Name: ________________

IELTS HIGH-INTERMEDIATE

WRITING

Week 3

SUMMIT EDUCATION SERVICES Hanoi SUMMIT EDUCATION SERVICES HCM City

No. 101 Lang Ha – Dong Da District. No. 215 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ward 7, District 3.
No. 302 Cau Giay – Cau Giay Dist. No. 198 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 6, District 3.
No 564 Nguyen Van Cu – Long Bien Dist. SUMMIT EDUCATION SERVICES Danang
No.150 Nguyen Van Linh – Thanh Khe Dist.
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 UNIT 3
Task 1 – Describing a single graph (line graph, pie chart, bar chart)
Analyzing and identifying key features in a graph
Skill focused
Language to describe trends
Structuring a Task 1 report

I. Understanding IELTS Task 1 requirements:

A. Introduction to IELTS Task 1:

In IELTS Task 1, you are given a visual input (a chart, graph, table or diagram) and the task
involves reporting the data from the visual input. In the report, you need to:

● Summarize the information in the visual or set of data:

o Select the main features.
o Report the main features, along with numerical or specific data to support.
● Make comparisons where relevant.

You should spend about 20 minutes on the task. The minimum word limit is 150 words so you
should aim to write more than this limit. If you have written under this word limit, chances are
that you might have missed out some important points or used language which is too simple.

The writing steps for an IELTS Task 1 report are as followed:

Writing Steps:

1. Analyze the question: Examine the diagrams carefully, and decide what each one shows.
Consider only facts, NOT personal ideas (objective analysis)

2. Plan the answer: Look for any overall trends or features first. Choose as many relevant words
as you can. Make comparisons if necessary. Divide the report into paragraphs appropriately.

3. Write the answer: Use a range of relevant vocabulary, sentence types and linking words.
Work out how many lines 150 words are in your handwriting, e.g. if you write about 10 words
per line, then you will need to produce at least 15 lines. Obviously, you need to write more to
address the task but it is very important to keep your report relevant.

4. Check the answer; proofread

Leave time at the end to check your answer for errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation.

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 B. Read the band descriptors carefully and decide a band score for each scenario below.
An example had been given below for Scenario a:

Scenario Criteria Band score

a. A candidate failed to write an Task Achievement Band 5.0
overview in her report.
b. A candidate did not separate
the report into clear paragraphs.
He described the details in
sequence of their appearance in
the graph given, without
arranging them in any logical
order.
c. A candidate used a lot of
complex structures to link the
stages in a line graph
description. Her sentences are
mostly accurate, and she made
very few errors.
d. A candidate summarized 2-3
main trends and key features in
the overview of his report.
e. A candidate used simple
words to describe the graph
movements. Words such as
“increase” or “decrease”
appeared multiple times. He
rarely used any adverbs or
adjectives to further comment on
the changes.
f. A candidate arranged the data
logically and used linking words
such as “First”, “Secondly”,
“afterwards” to list the stages in
his report. They are mostly used
at the beginning of the sentence.
Some linking words such as
“next”, or “afterwards” were
repeated several times.

C. Using the IELTS Writing Task 1 Checklist:

In the previous two lessons, we have been familiarized with a Task 2 Writing Checklist and how
to use it. In this lesson, you will also explore a Task 1 Writing Checklist, which you can use to
proof-read, edit and improve your Task 1 reports in the process of this course and in your exam
practice for the IELTS.

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 TASK 1

Task Achievement Notes ( )

1. Written at least 150 words?
2. Introduction: Paraphrased the question?
3. Overview: 2-3 main trends?
4. Body paragraph(s):
a. Grouped the data?
b. Included key figures to support your description?
c. Compared and contrasted the figures in the chart(s)?
d. Included all important data?

Coherence and Cohesion Notes ( )

1. Organized your body paragraphs in a logical way? (E.g. general detail;
main idea; details; overview = body paragraphs)
2. Used a variety of linking expressions?
a. To compare & contrast data/features
b. To add information
c. To transition from one paragraph to another
3. Avoided using 1 linking device more than 2 times?
4. Used referencing pronouns and synonyms?

Grammatical Range and Accuracy Notes ( )

1. Used a variety of sentence structures? (simple – compound – complex
sentences) Suggestions: comparative, superlative, (reduced) relative
clause, etc.
2. Used both verb phrases and noun phrases to describe data?
3. Checked grammar mistakes?
a. Verb tenses (according to timeline of charts)
b. Quantity: plural/singular/uncountable
c. Subject-verb agreement
d. Prepositions
e. Punctuations
Lexical Resource Notes ( )
1. Used a variety of less common words?
2. Used correct style/register?
3. Used correct collocations?
4. Used correct word forms?
a. Adj + N
b. V + Adv
c. Adv + Adj
5. Spelled words correctly?

Similar to the process in producing and improving your drafts for Task 2, you should also use
this check list to check and improve your Task 1 report. When writing your homework, submit
both drafts and the checklist to your teacher to receive further feedback.

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 II. Approaching an IELTS Task 1 with graphs or charts:

For an IELTS Task 1 with a given graph or chart, you can use the following guiding questions to
analyze the question carefully and plan an outline for your report.

1. Look at the title of the graph and read the given information in the question to identify
what the graph/chart is about.
2. Use the labels, axes and legends in the graph to fully understand the data being presented:
a. For line graph and bar chart, look at the vertical and horizontal axes to identify the
units and timeline; then look at the legend to identify the name of each category.
b. For pie charts, look at the labels for each pie, and then look at the legend to identify
the name of each category.
c. For the table, look at the row and column titles to understand the categories being
presented.
3. Observe the graph or table to identify the main features:
a. If the graph/table reflects changes of over time (trends), identify whether each
category shows an upward or a downward trend, and whether the changes happen to a
large or small extent.
b. Look for the data which is the greatest and the smallest in the set.
c. Look for any outstanding peak (the high points) or trough (the low points).
d. Look out for any unexpected turns of events (for e.g. a graph which started at the
bottom then rose gradually to reach the top level, surpassing other sets of data).
4. Plan by grouping data into paragraphs and sequencing the order of description before you
write your report.

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 PRACTICE

GRAPH A

a. What does the bar chart show?

b. What is the timeline of the data reflected?
c. What is the unit of the data?
d. What does the figure -1000 on the vertical axis mean?
e. Which sector(s) showed increasing net worth over time from 2000 to 2010?
f. Which sector(s) showed negative growth in net worth in the period of 2000-2010?
g. What trend did the net worth of the UK government sector show in the period of 2000-2010?
h. Which were the highest net worth sectors in the UK in 2000-2010? Which were the lowest?

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 GRAPH B

The first chart below shows how energy is used in an average Australian
household. The second chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions which
result from this energy use.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features,

and make comparisons where relevant.

W
Write at least 150 words.

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 a. What do the pie charts show?
b. Which activity consumed the greatest amount of energy in Australian households? Which one
consumed the least?
c. Which activity generated the largest amount of greenhouse gases? Which one generated the
least?
d. Are there any similarities or differences you can observe from the two pie charts?
e. What does the number “42%” mean in the first pie? What does the number “3%” mean in the
second pie?

III. Structuring an IELTS Task 1 report and describing graphs with trends:

A. Sample Graph 1 – Line graph:

Rates of participation in different outdoor sports

WRITING SKILL 1: REWORDING THE INTRODUCTION

Fill in the blanks with the suitable words to express correctly the data in the above chart.

1. The line graph depicts the ...........................of participants in various outdoor sports from
1975 to the present day.
2. The line chart illustrates the ..................................of participation in various outdoor
activities since 1975.
3. The line chart provides data on how ........................ .... four types of outdoor sports (be)
among young people.
4. The line graph illustrates the .........................................of young people participating in
outdoor sports from 1975 to the present day.

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 Vocabulary for the Introduction Part:

Starting Presentation Type Verb Description

The given / The diagram / table / shows / represents / the comparison of ….

supplied / The figure / illustration / depicts / illustrates / the differences ….
presented / The graph / figure / chart / presents/ gives / the number of ….
showed / The flow chart / picture/ provides / describes / the amount of ….
provided presentation/ pie compares/ shows /
the proportion of….
chart / bar graph/ line figures / gives data on
graph / table data/ / gives information the percentage of….
data / information on/ presents
information about/ how much….
shows data about
how many….

WRITING SKILL 2: WRITING AN OVERVIEW

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 (in 2000: LL= highest, RB = 2nd, BB=lowest)

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 Vocabulary for the Overview:

Cohesive device Signaling words/phrases to indicate Conjunctions to link clauses or

that you are summarizing the main sentences
features

● Overall. ● what stands out from the ● while

graph/chart is that …. ● whereas
● In general, ● it is clear from the chart that…. ● Additionally,
● Generally, ● it can be observed that …. ● In/by contrast,
● the most prominent trend/feature to ● with the exception of
● From an overall emerge from the graph is…
perspective, ● the most striking feature is....
● A glance at the
chart reveals
that …..

To write an effective overview, analyze the data in the graph carefully and answer these
questions:

1. Which outdoor sport was the most/ the least popular in 1975?
2. Which outdoor sport(s) saw a downward trend in their participation rate over time?
3. Which outdoor sport(s) saw an upward trend in their participation rate over time?

Write an overview for Sample line graph 1 above.

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______________________________________________________________________________
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 WRITING SKILL 3: PLANNING A REPORT
Discuss with a partner how you can logically group the data in the Sample Line Graph 1 to
achieve coherence and progression in your report.

B. Vocabulary to describe trends:

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 3.

4.

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 C. Writing complex sentences in trend description:
1. Joining two changes together:

1. Read this paragraph and underline all the linking words and phrases which mean
and then.
Income of Bernie’s Buns started at £20,000 in 2000, and after that there was a slight rise to
£23,000 in 2001. Following this, the figure fell slightly to £21,000 in 2002, after which income
rose sharply in 2003. At this point, the number levelled off until 2005. Next, there was a slight
dip in 2006, but this was followed by a sharp increase to £60,000 in 2008. Subsequently, income
went up gradually in the last two years.

2. Join these changes together using the linking phrase in brackets. Make any other
necessary changes.

1. Income began at just over £80,000. Income went up slightly to £95,000 in 2001.
(and then)
Income began at just over £80,000, and then it went up slightly to
£95,000 in 2001.
2. There was a steady fall to £80,000. Income recovered to £90,000 in 2004. (after which)
3. Earnings dropped sharply to just over £60,00. There was a slight dip. (At this point)
4. There was a slight rise to just under £60,000. The figure went down considerably.
(Subsequently).
5. Income fell significantly to £40,000. The number levelled off. (Next)

Despite … and Having …

You can also use these two structures to join together two changes. Make
sure you study how to use them carefully. Don’t forget: if you use the
Having structure, you need the past participle (e.g. Having fallen…)

3. What are the irregular past participles of these verbs?

1. fall fallen 2. grow 3. rise

4. Choose the correct form of each verb. Check the model answer if you need to.
1. Despite falling / fell sharply to just above £40,000, the figure then rose in 2010.
2. Having remained / remaining stable at £55,000, income then rose sharply in 2008.

5. Rewrite these sentences using the words in brackets.

1. There was a steady decline to £80,000 and then income recovered to £90,000 in 2004.
(Despite…)
2. Earnings dropped sharply to just over £60,000, but then rose slightly. (Having…)

6. Use the linking phrases from Exercise 1 and despite/having to join these ideas to form a
good paragraph. Check your answer on page 123.

Income of Lovely Loaves began at just over £80,000 in 2000. There was a slight rise to
around £95,000 in 2001. The figure went down steadily to £80,000 in 2003. There was a
slight increase to around £90,000 in 2004. There was a sharp fall to just over £60,000 in 2005.

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 Income dipped in 2006. There was a negligible increase to just under £60,000 in 2007.
Income fell considerably to £40,000 in 2008. The figure levelled off in the last two years.

2. Commenting on the data

To take your Task 1 essay to the next level, try to comment on the data, rather than just give a
list of numbers. Add one or two comments to show that you understand and can interpret the
graph. Here are some ways you can do this.
Compare the different parts of the graph, using a relative clause:
The income of Lovely Loaves fell significantly to around £40,000 in 2008, which meant
that it earned far less than the other bakeries.
Comment on the peak:
Exercise 3 – Use the ideas above to complete these comments for the graph on the three
bakeriesThere was a considerable rise in the takings of Robbie’s Bakery in the last two years to
above.
£105,000, this figure being the peak level of income during the whole period.
1. The earnings of Bernie’s Buns were £20,000 in 2000, ………………………… (use
superlative)Add an extra verb to give emphasis:
The income of Robbie’s Bakery rose sharply in 2008, rocketing to just under £100,000.
2. The income
Addof Lovely Loaves fell sharply in 2005, ……………………………. (add a verb-
a superlative:
ing to give emphasis)
Lovely Loaves eraned just over £80,000 in 2000. This meant that it had the highest
income of the three bakeries in that year.
3. There was a sharp
datarise
intoinathe income of Robbie’s Bakery between 2005 and 2008,
Group period of time:
…………………..…………………………………………………………………………
(comparing
Therewith
wasother graphs, using
a significant relativein clause)
fluctuation the income of Lovely Loaves in the first half of the
decade.

4. Lovely Loaves’ income fell considerably to £40,000 in 2008,

………………………………………..…………………………………………………
(commenting on the lowest point).

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 HOMEWORK
Choose one of the following Task 1 questions and write a complete report:

Question A

Write at least 150 words.

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 Question B

Write at least 150 words.

Remember to use the IELTS Task 1 Writing Checklist to check and improve your first draft to
create a final draft. Submit both drafts to your teacher along with the writing checklist. Your
homework should be submitted at least two days before the next writing lesson.

THE END

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