IELTS Preparation
Writing 1
Let’s Write!
A Guide to IELTS Writing (1)
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Before we write, let’s learn about the test.
Work in pairs. Read this information about the IELTS Writing Test Task 1
and answer the questions.
The IELTS Academic Writing test consists of 2 tasks and takes 1 hour.
Task 1 is 1/3 of the total marks, so spend approximately 20 minutes on it. In task 1, you will
write a short report on visual information often taken from a bar chart, line graph, pie chart,
flow chart or table.
You will write 150 words or more. If you write less, you will lose marks.
You will be assessed on the following:

Task achievement

Coherence and cohesion

Grammar

Vocabulary
How well you answer the question.
How well your answer is organized and how well the
information is linked together.
Accurate sentences and a range of appropriate strucures.
Choosing a wide range of suitable words and spelling
them correctly.
Choose the correct answer.
1. The IELTS Writing test is …… long.
a. 20 minutes
b. 1/3 of an hour
c. 60 minutes
2. You should spend …… on task 1.
a. 20 minutes
b. 1 hour
c. 40 minutes
3. Writing in task 1 is often taken from ……, tables or flow charts.
a. graphs
b. essays
c. paragraphs
4. In task 1, you will lose marks if you write fewer than …… words.
a. 250
b. 40
c. 150
5. You will get higher marks for a/an …… answer.
a. unusual
b. well-organized
c. short
6. …… refers to how well you answer the question?
a. Coherence and cohesion
b. Grammar
c. Task achievement
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IELTS Preparation
Writing 1
IELTS Writing – Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph illustrates coffee exports from the world’s 12 leading coffee producers
in 2011 and 2012.
You should write at least 150 words.
Follow this structure.
Introduction
The graph shows coffee exports for the top 12 coffee exporting countries in 2010 and 2011.
It is clear that the biggest exporter by far was Brazil, followed by Vietnam, with the other ten
countries exporting a lot less. Furthermore, there was little change in the amount exported
and no overall change in the rankings.
Read the introduction to the Task 1 report in the box and write TRUE or FALSE.
1. The introduction describes numbers within the chart in detail. …..…
2. The introduction describes the purpose of the report and gives the overall trend(s). ..……
Body
Look at the graph. Work with a partner and answer these questions.
1. What is the unit of measurement – is it Kilos? Tonnes? Tons? Bags? …….…………………………
2. Who were the top two exporters in both years? ………………………………………………………………
3. How much did the top exporter export in 2010 ...…..…………..… and 2011? ……..…………………
4. Which countries exported more in 2010 than in 2011? ……………………………………………………
5. Which country exported the same quantity in both years? ………………………………………………
6. Approximately how much did it export? ………………………………………………………………………..
7. Which country increased its exports by the largest amount? ……………………………………………
8. What happened to most countries’ exports between 2010 and 2011? ……………………………..…
The body of your report - the second paragraph - should describe the trends and give details
about the information in the graph. Only describe the data. Do NOT give your opinions.
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IELTS Preparation
Writing 1
Vocabulary
Use synonyms and alternative vocabulary, e.g. for ‘quantity’ use ‘amount.’
Change the form of the words to add variety, e.g. ‘a slight increase’, ‘increased slightly’
Sentence Structure
Use different sentence structures, e.g. instead of starting every sentence with a country, start
with a date or start with the word ‘exports.’
 Exports from Indonesia fell slightly.
 Indonesian exports fell from 8 million bags to just over 7 million.
 In 2011, Indonesia exported less than 8 million bags.
Have a mix of sentences: some sentences with numbers and others without.
Example:
Vietnam was the second largest producer. It exported over 17 million bags in
2011, up from 14 million the previous year.
Exports in Cote d’Ivoire fell by half, from 2 million to just 1 million bags.
Refer to the examples of describing graphs in the EAP Business unit.
Now work with a partner and write the main body of your report about coffee
exports in 2010 and 2011.
a. The conclusion is optional because you have already mentioned the main
trends in your introduction. You can, however, write a conclusion using
different words to restate the main trends. The conclusion should sum up
the global trends shown on the graph and compare them if possible.
Example:
The two largest exporters in both 2010 and 2011 were Brazil and Vietnam.
Overall, exports rose, with only two countries - Cote d’Ivoire and Indonesia showing a decrease.
Work with a partner. Draw lines to match these.
a. India exported approximately twice
as much as Peru in 2011. Ethiopia
exported as much as Uganda.
b. It is clear that the biggest exporter by
far was Brazil followed by Vietnam
with the other countries exporting a
lot less.
c. The graph shows coffee exports for
the top 12 coffee exporting countries
in 2010 and 2011.
d. Exports increased in all the countries
except for Cote d’Ivoire and
Indonesia.
e. First… Then… After that… Next…
Finally…
1. Give an overview.
2. Show time order
3. Paraphrase the title
4. Compare and contrast
5. Highlight significant trends
and differences to that trend
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IELTS Preparation
Writing 1
IELTS Writing – Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart shows the number of mobile phones and landlines per 100 people in
selected countries. Write a report describing the information given.
You should write at least 150 words.
in 2005
in 2005
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
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IELTS Preparation
Writing 1
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