IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (Report Writing): Tips and Tricks

Are you wondering how to start preparing for IELTS writing? Are you underconfident on your language skills and in need of a comprehensive article that can cater to all your IELTS writing needs? Worry no more, we at Carers360 have got you covered. One of the most difficult modules or sections of the IELTS exam is writing task 1- Report Writing. Academic students face different challenges and in today's article we will solve all the issues related to these tasks and help you gain maximum bands, while we assure you with high bands, we highly recommend that you do enough practice before you register for the exam. Also, go through the IELTS preparation material mentioned in this article for better preparation.

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As we see many students struggling to find IELTS writing practice tips online, we urge you to read the article and follow the IELTS writing preparation tips

Rules for IELTS Writing Task 1

• Writing Task 1 carries a one-third band of the total writing task bands, hence the candidate has to write a minimum of 150 words.

• There is a penalty for not writing 150 words at a minimum and the candidate may not be able to reach the desired band score.

• In academic writing task 1, the candidate is strictly expected to use academic context language.

• In general writing task 1, the candidate has to decide on the writing style according to the question prompt asked.

• To score high the candidate must write up to 190-200 words.

Now, let's discuss the different tasks in detail.

IELTS Writing Preparation Tips - Report Writing

Report writing is the first task of academic IELTS writing and carries one-third of the total writing bands. In this section, the candidate is expected to write a report on the given data, explain the given diagram in detail (highlighting the sequence), or compare the maps of two different sites or similar ones with a time gap highlighting the changes that have occurred over a while. The list below highlights the different kinds of Writing Task 1 questions that you may get along with their strategies to gain a high band score. Remember that there is going to be just one question out of the different categories listed below and you get a total of 20 minutes to write and complete the task.

Writing Task-1 - Report Writing - Academic IELTS Writing preparation online

IELTS writing preparation online may be challenging for the candidates because they are not physically present in a classroom to have a deeper understanding. But with constant practice and dedicated IELTS preparation, the candidates can always achieve their dream band scores. Now let us discuss a few IELTS Writing questions.

The different kinds of questions are as follows and the pictures are taken from authenticated Cambridge IELTS books

• Academic IELTS Writing Task 1- Bar graph

The image below is taken from Cambridge book 12 - Test 7, writing task -1

• Academic IELTS Writing Task 1- Line graph

The diagram below is taken from Cambridge book 15 Test 2 -writing task 1

• Academic IELTS Writing Task 1- Pie chart-

The diagram below is taken from Cambridge book 14- writing task 1

• Academic IELTS Writing Task 1- Tabular data

The given image is taken from Cambridge book 15 Test 4 Writing Task 1

• Academic IELTS Writing task 1- comparison of two maps

The diagram below is taken from Cambridge Book 12 Test 6- Writing task - 1

• Academic IELTS Writing Task 1- Sequential Diagram

The given image is taken from Cambridge Book 15 Test 3 Writing Task 1

Now let's check out some strategies to write effective sentences so that we are able to score high.

Effective Sentence Structures in IELTS Writing Task 1

Describing Trends

The table below shows how words can be used to describe various trends:

To Show Positions:

• The price of Gold stood at $70 per gram.

• In 2006, the metal export accounted for about 10% of total exports.

Movement Statements

• There was a substantial increase in the value of stocks on March 15th.

• House prices rose dramatically in July.

• The number of tourists visiting New York fell sharply in October.

• The percentage of students walking to school continued to rise gradually over the ten year period
  from 2000-2010.

• There was a sharp increase in employee turnover after the strike.

• Interest in environmental issues has risen steadily over the last 10 years.

Time Phrases

The following are the prepositions which you will need to describe dates, numbers and comparisons:

• Dates
  In December,
  In 2005,
  From 2001-2010,
  By 1998,
  Between 1965-1969

• Numbers
  Increase of 25%
  Decreased by 10%
  Fell from 200 in July to 150 in August

• Comparison
  Compared to

• Compared with
  Relative to

More useful words and phrases

● Percent – the word percent comes after a number
Examples:
More than 25% of the students are from Brazil.
More than 25 percent of the students come from Brazil.

● Percentage - The word percentage comes after words like the, a, this and that. Often, it is preceded by an adjective.
Examples:
A small percentage of residents have lived in the building for more than 20 years.
The percentage of students who live on campus has fallen sharply since the fire.

● For numbers up to ten, write the numbers in words. For numbers over 10, you can write the numbers in numbers.
Examples:
Five percent of the employees were late this month.
More than 50 percent of the students handed in their assignments late after the long weekend.

● If the sentence starts with a number, always write it in words.
Examples: Wrong: 25 students were from China.
Right: Twenty-five students were from China.

Steps to Write IELTS Writing Task 1- Report Writing

• Read the question statement twice.

• The initial step is to observe the graph carefully and note down the trends.

• The second step is make notes on the changing trends.

• Now, is the time, you have to decide the way to paragraph the entire report.

• The report should have 4 paragraphs including the introduction and overview statement.

• The introduction paragraph of the report should be a paraphrased statement of the question statement.

For example: Check and observe the given graph

Question statement: The line graph below shows the household recycling rates in three different countries between 2005 and 2015.

Paraphrased Introduction: The line graph illustrates the regional household recycling rates in the UK, France, and Germany from 2005 to 2015.

• After the introduction, comes the overview statement and you may use the given expressions

-The graph shows information about/ indicates/ illustrates/ highlights….

- As the graph shows,...

- It is clear from the graph that…

-overall, it is observed that …

Example of an overview statement: Overall, the recycling rates of the UK and
Germany showed a steady but significant rise over the period, while the percentage of
recycled waste in France experienced a downward trend.

• Specific features

After you've given the overview, you should group data by some feature and give
specific details. In this line graph you can group data in two ways:

1. by country- Describe each country’s recycling rates in a separate paragraph

2. by similar trend- As you can see, the UK and Germany followed a similar trend: their recycling rates were increasing throughout the period, while the recycling rates of France experienced a fall. So you can describe an “increase pattern” in the first paragraph and a “decrease pattern” in the second paragraph.

• Sample of paragraphs of the above data:

In 2005 the recycling rates of the UK and Germany were nearly 35% and 20% respectively. Germany's rate increased sharply throughout the period, exceeding France's rate in 2009 and reaching almost 60% by the end of the period. In the meantime, the percentage of recycled waste in the UK grew to 40% in 2007 and then remained steady until 2009. During 2009-2011 it experienced a rapid surge to more than 50% and continued with a gradual increase to 60% in 2015.

In early 2005 the recycling rate of France (50%) was the highest among these three countries. However, it dramatically declined to 30% in 2013. Then, there was a growth of 10% in 2015, but France's recycling rate was the lowest at the end of the period.

Sample Writing for a pie-chart:

Question:

The pie graphs below show the result of a survey of children's activities. The first graph shows the cultural and leisure activities that boys participate in, whereas the second graph shows the activities in which the girls participate.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Answer: How to answer this task?

1. Introduce the pie charts.

Write what they summarize.

2. Write a general overview.

Write in brief the main trends.

3. Describe the first chart.

Tell about the activities on the boys' chart and their popularity. Use linking structures and vocabulary to describe graphs.

4. Describe the second chart.

Tell about the activities on the girls' chart and their popularity.

Answer:

The two pie charts draw the conclusion of a survey of boys' and girls' cultural and leisure activities.

Overall, an equal proportion of both sexes enjoyed listening to music, but a dramatically larger number of girls liked reading. There were also many differences in terms of the children's preferred sports.

Turning to the first chart, it can be observed that boys prefer playing computer games (34% participation rate) to doing other activities. Playing basketball comes as the second most popular leisure, practiced by almost a third of male children. Basketball is followed by soccer, which is exercised by 17%. Skateboarding and listening to music are less preferable activities, chosen by 11% and 10% of boys respectively. Reading, the least popular cultural activity among boys, represents only two percent.

Taking a closer look at the second chart, it can be seen that girls' most preferred activity is dancing, being 27% of the total. In contrast to the boys' preferences, reading is chosen by more than a fifth of all girls. Although the percentage of female children who play computer games is roughly twice less than that of boys (16%), this activity is the third most popular on the girls' chart. With a slight difference between computer games and netball, the latter is practiced at 15% rate. Similarly to skateboarding popularity among boys, 11% of girls go in for gymnastics. Listening to music comes as the least popular leisure, with a proportion of 10%, equal to those on the first chart.

Sample Writing a Map-based Question:

The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at West Park Secondary School since its construction in 1950.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make

comparisons where relevant.

How to answer this task?

1. Introduce the maps.

Write what they illustrate.

2. Note the changes that occurred.

Look attentively at the maps and note what was modified and what remained unchanged.

3. Describe each element of the map in a separate paragraph.

Tell about each element (farmland, car park, school, etc) and its alteration. Use vocabulary for graph description and linking structures. Also, see words from the academic word list.

4. Give a general overview.

Write in brief about the changes.

Model answer

The pictures illustrate the changes, which have taken place at West Park Secondary School from 1950 to 2010.

Firstly, significant alterations occurred to the farmland, it was redesigned into a sports field in 1980 and then into a car park in 2010. There was an expansion of the car park in 2010 and the sports field was placed between the car park and the playground.Moreover, substantial changes happened to the houses. They were removed from the map, car park, and science block taking their place.

Furthermore, a science block was added to the school building in 1980 and the playground was reduced in size. However, the locations of the playground and school were not modified.In contrast, the main road remained unchanged throughout the period.

Overall, farmland and houses disappeared from the map, the playground was abridged, and a science block, car park and sports field were built there.

Sample 2 - Write an IELTS Map/Diagram Essay

IELTS map questions are the easiest to answer. There are no numbers to analyse, just 2 or 3 maps to compare. Very occasionally, there might only be a single map, but this is rare.

The maps will be of the same location at different times. This could be in the past, the present time, or a plan for a proposed development in the future. You are required to write about the changes you see between the maps.

There are 5 steps to writing a high-scoring IELTS map essay:

1) Analyse the question

2) Identify the main features

3) Write an introduction

4) Write an overview

5) Write the details paragraphs

Sample Question: The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Step 1 – Analyse the question

The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same.

The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

All you are looking for are the main features. Start with the earliest map. Identify the key features and look to see how they have changed in the later map, and again in the final map if there are three.

Here are some useful questions to ask?

1) What time periods are shown?

Are the maps of past, present or future situations? This is important to note because it will determine whether you write your essay using past, present or future tenses.

The two maps in our practice IELTS map question show the village of Stokeford at two different times in the past. This immediately tells us that we will need to use the past tense in our essay.

2) What are the main differences between the maps?

What features have disappeared? What new features are in their place?

3) What features have remained the same over the time period?

Although the location on the maps will have undergone major development, some features may remain unchanged.

Also, think about the directional language you can use, such as:

· north

· south

· east

· west

· north-east

· north-west

· south-east

· south-west

There are a number of different features we could select such as the loss of the shops, the disappearance of farmland, the enlargement of the school and the development of the large house into a retirement home.

Many maps will contain far more changes than our sample maps and the changes may be more complex. In such cases, you won’t have time to write about all of them and will need to select just 2 or 3 main features to focus on.

Our maps are quite simple so we’ll list all 4 of the major changes I’ve just identified.

Main feature 1: The farmland has been built on.

Main feature 2: The large house has been converted into a retirement home.

Main feature 3: The school has been enlarged.

Main feature 4: The shops have disappeared.

Step 3 – Write an Introduction

In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a different way. You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure. For example:

Question:

The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.

Introduction (Paragraph 1):

The two maps illustrate how the village of Stokeford, situated on the east bank of the River Stoke, changed over an 80 year period from 1930 to 2010.

Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

In the second paragraph, you should describe the general changes that have taken place. The detail comes later in the essay.

State the information simply. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.

For example:

Overview (Paragraph 2):

There was considerable development of the settlement over these years and it was gradually transformed from a small rural village into a largely residential area.

Step 5 – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS map description is where you include more detailed information. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first 1 or 2 key features.

In the case of our main features, 1 and 3 are closely related so we’ll write about these two together.

Here they are again:

Main feature 1: The farmland has been built on.

Main feature 3: The school has been enlarged.

And this is an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 3:

The most notable change is the presence of housing in 2010 on the areas that were farmland back in 1930. New roads were constructed on this land and many residential properties built. In response to the considerable increase in population, the primary school was extended to around double the size of the previous building.

Step 6 – Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining key features.

Here are the two we have left:

Main feature 2: The large house has been converted into a retirement home.

Main feature 4: The shops have disappeared.

This is an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 4:

Whilst the post office remained as a village amenity, the two shops that can be seen to the north-west of the school in 1930, no longer existed by 2010, having been replaced by houses. There also used to be an extensive property standing in its own large gardens situated to the south-east of the school. At some time between 1930 and 2010, this was extended and converted into a retirement home. This was another significant transformation for the village.

Sample: IELTS Process Diagram Essay

An IELTS process diagram question can contain a wide variety of different types of graphics. It could be a natural process such as the water cycle, a manufacturing process, or a diagram of a system.

Using these 5 steps will help you to write a high-scoring process diagram essay:

1) Analyse the question

2) Identify the main features

3) Write an introduction

4) Write an overview

5) Write the details paragraphs

Sample Question: The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity from wave power.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Generating Electricity From The Sea

Source: official website- IELTS essentials

Step 1 – Analyse the question

The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same, with the instruction sentence (highlighted below) identical in every question. Here is our practice question again.

The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity from wave power.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

The graphic in IELTS process diagram questions should not be difficult to understand. There are not usually any numbers to analyse as in other types of question, just a diagram to interpret or, as in our practice question, two diagrams which each show part of the process.

All you are looking for are the main features. These should be the easiest things to spot. There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you identify them, especially, titles, labels and captions.

Here are some useful questions to ask?

1) Is it a linear or a cyclical process?

A linear process starts and finishes at different places. It will often involve the manufacture or creation of something, starting with the raw materials going in at one end and the finished product coming out the other end. A cyclical process, on the other hand, is a process that goes back to the beginning and repeats over and over again, such as the life cycle of a frog or a butterfly.

2) Where does the process start and end?

For a linear process this will usually be obvious. It may be harder to determine for a cyclical process so it’s important that you examine the graphic carefully to find out.

3) How many steps are there to the process?

If there are a lot, it can be helpful to number them from 1 to whatever number the final stage is.

Now let us plan the answer:

There are only two stages to the process:

Stage 1: Electricity is generated as the wave flows into the structure (Diagram A).

Stage 2: Electricity is also created as the receding wave draws air back down the column (Diagram B).

Step:3 - Now, Write an Introduction

In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a different way. You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure. For example:

Question:

The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity from wave power.

Introduction (Paragraph 1):

The two diagrams illustrate a method of creating electricity from the force of waves using a specifically designed man-made construction.

Step-4: Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

In the second paragraph, you should give a general description of the diagram/s or process. The detail comes later in the essay.

State the information simply using synonyms where possible. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.

For example

Overview (Paragraph 2):

The structure, consisting of a wave chamber and a tall column containing a turbine, is erected on a steeply sloping coastal cliff or sea wall where it is subject to the movement of the ocean waves.

Step-5: Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS process diagram essay are where you include more detailed information. In paragraph 3, you should explain the first key feature in more detail.

For this question, we will expand on the first stage of the process. Here it is again:

Stage 1: Electricity is generated as the wave flows into the structure (Diagram A).

This is an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 3:

The first diagram shows how the incoming wave fills a large chamber and forces the air inside this space up the column and through the turbine. The pressure of the air rotates the turbine which generates a current of electricity. The process does not end there for the structure is able to continue producing power as the sea recedes as can be seen in the second diagram.

Step 6: Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining key features or, for this question, the second stage of the process.

Here it is again: Stage 2: Electricity is also created as the receding wave draws air back down the column (Diagram B).

Here’s an example of what you could write:

Paragraph 4:

As the water now flows away from the structure, it draws air back down the column and downwards through the turbine in the same direction as the previous upward flow of air. The turbine continues to turn thus generating even more electricity.

Sample Example of a Sequential- Cyclical process

Sample Question: Life cycle of a Frog

Answer plan:

In the life cycle graphic above, there are also three distinct stages as the frog passes through different stages of development – egg, juvenile, adult.

Plan the introduction paragraph: Keep it simple, with a word limit of 20 words

Plan the overview paragraph:

• Think of the number of stages it has

• Mark the initial phase and the concluding stage

• Make a complex sentence keeping in mind the above points and adding a transitional word in the starting like overall…

Plan the body paragraph:

• Carefully observe the changes that are happening from the first to the last stage.

• Make a note of the progress that is visible

• Structure the sentences with the help of proper and accurately used connecting words.

Now, you may proceed to write the entire report in the form of a cyclical process.

IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks - Grammar and Writing

There are no right or incorrect answers or viewpoints on the writing test. The ability of a candidate to precisely write information and convey ideas in English is being evaluated by the examiners. So the candidates must use the appropriate grammar, a diverse set of vocabulary and a conducive tone throughout the writing assessment. Hence, the candidates must take the IELTS writing preparation seriously and prepare accordingly. They can also attend IELTS online writing practice assignments to help them improve their performance.

If the candidate has time, they must carefully review the questions to ensure that their answer covers every topic the question demands. Attempting more IELTS Academic Writing Practice assignments can help the candidates in time management.

Adhere to word limits, the candidates will lose marks if they write less than the word limit.

The candidates must be careful to write in their own words because the examiner will not count the words copied from the question. Candidates should keep this important factor in mind during their IELTS essay preparation.

The candidate must write both their answers in full as paragraphs, not in note form or bullet points.

It is always advisable not to write long paragraphs exceeding the word limits in the writing section as it can lead to time wastage and a possibility of losing coherence throughout the essay. The candidate should also consider this during their IELTS writing practice.

The total time frame of the assessment is 60 minutes and the candidate must plan likewise so that they can complete the assessment in time. As mentioned before, the candidates can indulge themselves in various IELTS writing practice tests to learn to effectively manage their time.

The essay of task 2 must be well organised. It must begin with an introduction followed by 3 - 4 paragraphs of the body and the last paragraph must be a conclusion to the viewpoints discussed. The candidates can refer to answers of various IELTS writing exam practices to see and understand the proper structuring of the essay.

IELTS Writing Preparation Book

The candidates are advised to go through the following IELTS writing preparation material to have a deeper understanding of the IELTS exam and stand a chance to gain amazing IELTS band scores.

Some Other Important Ielts Writing Preparation Book

1. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS

2. Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Student’s Book with Answers with Audio

3. Official IELTS Practice Materials

IELTS Practice Tests

It is necessary that the candidates take IELTS practice tests often to enhance their IELTS examination success. IELTS practice tests come with lots of benefits for the candidates. Some of these include abundant practice, developing skimming and scanning skills, the ability to undergo predictive writing and proper structuring of the exam and so on.

IELTS Writing Practice Sets

As far as the IELTS writing section is concerned, the candidate must be able to tackle two questions one of data interpretation and an essay. The candidates must indulge themselves in extensive IELTS writing practice to ensure that they can tackle all the challenges set by the writing section. The candidates should make use of the given below IELTS practice tests to take their preparations to the next.

IELTS Writing Practice Tests: