IELTS Writing - Academic Task 1 - 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 1
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, 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.

5.

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
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 charts 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?

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?

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 Williams College in
the year 2005-2006.
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.
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.
Vocabulary for Task 1:
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
a
a
a

Verbs

fall
decrease
decline
dip

to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to

rise
increase
surge
grow
peak
skyrocket
fluctuate
vary
fall
decrease
decline
dip
dive
plunge

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
Phrases 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

sharply
suddenly
rapidly
abruptly
dramatically
significantly
Adverbs steadily
considerably
markedly
slightly
gently
gradually
wildly
sharp
sudden
rapid
abrupt
dramatic
steep
Adjectiv
significant
es
steady
considerable
marked
slight
gentle
gradual
SAMPLE SENTENCES

There was a substantial increase in the value of stocks on March 15th.

House prices rose dramatically in July.

The number of tourists visiting New York fell sharply in October.

The percentage of students walking to school continued to rise

gradually over the ten year period from 2000-2010.

There was a sharp increase in employee turnover after the strike.

Interest in environmental issues has risen steadily over the last 10

years.
MORE USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES
1.
Percent the word percent comes after a number
Examples:
More than 25% of the students are from Brazil.
More than 25 percent of the students come from Brazil.

2.

Percentage - The word percentage comes after words like the, a, this
and that. Often, it is preceded by an adjective.
Examples:
A small percentage of residents have lived in the building for more than
20 years.
The percentage of students who live on campus has fallen sharply since
the fire.
3.
For numbers up to ten, write the numbers in words. For numbers over
10, you can write the numbers in numbers.
Examples:
Five percent of the employees were late this month.
More than 50 percent of the students handed in their assignments late
after the long weekend.
4.
If the sentence starts with a number, always write it in words.
Examples: Wrong: 25 students were from China.
Right: Twenty-five students were from China.
Vocabulary for Task 2:
Stating Your Opinion
In my opinion,

According to me,

In my view,

To me,

From my point of view,

I think

It seems to me that

I believe

From my perspective

To my way of thinking

It appears that

I suppose

I realize

I understand

I imagine

I feel

Giving Examples
For example,

For instance,

such as

In other words,

as

like

that is

namely

To illustrate

To paraphrase

Comparing
Similar to

As...as

in common

also

Either...or

In the same way,

Neither...nor

At the same time

Just as

resemble

Contrasting
However,

But

On the contrary,

On the other hand,

Differ from

Nevertheless

Although

Though

Otherwise

Instead

Alternatively,

Even though

Generalizing
Generally,

Generally speaking,

Overall,

On the whole,

In general,

By and large,

It seems to me that

I believe

All in all,

Basically,

Essentially,

As a rule,

All things considered

For the most part

Expressing Certainty
Certainly,

Undoubtedly,

Doubtless,

No doubt,

Definitely,

Of course,

Expressing Partial Agreement

More or less,

To some extent,

Up to a point,

Almost,

In a way,

So to speak,

Showing cause
Due to

Because

Because of

Owing to

Showing effect
Therefore,

As a result,

Consequently,

For this reason,

Thus,

So,

thereby

Eventually,

Hence,

The reason why

Marking time
First,

Last

Second,

Lastly,

Third,

Then,

Firstly,

First of all,

Secondly,

Before

Thirdly,

After

During

While

To begin with

At the same time

Simultaneously

After this / that

Since

Meanwhile

Afterwards

Following this

When

As soon as

Adding Information
Furthermore

In addition

Also

And

Moreover

Similarly

Likewise

As well as

Besides

Too

Even

Whats more

Expressing condition
If

Whether

In case

Unless

Provided that

So that

Concluding
To summarize

In conclusion

Lastly,

Finally,

To conclude with,

In short,