task 2 refers to write an essay on given topic of writing task. How to improve writing in IELTS task 2 is a useful article to improve task 2. But, in this article I will share everything you have to know about IELTS writing task 1. IELTS writing task 1 strategies and skills, marking criteria, question types and samples of writing task 1, writing task 1 general training, and essential tips are discussing to aware you about IELTS writing task 1.
IELTS writing task 1 strategies and skills
- First, you have to understand IELTS writing assessment criteria to know that how IELTS band scores are calculated.
- You will get a question and need to paraphrase that one in a best way to get good bands.
- Write overview in such a way that 2 – 3 main features are mentioned in the overview.
- After writing all, check the minor mistakes related to grammar and spellings.
- You have to write answer with the minimum word limit of 150 words in 20 minutes.
- Ability of paraphrasing is evaluated in such type of task.
- Ability to write complex sentences are analyzed.
Summary
IELTS Academic writing task 1 is not difficult if you have capabilities to crack it. The purpose to add such type of task in IELTS is to evaluate the understanding and writing abilities of a candidate. It is important to understand the assessment criteria of IELTS writing.
Variety of strategies and skills are essential to perform well in IELTS writing task 1. In the test of IELTS academic writing task 1, you will face visual aids with question statement to describe the diagram. In visual aids, it can be charts, graphs, tables, maps or process diagrams and there is question statement to clear you that what to do with visual aids. You do not need to add your opinions in your answer. You have to remain to the point by following the question statement. On the other hand, in the case of IELTS general training writing task 1, you need to write a letter according to the question statement provided in the test. The minimum word limit for writing answers in IELTS writing task 1 are 150 words with the time duration of 20 minutes.
All question types of samples are provided in this article to tell to everything about you need about IELTS writing task 1. Tips and tricks are very useful while appearing in IELTS writing task 1 test.
Marking criteria for IELTS writing task 1
There are four marking criterions for IELTS writing task 1. All of these are equally divided into scores. Each criterion carries 25% marks. These are:
- Task achievement
- Coherence and cohesion
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
Task achievement mean you have to get all understanding about the question statement and visual aid given in the test. Coherence and cohesion refer to make a good sentence structure, and good flow of words and sentences. There will be no repetition of words in the answer. Linking cohesive devices are very good to make your writing amazing, and to get good bands in writing test of task 1.
Strong command on vocabulary plays a pivotal role specially in IELTS writing task 1. Do not use same word in writing, try to use a variety of words in IELTS writing answer. Spelling mistakes are not allowed, therefore avoid such type of blunder mistakes in IELTS writing. Good command on grammar also raised your band scores in IELTS writing.
Writing task 1 full lessons
In case of IELTS academic writing task 1, there are different types of question. These are also called visual aids. The question statement is also attached with visual aid to describe answer.
- Charts
- Graphs
- Tables
- Maps
- Diagrams
These types of questions are mentioned below with brief explanation.
Charts
In this type of question, you will face a chart with question statement to describe answer in 150 words with the time duration of 20 minutes. Two types of charts- bar charts and pie charts are mostly included in the test of IELTS academic writing task 1. You can also face two same charts or one pie and one bar chart in the test. Therefore, practice all types of charts to get good band scores.
A sample of chart is given below to aware you about the structure and nature of charts in IELTS writing task 1.
| You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The bar chart shows the monthly spending dollars of a family in the USA on three items in 2010. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. |
Graphs
In this type of question, you are given a graph picture with question statement. You need to describe the graph according to question statement. All the main features, main ideas, and facts and figures are important to note down in writing report. Therefore, practice as possible as you can to perform best in the test. There is a sample of graph with question statement given below.
| You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. |
Tables
In the question type of table in IELTS writing task, you will face a table in the question in which date is mentioned with statement and you need to write a report to describe the data given in the table. Practice different types of tables to boost your writing skills for IELTS writing task 1 academic.
Sample is given below for the question type of table in IELTS writing task 1 academic.
| You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The Table below shows the results of a survey that asked 6800 Scottish adults (aged 16 years and over) whether they had taken part in different cultural activities in the past 12 months. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. |
Maps
In the question type of map, you are given a map with the statement to describe it in detail with the word limit of 150 words minimum. You need to describe all details according to the data given in question statement and no need to write your own opinion in the report. Practice a variety of maps to get good bands in writing test.
A type of map which is used in the exams is given below as a sample.
| You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist facilities. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. |
Diagrams
In this type of question, you will face a diagram it can be any diagram of process or related to other action with statement to write answer. Most of the times, you can face process diagram in writing test of task 1. In this type of question, you need to describe the whole process that you understand through diagram and statement. After understanding all, provide main features and points of the process given in the test.
A sample for process diagram is given below, like this type of diagram you can face in the test of IELTS writing task 1 academic.
| You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity form ware power. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. |
General training writing task 1
The instructions for IELTS general writing task 1 are same as like task 1 academic. The main difference is about the types of questions in the writing test. In IELTS general training writing task 1, you have to write a letter according to statement given in the test. The minimum word limit for writing a letter is also same 150 words. Time period is also same to write in 20 minutes.
Samples for IELTS writing task 1 general
In IELTS writing task 1 general training, there is question to write a letter according to the question. There are 5 questions as a sample given below to show you how and which types of questions are asked in writing test of IELTS general training task 1.
- You recently received a letter from a friend asking for your advice on whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/ she should get a job. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:
- say why she will not enjoy going to college
- explain why getting a job is a good idea
- Suggest the type of job that would be suitable.
- Your next door neighbor owns a small dog that barks throughout the day and the night. Write a letter to your neighbor requesting that something be done about the dog. Include in your letter:
- Your reason for writing
- What you would like to happen
- A nice, respectful style.
- One of your friends wants to apply for a job at a summer school camp as a sports trainer. Write a letter to the camp manager to recommend your friend. In your letter:
- say how well you know your friend
- describe the qualifications and experience that your friend has
- explain why your friend would be suitable for this job.
- You are planning to take a vacation. Write a letter to a friend. In your letter:
- describe the vacation spot you have chosen
- explain how you plan to spend your time there
- invite your friend to join you on your vacation.
- You have a problem with a recently hired employee in your workplace. Write a letter to the HR manager. In your letter:
- Describe the problem the new employee has caused
- Explain how other employees about the new employee’s conduct
- Say how you expect the HR manager to address the situation.
Tips to ace IELTS academic writing task 1
- Understand the question statement and visual aid first to make a structure to describe answer.
- Choose right language to answer in IELTS writing task 1.
- Write a great introduction with key features given in the statement and chart.
- Avoid to make spelling mistakes.
- Grammatical mistakes also affect your band scores to decrease.
- Understand the marking criteria of IELTS writing.
- Clear and good hand writing helps examiner to understand your answer well.
- Cohesive devices are very helpful to fulfill the criteria of cohesion and coherence.
- Practice of model answers make you confident to answer fast.
- Practicing answer sheet help you to save your time.
- Time management is also important.
Final thoughts
IELTS writing task 1 test is easy test if you are really serious to crack it and prepare it in a better way. The different types of questions are included in the test to analyze the understanding abilities of candidates.
Visual aids like graphs, maps, charts, tables or diagrams etc. with question statements are included in the IELTS academic writing task 1 test as a task to describe with the minimum word limit of 150 words in the time period of 20 minutes. Different types of strategies and skills are required to crack the writing task 1. To get general information about writing skills such as paragraph writing, visit ajmaldassjaipal.com.
While the writing task 1 general refers to write a letter according to the question statement given in the test with the minimum word limit 150 words and time duration to solve such task is 20 minutes. Golden tips will help you to prepare well in IELTS writing task 1.
