THE WRITING MODULE

No. of tasks= 2
Task 1= Report writing, 20 mins, at least 150 words, 4 paragraphs
Task 2= Essay writing, 40 mins, at least 250 words, 4-5 paragraphs

IELTS Writing task 1

i) Bar Graph
ii) Pie chart
iii) Table
iv) Stacked bar chart
v) Line graph
vi) Process diagram
vii) Flowchart
viii) Cyclic diagram
ix) Maps
x) Mixed question

Basic answer format for Task 1

Paragraph 1 = paraphrase
Paragraph 2= overview
Paragraph 3 = Body 1
Paragraph 4= Body 2
The chart illustrates the amount of money spent on five consumer goods (cars,
computers, books, perfume and cameras) in France and the UK in 2010. Units
are measured in pounds sterling.

Overall, the UK spent more money on consumer goods than France in the pe-
riod given. Both the British and the French spent most of their money on cars
whereas the least amount of money was spent on perfume in the UK compared
to cameras in France. Furthermore, the most significant difference in expendi-
ture between the two countries was on cameras.

In terms of cars, people in the UK spent about £450,000 on this as opposed to

the French at £400,000. Similarly, the British expenditure was higher on books
than the French (around £400,000 and £300,000 respectively). In the UK, ex-
penditure on cameras (just over £350,000) was over double that of France,
which was only £150,000.

On the other hand, the amount of money paid out on the remaining goods was
higher in France. Above £350,000 was spent by the French on computers which
was slightly more than the British who spent exactly £350,000. Neither of the
countries spent much on perfume which accounted for £200,000 of expenditure
in France but under £150,000 in the UK.

The two pie charts illustrate the proportion of five sources of energy production in France in 1995
and 2005.
Overall, in both years, the most significant sources of energy were gas and coal, which together ac-
counted for over half the production of energy, while nuclear and other kinds of energy sources
generated the least amount of energy in France. In all types of energy production there was only
minimal change over the period.

Energy produced by coal comprised of 29.80% in the first year and this showed only a very slight
increase of about a mere 1 % to 30.9% in 2005. Likewise, in 1995, gas generated 29.63% which
rose marginally to 30.1% 10 years later.

With regards to the remaining methods of producing energy, there was an approximate 5% growth
in production from both nuclear power and other sources to 10.10% and 9.10% respectively. Petrol,
on the other hand, was the only source of energy which decreased in production from 29.27% in
1995 to around a fifth (19.55%) in 2005.

Pie Chart Tips

-Always highlight the largest and smallest proportions
-If there are two pie charts in different time periods, then you must highlight the key changes /
trends
-Use pie chart language - accounts for / comprises of / represents
-The phrase "Units are measured in." should be used when the units have not been stated in the pre-
vious sentence.

IELTS Table
The table illustrates the proportion of consumer expenditure in Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and
Turkey on three types of consumer goods in 2002.

Overall, the category of consumer goods that all countries spent most on was food, drinks and to-
bacco, which was three times higher than on the other types of goods. The lowest spending could be
seen in the category of leisure and education in all five countries. The outlay of Turkey was gener-
ally higher than the other four countries.

In terms of food, drinks and tobacco, Turkey spent the most at 32.14%. The expenditure of Ireland
was also high (28.91%) compared to Sweden which spent the least (15.77%). Spain and Italy spent
18.80% and 16.36% respectively. On the other hand, the lowest expenditure was on leisure and edu-
cation which accounted for under 5% in all countries. Turkey spent most on these items at just
4.35% of their national expenditure which is around double that of Spain (1.98%).

Clothing and footwear was the third category of consumer goods and outlays for those items were
between 9% in Italy and 5.40% in Sweden. The national spending in this area for the remaining
countries averaged around 6.5%.

Tips for IELTS Tables

-Put all your key features in the overview. Note one key feature is not enough for a high score.
-Divide your body into paragraphs.
-You don't have to give all details. You can group details together by giving averages or ranges.
-Be selective. Don't put too many details in your report.
-Make sure you write over 150 words but aim for less than 200.
-Use a range of linking devices eg compared to / as opposed to / in terms of / while etc
-Try to avoid being repetitive with your sentence structures.

-Some words will be repeated. There is always a limit to how many synonyms one word has. As
long as you show the skill or paraphrasing and avoid errors, it's fine.

Stacked bar chart

The bar chart compares twelve countries in terms of the overall number of medals that they have
won at the Olympic Games.

Overall, USA is by far the most successful Olympic medal winning nation. It is also noticeable that
the figures for gold, silver and bronze medals won by any particular country tend to be fairly simi-
lar.

The USA has won a total of around 2,300 Olympic medals, including approximately 900 gold
medals, 750 silver and 650 bronze. In second place on the all-time medals chart is the Soviet Union,
with just over 1,000 medals. Again, the number of gold medals won by this country is slightly
higher than the number of silver or bronze medals.

Only four other countries - the UK, France, Germany and Italy - have won more than 500 Olympic
medals, all with similar proportions of each medal colour. Apart from the USA and the Soviet
Union, China is the only other country with a noticeably higher proportion of gold medals (about
200) compared to silver and bronze (about 100 each).
Line graph
The line graph illustrates the amount of three kinds of spreads (margarine, butter, and low fat and
reduced spreads) which were consumed from 1981 to 2007. Units are measured in grams.

Overall, the consumption of margarine and butter decreased over the period given, while for low fat
and reduced spreads, it rose. At the start of the period, butter was the most popular spread. Mar-
garine was the most widely consumed in the middle of the period but, by the end, low fat and re-
duced spreads was most popular.

With regards to the amount of butter used, it began at around 140 grams and then peaked at 160
grams in 1986 before falling dramatically to about 50 grams in the last year. Likewise, approxi-
mately 90 grams of margarine was eaten in the first year after which the figure fluctuated slightly
and dropped to a low of 40 grams in 2007.

On the other hand, the consumption of low fats and reduced spreads only started in 1996 at about 10
grams. This figure, which reached a high of just over 80 grams five years later, fell slightly in the fi-
nal years to approximately 70 grams in 2007.

Tips for Line Graphs

-Paraphrase the line graph information for your introduction.
-Add axis information to your introduction if needed, such as categories.
-Put main trends and any other key features in an overall statement. The overview is the most im-
portant statement in your writing task 1.
-Make sure each body paragraph sentence has numbers and dates to support it. This is vital. Ensure
all data is accurate.
Use a range of linking words. Try not to repeat them.
Aim for around 180 words for writing task 1.
Process diagram
The diagram explains the way in which bricks are made for the building industry.

Overall, there are seven stages in the process, beginning with the digging up of clay and culminat-
ing in delivery.

To begin, the clay used to make the bricks is dug up from the ground by a large digger. This clay is
then placed onto a metal grid, which is used to break up the clay into smaller pieces. A roller assists
in this process.Following this, sand and water are added to the clay, and this mixture is turned into
bricks by either placing it into a mould or using a wire cutter. Next, these bricks are placed in an
oven to dry for 24 - 48 hours.

In the subsequent stage, the bricks go through a heating and cooling process. They are heated in a
kiln at a moderate and then a high temperature (ranging from 200c to 1300c), followed by a cooling
process in a chamber for 2 - 3 days. Finally, the bricks are packed and delivered to their destina-
tions.

Tips for process diagram

-It uses the passive voice which is needed when you describe a process diagram in IELTS but you
are not referring to who is doing the action. Here are some examples of the passive used:
-clay is then placed
-which is used to
-sand and water are added
-bricks are placed
-They are heated

Cyclic diagram
The diagram illustrates the developmental phases that a frog passes through during its life time.

Overall, a frog passes through eight stages which start with adult frogs mating and eggs laid in the
water from which tadpoles emerge. Tadpoles pass through three stages before becoming a froglet, a
young frog and finally an adult frog, starting the life cycle again.

Initially, adult frogs mate and then the female frog lays eggs in the water, which are called
frogspawn. Seven to ten days later, tadpoles emerge from the eggs which can swim and eat algae
for food. Six weeks later, the tadpole grows and develop back legs. This development continues and
nine weeks later it develops front legs. Its head and body also becomes more pronounced.

Twelve weeks after the tadpole stages, it becomes a froglet which resembles a small frog. However,
it still has a tail, although shorter than that of a tadpole. At this stage, it also develops pulmonary
breathing which enables it to leave the water and breathe air on land. Over time, the froglet be-
comes a young frog and eventually, four years later, it is an adult frog ready to start the life cycle
again.
Flow chart
The illustrated flow chart is a clear presentation of sweater production in a clothing factory in
Bangladesh.

Overall, the process consists of sixteen stages commencing with the collection of yarn and culmi-
nating in shipping of the products.

At the beginning of the chart, yarns are collected and then sent to the distribution section. Here, the
yarns are wound and distributed into knitting panels. Next, the knitting of the sweater panels is done
after which the panels are inspected online for the first time. Then, the panels are linked in the link-
ing section. In the following stage, another inspection is made over the internet. Next comes the

trimming, light checking and mending process. When mending, if any problem is found, the faulty
products are sent back to the winding section.

After that, holes are made for attaching buttons. Subsequently, the sweaters are washed, labeled and
ironed and then, the third inspection is made by the factory quality team.Thereafter, all the sweaters
are folded and packaged. After the ultimate inspection, the sweaters are finally sent for shipment.

Maps
i) past and past - had been changed
ii) Past and present - have been / has been changed
iii) Present and future - will have been changed

Both maps display an island before and after it was developed for tourism.

Overall, the island has palm trees dotted around it, is surrounded by ocean and has a beach to the
west. Over the period, the island was completely transformed with the addition of a hotel and a pier;
however, the eastern part of the island appears to have been left undeveloped.

The most noticeable additions are the hotel rooms. 6 buildings, surrounding some trees, have been
built in the west of the island, and 9 buildings have been constructed in the centre of the island. A
reception building and a restaurant have been developed between the two accommodation areas.

A pier has also been built on the island's south coast, allowing yachts access to the resort. Apart
from the trees, the beach remains the only natural feature to remain relatively untouched; however,
it appears to be used for swimming.

How to Describe General Changes

As this is an IELTS writing task 1 question, we must write an overview, where we generally talk
about the main changes between the two maps.
Below are some examples of general statements we could use to describe change in towns and
cities.
1.Over the period, the area witnessed dramatic changes.
2. From 1995 to 2005, the city centre saw spectacular developments.
3.The village changed considerably over the period.
4.During the 10-year period, the industrial area was totally transformed.
5. Over the past 20 years, the residential area was totally reconstructed.
6.Over the period, the old docks were totally redeveloped.
7.Between 1995 and 2005, the old houses were rebuilt.
8. The central business district was completely modernized during the period.

How to Describe Locations

You will also be expected to describe where things are maps and describe where changes have oc-
curred.

You can use to the left' and to the right, but a better way is to use north,'south', 'east' and 'west.
Draw the symbols on the question paper if they are not already there.

Examples:
i)The forest to the south of the river was cut down.
ii)A golf course was constructed to the north of the airport.
iii)The houses in the southwest of the town were demolished.
iv)The green fields to the city's northwest were redeveloped as a park.
v)The airport in the city's centre was relocated to the northeast of the river.

Mixed questions
The line graph illustrates the number of UK residents going abroad from the UK and overseas resi-
dents visiting the UK between 1979 and 1999. The bar chart gives information about how many UK
residents travelled to five of the most popular countries in 1999. Units are measured in millions of
people.

Overall, there was an increase in the number of visits to and from the UK and there were more visits
abroad by UK residents than visits to the UK by overseas residents over the period given. Further-
more, the most popular country to visit by UK residents was France.

According to the line graph, the number of UK residents visiting overseas began at just under 15
million in 1979 and rose significantly to reach over 50 million in 1999. Around 10 million overseas
residents visited the UK in the first year before climbing steadily to just under 30 million by the fi-
nal year.

Regarding the bar chart, in 1999, the two most popular countries were France and Spain (visited by
10 million UK residents and approximately 9 million respectively). The USA and Greece had about
4 million and 3 million visitors.The least popular country visited was Turkey, which had only about
2 million UK residents going there.