IELTS
Writing

IELTS Writing Task 1

Master IELTS Writing Task 1 with templates for bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, maps and process diagrams (Academic) and formal/informal letters (General). AI-scored practice.

⏱ 20 minutes 📊 Medium ⭐ High (1/3 of Writing score)

What is IELTS Writing Task 1?

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 requires a 150+ word description of a graph, chart, table, map or process in 20 minutes. IELTS General Training Task 1 requires a 150+ word letter (formal, semi-formal or informal). Task 1 counts as 1/3 of the Writing score.

Strategy & Tips

  1. Academic: Open with an overview of the main trend BEFORE describing specific data.
  2. Academic: Group similar categories together — do not describe data point by point.
  3. Academic: Include specific figures (percentages, years, values) to support your points.
  4. General: Use the correct register (formal if writing to a company; informal if writing to a friend).
  5. General: Address all three bullet points in the task — missing one caps your Task Achievement score.
  6. Both: Write at least 150 words, but do not spend more than 20 minutes on Task 1.

How is it Scored?

  • Task Achievement (25%) — covers key features, overview present, accurate data
  • Coherence & Cohesion (25%) — logical order, paragraphing, linking
  • Lexical Resource (25%) — vocabulary for describing trends and data
  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy (25%) — tense accuracy, sentence variety

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Writing Task 1?
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 requires you to describe a graph, chart, table, map or process diagram. IELTS General Training Task 1 requires you to write a letter — formal (to a company/official), semi-formal (to a neighbour/manager), or informal (to a friend).
How many words should IELTS Writing Task 1 be?
At least 150 words. Most band 7+ Academic responses are 170–200 words. Going under 150 words limits your Task Achievement score. Spending more than 20 minutes on Task 1 leaves insufficient time for the more heavily weighted Task 2.
What tense do I use for IELTS Writing Task 1 graphs?
Use simple past for specific historical data (e.g., "The figure rose to 45% in 2010"), present perfect for recently completed trends, and present simple for current states or projections labelled as predictions. Match your tense to the time frame shown in the chart.
Must I include a conclusion in IELTS Writing Task 1?
Academic Task 1 does not require a conclusion. Instead, write an OVERVIEW (a sentence summarising the most significant trend) early in your response — this is what examiners specifically look for and what differentiates band 6 from band 7+ responses.

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