IELTS Writing Task 1: Question Types, Marking Criteria, and Tips

Sep 6, 2024

IELTS Writing Task 1 assesses the ability to summarize and report on factual information presented in visual form. You must remember that writing task one is different for both academic and general training. In IELTS writing task 1 academic, you will be asked to elaborate on figures and facts presented in one or more figures. In IELTS general writing task 1, the candidates are presented with a situation that includes formal letter writing with information or explaining a situation.

You need to write a letter of 150 words and should spend not more than 20 minutes on both of the IELTS writing task 1. The test examiner will evaluate your writing skills on the basis of the 4 different marking criteria. Every criterion is worth 25% of the candidate’s total marks for writing task 1. IELTS writing score is ranges on a 0-9 level, and you must achieve a 7+ band for a successful admission process.

There are mainly 7 different types of questions on IELTS writing task 1; bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, combination, process, and map. It is important to do regular practice with IELTS exam writing task 1 sample papers for better understanding of the topics. You can effectively prepare for the writing section by joining a coaching center, reading comprehensive IELTS books, and by taking practice tests from verified resources. Writing Task 1 counts for about 33% of your writing marks. There are four marking criteria each worth 25% which are Task Achievement/Coherence & Cohesion/Vocabulary/Grammar.

Table of Content

Writing Task One Academic
1.1 Bar Chart
1.2 Line Graph
1.3 Table
1.4 Pie Chart
1.5 Diagram or Process
1.6 Map
1.7 Writing Samples Academic
General Writing Task 1
2.1 General Writing Samples
Marking Criteria
Preparation Tips
FAQs

IELTS Writing Task One Academic

To achieve a high score in IELTS Academic Writing task 1 designed to plan the essay correctly. The candidate has to know what to say. Identifying the main graphic features, and finding comparisons to write, the candidate must be able to form the ideas into a well-structured essay. It’s important to remember that IELTS writing part 1 academic is not an essay, it is a report. The candidate won’t have the time to count all the words during the exam. IELTS topics for writing task 1 suggested, always aiming to write about 10% of what is expected to be written.

Bar Chart

While writing the bar chart in task 1 writing academic IELTS, it is important to analyze the ielts graphs correctly. The chart can be dynamic or static, and that will affect the chosen information and the use of languages.

Sample

Line Graph

The line graph task 1 follows paraphrasing questions and, the overview of the main features. The line graph on IELTS writing topics of the task 1 academic gives the information of a report and projections, and the candidate has to summarise the information by reporting and selecting the main features.

Sample

Table

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 table includes pieces of information, prediction scores, and analytical reports. The candidate is required to use both future and past tense forms according to the information on the table.

Sample

Pie Chart

IELTS exam pattern for academic writing has a pie chart task 1. It evaluates the candidate’s ability to summarise and select the key features of the chart, and have to make relevant comparisons.

Sample

Diagram or Process

The diagram model in task one IELTS academic is also known as process. The candidate must have an overview, required to pay attention to the key stage summary in the statements process.

Sample

Map

Candidates are required to compare a map from the past with the present one on IELTS academic writing task 1.

Sample

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples

IELTS General Writing Task 1

For the IELTS General Writing Task 1, the candidates are asked to respond to given problems. The candidate is required to write a letter including the information or explaining a situation in GT task 1. In that given 20 minutes, the candidates are suggested to write a 150-word letter. The letters in IELTS writing task 1 for general comprise three types: formal letter, personal, and semi-formal. IELTS general writing task 1 evaluates Candidates on their ability to personal correspondence engagement, elicit and provide general factual information, express needs, like-dislikes, and wants, and express their opinions. This is the format examples of IELTS general writing task 1.

Letter type	Purpose	Characteristic	Opening	Closing
Personal	Invite a friend to a birthday party, apologize to a loved one, etc.	Written to a known person. For example, friends, relatives, family members, etc.	Dear, Name of the person	Best wishes
Formal	Applying for higher education, applying for jobs, giving feedback to a company, requesting a refund from college, asking for an experience letter, etc	Written to someone with a formal connection, such as a school teacher, city magistrate, etc	Dear Sir/Ma’am	Yours faithfully
Semiformal	Asking for permission, complaining about something, informing about something	Written to a known person. For example, landlord, colleague, etc.	Dear Mr/Ms, name of the person	Yours sincerely

IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample

IELTS Writing Test 1 Marking Criteria

IELTS Writing Task 1 question is designed to examine the writing skills of the candidate. The candidate’s IELTS score evaluates on the basis of four criteria: Task achievement, grammatical range and accuracy, coherence and cohesion, and lexical resource. Each part is worth 25% of the candidate’s total mark for IELTS writing task 1.

Band	Task Achievement	Coherence and Cohesion	Lexical resource	Grammatical Range and Accuracy
9	Satisfy all the requirements of the task Clearly presents a fully developed response	Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention Skilfully manages paragraph	Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.	Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
8	Covers all requirements of the task sufficiently Highlights, presents and illustrates bullet points appropriately.	Sequence information and ideas logically Use paragraphing appropriately Manage all aspects of cohesion well	To convey precise meanings, use a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly. Produces rare errors in spelling and/or word formation.	Uses a wide range of structures. The majority of sentences are error-free.
7	Covers the requirements of the task. Academic presents a clear overview of main trends, stages, or differences. General presents a clear purpose	Organizes information and ideas. Use a range of cohesive devices appropriately	Use various types of vocabulary Use less common vocabulary with some inaccuracy. Makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation.	Use a variety of complex structures Frequent error-free sentence production Good control of grammar and punctuation
6	Always addresses the requirements of the task Academics present an overview with appropriately selected information General training presents a purpose that is generally clear. General training resents a clear purpose	Arrange Information and ideas coherently Not always use referencing clearly or appropriately Use cohesive devices effectively	Uses various types of vocabulary Use less common vocabulary with some inaccuracy. Makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation.	Must use a mix of complex and simple sentences Make some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely reduce communication

IELTS Writing Task 1 Preparation Tips

Writing IELTS reparation tips are necessary for candidates to appear in IELTS Academic writing task 1, and IELTS GT writing task 1. The tips can help the candidate maintain the structure of the answer sheet. The examiner evaluates the candidate by word count and the length of the essay.

For IELTS writing task 1 practice to aim write around 170-190 words.
Don’t write extra words.
Don’t take much time, because task 2 contains double the marks.
Practice writing the introduction statement.
Practice identifying key features for all kinds of charts.
Follow IELTS Writing sample papers and practice accordingly.
For the writing task, get a list of useful vocabulary.
It’s always required to use a variety of words to get a good score in writing task 1.
The candidate needs to work on complex sentence structure for good scoring.
The candidate needs to show the evaluator a range of linking device that matches information together.
Practice writing on the official IELTS answer sheet for writing task 1.

IELTS writing task 1 is difficult, but with accurate practice, the candidates can score well. The candidate is required to write without grammatical errors. The candidates need to write in a well-structured manner for their answers, highlighting the key points. The candidates consider IELTS Writing sample papers for practicing writing their own model answers based on the mentioned topics and tips.

FAQs

Ques: What is IELTS Writing Task 1?

Ans: IELTS Writing test, Task 1 asks you to analyze and describe visual information like graphs, charts, maps, or diagrams, and check your ability to summarize and report on factual information presented in visual form.

Ques: How much time should I spend on IELTS writing Task 1?

Ans: Aim for around 20 minutes on IELTS Writing Task 1. After completing task 1, you need to answer the task 2 question, and the time management skill is very important for a higher score.

Ques: How many words should I write?

Ans: You need to write a letter of 150 words, and your answer will evaluate your writing skills on the basis of the 4 different marking criteria.

Ques: Is there a difference between Academic and General Training Task 1?

Ans: In IELTS writing task 1 academic, you will be asked to elaborate on figures and facts presented in one or more figures. In IELTS general writing task 1, the candidates are presented with a situation that includes formal letter writing with information or explaining a situation.

Ques: Where can I find practice materials for Task 1?

Ans: You can effectively prepare for the writing section by joining a coaching center, reading comprehensive IELTS books, and by taking practice tests from verified resources.

Ques. How can I practice IELTS writing task 1?

Ans. First, understand how the test is marked. Check your work, support the main features, and it is best to paraphrase the question in the question in the first paragraph.

Ques. What is IELTS writing task 1 general?

Ans. IELTS GT writing task 1 examines the candidate’s writing skills in responding to requesting information or explanation of a situation in a letter.

Ques. What is the task 1 question in academic writing?

Ans. In Academic Writing Task 1, candidates are shown a visual structure of information; a table, graph, chart, process, or map. The candidates were asked to summarise, explain, or describe the given visual information.

Ques. How to write task 1 in 20 minutes?

Ans. The candidates have 20 minutes for each paragraph, always try to spend 5 minutes on each paragraph. First, read the question, and make sure to understand the highlighted information in, the chart.

Ques. How can I improve my IELTS Writing?

Ans. Plan your time, study the assessment criteria, and show off your vocabulary skills. It’s appreciable to use a mixture of sentence structures.

Ques. How is writing task 1 scored?

Ans. IELTS writing task 1 is scored based on using 4 assessment criteria. Every criterion is worth 25% of the marks for that task.

Ques. Is conclusion necessary in IELTS writing task 1?

Ans. The answer is no, The IELTS Task 1 answer does not need a conclusion.

Ques. Is Task 1 an essay?

Ans. Always remember that IELTS task writing 1 is not an essay, it’s a report. Practice sample papers, tables, and diagrams to develop skills in writing task 1.

Ques. How do you get 9 bands in writing task 1?

Ans. First, understand the question, and be very clear with the given answer. Focus on vocabulary and avoid being redundant.

Ques. How do I start Task 1?

Ans. Writing task 1 introduction should explain what the graph/chart shows.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.