IELTS Essay Task 1 Types

How To Write an
IELTS Table Chart Essay
There are 5 steps to writing a high-scoring IELTS table chart essay:
1) Analyse the question
2) Identify the main features
3) Write an introduction
4) Write an overview
5) Write the details paragraphs
I want to start by highlighting the importance of steps 1 and 2. It is essential that you
learn how to do this planning stage properly if you hope to write a high-scoring essay.
Many students are reluctant to spend time on the first two steps as they want to use as
much of the 20 minutes allowed for the essay as possible writing rather than planning.
However, it is important that you do them as they are the key to getting high marks for
your IELTS table chart essay.
In this lesson, we’re going to work through the 5 stages step-by-step as we answer a
practice question.
Before we begin, here’s a model essay structure that you can use as a guideline for all
IELTS Academic Task 1 questions.
Ideally, your essay should have 4 paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 – Introduction
Paragraph 2 – Overview
Paragraph 3 – 1st main feature
Paragraph 4 – 2nd main feature
1
The tables below give the distribution of world population in 1950 and 2000, with
an estimate of the situation in 2050.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Step 1 – Analyse the question

The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same, with the
instruction sentence (highlighted below) identical in every question. Here is
our practice question again.
The tables below give the distribution of world population in 1950 and 2000, with an estimate
of the situation in 2050.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Every question consists of:
 Sentence 1 – A brief description of the graphic
2
 Sentence 2 – The instructions
 The graphic – chart, graph, table, etc.
Sentence 2 tells you what you have to do.
You must do 3 things:
1. Select the main features.
2. Write about the main features.
3. Compare the main features.
Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

Some students find IELTS table chart questions more difficult to interpret than other
types of graphic as they are just sets of numbers with no visual representation.
However, they are not as complicated as they may at first look. Remember, the IELTS
exam is designed to test your language skills, not your mathematics ability.
Here are some useful questions to ask?
 What are the units of measurements?
 What are the time periods?
 What can you learn from the title and any labels?
 What is the most obvious trend?
 Are there any notable similarities?
The key to understanding it is to use the clues given in the title, the row and
column headings and the units of measurement.
Main feature 1: The only region where the percentage is expected to

increase by 2050 is Africa.
Main feature 2: Europe is expected to have the greatest drop in percentage

contribution by 2050.
3
Main feature 3: The only region showing a fluctuation in percentage
contribution over the whole time period is Asia.
Step 3 – Write an Introduction

In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a
different way. You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure. For
example:
Question:
The tables below give the distribution of world population in 1950 and 2000, with
an estimate of the situation in 2050.
Introduction (Paragraph 1):
The table compares changes in worldwide population distribution between the

six key regions from 1950 to 2000, with predictions for the year 2050.
Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you can see in the
table, giving only general information. The detail comes later in the essay. You
should also make any clear comparisons you spot.
Here are the key features we picked out above.



4
Now form these ideas into two or three sentences with a total of around 40 words.
State the information simply, using synonyms where possible. No elaborate
vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and
correct verb tenses.
For example:
Overview (Paragraph 2):
The only region where the percentage contribution is expected to

increase by 2050 is Africa, while Europe is expected to have the greatest
drop in proportion over the same time span. The sole continent showing
a fluctuation in percentage contribution over the hundred year period is
Asia.
Step 5 – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS table chart essay are where you include
more detailed information about the data in the graphic. In paragraph 3, you
should give evidence to support your first 1or 2 key features. Don’t forget to
Here are the first two again:


And this is an example of what you could write:
Paragraph 3:
From a relatively small percentage contribution of 9% in 1950, the

people of Africa are forecast to make up a fifth of the total world
population by 2050. This is almost a reversal of the situation for Europe
which stood at 22% in 1950 and is expected to continue its steady
decline to reach just 7% in 2050.
5
Step 6 – Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph
For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining key
features.

Here’s an example of what you could write:
Paragraph 4:
Another notable trend can be seen in the data for Asia which is the only
region to show an increase in proportion contribution over the first fifty
years but the prediction of a decline, albeit small, looking forward to
2050. The remaining regions, North America, Latin America and Oceania
each make up less than 10% of the total world population and show only
minor fluctuations in contribution over the whole time period.
It’s best to mention all the regions if at all possible but you could get
away with missing out the last sentence if really pushed for time.
6
How To Write an
IELTS Bar Chart Essay
There are 5 steps to writing a good IELTS bar chart essay:
The bar chart below shows the sector contributions to India’s gross domestic
product from 1960 to 2000.
Contribution as % of India's GDP
Source: EPW Research Foundation
7
The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same. Here is our practice question again
with the words that will be included in all questions highlighted .
The bar chart below shows the sector contributions to India’s gross domestic product from
1960 to 2000.
All three tasks refer to the ‘main features’ of the graphic. You do not have to write about
everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty to write about.
Our practice graphic is a dynamic bar chart. That is, it includes a timeline giving data from
several different points in time.
So, for this question, we need to identify the main trends (that is, the general developments or
changes in situation) in the three key sectors of the Indian economy – agriculture, industry and
service – between 1960 and 2000.
Alternatively, a bar chart may be static with the data coming from one point in time, as in the
example below. For this graphic, we would need to compare the different variables, that is, the
different leisure activities favoured by Canadian boys and girls.
8
The graphic in IELTS bar chart questions should not be difficult to interpret. Each question has
been created to test your language skills, not your mathematics ability.
All you are looking for are the main features. These will usually be the easiest things to spot. As
we’ve just seen, the type of key features will depend on whether the bar chart is dynamic or
static.
There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you identify them. Here are some useful
questions to ask?
 What information do the 2 axes give?
 Is it dynamic or static?
9
So, what main features stand out in our practice graphic?
There are 3 main features/trends in this IELTS bar chart:

Main feature 1: The contribution of the agricultural sector dropped steadily.
Main feature 2: The contribution of the service sector increased each decade.
Main feature 3: Industry remained static from 1980 to 2000.
We’re now ready to begin writing our essay. Here’s a reminder of the 4 part structure we’re
going to use.

example:
Question:
The bar chart below shows the sector contributions to India’s gross domestic
product from 1960 to 2000.
The bar graph illustrates the relative percentage contributions made by the
agricultural, industrial and service sectors to the Indian economy between 1960
and 2000.
This is all you need to do for the introduction.
10
Ideally, key words such as ‘sector’ and ‘contributions’ should be replaced by synonyms but there
aren’t any obvious words that could be used instead so it’s fine to repeat them. It’s important that
your language sounds natural so never try to force in synonyms that don’t quite fit.

In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you can see in the graph, giving
only general information. The detail comes later in the essay. You should also make any clear
comparisons you spot.
This is where we write about the general trends. Here are the ones we picked out above.
Now form these ideas into two or three sentences with a total of around 40 words. State the
information simply using synonyms where possible. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar
structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.
For example:
Over the whole time period, the significance of agriculture declined steadily while services
grew in importance decade by decade. A different patterned emerged for industry, which
initially showed a slowly increasing percentage but then plateaued from 1980 onwards.
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS bar chart essay are where you include more detailed
information about the data in the graphic. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support
your first 1 or 2 key features. Don’t forget to make comparisons when relevant.
Here are our first 2 main features again:
11
Paragraph 3:
In 1960, agriculture contributed by far the highest percentage of GDP, peaking at 62%, but
it then dropped in steady increments to a low of 12% in 2000. The service sector, on the
other hand, had a relatively minor impact on the economy in 1960. This situation changed
gradually at first, then its percentage contribution jumping from 28% to 43% between
1980 and 1990. By 2000 it matched the high point reached by agriculture in 1960, showing
a reversal in the overall trend.

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining feature/s. We have
one main feature left to write about.
Paragraph 4:
Industry remained a steady contributor to India’s wealth throughout the period. As a

sector, it grew marginally from 16% in 1960 to exactly a quarter in 1980 then remained
static for the next two decades, maintaining a constant share of the overall GDP.
12
13
How To Write an
IELTS Line Graph Essay
Here is the 5 steps process I recommend for planning and writing IELTS line
graph essays:
I’m going to take you through the whole process step-by-step as we work on a practice
question.
Many students are reluctant to spend time on steps 1 and 2 as they want to spend as
much of the 20 minutes allowed for the essay as possible actually writing it. However, it
is essential that you do them as they are the key to writing a high-scoring IELTS line
graph essay.
Here’s our practice question:
The graph below shows radio and television audiences throughout the day in
1992.
14
The graph below shows radio and television audiences throughout the day in 1992.

The graphic in IELTS line graph questions should not be difficult to interpret. Each question has
15
All you are looking for are the main features. These will usually be the easiest things to spot.
There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you identify them.
The timeline will give you the biggest clues as to the most significant trends.
Look for general trends.
There are 2 main features/trends in this line graph:
Main feature 1: The peak time for TV audiences is in the evening (8 pm).
Main feature 2: The peak time for radio audiences is in the morning (8 am).
The general trends you select will be the starting point for your essay. You will then go on to add
more detail. However, with just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1, and a requirement of only 150
words, you won't be able to include many details.
going to use.

example:
Question:
The graph below shows radio and television audiences throughout the day in 1992.
The line graph illustrates the proportion of people in the UK who watched TV and listened
to the radio over 24 hours from October to December 1992.

In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you can see in the graph, giving
only general information. The detail comes later in the essay. You should also make any clear
comparisons you spot.
This is where we write about the general trends. Here are the ones we picked out above.
16
Now form these ideas into two or three sentences with a total of around 40 words. State the
information simply using synonyms where possible. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar
structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.
For example:
Overall, a significantly greater percentage of the TV audience watched in the evening while
radio had the most listeners in the morning. Over the course of each day and night, more
people watched TV than listened to the radio.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS line graph essay are where you
include more detailed information about the data in the graphic. In
paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first key feature.
Don’t forget to make comparisons when relevant.
Here is our first main feature again:

Paragraph 3:
Less than 10% of people watched TV between 1 am and 12 noon but at 4 pm this
figure increased rapidly, reaching a peak of almost half the population at 8 pm.
After this, the graph records a sharp decline in viewers, reaching a low of only a
tiny percentage by 3 am.

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your second key feature.
17
Paragraph 4:
Radio, on the other hand, shows a very different trend. The most popular time for
listeners to be tuned in was just after 8 am when around 27% of the population
was listening. After a brief peak, the numbers dropped steadily to barely 2%,
apart from fluctuations at around 4 pm and 10.30 pm. The percentage of listeners
remained low overnight before beginning a rapid ascent from 6 am to the 8 am
high.
18
How To Write an
IELTS Pie Chart Essay
Using this 5 steps process to plan and write IELTS pie chart essays will help
you to achieve high marks in Task 1:

The chart below shows the reasons why people travel to work by bicycle or by
car.
19
Source: Official website IELTS Essentials

The chart below shows the reasons why people travel to work by bicycle
or by car.
20
All three tasks refer to the ‘main features’ of the graphic. You do not have to
write about everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty
to write about.

The graphic in IELTS pie chart questions should not be difficult to interpret. Each question has
Pie charts always show percentages or proportions. Apart from that, they are essentially
the same as bar charts and line graphs in that they are a way of presenting data
visually.
All you are looking for are the main features. These will usually be the easiest things to spot.
There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you identify them.
Pie charts generally have titles and labels or sometimes a key instead of segment labels
as in our practice question. The key explains what each segment of the pie chart
represents.
So, what information is contained in the two pie charts?
They show two different methods of travelling to work and illustrate the reason why
people choose these types of transport.
What main features stand out?
21
There are 2 main features in these IELTS pie charts:
Main feature 1: The largest proportion of people who cycle do so for health
and environmental reasons.
Main feature 2: The highest percentage of people who drive do so because

it’s comfortable.
Another notable feature is that the only reason included in both pie charts – that the
method is faster – shares almost the same proportion for both modes of transport.
We may not have space to cover this final feature but we’ll note it just in case we need it
to make up the words.
The key features you select will be the starting point for your essay. You will then go on
to add more detail. However, with just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1, and a requirement
of only 150 words, you won't be able to include many details.

example:
Question:
The chart below shows the reasons why people travel to work by bicycle or by car.
The two pie charts display the key reasons why people choose to either
cycle or drive to work by percentage.

In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you can see in the
pie charts, giving only general information. The detail comes later in the essay.
You should also make any clear comparisons you spot.
Here are the ones we picked out above. I’ve added the additional feature as it will fit
well in the overview.
22
Main feature 1: The largest proportion of people who cycle do so for health and
environmental reasons.
Main feature 2: The highest percentage of people who drive do so because it’s
comfortable.
Main feature 3: For an almost equal proportion of people, their chosen method is the
fastest.
For example:
The largest proportion of people who cycle, have made this choice for
health and environmental reasons whilst the prime advantage of driving
to work is considered to be the comfort of travelling by car. Notably, for
an almost equal proportion of people, their chosen method is the
fastest.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS pie chart essay are where you include more detailed
information about the data in the graphic. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to
support your first key feature. Don’t forget to make comparisons where relevant.
Here is our first main feature again:
Main feature 1: The largest proportion of people who cycle do so for health
and environmental reasons.
Paragraph 3:
Taken together, health and fitness and less pollution are reasons given
by over half of all people who prefer travelling by bike. Each represents
a 30% portion which is double the next most popular reason which is a
lack of parking issues at 15%.
23
I’ve added the third main feature again as it will round off the essay well. In an
exam situation, I would include it if I had time.
Main feature 2: The highest percentage of people who drive do so because

it’s comfortable.
Main feature 3: For an almost equal proportion of people, their chosen

method is the fastest.
Paragraph 4:
A different set of concerns has affected the decision of those who

choose to commute by car. Comfort is by far the most significant factor
at 40% of people, but distance to work is a more important concern for
just over a fifth of drivers. For 14% of people, a faster journey time is the
key factor compared to a figure of 12% of cyclists who find their means
of transport quicker.
I just want to say a quick word about verb tense in this sample essay. Since there is no
time frame given in the question, you could use either the present simple tense or the
past simple tense. I've used the present simple tense. Whichever tense you choose,
remember to be consistent throughout your whole essay.
Here are the four paragraphs brought together to create our finished essay.
24
This sample IELTS pie chart essay is over the minimum word limit so you can see that you don’t
have space to include very much detail at all. That’s why it is essential to select just a couple of
main features to write about.
Now use what you’ve learnt in this lesson to practice answering other IELTS pie chart
questions. Start slowly at first and keep practicing until you can plan and write a
complete essay in around 20 minutes.
25
How To Write an
IELTS Map Essay
IELTS map questions are the easiest to answer. There are no numbers to analyse, just
2 or 3 maps to compare. Very occasionally, there might only be a single map, but this is
rare.
The maps will be of the same location at different times. This could be in the
past, the present time or a plan for a proposed development in the future. You
are required to write about the changes you see between the maps.
There are 5 steps to writing a high-scoring IELTS map essay:

The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,

and make comparisons where relevant.
26
The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same. Here is our practice
question again with the words that will be included in all questions highlighted.
 The graphic – map, chart, graph, table, etc.
27
All three tasks refer to the ‘main features’ of the graphic. You do not have to
write about everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty
to write about.

All you are looking for are the main features. Start with the earliest map. Identify the key
features and look to see how they have changed in the later map, and again in the final
map if there are three.
1) What time periods are shown?
Are the maps of past, present or future situations? This is important to note
because it will determine whether you write your essay using past, present or
future tenses.
The two maps in our practice IELTS map question show the village of
Stokeford at two different times in the past. This immediately tells us that we
will need to use the past tense in our essay.
2) What are the main differences between the maps?
What features have disappeared? What new features are in their place?
3) What features have remained the same over the time period?
Although the location on the maps will have undergone major development,
some features may remain unchanged.
Also, think about directional language you can use, such as:
28
 north
 south
 east
 west
 north-east
 north-west
 south-east
 south-west
So, what information is contained our maps? Here they are again.
Source: IELTS past paper
29
There are a number of different features we could select such as, the loss of the shops,
the disappearance of farmland, the enlargement of the school and the development of
the large house into a retirement home.
Many maps will contain far more changes than our sample maps and the
changes may be more complex. In such cases, you won’t have time to write
about all of them and will need to select just 2 or 3 main features to focus on.
Our maps are quite simple so we’ll list all 4 of the major changes I’ve just
identified.
Main feature 1: The farmland has been built on.
Main feature 2: The large house has been converted into a retirement home.
Main feature 3: The school has been enlarged.
Main feature 4: The shops have disappeared.
The key features you select will be the starting point for your IELTS map essay. You will
then go on to add more detail later. However, with just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1,
and a requirement of only 150 words, you won't be able to include many details.
We’re now ready to begin writing our essay. Here’s a reminder of the 4 part
structure we’re going to use.
For this essay, we’ll adapt this a little to write about two of the features in Paragraph 3
and the other two features in Paragraph 4.
30
example:
Question:
The two maps illustrate how the village of Stokeford, situated on the east bank of
the River Stoke, changed over an 80 year period from 1930 to 2010.

In the second paragraph, you should describe the general changes that have taken
place. The detail comes later in the essay.
State the information simply. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are

required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.
For example:
There was considerable development of the settlement over these years

and it was gradually transformed from a small rural village into a largely
residential area.
Two sentences would be better than one for the second paragraph but we’ll be getting
into the detail if we say more about these maps at this point, so we’ll leave the overview
as one sentence.
31
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS map essay are where you include more detailed
information. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first 1or 2 key
features.
In the case of our main features, 1 and 3 are closely related so we’ll write about these
two together.
Here they are again:
Main feature 1: The farmland has been built on.
Main feature 3: The school has been enlarged.
Paragraph 3:
The most notable change is the presence of housing in 2010 on the

areas that were farmland back in 1930. New roads were constructed on
this land and many residential properties built. In response to the
considerable increase in population, the primary school was extended to
around double the size of the previous building.

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining
key features.
Here are the two we have left:

Main feature 2: The large house has been converted into a retirement home.
Main feature 4: The shops have disappeared.
This is an example of what you could write:
32
Paragraph 4:
Whilst the post office remained as a village amenity, the two shops that
can be seen to the north-west of the school in 1930, no longer existed by
2010, having been replaced by houses. There also used to be an
extensive property standing in its own large gardens situated to the
south-east of the school. At some time between 1930 and 2010, this was
extended and converted into a retirement home. This was another
significant transformation for the village.
Finished IELTS Map Essay
33
How To Write an
IELTS Process Diagram Essay
An IELTS process diagram question can contain a wide variety of different types of
graphics. It could be a natural process such as the water cycle, a manufacturing
process or a diagram of a system.
Using these 5 steps will help you to write a high-scoring process diagram
essay:
In this lesson, we’re going to work through the 5 stages step-by-step as

we answer a practice question.
Before we begin, here’s a model essay structure that you can use as a
guideline for all IELTS Academic Task 1 questions.

We now have everything we need to begin planning and writing our IELTS process
diagram essay.
34
The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity from
wave power.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,

and make comparisons where relevant.
Generating Electricity From The Sea
Source: Official website IELTS Essentials
35
The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same, with the instruction
sentence (highlighted below) identical in every question. Here is our practice question
again.
The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity

from wave power.
 The graphic – diagram, chart, graph, table, etc.
All three tasks refer to the ‘main features’ of the graphic. You do not have to write about
everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty to write about.

The graphic in IELTS process diagram questions should not be difficult to understand.
There are not usually any numbers to analyse as in other types of question, just a
diagram to interpret or, as in our practice question, two diagrams which each show part
of the process.
36
All you are looking for are the main features. These should be the easiest
things to spot. There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you
identify them, especially, titles, labels and captions.
1) Is it a linear or a cyclical process?
A linear process starts and finishes at different places. It will often involve the manufacture or
creation of something, starting with the raw materials going in at one end and the finished
product coming out the other end. An example of this can be seen in this diagram from a past
IELTS process diagram question about the manufacture of bricks.
Linear process
A cyclical process, on the other hand, is a process that goes back to the beginning and
repeats over and over again, such as the life cycle of a frog or a butterfly.
37
Cyclical process
2) Where does the process start and end?
For a linear process this will usually be obvious. It may be harder to determine for a
cyclical process so it’s important that you examine the graphic carefully to find out.
3) How many steps are there to the process?
If there are a lot, it can be helpful to number them from 1 to whatever number the
final stage is.
4) Can the process be easily broken down into stages?
In the brick-making graphic, for example, there are three stages:
a) Creating the bricks from clay
b) Manufacturing the finished product by drying and firing
c) Packaging and delivery
In the life cycle graphic above, there are also three distinct stages as the frog passes through
different stages of development – egg, juvenile, adult.
5) What are the raw materials? What is produced at the end of the process?
These questions obviously apply only to manufacturing processes.
38
For other types of process, it might be more appropriate to ask the following question.
6) What is the end result of the process?
This question is relevant for our practice IELTS process diagram question which shows a process
that creates something using a particular structure. The end result is the production of electricity.
So, what main features stand out in our practice graphic? Here it is again.
Generating Electricity From The Sea
This graphic doesn’t contain very much detail. There are only two stages to the process:
Stage 1: Electricity is generated as the wave flows into the structure (Diagram A).
39
Stage 2: Electricity is also created as the receding wave draws air back down the
column (Diagram B).
Other diagrams are more complex and you have to go through them stage by stage to
work out what’s happening and then pick out just 2 or 3 main feature to write about.
The key features you select will be the starting point for your essay. You will then go on
to add more detail later. However, with just 20 minutes allowed for Task 1, and a
requirement of only 150 words, you won't be able to include many details.
going to use.

example:
Question:
The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity

from wave power.
The two diagrams illustrate a method of creating electricity from the force of
waves using a specifically designed man-made construction.
40
In the second paragraph, you should give a general description of the
diagram/s or process. The detail comes later in the essay.
State the information simply using synonyms where possible. No elaborate vocabulary or
grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.
For example:
The structure, consisting of a wave chamber and a tall column containing a

turbine, is erected on a steeply sloping coastal cliff or sea wall where it is subject
to the movement of the ocean waves.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS process diagram essay are where
you include more detailed information. In paragraph 3, you should
explain the first key feature in more detail.
For this question, we will expand on the first stage of the process. Here it
is again:
Stage 1: Electricity is generated as the wave flows into the structure (Diagram A).
Paragraph 3:
The first diagram shows how the incoming wave fills a large chamber and forces
the air inside this space up the column and through the turbine. The pressure of
the air rotates the turbine which generates a current of electricity. The process
does not end there for the structure is able to continue producing power as the
sea recedes as can be seen in the second diagram.
41
For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining key
features or, for this question, the second stage of the process.
Here it is again:
Stage 2: Electricity is also created as the receding wave draws air back down the
column (Diagram B).
Paragraph 4:
As the water now flows away from the structure, it draws air back down the
column and downwards through the turbine in the same direction as the previous
upward flow of air. The turbine continues to turn thus generating even more
electricity.
Finished IELTS Process Diagram Essay
42
How To Write an
IELTS Multiple Graph Essay
IELTS multiple graph questions are quite common in the Academic Task 1 Writing test.
Students often panic when they see these as they are worried about having to interpret
two different types of data.
However, as long as you’ve learnt how to write essays on each type of graph,
you will have no problem with multiple graphs questions.
A question could include any combination of the following:
 Bar Chart
 Line Graph
 Pie Chart
 Table Chart
Here is the 5 steps process I recommend that you use:
Paragraph 3 – Details of 1st graph or chart
Paragraph 4 – Details of 2nd graph or chart
43
Now that we have all these tools we need, we’re ready to begin planning and writing
our IELTS multiple graph essay.
Here’s our practice question, which includes a pie chart and a table:
The pie chart shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less
productive. The table shows how these causes affected three regions of the world
during the 1990s.
Source: IELTS past paper
44
The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same, with the
instruction sentence (highlighted below) identical in every question. Here is
our practice question again.
The pie chart shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes
less productive. The table shows how these causes affected three
regions of the world during the 1990s.

The graphics in IELTS multiple graph questions should not be difficult to interpret. Each
question has been created to test your language skills, not your mathematics ability.
All you are looking for are the main features. These will usually be the easiest things to
spot. In most Task 1 questions, you will be looking for two main features in one graph,
chart or table. In multiple graph questions, look for one main feature in each graphic.
There will be lots of information in the graphics to help you identify them.
45
Here are some useful questions to ask? The first question relates specifically to bar
charts and line graphs but the rest apply to all graph and chart types.
 What information do the 2 axes give?

So, what main feature stands out in each of the graphics in our practice
question? Here are the pie chart and table again.
The main features are:
Pie chart: The biggest cause of land degradation worldwide is over-grazing.
Table: Europe had the highest percentage of degraded land.
going to use.
Paragraph 3 – Details of 1st graph or chart
Paragraph 4 – Details of 2nd graph or chart
46
example:
Question:
The pie chart shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less
productive. The table shows how these causes affected three regions of the world
during the 1990s.
The pie chart illustrates the primary causes of land deterioration across
the globe while the table outlines how three different regions were
affected by these damaging factors in the 1990s.

In the second paragraph, you should report the main features you have identified, giving
only general information. The detail comes later in the essay. However, with just 20
minutes allowed for Task 1, and a requirement of only 150 words, you won't be able to
include many details.
Here are the features we picked out above.
Now form these ideas into two or three sentences with a total of around 40 words.
State the information simply using synonyms where possible. No elaborate
vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct
verb tenses.
For example:
47
It is clear from the pie chart that the main reason why farmland becomes less
productive is over-grazing. The data in the table reveals that Europe had the
highest percentage of degraded land compared to North America and Oceania for
the period recorded.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS multiple graph essay are where you include more
detailed information about the data in the graphics. In paragraph 3, you should give
evidence to support your first key feature.
Here it is again:
Paragraph 3:
The pie chart presents two additional key reasons for the decrease in
the productivity of agricultural land. These are deforestation and over-
cultivation. Although tree clearance is almost as damaging as grazing
too many animals, at 30%, it has a 5% lower impact than over-grazing.
Excessive cultivation is the least problematic at just over a quarter of
the total.

Paragraph 4:
According to the table, 23% of Europe’s agricultural land was affected by these
damaging practices. This was almost double the percentage in Oceania, the next
48
most affected region. North America experienced by far the lowest level of
productivity loss with a figure of just 5% of its total agricultural land.
Finished IELTS Multiple Graph Essay
49

IELTS Essay Task 1 Types

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

IELTS Essay Task 1 Types

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

How To Write an

IELTS Table Chart Essay

There are 5 steps to writing a high-scoring IELTS table chart essay:

1) Analyse the question

2) Identify the main features

5) Write the details paragraphs

Ideally, your essay should have 4 paragraphs:

Paragraph 3 – 1st main feature

Paragraph 4 – 2nd main feature

Write at least 150 words.

Step 1 – Analyse the question

Every question consists of:

 Sentence 1 – A brief description of the graphic

 The graphic – chart, graph, table, etc.

Sentence 2 tells you what you have to do.

You must do 3 things:

1. Select the main features.

2. Write about the main features.

3. Compare the main features.

Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

Here are some useful questions to ask?

 What are the units of measurements?

 What are the time periods?

 What is the most obvious trend?

 Are there any notable similarities?

Main feature 1: The only region where the percentage is expected to

Main feature 2: Europe is expected to have the greatest drop in percentage

Step 3 – Write an Introduction

Introduction (Paragraph 1):

The table compares changes in worldwide population distribution between the

Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

Here are the key features we picked out above.

Main feature 1: The only region where the percentage is expected to

Main feature 2: Europe is expected to have the greatest drop in percentage

Main feature 3: The only region showing a fluctuation in percentage

Overview (Paragraph 2):

The only region where the percentage contribution is expected to

Step 5 – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Here are the first two again:

Main feature 1: The only region where the percentage is expected to

Main feature 2: Europe is expected to have the greatest drop in percentage

And this is an example of what you could write:

From a relatively small percentage contribution of 9% in 1950, the

Main feature 3: The only region showing a fluctuation in percentage

Here’s an example of what you could write:

There are 5 steps to writing a good IELTS bar chart essay:

1) Analyse the question

2) Identify the main features

5) Write the details paragraphs

Write at least 150 words.

Contribution as % of India's GDP

Source: EPW Research Foundation

Every question consists of:

 Sentence 1 – A brief description of the graphic

 Sentence 2 – The instructions

 The graphic – chart, graph, table, etc.

Sentence 2 tells you what you have to do.

You must do 3 things:

1. Select the main features.

2. Write about the main features.

3. Compare the main features.

 What information do the 2 axes give?

 What are the units of measurements?

 What are the time periods?