IELTS WRITING

TASK 1
ACADEMIC
◤
 ◤

⮚ Writing Task 1 Format

⮚ Criteria for Assessment

⮚ How to Write a Task 1 Essay

⮚ Types of data found in Task 1

⮚ Tips to Score High under Each

Criteria
Word Count◤ 150 words
Time Limit 20 minutes
Score Value 1/3
Essay Type Descriptive
Writing Style Formal
TEST DELIVERY MODES
◤
 ASSESSMENT
◤

CRITERIA

✔ Task Achievement

✔ Coherence and
Cohesion

✔ Lexical Resource

✔ Grammatical Range
and Accuracy
 ◤

TASK ACHIEVEMENT

Band 5 Band 6 Band 7

◤ overview
- No clear - There is an overview - Clear overview
- Key features not - Highlights key - Clearly highlights key
adequately covered features adequately features
- Too much detail - Information is well- - No inaccurate
- No data to support selected information
statements
- Inaccurate information
 ◤
COHERENCE AND
COHESION
Band 5 Band 6 Band 7

- Limited - Organized information - Logically organizes

◤
paragraphing coherently information
- Problems with - Reasonable paragraphing - Good paragraphing
linking words - Errors in linking between - Uses a range of
- Repetitive lack of and within sentence linking devices
referencing effectively
 ◤

LEXICAL RESOURCE

Band 5 Band 6 Band 7

- Minimal range of - Adequate range of - Sufficient range of
vocabulary vocabulary vocabulary for some
- Frequent ◤ errors - Uses some less common precision
with spelling or words but with errors - Some awareness of
word formation - Some errors in spelling style and collocations
- Problems cause and word formation - Uses less common
difficulty for the words
reader
 ◤
GRAMMATICAL
RANGE
AND ACCURACY
Band 5 Band 6 Band 7

- Limited range of - Uses both simple and complex - Uses a variety of complex
sentence structures sentence structures sentence structures
- Tries to use
◤ complex - Some errors in grammar and - Many error-free sentences
sentences but with punctuation - Good control over
limited success - Communication is clear grammar
- Frequent errors in
grammar and
punctuation
 PARTS OF THE TASK 1 ESSAY:
◤

INTRODUCTION
▪ 2 sentences
▪ Sentence 1: What does the chart / graph / diagram
show? (paraphrase the question/title)

▪Sentence 2: Overall, (in general terms, not specific) what

is happening in the diagram?
Do not use data here. Just write a general statement about your overall observation
on the data. Save data for the body paragraphs.
Introductory Statement
◤

TASK: PARAPHRASED:

The graph below gives The diagram shows

information about data of movie-goers in
cinema attendance in the United Kingdom
the UK between 1998 from 1998 until now,
and the present, with with forecasts up to
projections to 2018. 2018.
Introductory Statement
◤

TASK: PARAPHRASED:

The graphs below give

information about computer
The data on computer
ownership as a percentage of ownership, with further
the population between 2002 classification by level of
and 2010, and by level of education, from 2002 to
education for the years 2002 2010 is shown on the bar
and 2010.
chart.
EXERCISE:
◤
The graph below shows population figures
for India and China since the year 2000 and
predicted population growth up until 2050.

Sample Answers:

• The chart illustrates the population growth in billions of

two countries, India and China, from the year 2000 with
its forecasts up to the year 2050.

• The population growth in billions of two countries, India

and China, since the year 2000 and its forecasted figures
up to the year 2050 are shown in the line graph.
EXERCISE: The three pie charts below show the changes in
◤ annual spending by local authorities in
Someland in 1980, 1990 and 2000.

Sample Answers:
• A comparison on the yearly expenditures of
local authorities in Someland, in three decades:
1980, 1990 and 2000, are depicted in the pie
charts.

• The picture presents how the local government

of Someland spent their funds in 1980, 1990
More Examples and 2000.
 ◤
Writing the Overview

▪ State the main trend/s in the graph.

▪ Do NOT give detail such as data – just look
for something that describes what is
happening overall.
 Dynamic Charts = show data over time

What to Look For:

▪ What does the data do from the
start to the finish?
▪ Do they generally go up or down or
do they fluctuate?
▪ Any significant difference from the
general trend?
▪ Overall increase/decrease?
▪ Peaks/lows?
Static Charts = show data at just one point in time

What to Look For:

▪ What are the highest/lowest

values?
▪ What are the most
noticeable differences?
▪ Any similarities?
▪ Any significant exceptions?
How to Write an Overview

Phrases to introduce an OVERVIEW

i. Overall, it can be seen that...

ii. It is noticeable that...
iii. Overall, it is immediately apparent that...
iv. The most obvious pieces of information are that...
v. The main facts that stand out are that...
vi. It is important to note that...
vii. The most significant facts to emerge from the graph are that...
 How to Write an Overview

Position of the OVERVIEW

Task Question:
The line graph below shows the average
monthly temperatures in City X over the
course of a year.
• last sentence of the
Introduction Sample Introduction and Overview:
• 1st sentence in the Body The line graph illustrates the average
• as Conclusion monthly temperatures in City X over the
course of a year. Overall, the graph
shows a clear pattern of seasonal
variation, with temperatures peaking in
the summer months and reaching their
lowest point in the winter.
The line graph below shows the household recycling
rates in three different countries.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the The diagram illustrates
main features, and make comparisons where relevant. the rates of household
recycling in the UK,
France and Germany.
Overall, recycling
rates of UK and
Germany showed a
steady but significant
rise over the period,
while percentage of
recycled waste in
France experienced a
downward trend.
The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type
of fast food consumed by Australian teenagers from 1975 to
2000.
The changes in the amount
and type of fast food
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,
and make comparisons where relevant. consumed by Australian
teenagers from 1975 to
2000 are shown in the line
graph. Overall, the
consumption of fish
and chips declined
over the period,
whereas the amount
of pizza and
hamburgers that
were eaten increased.
More Examples
 PARTS OF THE TASK 1 ESSAY:
◤

BODY PARAGRAPH
▪ Give more specific detail in the body paragraphs, and you
must make reference to the data given.

▪ Group data together where there are patterns. Identify any

similarities and differences.
▪ What things are similar and what things are different ?
 ◤

GROUPING
OF DATA
- Per category (1 paragraph for pizza, 1 for fish and chips, 1 for hamburgers)
The line graph below shows changes in the amount and type of
fast food consumed by Australian teenagers from 1975 to 2000.
- Per similar trend (1 paragraph for data showing a similar pattern, 1
paragraph for data showing a different pattern)
In 1975, the most popular fast food with Australian
teenagers was fish and chips, being eaten 100 times a year.
This was far higher than pizza and hamburgers, which were
Pattern 1: the consumption of fish and
consumed approximately 5 times a year. However, apart chips declined
from a brief rise again from 1980 to 1985, the consumption Pattern 2: the amount of pizza and
hamburgers eaten increased
of fish and chips gradually declined over the 25-year
timescale to finish at just under 40 times per year.

In sharp contrast to this, teenagers ate the other two fast

foods at much higher levels. Pizza consumption increased
gradually until it overtook the consumption of fish and chips
in 1990. It then leveled off from 1995 to 2000. The biggest
rise was seen in hamburgers, increasing sharply throughout
the 1970’s and 1980’s, exceeding fish and chips consumption
in 1985. It finished at the same level that fish and chips
began, with consumption at 100 times a year.
 - Per category (1 paragraph for Net, 1 for Java, 1 for ActiveX)
The bar chart shows the number of times per week (in 1000s), over five
- Per
weeks, similar
that threetrend (1 paragraph
computer packagesfor datadownloaded
were showing a similar pattern,
from the internet.
1 paragraph for data showing a different pattern)
To begin, downloads of ActiveX and Java showed similar
patterns, with both gradually increasing from week 1 to
week 5. However, the purchases of ActiveX remained Pattern 1: ActiveX and Java generally
significantly higher than for the other product over this showed a gradual increase
Pattern 2: Net had a fall and rise
time frame. In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at
around 75,000, while those for Java were about 30,000
lower. With the exception of a slight fall in week 4,
downloading of ActiveX kept increasing until it reached a
peak in the final week of just over 120,000. Java
downloads also increased at a steady rate, finishing the
period at 80,000.

The product that was downloaded the least was Net. This
began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other
two products, fell over the next two weeks to reach a low
of approximately 25,000. It then increased sharply over
the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which
was well below that of ActiveX.
◤

LANGUAGE
OF
CHANGE
 ◤
VERBS OF MOVEMENT (UP)
Climbed (to)

Went up (to / by)

Increased (to / by / -fold)

Rose (to / by)

Skyrocketed (to)

Gained (no preposition)

Recovered (to)

Shot up (no preposition)

Surged (no preposition)

 ◤
VERBS OF MOVEMENT (DOWN)
Fell (by / to)

Dwindled (by / to)

Subside (to)

Declined (by / to)

Pitched (at)

Decreased (by / to)

Dropped (by / to)

Sank (to)

Plummeted

Collapsed
◤
TOPS AND BOTTOMS

Peaked (at)

Reached a peak (of)

Topped (at)

Bottomed (at)

Reached the bottom (at)

 ◤

WEAK STRONG

ADVERBS AND Slightly Considerably

Gradually Dramatically
INTENSIFIERS Marginally Drastically
Moderately Sharply
Modestly Steeply
Slowly Abruptly
Rapidly
APPROXIMATIONS
◤

LANGUAGE
OF
COMPARISO
N
 Similar About / almost / nearly / roughly / around / just about / very nearly /
Examples: approximately
COMPARATIVES SUPERLATIVES Examples:
1. The fast food items in uptown restaurants were comparatively SIMILAR
IDENTICAL DATA cheaper DATA than
Just over Just above
that of/ city
just over / just bigger /just beyond / just across
restaurants.
1. Cheaper ofThe cheapest womenIdentical
2. The
The number
largest
Larger
high-level
proportion of water
The largest was used executives
in the to / withis well
agriculture sectorbeneath
Almost
onthe same
most than
ofas
Equal to / with Nearly the same as
the countries
theBetter
Asian number while
of
Themale executives
the European
best in this
countries
Exactly organization,
theused
same the highest where
percentage
Practically the same
Happy approximately
Just short of water
2,000
The happiest
Just forpeople
below/ industrial
just work
The
beneath purposes.
same insort
/ just executive
as / just underlevels.
/ justasa little
More striking
3. Customers The happier
were most striking
now, according to the
Precisely thesurvey,
same as the priceidentical
Almost was /
2. About 1,000
More common people died
The most common in the highway
Absolutely
carthe
accident
same
in 2003similar
which is
cheaper in 1992.
More profitablewell above
The than
most profitable theexpensive
statistics of2014
Just theinsame allasother years.
About
4. Custom-made cars were more than they arethe same as
now.
5.3.The
The
Much number of
more
temperature wasdomestic
Well
betterabove violence
in the/ well abovecases
mid-April /but was /just
wellinbeyond
mid-July, below
wellit over
became/ well500
across
worse. in
March which is a little over than the previous months.
4. The average rainfall in London in 2014 was just above than the
Much less Well below
average / wellother
of two under /cities.
well short / well beneath
5. The salaries of male executives in three out of four companies were
well above than the salaries of female executives in 1998.
TYPES OF DATA IN TASK 1

LINE GRAPH
BAR GRAPH
PIE CHART
TABLE
MAP / PLAN
PROCESS DIAGRAM / FLOW
CHART
WRITING
◤ TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The line graph below shows changes

in
the amount of coffee exported from three
countries between 2002 and 2012.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting

the main
features, and make comparisons where relevant.
◤

Line Graphs

- show how something changes overtime

- has X-axis (usually time period )
- has Y-axis (numbers for what is being
measured)
WRITING TASK 1
◤
You should spend about 20 minutes on this
task.

The bar chart below gives

information
about the amount of time spent by
men
and women on activities at home.

Summarize the information by selecting and

reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
◤

Bar Graphs
- show (bigger) changes over a period of
time
- has two axes (X and Y)
- used to show differences and similarities
The bar chart illustrates the average hours that men and women spend
per week on various activities around their homes. At first glance, it is
evident that, with the exception of reading, women spend more time
on household chores than men, while men spend more time on leisure
activities.

With regards to household chores, women spend the most time on

cooking, at 15 hours per week, compared to approximately 9 for men.
Women also spend more than double the amount of time than men
cleaning the house, though this chore consumes less time than the
other chores for both sexes. Again, washing up is predominantly a task
undertaken by women rather than men, at 7 and 5 hours respectively.

Turning to leisure activities, the most popular is watching television,

with slightly more men than women partaking in this activity on a
weekly basis. Interestingly, men spend nearly 3 times more hours than
women surfing the internet. The hours spent on reading are fairly
similar for males and females at around 5 per week. Gardening
accounts for just a few hours per week for both sexes.
WRITING TASK 1
◤
You should spend about 20 minutes on this
task.

The charts below show the reasons why

people travel to work by bicycle or by car.

Summarize the information by selecting and

reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

 Pie Chart
- show parts of a whole
- parts are shown as
percentage
The first chart shows the reasons why some people in the UK prefer to cycle
to work. Conversely, the second chart gives reasons for those who choose to
go to work by car.

The highest percentage of those who favor cycling say that this is because
riding a bicycle to work is healthier than driving. 30% of them gave this as a
reason. The same amount of people, 30% say that they cycle to work because
it causes less pollution. 13% of people cycle to work because it is cheaper
than driving. Surprisingly, a similar amount of people said that they cycled to
work because it is faster than travelling by car.

In contrast to this, the percentage who prefer to travel by car because it is

more comfortable is 40%. The two least important reasons for going to work
by car, with 14% and 11% respectively, are that people need to carry things to
work and that it is safer than cycling to work. Finally, 16% say they prefer
driving because it is faster than cycling. This contrasts with the cyclists who
ride to work because it is faster than driving.

In general, it seems that the majority of people who cycle to work do this for
health and environmental reasons. By contrast, those who travel by car want
to have a more comfortable journey over longer distances.
WRITING TASK 1
◤
You should spend about 20 minutes on this
task.

The table below shows the cinema

viewing figures in millions for films
by
country.

Summarize the information by selecting and

reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
 TABLES
1
Cinema-Viewing
Contain words,
Figures numbers
for Films by Country or
(in millions)

3 2 Action signsComedy
Romance Horror Totals

India
4
- Data
8 is displayed
7.5 in rows2.5and
6.5 24.5

Ireland 7.6 3.8 5.5 6.4 23.3

columns
New Zealand 7.2 4.5 3.9 4.7 20.3
- Data on a table can be
Japan 7.1 4.5 4 2.2 17.8
described in the same way you
Total 29.9 20.3 19.9 15.8

would describe a line or bar

graph
 Data regarding the number of movie viewers who watch the cinema is tabulated on the chart. It
is further detailed◤according to the four given genres watched in four different countries: India, Ireland,
New Zealand, and Japan.

It can be immediately noted that action films have the greatest number of movie goers, at a
staggering 29.9 million, compared to horror which only appeal to 15.8 million viewers—this is almost half
the figure of the former. In each of the four given countries, there are about an average of 7 to 8 million
people who watch action films. Romance ranks second, with an average of 4 to 7 million viewers from
each of the four nations. On the other hand, only 4 to 6.5 million people are reported to watch comedy
films, which brings it down to the third most favoured genre. Incidentally, not many people like watching
horror films at the cinema compared to the other genres of film.

Among all the countries shown on the table, India is reported to have the highest number of
movie viewers, whereas Japan has the least. There is an estimated 7 million difference between both
figures. It is also interesting to note that India, Ireland and New Zealand each have over 20 million
cinema watchers, while Japan’s figure falls below this.

Generally, out of all the four genres, action films predominate in the box office, which are
patronized mostly by Indians.
 Data regarding the number of movie viewers who watch the
cinema is tabulated on the chart. It is further detailed according to the
four given genres watched◤ in four different countries: India, Ireland,
New Zealand, and Japan.
It can be immediately noted that action films have the greatest
number of movie goers, at a staggering 29.9 million, compared to horror
which only appeal to 15.8 million viewers—this is almost half the figure
of the former. In each of the four given countries, there are about an
average of 7 to 8 million people who watch action films. Romance ranks
second, with an average of 4 to 7 million viewers from each of the four
nations. On the other hand, only 4 to 6.5 million people are reported to
watch comedy films, which brings it down to the third most favoured
genre. Incidentally, not many people like watching horror films at the
cinema compared to the other genres of film.
Among all the countries shown on the table, India is reported
to have the highest number of movie viewers, whereas Japan has the
least. There is an estimated 7 million difference between both figures.
It is also interesting to note that India, Ireland and New Zealand each
have over 20 million cinema watchers, while Japan’s figure falls below
this.
Generally, out of all the four genres, action films predominate
in the box office, which are patronized mostly by Indians.
WRITING TASK 1
◤
You should spend about 20 minutes on this
task.

The map below shows the changes that

have taken place in the seaside resort of

Templeton between 1990 and 2005.

Summarize the information by selecting and

reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

◤
 ◤ Describing Maps / Plans

✔ Write an Introduction
✔ Write an Overview
✔ Select key points
✔ Organize and Group data
✔ Observe proper usage of
language identifying location
or position
Language: Prepositions of Location /
◤
Points on a Compass
 The map illustrates the changes that have occurred in
Templeton, a seaside resort, over a 15-year period, beginning
in 1990 and ending◤ in 2005.The most noticeable change is the
replacement of many green areas with several major
infrastructure projects.
To begin, there were several major changes to
transport in the town. An airport has been built beside the
river on the outskirts of the town. In addition to this, a ferry
port was constructed on the far east coastline, with a new
railway extension line passing by the ferry port, continuing
along the coast and crossing over a new bridge so it connects
to the west side of town.
There have also been changes to the business sector
in Templeton. A factory can be seen in the south east of the
town behind the new railway line, and a supermarket has been
built over the river in the west of Templeton, running alongside
a new road.
The residential landscape has also altered, particularly
on the west side of town, where large apartment blocks now
stand in place of the houses.
WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on

this task.

The diagram below shows the

production of raw and ripe tea.

Summarize the information by selecting

and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

 Process Diagrams
* Show how things work
* Show how things are made
 TIME TRANSITIONS
How to Describe a Process Diagram
⮚ Describe each important
Last stage in the
process
Meanwhile
⮚ Write an Overview Next
– how many stages,
Then
what are theUntil
main points
⮚ Organize details in While
a logical way by linking
After
the stages
⮚ Use passive voice
⮚ Use time transitions

Afterward
The diagram presents the manufacturing process of two types of
tea, pu-erh raw tea and pu-erh ripe tea. Although the first three
stages are the same for both teas, it can be seen that the
methods of production differ in the final stages, which accounts
for the resulting variations in the two teas.

First, the tea leaves that have been picked are pan fried in order
to inactivate the enzymes. Following this, the tea is rolled and
afterwards spread out on a round mat so that it can dry under the
sun. Once it has been dried, the loose raw tea is ready to be
turned into either ripe tea or raw tea. This is where the process
diverges.

To make pu-erh ripe, the loose tea is fermented by being left to

mold. Having completed the fermentation stage, the resulting
loose ripe tea is then compressed, after which the tea is ready for
sale. Regarding the alternative process, before being ready for
sale as vintage raw tea, the loose tea is first compressed, and
then left to age by storage.
TIPS TO SCORE HIGH
UNDER EACH CRITERIA
 Task Achievement
1. Analyze the chart and identify ALL KEY
features.
2. Highlight your key features in an
overview.
3. Support your body paragraph with data
4. Avoid an opinion.
5. Write at least 150 words.
 ◤

a. Overall, it can be seen that car ownership was lower in Great Britain than in the
other two countries throughout half the time frame.

b. Overall, it can be seen that car thefts were far higher in Great Britain than in
the other three countries throughout the whole time frame.

c. Overall, it can be seen that car thefts were far higher in Canada and Sweden
than in Great Britain and France throughout the whole time frame.
 ◤

A. OVERALL, IT CAN BE SEEN THAT BOTH DECREASED AS A PERCENTAGE OF IT, BUT GDP
REMAINED A LOWER RATE THROUGHOUT THIS TIME.

B. OVERALL, IT CAN BE SEEN THAT BOTH INCREASED AS A PERCENTILE OF SI, BUT IT REMAINED
A HIGHER RATE THROUGHOUT THIS TIME.

C. OVERALL, IT CAN BE SEEN THAT BOTH INCREASED AS A PERCENTAGE OF GDP, BUT IT

REMAINED A HIGHER RATE THROUGHOUT THIS TIME.
 CONTRAST
ADDITION
Although / even
In addition
though
Similarly
Despite / in spite of
Likewise
Nevertheless
Moreover
Comparatively
Furthermore
However
Above all
Whereas
On top of that
Meanwhile 1. Plan where to put your

SUMMARY
information.
ILLUSTRATION
Overall 2. Use a range of linking
In the case of
In this case Finally
For one thing Thus devices.
To demonstrate Therefore
To clarify In conclusion 3. Avoid mistakes with
For instance Consequently
As a result
As an example
To sum up linking words.
 VERB + ADVERB
1. Use vocabulary for presenting accurate data.
Increased significantly 2. Understand collocations (matching adjectives
Rose steeply with nouns / verbs with adverbs).
Improved considerably
Jumped suddenly 3. Avoid spelling mistakes.
Fell rapidly 4. Don’t use the wrong words or informal
Dropped dramatically
Dipped sharply
language

ADJECTIVE + NOUN

A dramatic improvement
A rapid rise
A steady growth
A slight fluctuation
A gradual decrease
A sharp decline
A steep drop
1. Use a range of sentence structures.
2. Use the right tense for the chart given to you.
3. Use the right word order.
(adjective noun / verb adverb)
4. Use the right prepositions and word forms.
5. Check your punctuation.
The graph shows / showed how the populations of India and China changed / have changed since 2000 and how they will change /
change in the future.

In 2000, there were / have been more people living in China than in India. The number of Chinese was / is 1.25 billion, while India's
population was / is about 1 billion. Between 2000 and the present, there has been / have been a 0.2 billion rise in the number of Indian
citizens. Over the same period, China's population has increased / increased by 0.1 billion to reach over 1.35 billion.

According to the graph, the population in India will increase / will have increased more quickly than in China, and experts say that by
2030, both countries will have / have the same population of 1.45 billion. After this, China's population is / will likely to fall slightly to
1.4 billion in 2050, while India's population will probably increase and reach 1.6 billion.

Thus, over the 50-year period, India is going to experience / has experienced steady growth in its population and it will overtake /
overtook China. On the other hand, China's population will peak in 2030 and then begin to fall.
The graph shows / showed how the populations of India and China changed / have changed since 2000 and how
they will change / change in the future.

In 2000, there were / have been more people living in China than in India. The number of Chinese was / is 1.25 billion,
while India's population was / is about 1 billion. Between 2000 and the present, there has been / have been a 0.2 billion rise
in the number of Indian citizens. Over the same period, China's population has increased / increased by 0.1 billion to
reach over 1.35 billion.

According to the graph, the population in India will increase / will have increased more quickly than in China, and
experts say that by 2030, both countries will have / have the same population of 1.45 billion. After this, China's
population is / will likely to fall slightly to 1.4 billion in 2050, while India's population will probably increase and reach 1.6
billion.

Thus, over the 50-year period, India is going to experience / has experienced steady growth in its population and
it will overtake / overtook China. On the other hand, China's population will peak in 2030 and then begin to fall.
 1991 2001
The table shows changes in / on the spending patterns of an
average Australian household since / between 1991 and 2001. In Australian
general, Australian household spending was high in 2001 than in 1991 Dollar Per
but the difference was not significant (AUD $715 per month and AUD
Month
$675 per month, respectively).

The amount of / with monthly spending on / to electricity and Food 155 160
water saw a dramatic increase between / over the 10-year period
Electricity
from $75 to $120. Yet in terms of the expenditure on non-essential 75 120
goods and services, the rising trend was less obvious with / over a
and Water
minor increase of $20. At the same time, the amount of money spent
Clothing 30 20
for / on food and housing rose only slightly from / by $155 to $160
and $95 to $100, respectively.
Housing 95 100
However, there was a decrease in / on expenditure on the other two
items. Australians spent one third less on clothing, which fell unto / Transport 70 45
from $30 to $20. Similarly, expenditure on / at transport dropped
from $70 in 1991 to $45 in / on 2001. Other
goods and 250 270
It seems that food and “other goods and services” were the two services*
biggest items of / for expenditure. Altogether, they accounted by /
for more than half of the total household spending. By / With
comparison, Australians spent little on dressing up. Total 675 715
*Other goods and services: non-essential goods and services
 IELTS Tip
You cannot include all the data in your answer, so you need to
select the most interesti
1991 2001
The table shows changes in / on the spending patterns of an average
Australian household since / between 1991 and 2001. In general, Australian
Australian household spending was high in 2001 than in 1991 but the Dollar Per
difference was not significant (AUD $715 per month and AUD $675 per Month
month, respectively).
Food 155 160
The amount of / with monthly spending on / to electricity and water
saw a dramatic increase between / over the 10-year period from Electricity
$75 to $120. Yet in terms of the expenditure on non-essential goods 75 120
and Water
and services, the rising trend was less obvious with / over a minor
increase of $20. At the same time, the amount of money spent for / Clothing 30 20
on food and housing rose only slightly from / by $155 to $160 and
$95 to $100, respectively.
Housing 95 100
However, there was a decrease in / on expenditure on the other two
items. Australians spent one third less on clothing, which fell unto / Transport 70 45
from $30 to $20. Similarly, expenditure on / at transport dropped
from $70 in 1991 to $45 in / on 2001. Other
goods and 250 270
It seems that food and “other goods and services” were the two biggest services*
items of / for expenditure. Altogether, they accounted by / for more
than half of the total household spending. By / With comparison,
Total 675 715
Australians spent little on dressing up.
*Other goods and services: non-essential goods and services
 The tables below give information about the amount
EXERCISE:
◤ of beer and fruit juice consumed per person per year
in different countries.
Beer* Fruite juice*

1 Ireland 155 litres 1 Canada 52.6 litres

2 United States 42.8 litres

2 Germany 119 litres

3 Germany 38.6 litres

3 Austria 106 litres
4 Austria 37.3 litres
4 Belgium 98 litres
5 Sweden 35.5 litres
5 Denmark 98 litres
6 Australia 34.4 litres
6 United Kingdom 97 litres
7 Finland 33 litres

7 Australia 89 litres
8 United Kingdom 29.3 litres

8 United States 85 litres

9 Netherlands 28.1 litres
9 Netherlands 80 litres

10 Finland 79 litres 10 New Zealand 24.8 litres

*Litres per person per year
EXERCISE:
The diagrams below show the changes that have
◤
taken place at Queen Mary Hospital since its
construction in 1960.
The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks
Overall, there are
for the eight
building stages in the
industry.
process, beginning with the digging up
Summarize
of clay theand
information by selecting and
culminating in reporting
delivery.the main
features and make comparisons where relevant.
 The line graph gives information about the number of Iranian,
Greek and Turkish students who enrolled at Sheffield University
between 2005 and 2009.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features

and make comparisons where relevant.

SAMPLE ANSWER:
• Overall, the graph highlights a considerable growth in
Iranian and Turkish enrolments but reduction in Greek
enrolments.

• Overall, while the number of international students from

Iran and Turkey rocketed over the given period, learners
from Greece dwindled.
 The chart below shows the process of waste paper
recycling.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main

features and make comparisons where relevant.

SAMPLE ANSWER:
• It is clear that there are six distinct stages in this
process, from the initial collection of waste paper to
the eventual production of usable paper.

• Overall, it is evident that the first 4 stages in the

process involve manual work whereas the final
stages make use of machines.
 SAMPLE ANSWER:
The charts belowthe
• Overall, show localindicate that the government has had
charts
government to
expenditure in 2010inand
cut expenditure most areas in order to fund the
2015.
cost of borrowing and welfare.
Summarize the information by selecting and
• theAs
reporting clearly
main shown,
features and makethe costs
of Education, Healthcare,
comparisons where relevant.
Pension, and Defense form around three quarters of
government expenditure in both years.
 SAMPLE ANSWER:
• Except for China and Brazil, all other projections show an increase
The table below shows
between 2019top
andten countries
2100, but there is a significant shuffling of
with the largest population
position by someincountries,
2019, andthe elimination of others, and the
how it is projected to change
introduction of new by 2100. for a top-ten placing.
contenders

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting

• In both years, China and India will be two countries
with the largest
the main features and make comparisons where
number of inhabitants. Except for China and Brazil,
relevant. all estimates
show an increase until 2100, although there will be shuffling of
positions of some countries along with the elimination and advent of
others.