Writing Task One Course Pack
Writing Task One Course Pack
IELTS
Visuals
Course Materials
& Supplements
For Academic
Candidates
Ebrahim Tahasoni
www.tahasoni.com
By Ebrahim Tahasoni
Cert. TESOL, Academic IELTS 9.0
Certified IELTS Instructor
My thanks fly out to all my students for their precious contributions,
especially for pointing out the typing mistakes!
Introduction
Understanding the Rubric
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The charts below give information about world spending and population.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The Task
Task 1 involves reporting the data in a visual item or collection of data such as a table. You
have to:
Note: Finish task 1 during the first part of your writing test before you address writing task 2. Do
not swap!
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Page 1
Task Types
You may be given a single visual or a combination of 2 or 3 different task types.
Trend tasks
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Page 2
Comparison tasks
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Page 3
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Page 4
Map Tasks
Comparison Maps
Development Maps
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Page 5
Mixed Tasks
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Page 6
Assessment Criteria
Every report is read four times by an examiner and each time, it will be marked on one of the following
criteria:
Task Achievement (TA)
Coherence and Cohesion (CC)
Lexical Resource (LR)
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)
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Page 7
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Page 8
Task Response
covers all
requirements of the
task sufficiently
presents, highlights
and illustrates key
features/ bullet
points clearly and
appropriately
Coherence and
Cohesion
uses cohesion in
such a way that it
attracts no attention
skilfully manages
paragraphing
sequences
information and
ideas logically
manages all
aspects of cohesion
well
uses paragraphing
sufficiently and
appropriately
Lexical Resource
covers the
requirements of the
task
(Academic) presents
a clear overview of
main trends,
differences or stages
(General Training)
presents a clear
purpose, with the
tone consistent and
appropriate
clearly presents and
highlights key
features/bullet points
but could be more
fully extended
addresses the
requirements of the
task
(Academic) presents
an overview with
information
appropriately
selected
(General Training)
presents a purpose
that is generally
clear; there may be
inconsistencies in
tone
presents and
adequately
highlights key
features/ bullet
points but details
may be irrelevant,
inappropriate or
inaccurate
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logically organises
information and
ideas; there is clear
progression
throughout
uses a range of
cohesive devices
appropriately
although there may
be some under/over-use
arranges
information and
ideas coherently
and there is a clear
overall progression
uses cohesive
devices effectively,
but cohesion within
and/or between
sentences may be
faulty or
mechanical
may not always use
referencing clearly
or appropriately
uses an adequate
range of vocabulary
for the task
attempts to use less
common vocabulary
but with some
inaccuracy
makes some errors in
spelling and/or word
formation, but they
do not impede
communication
uses a variety of
complex structures
produces frequent
error-free sentences
has good control of
grammar and
punctuation but may
make a few errors
Page 9
generally addresses
the task; the format
may be inappropriate
in places
(Academic) recounts
detail mechanically
with no clear
overview; there may
be no data to support
the description
(General Training)
may present a
purpose for the letter
that is unclear at
times; the tone may
be variable and
sometimes
inappropriate
presents, but
inadequately covers,
key features/ bullet
points; there may be
a tendency to focus
on details
attempts to address
the task but does not
cover all key
features/bullet points;
the format may be
inappropriate
(General Training) fails
to clearly explain the
purpose of the letter;
the tone may be
inappropriate
may confuse key
features/bullet points
with detail; parts may
be unclear, irrelevant,
repetitive or
inaccurate
fails to address the
task, which may have
been completely
misunderstood
presents limited ideas
which may be largely
irrelevant/repetitive
presents information
with some
organisation but there
may be a lack of
overall progression
makes inadequate,
inaccurate or overuse of cohesive
devices
may be repetitive
because of lack of
referencing and
substitution
presents information
and ideas but these
are not arranged
coherently and there
is no clear progression
in the response
uses some basic
cohesive devices but
these may be
inaccurate or
repetitive
answer is barely
related to the task
answer is completely
fails to communicate
unrelated to the task
any message
does not attend
does not attempt the task in any way
writes a totally memorised response
does not attempt the task in any way
writes a totally memorised response
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attempts sentence
forms but errors in
grammar and
punctuation
predominate and
distort the meaning
P a g e 10
Section 1
Line Graphs
This section generally addresses trend
diagrams. Some aspects concerning
comparisons and proportions will be
addressed in sections 2 and 3.
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P a g e 11
Verbs
rise (rose-risen)
increase
go up (went up-gone up)
climb
grow
double
treble/triple
boom
surge
soar
rocket
fall (fell-fallen)
decline
decrease
dip (dipped)
drop (dropped)
go down (went down-gone down)
halve
plummet
plunge
dive
deteriorate
slump
do not change (did not change)
maintain the same level
remain/stay +
stable/steady/constant/static/unchanged
stand at (stood at)
Position
Nouns
a rise
an increase
a growth
an upward trend
a doubling in + n.
a trebling in + n.
a boom
a surge
a fall
a decline
a decrease
a drop
a reduction
a slump
a plunge
no change
a levelling off
a plateau
hit/reach a high/peak
hit/reach a low
peak
reach
Constant
fluctuate [around]
Change
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a fluctuation
P a g e 12
Extensive change
Average change
Small change
Adjective
Adverb
dramatic
dramatically
huge
enormous
enormously
tremendous
tremendously
substantial
substantially
considerable
considerably
significant
significantly
remarkable
remarkably
noticeable
noticeably
marked
markedly
moderate
moderately
slight
slightly
small
minimal
minimally
Quick change
Slow change
Unexpected change
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Adjective
Adverb
rapid
rapidly
quick
quickly
sharp
sharply
swift
swiftly
steep
steeply
steady
steadily
gradual
gradually
slow
slowly
sudden
suddenly
unexpected
unexpectedly
abrupt
abruptly
P a g e 13
Past perfect:
Used for reporting what happened (e.g. the figure reached) by a given time in the past:
There was a significant rise in 1964. Then, the figure dipped sharply and had reached 5 by 1980.
Present tenses
Present simple:
Used for reporting trends that have no specific time and occur regularly (e.g every day), or for
reporting the present value or figure of a variable:
There is a significant rise at 6am every morning. Then, the figure increases sharply at 8am.
The number of people suffering from diarrhoea now stands at 158.
Present perfect:
Used for reporting trends that started in the past and have continued until the present time or
continue into the future:
There has been a significant rise since 2013, and the figure now stands at 15000.
There has been a significant rise since 2013, and the figure is expected to reach 15000 in 2020.
Future
Future forms are used to describe trends that are predicted and projected for future times and
dates. You should note that none of these predictions are certain, and therefore a level of
uncertainty is desirable in your report.
The figure will probably/likely reach 15000 in 2020.
The figure should reach 15000 in 2020.
The figure is likely to reach 15000 in 2020.
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P a g e 14
show
reveal
indicate
It is
predicted
expected
anticipated
that the figure will increase and reach 800 in
forecast
2050.
estimated
evaluated
calculated
The figure is
predicted
expected
anticipated
forecast
to increase and reach 800 in 2050.
estimated
evaluated
calculated
Notice how the verbs in the following paragraphs have been changed from past forms into
future forms:
In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA was about 20%. The
figures for Canada and Mexico were lower, at about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2005,
Internet usage in both the USA and Canada rose to around 70% of the population,
while the figure for Mexico reached just over 25%.
In 2020, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA is expected to be about
20%. The figures for Canada and Mexico are likely to be lower, at about 10% and 5%
respectively. In 2030, it is predicted that Internet usage in both the USA and Canada
will rise to around 70% of the population, while the figure for Mexico should reach just
over 25%.
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P a g e 15
Linking
First event:
At/In the beginning,
At first,
In the first year,
In 1999,
In the first year, 1999,
In the first year (1999),
Middle events:
and/but
However/Nevertheless,
Then/Next,
After this/that,
Following this/that,
Afterwards,
This is followed by + <n/n.p>
following which
after which
which is followed by + <n/n.p>
untilafter which
untilfollowing which
untilwhen
before + <sentence or n.p.>
during/over the nextyears
years later,
3. Final event:
Finally,
Ultimately,
before finally
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P a g e 16
For Values:
roughly
almost
[just] about
approximately
around
just about
[just] below/under
[just] above/over
a little/slightly more than
a little/slightly less than
5. Referencing
Referencing is reporting a figure by comparing it to a relevant previously-reported figure on the
same line or one of the lines already report. The new figure can be reported as a multiple or
proportion of the referenced figure:
In 2000 the figure reached the same level as in 1960.
It rose significantly in 2000 when it was half as high as it was in 1985.
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P a g e 17
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below gives information about Dubai gold sales in 2002.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 18
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below shows the consumption of fish and some different kinds of meat in a
European country between 1979 and 2004.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 19
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below gives information about the number of cases of diarrhea in Mashhad
between 1983 and 1992.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 20
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below gives information about the number of parcels delivered by two
major mail services companies from 1920 to 2000.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 21
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below gives information about the number of books rented in a British local
library in 2009.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 22
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below gives information about birth and death rates in Switzerland from 1970
to 2020 according to United Nations statistics.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 23
Section 2
Comparison
bar charts
This
section
generally
addresses
comparison diagrams. Some aspects
regarding proportions will be addressed in
section 3.
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P a g e 24
Comparison Language
A. Introducing Differences
Generally, there is
a significant difference
between a and b.
a wide disparity
in + n.
B. Comparative Structures
by a narrow margin.
1
A is
A is [under/over]
A is
A is
A is larger/smaller
[just]+[under/over]
[approximately]
x larger/smaller than B.
twice
two/three times
considerably/substantially
marginally/slightly
[almost/roughly /]
A produces/consumes/
by x.
by a margin of x.
by a staggering x.
as large/great/high as B.
greater/higher/smaller than B.
as large/high as B.
more/less + uncountable n.
more/fewer + countable n.
than B.
as B.
C. Superlative Structures
1
the largest/highest/smallest/lowest
A ranks/stands first/second/third/last.
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proportion of + n.
quantity of + n.
amount of + uncountable n.
number of + countable n.
P a g e 25
Subordinating Conjunctions
Over 90% of exports were fruits, whereas / while industrial exports contributed none.
Whereas / While over 90% of exports were fruits, industrial exports contributed none.
Although almost all girls were interested in art activities, only 15%% of boys took part in them.
E. Approximation
just over 12 percent
12.1%
approximately/around/about 12%
a little more than 12%
almost/nearly 12%
11.9%
approximately/around/about 12%
a little less than 12%
just below 12%
almost/nearly 150kg
146kg
approximately/around/about 150kg
less than 150kg
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P a g e 26
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The charts below give information about travel to and from the UK, and about the most
popular countries for UK residents to visit.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 27
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below shows the amount spent on six consumer goods in four European
countries.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 28
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below shows the different levels of post-school qualifications in Australia and
the proportion of men and women who held them in 1999.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 29
Section 3
Pie charts
This section addresses comparison and
trend pie charts. Some aspects regarding
the language used have already been
covered in the sections 1 and 2.
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P a g e 30
Reporting Proportions
Representations of Common Proportion
75% three-quarters three out of every 4 people/penguins/patients/
Out of every $100 spent by the Turkish, just over $30 was spent on food, beverages and smoking
products, which ranked first among the nations compared in the survey.
Other Structures
share
1
the
contribution
proportion
of
percentage
The contribution of consumer expenditure in this category was almost similar in 3 countries,
namely Turkey, Spain and Ireland.
formed
accounted for
was responsible for
y% of
comprised
X
contributed
y% to
Money spent on leisure and education in Turkey accounted for just below 4.5% of spending
there, which was the largest proportion among the five countries .
The remaining x%
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P a g e 31
Fill the gaps below using words from the following list.
appliances
remaining
account
proportion
for
largest
household
Three kitchen ______, namely ovens, kettles and washing machines, ______
______ 18% of ______ electricity use.
The ______ 30% of electricity is used for lighting, televisions and radios (15%), and
vacuum cleaners, food mixers and electric tools (15%).
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P a g e 32
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The charts below give information about world spending and population.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 33
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The three pie charts below show the changes in annual spending by a particular UK
school in 1981, 1991 and 2001.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 34
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The pie charts below show how dangerous waste products are dealt with in three
countries.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 35
Section 4
Tables
This section addresses comparison and
trend tables. Most aspects regarding the
language used have already been
covered in the sections 1, 2 and 3.
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P a g e 36
Practice: Look at the data in the table and correct the following paragraph
where necessary:
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P a g e 37
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The table below shows social and economic indicators for four countries in 1994,
according to United Nations statistics.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Indicators
Canada
Japan
Peru
Angola
11100
15760
160
130
76
78
51
47
3326
2846
1927
1749
99
99
68
34
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P a g e 38
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The tables below give information about sales of Fairtrade*-labelled coffee and bananas
in 1999 and 2004 in five European countries.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 39
Section 4
Process and Cycle
Diagrams
This section addresses diagrams that show
natural and artificial processes,
procedures, cycles and lifecycles.
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P a g e 40
Process:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Cycle:
Stage
1
Stage
3
Stage
2
and the process/procedure/cycle starts over again.
Grammar:
A. Tenses:
Generally, the present simple tense is used to report actions which regularly happen in a process.
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P a g e 41
Describing Purpose:
When you need to report the means or tool used to perform a stage, avoid using "by":
Linking
The First Stage
First,
Firstly,
First off,
First of all,
In the first stage,
At/In the beginning,
The first stage is when
The process begins/starts/commences when
The process begins with + <n./n.p.>
Middle Stages:
Next,
Then
After this/that,
Following this/that,
Afterwards,
In the following stage,
In the stage after/following this,
In the stage that follows,
Over the course of/During the next/following/second/third stage,
This is followed by + <n./n.p.>
When/After/Once <stage A>, <stage B>
<stage A>. When/Once this stage is complete, <stage B>
<stage A> before <stage B as n./n.p. or clause>
Before <stage B>, <stage A>
<stage A> after/following which <stage B>
<stage A> which is followed by <stage B as n./n.p.>
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P a g e 42
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagrams below show the stages and equipment used in the cement-making
process, and how cement is used to produce concrete for building purposes.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 43
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below shows the process of using water to produce electricity.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 44
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below shows the life cycle of the honey bee.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 45
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building
industry.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Brick manufacturing
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P a g e 46
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building
industry.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Brick manufacturing
(Band 9)
The chart illustrates the procedure through which bricks are produced for construction work.
It commences when raw clay is dug using a digger machine following which it is sifted through
a metal grid into finer fragments which then fall onto a conveyor belt. In the next stage, water
and sand are added and the resulting mixture is either pushed through a frame and cut into
simple bricks, or is moulded into specially-formed bricks. These are then placed in a special
oven for two to three days in order to minimise their moisture content. The following three stages
involve the use of a couple of kilns and a cooling chamber: bricks are first heated moderately in
the first kiln to reach a temperature of between 200 and 980 degrees centigrade before being
subjected to higher temperatures (870 to 1300 degrees) in the second one. Next, they are
allowed to cool down for two to three days in the cooling chamber. The process ends with the
bricks being packed on pallets and delivered to end users on trucks.
Overall, the process of producing bricks is comprised of ten relatively simple stages during
which clay, sand and water is used to produce baked bricks.
(201 words)
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P a g e 47
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram gives information about the process for making pulp and paper.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
(Band 8.5)
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P a g e 48
Section 5
Maps
This section addresses comparison and
development map diagrams.
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P a g e 49
The first potential location (S1) is outside the town itself, and is sited just off the main
road to the town of Hindon, lying 12 kilometres to the north-west.
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P a g e 50
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P a g e 51
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The map below is of the town of Garlsdon and shows two possible sites for a new
supermarket.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 52
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Chorleywood is a village near London whose population has increased steadily since the
middle of the nineteenth century. The map below shows the development of the village.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 53
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagrams below show the site of a school in 2004 and the plan for changes to the
school site in 2024.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 54
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at West Park Secondary
School since its construction in 1950.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 55
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist
facilities.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
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P a g e 56
Appendix
IELTS Writing
Official Task 1
Answer Sheet
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P a g e 57
Candidate Name
Centre Number
Candidate Number
General Training
Academic
Test date
D
TASK 1
100913/2
Candidate Number:
Examiner 1 Number:
TA
Underlength
TA
Underlength
CC
No. of words
CC
No. of words
LR
Penalty
LR
Penalty
GRA
Off-topic
Memorised
Illegible
Memorised
Illegible
GRA
Off-topic