WRITING TASK 1

• IELTS
 Interpreting visual
20 150
WORD information such as graph
MIN S or chart
- pick out main features
-
describe and compare data given

CRITERIA
Vocabulary range
Grammatical range Coherence and Task achievement
and accuracy
and accuracy cohesion

STRUCTURE
• Paragraph 1: Introduce the visuals (1-2 sentences).
• Paragraph 2: Summarize the visuals.
• Paragraphs 3 and (sometimes) 4: Use data/details to highlight a key feature(s).
 DON’T GET
LOST IN THE
DETAILS
 STRUCTURE Paragraph 1 - Introduce the visuals

Explain in very general terms, what the visual contains

Paraphrase the question

DO THIS IN 1 - 2 SENTENCE(s) IF POSSIBLE

Example:

The charts show rates of computer ownership from

2002-2010, including a more detailed look at
ownership patterns by level of education.
 STRUCTURE Paragraph 2 - Summarize the visuals

rovide a summary of the visual without going into too much detail
Highlight information that stands out most such as the general trend
Use very general language
DO THIS IN 2 - 4 SENTENCES

Example:

These data show a constant increase in the

percentage of the population that owned computers
during the eight year timeframe. This rising trend
occurred across all education levels. However,
although having more education correlated directly
with higher computer ownership percentages from
2002-2010, the ownership percentage increased
 STRUCTURE Paragraph 3 - Highlight a key feature

Now go into detail

DO NOT TRY TO DESCRIBE ALL THE DATA
Detail some information that is related to your summary in paragraph 2

Example:

In 2002, slightly more than half the population owned computers. That
number increased to roughly 75% over the next eight years.
Postgraduates were always ahead of the general population. While
roughly three-quarters of postgraduates owned computers in 2002, that
figure rose to nearly 95% by 2010. By contrast, those who had not
Notably, the three groups at the lowest end of the education spectrum
finished high school began with only a 15% computer ownership rate,
saw the most significant computer ownership gains over this period.
which increased to about 45% after eight years.
Their rate rose approximately 30 percentage points. College graduates
and postgraduates saw more modest gains with 20 point increases
between 2002 and 2010.
 STRUCTURE Conclusion - bring it all together

ONLY 1 SENTENCE
You don’t have to write a conclusion, but it is very useful if you are finding it
hard to reach 150 words

Example:

The first decade of the 21st century saw

steady gains in computer ownership
among a variety of education levels.
 a rise verbs: to “noun” sharp
an increase sudden
a surge rapid
a growth abrupt
a peak dramatic
steep
a fluctuation significant
a variation Adjectives
Nouns Adverbs: add “ly”
a period of stability steady
a plateau slight
gentle
a fall
a decrease gradual
a decline
to show an upward trend
a dip to show a downward trend
to hit the highest point
GRAMMAR to hit the lowest point
to reach a peak
Take note of the following prepositions which
to show some fluctuation
you will need to describe dates, numbers and to fluctuate wildly
comparisons:
to remain stable
to remain unchanged
to stay constant
Phrases to reach a plateau
Dates
to flatten out
In December,
the highest
In 2005, the lowest
the second highest
From 2001-2010, the third highest
By 1998,
compared to 
Between 1965-1969 compared with

relative to
 Model answer
THE BAR CHART COMPARES THE YEARLY NUMBER OF VISITORS IN 3 DIFFERENT MUSEUMS
FROM 2007 TO 2012.

OVERALL, THE PEAK OF VISITORS' NUMBER WAS IN 2012, WHILE THE LOWEST POINT WAS IN
2009 AND 2010.

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM WAS THE MOST POPULAR FROM 2007 TO 2009. DURING
2007-2008 ITS ANNUAL NUMBER OF VISITORS REMAINED CONSTANT AT ABOUT 14 MILLION
PEOPLE PER YEAR. HOWEVER, THE FIGURE STARTED TO DECLINE RAPIDLY IN 2009, AND
REACHED ITS LOWEST POINT OF ABOUT 8 MILLIONS IN 2010, BECOMING THE LEAST
POPULAR MUSEUM FOR THE REST OF THE PERIOD. AFTER THAT, THE NUMBER OF VICTORIA
AND ALBERT MUSEUM'S VISITORS GRADUALLY ROSE UP TO 10 MILLION VISITORS WITHIN 2
YEARS.

BRITISH MUSEUM WAS THE SECOND MOST POPULAR IN 2007, BEING OUTRACED BY VICTORIA
AND ALBERT MUSEUM. NEVERTHELESS, ITS NUMBER OF VISITORS EXPERIENCED A SHARP
FALL IN 2008 AND REMAINED UNCHANGED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THEN, THE FIGURE
STARTED TO INCREASE. IT REACHED ITS PEAK OF APPROXIMATELY 14 MILLION VISITORS IN
2012, REGAINING ITS POSITION OF 2007.

NATIONAL GALLERY MUSEUM SHOWED THE MOST NOTABLE DEVELOPMENT WITH A STEADY
GROWTH THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD. BEING THE LEAST POPULAR MUSEUM IN THE
BEGINNING, IT EXPERIENCED A GROWTH OF MORE THAN 10 MILLION VISITORS OVER 6-YEAR
PERIOD, AND BECAME THE MOST VISITED MUSEUM IN 2012.