IELTS Writing Task 1. An Essay Structure Sample PDF to help prepare for the IELTS writing exam
IELTS Writing Task 1
The Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic test requires you to write a summary of at least 150 words in response to a particular graph (bar, line or pie graph), table, chart, or process (how something works, how something is done). This task tests your ability to select and report the main features, to describe and compare data, identify significance and trends in factual information, or describe a process.
The Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic test requires you to write a summary of at least 150 words in response to a particular graph (bar, line or pie graph), table, chart, or process (how something works, how something is done). This task tests your ability to select and report the main features, to describe and compare data, identify significance and trends in factual information, or describe a process.
It is vitally important that you understand how you are marked. Your final scores will range from 0 – 9. However, the criteria for those marks will look like this:
- Grammatical range and accuracy – 25%
- Vocabulary range and accuracy – 25%
- Coherence and Cohesion – 25%
- Task Achievement – 25%
Range of grammar and vocabulary refers to the variety and complexity in the language you use. Using collocations will mark you out as a higher level student. Accuracy refers to the grammar and vocabulary being used correctly and appropriately. Grammar and vocabulary use combined accounts for 50% of the marks in the exam, so make sure you are confident with your language.
Coherence and cohesion refers to the organisation of the text, for example, how you order your ideas and if use linkers to connect these ideas in a way that makes sense to the reader.
Task achievement is the easiest mark to get as this refers to reading and interpreting the instructions correctly, and writing what you are asked.
Getting your timing right
Timing is so important in the writing part of the IELTS test. Some people spend far too long on Task 1 and then don’t leave themselves with enough time for Task 2. You should practise writing Task 1 pieces in 20 minutes, and certainly not to go on longer than 25 minutes. If you spend too long on Task 1, we guarantee that you won’t have enough time to answer part 2 adequately.
To get your timing right, you’ll need to practise a lot. So make sure you are really prepared and ready before you take the actual exam.
Know the differences between each task
As we’ve already mentioned, there will be some differences between the tasks and you’ll need to be able to differentiate between them quickly. For example, pie charts will require you to use percentages and comparative language, whereas processes will require you to use passive structures.
If you do not get this right, you’ll lose a lot of marks. We will look at these in detail in future posts.
Learn by example
At Atlas, we strongly recommend that you seriously prepare yourselves for what you need to do. One way to do this is to study the variety of sample answers that you can find online. Reading these, you can also pick up a lot of nice language that each graph / chart type uses.
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