IELTS WRITING TASK 1

OVERALL STRUCTURE OF TASK 1 ESSAY

Paragraph 1: A paraphrase of the question
chart show(s) the number of …
graph indicate(s) the proportion of …
The table illustrate(s) information on/about …
diagram demonstrate(s) data on …
figures describe(s) that
statistics give(s)
present(s)

Paragraph 2: Overall statement/ Overview

According to the chart, …
As shown in the graph,
As can be seen from the table,
diagram,
It can be seen from the chart that …
We can see graph
It is clear/apparent/visible/ evident table
A glance at the diagram reveals/
uncovers/
unveils …

Paragraph 3: Detailed description

Paragraph 4: Detailed description

CATEGORY 1: DATA-DRIVEN DIAGRAMS (GRAPHS, CHARTS, TABLES)

COMPARISON LANGUAGE
Introducing differences
Generally, there is a (significant) difference/ between A and B
discrepancy
a (wide) disparity in + noun

Comparative structures
In contrast (to A),
In comparison (with A),
B is larger/ smaller
by …
by a narrow/small margin.
by a margin of
by a staggering/ surprising/
striking/ shocking …

[just] + [under/over] … larger/ smaller than B.

A is [approximately]
considerably/ substantially greater/ higher/ smaller than B.
marginally/ slightly
A is [under/ over] twice as large/ great/ high as B.
two/three times

more/ less + uncountable noun than B.

A produces/ consumes/ … more/ fewer + countable noun
the same amount/ number/ quantity of noun as B.

Superlative structures
A is/ has the [second/ third] largest/ smallest/ most significant/ most productive/ … + noun
 A uses the largest/ highest/ smallest/ lowest proportion of noun
produces quantity of noun
consumes amount of uncountable noun
number of countable noun

Approximation
just under 14.5% about
well under 12% around
just over 11% roughly
well over/ above 13% approximately
exactly 15% almost
precisely nearly

Proportions and percentages 🡪 fractional expressions

80% four fifths 40% two fifths
75% three quarters 35% more than a third
70% seven in tens 30% less than a third
65% two thirds 25% a quarter
60% three fifths 20% a fifth
55% more than half 15% less than a fifth
50% half 10% one in ten
45% more than two fifths 5% one in twenty
75%-85% a(n) large/ vast/ overwhelming majority
65%-75% a significant proportion/ majority
10%-15% a small minority
5% a very small number

Reporting structures
The share of
contribution
proportion
percentage
e.g. The contribution of consumer expenditure in this category was almost similar in three countries,
namely Turkey, Spain, and Ireland.

… form …% of
account for
be responsible for
comprise
make up
constitute
e.g. 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 …% (of)

e.g. The remaining 40% was allocated to a variety of other items.