Generally, a Task 1 essay consists of four paragraphs.

Paragraph 1 (Introduction) > Rewrite the statement in your own words

Paragraph 2 (Overview) > Mention the general trend or the most outstanding features
Paragraph 3 + 4 (Data description) > Describe the subjects in detail
The organization of paragraph 3 + 4 is often determined by the overview.

The graph below shows the number of inquiries received by the Tourist Information Office in one
city over a six-month period in 2011.

Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
- The graph below = The line graph
- shows = indicates / describes / illustrates
- the number of inquiries received by the Tourist Information Office = the number of inquiries that
the Tourist Information Office received (Change from passive form into active form)
- in one city = in a city
- over a six-month period = over a period of six months / over a half-year period
Look at the line graph, you will see three forms of communication (in person, by letter / email, by phone).
Rewrite the statement in your own words
 The line graph indicates the number of inquiries that the Tourist Information Office received in
person, by letter / email and by phone in a city over a period of six months in 2011.

Paragraph 2 (Overview) > Mention the general trend or the most outstanding features
- In person + by telephone > by letter / email
- In person > witness the most significant change / increase
Overall, it is clear that S + V. Moreover, S + V.
 Overall, it is clear that the number of inquiries made in person and by telephone was much higher
than that (= the number) of inquires made via (= by) letter or email. Another striking feature is
that the number of inquiries in person saw / experienced / witnessed the most significant increase
over the time period.

Paragraph 3 + 4 (Data description) > Describe the subjects in detail

Paragraph 3
- Compare the starting point (Jan)
- Discuss the trend of inquires made in person
Paragraph 4
- Discuss the trend of inquiries made by telephone
o Fall to 800 in Feb
o Rise to 1000 in March
o Level off / Remain stable from March to April
o Rise dramatically to 1600 in Jun
- Discuss the trend of inquiries made by letter / email
o Gradual fall to about 700 in March
o Significant fall to below 400
o Level off / Remain stable from May to Jun

Paragraph 3
 (Compare the starting point) In January, about 900 inquiries were made by telephone, followed
by nearly 800 inquires made by letter or email and just above 400 inquiries made in person.
(Discuss the trend of inquiries made in person) However, over the following three months, there
was a significant increase of around 600 inquiries made in person, and this form of
communication overtook the others in the middle of March, becoming the most common choice
among tourists. By June, the number of inquiries in person continued to rise dramatically to
approximately 1900.
Paragraph 4
Regarding inquiries made by telephone, the figure fell gradually to 800 in February, but grew again to
1000 after one month. Then, it levelled off from March to April before rising significantly and reaching a
peak of 1600 in June. By contrast, the number of inquiries made by letter or email experienced a gradual
fall from January to March and then a considerable decline to below 400, after which the figure remained
unchanged by Jun.

SAMPLE
The line graph indicates the number of inquiries that the Tourist Information Office received in person, by
letter / email and by phone in a city over a period of six months in 2011.
Overall, it is clear that the number of inquiries made in person and by telephone was much higher than
that of inquires made via letter / email. Moreover, the figure for inquiries in person witnessed the most
significant increase over the time period.
In January, about 900 inquiries were made via telephone, followed by nearly 800 inquires via letter /
email and just above 400 inquiries in person. However, over the following three months, there was a
significant increase of around 600 inquiries made in person, and this form of communication overtook the
others in mid-March, becoming the most common choice among tourists. After that, the number of
inquiries in person continued to rise dramatically to approximately 1900 in June.
Regarding inquiries via telephone, the figure fell gradually to 800 in February, but grew again to 1000
after one month. Then, it levelled off from March to April before rising significantly and peaking at 1600
in June. By contrast, the figure for inquiries via letter / email experienced a gradual fall from January to
March and then a considerable decline to below 400 in May, after which it remained unchanged by June.

Useful vocabulary for Task 1