IELTS writing task 1

IELTS writing task 1- An important component of the IELTS is the IELTS writing test. The IELTS writing test is one of the four sections of the IELTS exam. The other three are the reading, listening and speaking sections. The IELTS exam is designed to test a candidate’s proficiency in these four areas of the English language. Writing forms an important component of the IELTS test and consists of two tasks.

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IELTS: Sample papers | Preparation tips | Guide

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The IELTS writing task 1 and the IELTS writing task 2. Writing task 1 accounts for 1/3rd of the overall score for the writing section in the exam. Writing task 1 evaluates candidates on task achievement, accuracy in grammar, vocabulary, coherence and cohesion. The IELTS writing task 1 is different for both the formats of the IELTS test- IELTS Academic and IELTS General.

IELTS writing task 1- IELTS Academic and IELTS General

While the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 consists of questions based on infographics, IELTS General Writing Task 1 involves letter writing. The IELTS writing Task 1 for Academic and General is marked on a score range of 0-9. The time allotted for writing task 1 in both versions is 20 minutes.

Details of IELTS Writing Task 1

Details of the IELTS Writing Task 1-Academic

The writing task 1 is intended to evaluate a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret the data in infographics which may be in the form of charts, graphs or tables. The IELTS academic task 1 requires candidates to provide an analytical interpretation of a bar graph, line graph or pie chart. Candidates should give their interpretation of the graph in a report of 150 words which should have an introduction, main content and a conclusion.

The question in IELTS writing task 1 for the academic version will require candidates to write a report about any one of the following- a process, a map, a pie chart, a line graph, multiple graphs or a table.

Here are samples of the IELTS academic writing task 1 from the IDP IELTS website:

IELTS writing task 1 bar graph question sample

Source-IDP IELTS

The bar graph given above shows the number of trips made by children of one country in 1990 and 2020 for travelling In response to the above question candidates are supposed to and from school using various methods of transport. Test takers are supposed to summarise the information and include comparisons wherever relevant.

Source- British Council IELTS

Tips to answer IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions

In order to get a better score in the IELTS writing task 1 question, candidates should:

• Limit the word count of their response to 150 words.

• Paraphrase the question in the introductory paragraph by using synonyms.

• Write an overview by picking three or four main features and write in a general way without using any data points.

• Support the key points with data from the given infographic in the subsequent paragraph.

• Ensure that the report is free of spelling and grammatical errors and check the accuracy of the data mentioned in the answer.

IELTS Writing Task 1-General

In writing task 1 for the IELTS General candidates have to write a letter that will test their ability to communicate through letter writing skills. Test takers will be given a common situation they could face in their daily life and write either a formal or informal letter based on the situation and more importantly the person they are addressing it to.

Some common situations that they need to address in the letter could be bad customer service, apologising to a friend for missing his birthday party or expressing interest in a job opening.

Apart from describing the situation, the question of the IELTS writing task 1 will also include three bullet points that will outline what is required to be included in the letter which can either describe something, express an opinion or give reasons or make suggestions.

Sample of the IELTS General Writing Task 1

Source-IDP IELTS

Candidates should use the correct tone in their letter which will be based on the nature of the relationship with the person the letter is addressed to. It is important to use the proper salutation and closing based on the tone of the letter. Letters to friends and family are usually informal while letters that are written to lodge a complaint or addressed to strangers or persons of authority should be in a formal tone.

Tips to answer IELTS General Writing Task 1 questions

Candidates must ensure that:

• The letter has an appropriate tone.

• The letter presents its purpose well.

• The bullet points in the question are represented in the answer.

• The letter is in the appropriate format.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Scoring Pattern

The IELTS writing task 1 is scored by examiners based on four marking criteria. Here are their details with the weightage for each criterion:

• Task achievement (25%)

• Coherency (25%)

• Vocabulary (25%)

• Grammatical Accuracy (25%)

IELTS Writing Task 1 sample papers

Candidates can use IELTS sample papers to prepare effectively for the IELTS writing task 1. These sample papers are available to download for free online and contain answers and explanations which students can use to their advantage when solving the writing task 1 sample papers.

How to Download IELTS sample papers

Candidates can download the IELTS exam mock test by following the steps mentioned below.

• Go to the IDP IELTS website - www.ielts.org.

• Click on the ‘Test Takers’ option available in the header section, followed by the ‘Sample Test Questions’.

• Select the IELTS writing section from the available options to download the IELTS online test.

• The IELTS exam sample questions will be displayed on the screen in the form of various task-wise links.

• Click on the appropriate link to download IELTS practice questions.

• The IELTS writing task 1 sample papers are available for both formats.

Preparation Tips for IELTS Writing Task 1

Apart from practising with sample papers, candidates can use these preparation tips to score well in the IELTS writing task 1:

• Review the question before answering so as to know what is expected in the answer.

• Emphasise the facts that matter in academic writing task 1 and cover only the relevant points in general writing task 1.

• Avoid paraphrasing or explaining the graph in the answer to the IELTS Academic writing task 1.

• Focus on good grammar, vocabulary and coherence for this question.

• Use simple or compound sentences in this section.

Candidates can use well-known IELTS preparation books to prepare for writing task 1. These books will have practice exercises with sample answers and tips and tricks to score well in the IELTS writing task 1.

Also, read

• Tips for IELTS Listening Success
• Best IELTS Reading preparation tips
• Preparation tips for IELTS Writing Task 2