IELTS Writing Task 1: Tips For IELTS Writing Task 1
Updated on 21 June, 2022
Mrinal Mandal
Study Abroad Expert
Study Abroad Expert
IELTS or International English Language Testing System is the world’s leading English-language test used for work, foreign education, and migration. The IELTS test has two types – IELTS Academic and General Training. There are four compulsory sections of the test – Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening. There are two IELTS Writing tasks. Writing Task 1 is different for IELTS General Training and Academic. Task 1 for Academic is a summary of graphical representation and for General Training, it is letter writing. Applicants preparing for IELTS Writing Task 1 should have complete knowledge about the task, test pattern, skills, and tips to get an excellent band.
General Writing Task 1 requires applicants to write a formal or semi-formal letter on a particular subject in 150 words. The question focuses on testing the functional writing skills of the students. It evaluates the English language writing skills and the applicant’s ability to draft a letter for purposes like an apology, invitation, complaint, job application, or requesting information. It also evaluates the ability of applicants to write about practical issues in English before working or studying in an English-speaking country.
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 starts with a diagram, a visual representation of information. It can be a table, map, graph, process, diagram, or picture. Applicants need to draft a summary of 150 words within 20 minutes based on the visual. It evaluates the applicants’ ability to select and analyze important facts, data, and features, by comparing data and trends or developing a particular process. The task measures English language proficiency and analytical skills.
Important Resources to Read About IELTS:
Task 1 is different for IELTS Academic and General Training.
Here are all the important tips that can help applicants from both academic and General Training modules.
Get to know about the latest updates on the IELTS Exam, Eligibility, Preparation Tips, Test procedure, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Registration Process, Important Exam Dates, and much more!! This guide is a one-stop solution for every IELTS Aspirant who aims to crack the exam with an impressive band score.
Both IELTS Academic and General aspirants must have the below-mentioned skills:
IELTS Writing task 1 requires you to provide a summary of 150 words against a given problem which can be a bar graph, line graph, or pie chart. In doing so, you need to select and report the critical features of the bar graph. Therefore, it becomes necessary that you enhance your ability to identify the significant components, express opinions, needs, or wants, engage in personal correspondence, and draw comparisons using the factual information. The time that you need to spend on this task is 20 minutes.
Before moving ahead with the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you must devise a well-thought-out strategy. Here are some points you can include in your strategy for the IELTS academic writing task 1 strategy.
The conclusion is different from reporting the information based on the data provided to you in the question. In IELTS task 1 academic task, you need to report what you see and keep your opinions and ideas aside.
Some candidates get confused between overview and conclusion. There is a clear distinction between overview and conclusion. It is often placed after the introduction, but it is also fine if it is placed as the ending paragraph.
The IELTS Writing Task 1 is designed to test the English writing skills of individuals planning to immigrate to an English-speaking country for work, education, or general purposes. The test is different for General and Academic applicants. The IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic needs applicants to summarize the information provided in visuals like tables, graphs, diagrams, pictures, etc. IELTS General Writing Task 1 needs applicants to write letters for various purposes. Certain tips and tricks can help applicants to understand the test better and get a good band score. For more queries related to the writing section, consult academic counselors of upGrad Abroad.
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Writing task 1 academic in IELTS is a very simple task. In this activity, you need to report what is given in the question and form an overview of the same. While forming an overview, you need to keep in mind that you do not include your opinions or ideas in it.
The first step to IELTS writing task 1 is to get familiar with the marking scheme and understand the needs of the examiner. The second step involves paraphrasing the question, followed by supporting the key features, and the last step includes forming an overview in the form of a paragraph.
In order to improve IELTS writing task 1, you need to have an eye for details and pick the most critical information from the data that is provided to you and write a report based on the factual information. For this, you need to practice as much as you can by going through various sample responses and practicing them regularly.
The IELTS general writing task 1 takes the form of a letter that must be completed in 150 words in 20 minutes. In this task, the candidates are asked to respond to a request, complaint, enquire or recommend information or explain a certain event.
The following steps will help you in writing the IELTS writing task 1 general training:
The purpose of the letter
The highlights of the letter and the extension of the main points in the letter
"You have switched your company and want to write a letter to your former colleague.
In your letter, you should:
Make sure you cover all the three points and write a paragraph on each of these points.
Revisit your letter to check for grammar and spelling.
Here are some of the preparatory tips that you can adopt for IELTS writing task 1:
Grammar - 25%
Vocabulary - 25%
Task achievement - 25%
Coherence and cohesion - 25%
In IELTS writing task 1, visual information is given to you in the form of graphical representation, and you need to write a summary of 150 words highlighting its critical elements of it.
In IELTS writing task 1, sometime it may require you to draw the comparisons and contrasts between two categories. While doing so, you need to accommodate the vocabulary like the use of comparative and superlative adjectives like high, higher, and the highest or good, better, and the best for drawing comparisons.
The introductory paragraph of IELTS writing task 1 should encompass the visual representation's details (contrast or the comparison). For instance, if
the question says:
The bar graph below shows changes in the amount and type of grains consumed by Indian people from 2005 to 2020.
And you can paraphrase the question by saying:
The bar graph illustrates the comparison of the consumption of grains for 15 years between 2005 and 2020 of Indian people from 2005 to 2020.
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