When it comes to the IELTS Writing test, many candidates find Task 1 tricky—not because it's the hardest, but because it requires a specific writing style that many aren't used to. Whether you're taking the Academic or General Training version of the test, Writing Task 1 demands a clear understanding of structure, vocabulary, and data analysis or formal letter-writing. In this blog post, we’ll dive into both versions of IELTS Writing Task 1, explore the band descriptors, give sample answers, and offer tips to help you score Band 7+.
✍️ What is IELTS Writing Task 1?
IELTS Writing Task 1 is the first of two writing tasks in the IELTS Writing test. You are expected to spend about 20 minutes on this task and write at least 150 words.
There are two versions of the IELTS test, and Task 1 differs depending on which one you're taking:
- Academic IELTS: Describe, summarize, or explain visual information (e.g., graphs, charts, tables, maps, processes).
- General Training IELTS: Write a letter in response to a situation (could be formal, semi-formal, or informal).
📊 Academic IELTS Writing Task 1
In the Academic version, you’ll be given a visual and asked to summarize the information. The visuals can include:
- Bar charts
- Line graphs
- Pie charts
- Tables
- Maps
- Processes or diagrams
🔍 What Are You Expected to Do?
You need to:
- Identify key trends, comparisons, or stages
- Paraphrase the question
- Avoid giving opinions or explanations—just describe the data objectively
- Use clear, concise language
- Write a well-structured report
🧱 Academic Task 1 Structure
Here’s a reliable structure you can use:
1. Introduction
- Paraphrase the task prompt
- Example:
Task prompt: "The chart below shows the percentage of households in different income groups that own a computer from 2002 to 2010."
Introduction: The bar chart illustrates the proportion of households in various income brackets that had computer ownership between 2002 and 2010.
2. Overview
- Summarize the main trends or features
- Avoid data or details here
- Use phrases like: Overall, it is evident that... / In general...
3. Body Paragraph 1
- Describe the first key feature(s)
- Group similar data
- Use accurate comparisons
4. Body Paragraph 2
- Discuss other relevant trends or contrasts
- Add specific data points
📌 Academic Task 1 Sample Question & Answer
🧾 Question:
The table below shows the number of international students studying in four countries in 2000 and 2010.
| Country | 2000 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 20000 | 45000 |
| Canada | 15000 | 30000 |
| UK | 30000 | 50000 |
| USA | 50000 | 70000 |
✍️ Sample Answer (Band 8):
The table presents data on the number of international students in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA in the years 2000 and 2010.
Overall, the number of overseas students increased in all four countries over the ten-year period, with the USA consistently hosting the highest number, while Canada saw the most significant relative growth.
In 2000, the USA welcomed 50,000 students, followed by the UK with 30,000. Australia and Canada hosted comparatively fewer students, at 20,000 and 15,000 respectively.
By 2010, the USA remained the top destination with 70,000 international students. The UK saw an increase to 50,000, while Australia more than doubled its figure to 45,000. Canada also doubled its intake to 30,000.
💌 General Training IELTS Writing Task 1
In the General Training version, you are asked to write a letter in response to a practical, everyday situation. The letter can be:
- Formal – To someone you don’t know (e.g., a manager, customer service)
- Semi-formal – To someone you know in a professional capacity
- Informal – To a friend or close acquaintance
🧱 General Task 1 Structure
- Greeting (e.g., Dear Sir/Madam / Dear John)
- Opening statement – Explain the reason for writing
- Main content paragraphs – Cover all bullet points in the task
- Closing statement – Conclude appropriately
- Sign-off (e.g., Yours sincerely, Best regards)
📌 General Task 1 Sample Question & Answer
🧾 Question:
You recently stayed at a hotel and had a bad experience. Write a letter to the hotel manager to complain about your stay.
- Explain what went wrong
- Say how it affected your trip
- Suggest what the hotel should do
✍️ Sample Answer (Band 8):
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my recent stay at your hotel during the weekend of May 10th.
Unfortunately, my experience was far from pleasant. Firstly, the room was not cleaned properly; there was dust on the furniture and the bathroom had a lingering odor. Secondly, the air conditioner was malfunctioning, making it difficult to sleep at night.
This significantly affected my trip as I was attending a conference and needed to be well-rested. Instead, I spent two uncomfortable nights, which impacted my ability to concentrate during the event.
I believe a refund for one night would be a fair resolution. Additionally, I recommend that you inspect room maintenance standards more regularly to prevent similar incidents.
Yours sincerely,
Ahmed Khan
✅ IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors
IELTS examiners grade your writing on four criteria, each worth 25%:
-
Task Achievement (Academic) / Task Response (General)
- Did you fully address the task and include all necessary information?
-
Coherence and Cohesion
- Is your writing logically organized with clear paragraphing?
-
Lexical Resource
- Are you using a wide range of appropriate vocabulary?
-
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Are your grammar and sentence structures correct and varied?
🔑 Key Tips to Score Band 7+ in Writing Task 1
🎯 Academic:
- Don’t describe every detail—focus on significant trends and comparisons.
- Always include an overview paragraph.
- Avoid expressing opinions or assumptions.
- Use data groupings (e.g., countries with similar trends).
🎯 General:
- Match the tone (formal/informal) to the situation.
- Cover all bullet points clearly.
- Don’t use overly casual or robotic phrases.
- Structure your letter with clear paragraphs.
🛑 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Writing fewer than 150 words
- ❌ Missing an overview (Academic)
- ❌ Using opinion in Task 1 Academic
- ❌ Not covering all bullet points (General)
- ❌ Repeating vocabulary without variety
- ❌ Poor grammar and punctuation
🧠 Final Thoughts
IELTS Writing Task 1 might seem intimidating at first, but with the right approach and plenty of practice, it becomes manageable. Remember to focus on structure, clarity, and accuracy. Whether you're describing a complex chart or writing a polite complaint letter, always write with purpose and precision.
Need help with IELTS Writing Task 2? Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post covering essay types, sample answers, and Band 9 strategies!
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