IELTS Writing Task 1
In Task 1, you describe visual information clearly and accurately.
Below are the key things you need to understand before you start.
What you need to do in Task 1
Describe visual information
Focus on key trends
Write clearly
Skillyou need
Compare data Organise ideas
Identify key trends
Use formal language
How you are scored
Task Achievement
Coherence & Cohesion Vocabulary
Grammar
What you need to do in Task 1
In Task 1, you will see a graph, chart, table, process, or map.
Your job is to describe the information clearly and simply.
You should:
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give a short summary of the main information
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choose the most important points
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organise your ideas in a clear way
You don’t need to write everything you see. Focus only on the main information.
Important
Do not give your opinion
Do not explain why things happen
Do not try to describe every detail
Understanding Task 1 Question Types
There are six main types of Task 1 questions. Each type needs a different approach.
Line Graph
Used to show trends or changes over time, such as population growth, sales figures, or temperature changes.
Bar Chart
Compare different groups or categories, such as age groups, countries, or products.
Pie Chart
Show how a whole is divided into parts, usually in percentages.
Table
Show information in rows and columns, often with numbers or facts.
Process
Show the steps in a process, such as how something is made or how it works.
Map
Show changes in a place or area, such as a town, building, or site.
Key Skills You Need for Task 1
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To get a good score in Task 1, you need to use a few important skills.
Key Skills
Find the main trends and key features
Focus on the big picture, not small details
Make clear comparisons
Show differences and similarities where needed
Organise your ideas clearly
Use a simple structure that is easy to follow
Stay objective
Only describe the data — don’t give opinions
How You're Scored in Task 1
Your Task 1 answer is scored in four key areas.
Assessment Criteria
Task Achievement
You described the most important features, not every small detail.
Coherence & Cohesion
Your writing is clear, well organised, and flows smoothly.
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
You used a good range of words accurately and naturally.
Grammar Range and Accuracy
You used different sentence types correctly, with few mistakes.
What Makes a Good Answer
First, you need to understand the chart before you write anything.
Let’s look at a real Task 1 example.
The line graph shows the percentage of people using three different types of transport over a period of around 25 years.”
1. What does the chart show?
The chart shows the percentage of people travelling by different types of transport.
2. What are the units?
The data is shown in percentages (%).
3. Does it show a time period?
Yes, it shows 25 years.
The chart compares three types of transport: bus, car, and train.
4. What are the main categories?
5. What are the overall trends?
Bus use increases, car use decreases, and train use stays quite stable.
Below are the four scoring criteria, with weak and strong example answers to help you understand what makes a good response.
Why this matters
If you don’t write a clear overview, your score will stay low, even if your grammar is good.
Why this matters
If your ideas are not organised, the examiner will find your answer hard to follow.
Why this matters
If your ideas are not organised, the examiner will find your answer hard to follow.
Why this matters
If your ideas are not organised, the examiner will find your answer hard to follow.
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Task 1 Line Graph Example
The model answer below shows how these ideas come together in a Band 7+ Task 1 answer.
What students often do wrong
• Describe every number instead of focusing on the main trends
• Forget to include a clear overview
• Repeat simple verbs like go up and go down
• List information without linking ideas