FASTRACK IELTS | FASTRACK IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

CHARTS/TABLES WITH DATES

The chart below shows the total number of international migrants in five countries between
2000 and 2020. The table shows the percentage of migrants in each country’s population
in 2020.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

REPORT PLAN
Steps What you need to do

Step 1 Carefully read the task and study the information on the
Read the task charts/tables

Step 2
Select and Find the main groups of data
report the main
features List the main groups of data below:

5 countries: Germany, India, Russia, the UK, and the USA

You must include all the main groups of data in your report.

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FASTRACK IELTS | FASTRACK IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

Identify the main trends

What trend best describes each group of data?

• Growing Germany, the UK, the USA
• Declining India, Russia

▪ Large share Germany, the UK, the USA

▪ Small share India, Russia (smaller than the top three)

Select the key features

The highest figures

Number of immigrants in the USA in 2000 and 2020

The lowest figures

India – both the number of international migrants in the country

and their share in the population

The biggest changes/differences

The biggest increase in the percentage of migrants in

population – the UK

The largest increase in the number of migrants – the USA

Stable data/no changes

India, Russia

Intersections (where two lines cross each other)

Describe the key features in your body paragraphs and

support your description with figures.

Step 3 Find the key similarities and differences

Structure your Describe similar trends together:

report Structure 1
Body paragraph 1 - chart
Body paragraph 2 - table

Structure 2
Body paragraph 1 - countries where the number of migrants
increased
Body paragraph 2 - countries where the number of migrants
decreased

Step 4

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Prepare an Prepare a one- or two-sentence overview

overview
Provide a short summary of the task. In short, what have you
learned?
• Cover all the main groups of data.
• Describe trends.
• Do not give any figures.
• If you have several charts/tables, what is the link
between them?

- Germany, the UK, and the USA: the number of migrants

increased and the proportion of migrants was higher.
- India and Russia: the number of migrants went down and
the proportion was lower.

SAMPLE ANSWER 1
Structure 1 (Body paragraph 1 = chart, Body paragraph 2 = table)

The data provides information about the size of the migrant population of five countries in
2000 and 2020 and the share of migrants in the total population of each country in 2020.
Overall, the number of foreign-born nationals increased in Germany, the UK, and the USA,
where the proportion of migrants was higher. The two countries with the lowest
percentages of migrants — India and Russia — experienced a decline in immigration over
the period.

It is clear that three countries witnessed significant increases in migrant populations over
the period. By far, the largest number of migrants lived in the USA, around 35 million in 2000
and 50 million in 2020. It was the UK, however, that showed the highest rate of growth,
almost doubling in twenty years from 5 to 9.5 million. In Germany, the 2020 figure of 12
million was up by a third. On the other hand, both India and Russia experienced a slight
drop in the size of their migrant populations by 2020, falling to approximately 5 million and
11 million, respectively.

The key feature that emerges from the table is that in the same three countries with rising
numbers (Germany, the UK, and the USA), foreign migrants constituted an almost identical
share of the total population of around 14%. In contrast, in Russia (8.1%) and India (0.4%),
the percentages were significantly lower.

(223 words)

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SAMPLE ANSWER 2
(Body paragraph 1 = countries where the number of migrants increased,

Body paragraph 2 = countries where the number of migrants decreased)

The data provides information about the size of the migrant population of five countries in
2000 and 2020 and the share of migrants in the total population of each country in 2020.
Overall, the number of foreign-born nationals increased in Germany, the UK, and the USA,
where the proportion of migrants was higher. The two countries with the lowest
percentages of migrants — India and Russia — experienced a decline in immigration over
the period.

It is clear that three countries witnessed significant increases in migrant populations over
the period. By far, the largest number of migrants lived in the USA, around 35 million in 2000
and 50 million in 2020. It was the UK, however, that showed the highest rate of growth,
almost doubling in twenty years from 5 to 9.5 million. In Germany, the 2020 figure of 12
million was up by a third. It should be noted that in all three countries, foreign migrants
constituted an almost identical share of the total population of around 14%.

In contrast, both India and Russia experienced a slight drop in the size of their migrant
populations by 2020, falling to approximately 5 million and 11 million, respectively. The
percentages of migrants in these countries were significantly lower. The Russian figure
stood at 8.1%, while in India only 0.4% of the population was made up by migrants.

(224 words)

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 FASTRACK IELTS | FASTRACK IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

CHARTS/TABLES WITHOUT DATES

The charts below show the production of different types of citrus fruit in Brazil, China, and
the USA.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

REPORT PLAN

Steps What you need to do

Step 1 Carefully read the task and study the information on the
charts/tables
Read the task

Step 2 Find the main groups of data

Select and List the main groups of data below:

report the • Brazil, China, the USA
main features • Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines

*You don’t have to mention “other fruit”

You must include all the main groups of data in your report.

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Identify the main trends/similarities/differences

The largest share

• All three countries specialise in one type of fruit (over
70%).
• China and the USA have a second important fruit, but
Brazil does not.

The smallest share

• Lemons are 7% or less in all the countries.

The highest level

The lowest level

Does anything stand out?

• All three countries grow all the fruits.

Select the key features

The highest figures

Oranges in Brazil (87%) and the USA (73%)

Tangerines in China (74%)

The lowest figures

The biggest differences

Tangerines are dominant in China, but make up not more

than 6% in the other countries.

Grapefruit is 16% in the USA, but 1% to 3% in the other

countries.

Figures that are similar

Lemons make up not more than 7% in all the countries.

Describe the key features in your body paragraphs and

support your description with figures.

Step 3 Find the key similarities and differences

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How will you group the data in body paragraphs?

Structure 1
Structure your Body paragraph 1 – largest fruit
report Body paragraph 2 – second largest fruit
Body paragraph 3 – other fruits

Structure 2
Body paragraph 1 – Brazil
Body paragraph 2 – China
Body paragraph 3 – the USA

Step 4 Prepare a one- or two-sentence overview

Provide a short summary of the task. In short, what have you

Prepare an learned?
overview • Cover all the main groups of data.
• Describe trends.
• Do not give any figures.
• If you have several charts/tables, what is the link
between them?

All three countries grow all the fruits.

Each country specialises in just one type of fruit.

SAMPLE ANSWER
The pie charts illustrate the shares of different citrus fruits in the production of three
countries, namely, Brazil, China, and the USA. Overall, the most striking feature of the
charts is that each country specialises in just one type of fruit, despite growing all of them.

This specialisation is particularly clear in Brazil where the production of oranges represents
87% of the total, whereas, in both China and the USA, the predominant fruit makes up a
little under three-quarters of the total.

Although Brazil and the USA produce mainly oranges, China favours tangerines, a fruit
which claims only 6% of the total in Brazil and a mere 3% in the USA.

It is also evident that in both China and the USA, production is somewhat more varied
compared to Brazil, since in both countries a second fruit, oranges in China and grapefruit
in the USA, represents between 16% and 18% of the total.

Across all three countries, lemon production is relatively small, never exceeding the 7%
recorded in the USA, and reaching a low of just 1% in Brazil. On the other hand, grapefruit
production varies, from as high as 16% in the USA to much lower levels of 5% and 4% in
Brazil and China, respectively. (207 words)

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MAPS
The plans below show the site of the airport now and how it will look after redevelopment
next year.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Southwest airport

NOW AFTER DEVELOPMENT

*Cambridge English 16

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FASTRACK IELTS | FASTRACK IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

REPORT PLAN
Steps What you need to do

Step 1 Carefully read the task and study the information on the
maps
Read the task

Step 2 Find the main groups of data

Select and List the objects on the maps below:

report the
main features Departures: check-in, bag drop, café, doors

Security/passport control

Walkway, gates, shops, sky train

Passport control/customs

Arrivals: café, ATM, care hire, extension, doors

You must include all the main objects in your report.

Identify the changes

Are there new objects on the map? +

Have any objects been:

• demolished/removed? ≠
• moved/relocated? 
• extended/improved? 
• converted into something else? 
•
Have any objects stayed the same? =

Departures:
more doors
café check in
check in bag drop
+ café in the corner
Security/passport control =
walkway  sky train
more gates
+ shops

Passport control/customs
Arrivals:
+ café, ATM, care hire (extension)
more doors

Step 3 Find the key similarities and differences

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 FASTRACK IELTS | FASTRACK IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

Structure your What will be your report structure?

report
Body paragraph 1: Before security (now and after)

Body paragraph 2 :After security (now and after)

Step 4 Prepare a one- or two-sentence overview of the main

changes
Prepare an
overview What are the most important changes?

Vocabulary:
• … has undergone a number of changes.

• … has been significantly improved/extended.

• Learning/sports/recreational/business facilities have

been added/improved.

More gates and more facilities

SAMPLE ANSWER
The plans provide details of a proposal for the one-year renovation of Southwest Airport.
Overall, the main new features will be increasing the number of gates together with the
addition of a range of new facilities.

Entrance to the departure and arrival sections will largely go unaltered, although
additional doors will be installed in both. At present, departures has just a check-in desk
and a café, but the proposal is to move the check-in from the left to the right to
accommodate a bag drop area and to relocate the café to the left of the main
entrance. Arrivals will also see a café added as well as an ATM and a car hire business. To
establish the car hire business, an extension will be built to provide adequate space.

There will be no changes to airport security, passport control, and customs. Several shops,
however, will be opened in the departure zone, located on the left upon entering from
security. By far the greatest proposed development involves building two corridors to the
departure gates, which will be more than doubled from the current eight to eighteen, and
replacing the existing walkway with a sky train.

(197 words)

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 FASTRACK IELTS | FASTRACK IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

DIAGRAM
The diagram below shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

*Cambridge English 16

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REPORT PLAN
Steps What you need to do

Step 1 Carefully read the task and study the information on the
diagram
Read the task

Step 2 Find the main groups of data

Select and How many steps are there on the diagram? 8

report the
main features What are these steps?
1. Silos
2. Mixer
3. Dough sheets
4. Dough strips
5. Noodles disks
6. Cooking + drying
7. Vegetables + spices
8. Labelling + sealing

Describe each step in your report.

Identify the main processes

What are the key objects/tools on the diagram?

What are the key processes at each step?

1. Truck, silos, flour
2. Mixer, flour, water + oil
3. Rollers, dough sheets
4. Cutter, dough strips
5. Noodle disks
6. Cooking in oil, drying
7. Dry noodles, cups, vegetables + spices
8. Labels, labelling + sealing
Noodles are ready

Include each object, tool, and process in your report.

Step 3 Find the key similarities and differences

Structure your How can you divide the process into two or three big
report stages?

Body paragraph 1: Making noodles and cooking them

Body paragraph 2 : Packing noodles

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Step 4 Prepare a one- or two sentence-overview of the process

Prepare an
Summarise the process in one or two sentences.
overview
• Do not give a list of steps from the diagram.
• Give an overview of the whole process, not just the
first and the last steps.
• Can you divide all the steps into two or three big
stages?
• What are the main ingredients/tools used?

Delivering flour – making noodles – cooking them –

packaging

SAMPLE ANSWER
The diagram illustrates the industrial production of instant noodles. Overall, the entire
process consists of four main stages beginning from the time flour is delivered to silos to
preparing the dry noodles, cooking them, and lastly packaging the end product.

Firstly, flour is transported by trucks to the silos and stored there until it is used at the
production centre where, after adding sufficient water and oil, it is made into dough in a
mixing machine. The dough is then passed through a set of rollers at one end of the
production line. This turns it into thin sheets, which are subsequently cut into strips. The next
step is to shape them into compact noodle discs, which are then fried in oil, removed, and
left to dry.

The dried cooked noodles are placed in cups to which assorted vegetables and spices
are added. The final stage of the manufacturing process involves labelling and sealing the
cups before they are packaged. The instant noodles are then ready.

(166 words)

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