Course Material and

Supplements

For Academic Candidates

Ebrahim Tahasoni
Cert TESOL, Academic IELTS 9.0
www.tahasoni.com
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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Understanding the Rubric

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The charts below give information about world spending and population.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,

and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

The Task

Tasks involve reporting the data in a visual item or a collection of data such as a table.

The task is to write a report:

Summarise the information in the visual or set of data:

o Select the main features
o Report the main features
Make comparisons were relevant
Spend about 20 minutes on the task
Minimum 150 words 165-170 words

Note: Finish task one during the first 20 minutes of your writing test and then move on to task 2. Do not swap!

The Answer Sheet

The first two pages of the IELTS writing answer sheet are dedicated to task one and have 30 lines. Although you
may ask for extra sheets to write your answer in, it is not likely to become necessary since the space you are
already provided with is way more than sufficient.

Ebrahim Tahasoni Page 1 www.tahasoni.com

Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

You may be given a single visual or a combination of 2 or 3 different task types.

A. Line graphs

5 6
4.5
5
4
3.5
4
3
2.5 3
2
2
1.5
1
1
0.5
0 0
1960 1980 2000 2020 1960 1980 2000 2020

1. Single-variable line graph 2. Multiple-variable line graph

B. Charts

5 6
4.5
5
4
3.5
4
3
2.5 3
2
2
1.5
1
1
0.5
0 0
1960 1980 2000 2020 1960 1980 2000 2020

1. Single-variable bar chart 2. Multiple-variable bar chart

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

6000

5000

4000
1st Qtr
3000 Germany
2nd Qtr
2000 Maldives
3rd Qtr
Peru
1000 4th Qtr
0

3. Comparison bar chart 4. Pie chart

C. Tables

D. Process, Flowchart or Cycle Diagrams

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One
E. Maps

1. Comparison map 2. Development map

F. Multiple Task Types

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Every report is read four times by an examiner and each time, it will be marked on one of the following criteria:

Task Achievement (TA)

Coherence and Cohesion (CC)
Lexical Resource (LR)
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)

Task Achievement (TA)

This criterion assesses how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the response fulfils the requirements set out
in the task, using the minimum of 150 words.

Academic Writing Task 1 is a writing task which has a defined input and a largely predictable output. It is basically
an information-transfer task which relates narrowly to the factual content of the input data or diagram and NOT
to speculated explanations that lie outside the provided diagram or data.

The examiner has the following questions in mind when assessing this aspect of your report:

1. Have you summarised the information appropriately by selecting and properly reporting the main
features?
2. Have you made comparisons properly and sufficiently?
3. Have you provided overviews of the main trends/comparisons/stages?
4. Have you written a clear overview or summary for the report?

Coherence and Cohesion (CC)

This criterion is concerned with the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the response organises and
links information, ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing.
Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical connectors,
pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and within
sentences clear.

The examiner has the following questions in mind when assessing this aspect of your report:

1. Have you organised your information logically?

2. Is there an overall flow or progression in your report?
3. Have you used linkers correctly, properly and sufficiently?
4. Have pronouns been used correctly and do they have clear references?
5. Have you organised the text in paragraphs logically and sufficiently?
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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Lexical Resource (LR)

This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary the candidate has used and the accuracy and appropriacy of that
use in terms of the specific task.

The examiner takes the following points into account when assessing this aspect of your report:

1. Words
a. Range and flexibility
b. Level
c. Precision
d. Style
e. Collocation
2. Vocabulary mistakes
a. Spelling
b. Word choice
c. Word formation

Note: when evaluating mistakes, the effect each has on the reader and the intelligibility of your report is taken into
account.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)

This criterion refers to the range and accurate use of the candidates grammatical resource as manifested in the
candidates writing at the sentence level.

The examiner has the following questions in mind when assessing this aspect of your report:

1. Have you used a variety of sentence structures?

2. How often have you used compound structures?
3. Mistakes
a. Grammar
b. Punctuation

Note: when evaluating mistakes, the effect each has on the reader and the intelligibility of your report is taken into
account.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One
IELTS Task 1 Writing band descriptors (public version)
Band Task Achievement Coherence and Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and
Cohesion Accuracy
9 fully satisfies all the uses cohesion in such uses a wide range of uses a wide range of
requirements of the a way that it attracts vocabulary with very structures with full
task no attention natural and flexibility and accuracy;
clearly presents a fully skilfully manages sophisticated control rare minor errors occur
developed response paragraphing of lexical features; rare only as slips
minor errors occur only
as slips
8 covers all sequences uses a wide range of uses a wide range of
requirements of the information and ideas vocabulary fluently and structures
task sufficiently logically flexibly to convey the majority of
presents, highlights manages all aspects precise meanings sentences are error-
and illustrates key of cohesion well skilfully uses free
features/ bullet points uses paragraphing uncommon lexical makes only very
clearly and sufficiently and items but there may be occasional errors or
appropriately appropriately occasional inaccuracies inappropriacies
in word choice and
collocation
produces rare errors in
spelling and/or word
formation
7 covers the logically organises uses a sufficient range uses a variety of
requirements of the information and ideas; of vocabulary to allow complex structures
task there is clear some flexibility and produces frequent
(Academic) presents a progression precision error-free sentences
clear overview of main throughout uses less common has good control of
trends, differences or uses a range of lexical items with some grammar and
stages cohesive devices awareness of style and punctuation but may
(General Training) appropriately collocation make a few errors
presents a clear although there may may produce
purpose, with the tone be some under-/over- occasional errors in
consistent and use word choice, spelling
appropriate and/or word formation
clearly presents and
highlights key
features/bullet points
but could be more
fully extended
6 addresses the arranges information uses an adequate uses a mix of simple
requirements of the and ideas coherently range of vocabulary and complex sentence
task and there is a clear for the task forms
(Academic) presents overall progression attempts to use less makes some errors in
an overview with uses cohesive devices common vocabulary grammar and
information effectively, but but with some punctuation but they
appropriately selected cohesion within inaccuracy rarely reduce
(General Training) and/or between makes some errors in communication
presents a purpose sentences may be spelling and/or word
that is generally clear; faulty or mechanical formation, but they do
there may be may not always use not impede
inconsistencies in tone referencing clearly or communication
presents and appropriately
adequately highlights
key features/ bullet
points but details may
be irrelevant,
inappropriate or
inaccurate
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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One
generally addresses the presents information may be repetitive uses only a limited
5 task; the format may be with some because of lack of range of structures
inappropriate in places organisation but there referencing and attempts complex
(Academic) recounts may be a lack of substitution sentences but these
detail mechanically with overall progression uses a limited range of tend to be less
no clear overview; there makes inadequate, vocabulary, but this is accurate than simple
may be no data to inaccurate or over-use minimally adequate sentences
support the description of cohesive devices for the task may make frequent
(General Training) may may make noticeable grammatical errors
present a purpose for the errors in spelling and punctuation may
letter that is unclear at and/or word be faulty; errors can
times; the tone may be formation that may cause some difficulty
variable and sometimes cause some difficulty for the reader
inappropriate for the reader
presents, but
inadequately covers, key
features/ bullet points;
there may be a tendency
to focus on details
4 attempts to address the presents information uses only basic uses only a very
task but does not cover and ideas but these vocabulary which may limited range of
all key features/bullet are not arranged be used repetitively or structures with only
points; the format may be coherently and there is which may be rare use of
inappropriate no clear progression in inappropriate for the subordinate clauses
(General Training) fails to the response task some structures are
clearly explain the uses some basic has limited control of accurate but errors
purpose of the letter; the cohesive devices but word formation predominate, and
tone may be these may be and/or spelling; errors punctuation is often
inappropriate inaccurate or may cause strain for faulty
may confuse key repetitive the reader
features/bullet points
with detail; parts may be
unclear, irrelevant,
repetitive or inaccurate
3 fails to address the task, does not organise uses only a very attempts sentence
which may have been ideas logically limited range of words forms but errors in
completely may use a very limited and expressions with grammar and
misunderstood range of cohesive very limited control of punctuation
presents limited ideas devices, and those word formation predominate and
which may be largely used may not indicate and/or spelling distort the meaning
irrelevant/repetitive a logical relationship errors may severely
between ideas distort the message
2 answer is barely related has very little control uses an extremely cannot use sentence
to the task of organisational limited range of forms except in
features vocabulary; essentially memorised phrases
no control of word
formation and/or
spelling
1 answer is completely fails to communicate can only use a few cannot use sentence
unrelated to the task any message isolated words forms at all
0 does not attend
does not attempt the task in any way
writes a totally memorised response
does not attempt the task in any way
writes a totally memorised response

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Line Graphs

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

A) Verbs and nouns for describing trends and changes:

Trend Verbs Nouns

rise (rose-risen) [to/by] a rise [of]

increase [to/by] an increase [of]
go (went-gone) up [to/by] a growth [of]
climb [to/by] an upward trend
grow (grew-grown) [to/by]
a doubling in + n.
double a trebling in + n.
treble/triple
a boom
boom
a surge
surge
soar
rocket [to/by]

fall (fell-fallen) [to/by] a fall [of]

decline [to/by] a decline [of]
decrease [to/by] a decrease [of]
dip (dipped) [to/by] a drop [of]
drop (dropped) [to/by] a reduction
go (went-gone) down [to/by]
a slump
plummet [to/by]
a plunge
plunge [to/by]
dive [to/by]
deteriorate
slump [to/by]

do (did) not change no change

remain/stay + stable/steady/static/unchanged [at]
maintain the same level

stood at/was a levelling off [at]

a plateau [at]
level (levelled) off [at]
plateau (plateaued) [at] reached a high/peak of
Position level (levelled) out [at] reached a low of
stabilise [at]
peaked [at]
reached

Constant a fluctuation
fluctuated [around]
Change

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

B) Adjectives and adverbs for degree of change:

Degree Adjective Adverb

dramatic dramatically
huge n/a
Very extensive change
enormous enormously
tremendous tremendously

substantial substantially
considerable considerably
Extensive change
significant significantly
remarkable remarkably

noticeable noticeably
Average change marked markedly
moderate moderately

slight slightly
Small change small n/a
minimal minimally

C) Adjectives and adverbs for speed of change:

Speed Adjective Adverb

rapid rapidly
quick quickly
Quick change sharp sharply
swift swiftly
steep steeply

steady steadily
Slow change gradual gradually
slow slowly

sudden suddenly
Unexpected change unexpected unexpectedly
abrupt abruptly

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

1. Past:
Simple past (to report actions happening after each other)

2. Present:
a) If the task represents changes or actions which happen regularly (such as a process or
a chart displaying general average values):

Simple present (for graphs, charts and tables)

Simple present and present perfect (for processes and cycles)

b) If the trend starts in the past, reaches now and has a break point at the present time:

Present perfect for the trend that begins in the past

Simple present for reporting its present value

Example:

1983 1993 2003 2013 2023

It stood at 20 in 1983 and doubled over the next 10 years to level off at 40, after which it remained
constant until 2003. Since then, there has been a considerable increase and it now stands at 50.
However, there will probably be a rapid fall in the last 10 years and it is expected to reach 30.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

c) If the trend start in the past, passes now into the future and has a breakpoint sometime
in the future

Present perfect for the trend that begins in the past

Future structures (look at number 3 below) to report the value it will reach in
the first future breakpoint

Example:

1990 2000 2010 2020 2030

In 1985 it stood at 20 and doubled over the next 10 years to level off at 40 and remained constant
until 2005. Since then, it has experienced a considerable increase and is expected to reach 50 in
2020 (or: and predictions show that it will reach 50 in 2020). However, there will be a rapid fall in
the last 10 years and it will reach 30.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

3. Future:

Will future and other academic structures for predicting the future

Generally, use will future for future events. Structures like should, be likely to, seem
likely to/that and the following can also be used:

Structure set 1:

Predictions
Expectations
Anticipations show
Forecasts reveal [that] it will drop dramatically.
Estimates indicate
Evaluations
Calculations

Structure set 2:

predicted
expected
anticipated
It is forecast that gold prices will drop dramatically.
estimated
evaluated
calculated

Structure set 3:

predicted
expected
anticipated
Gold prices are forecast to drop dramatically.
estimated
evaluated
calculated

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Notice how the verbs in the following paragraphs have been changed from past forms into
future forms:

In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA was about 20%.
The figures for Canada and Mexico were lower, at about 10% and 5%
respectively. In 2005, Internet usage in both the USA and Canada rose to
around 70% of the population, while the figure for Mexico reached just over
25%.

In 2015, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA is expected to
be about 20%. The figures for Canada and Mexico are likely to be lower, at
about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2025, it is predicted that Internet usage in
both the USA and Canada will rise to around 70% of the population, while the
figure for Mexico should reach just over 25%.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

1. First event:
At/In the beginning,
At first,

In the first year,

In the first month,

In 1999,
In January,

In the first year, 1999,

In the first year (1999),

2. Middle events:
and
but
However, Nevertheless,

Then,
Next,
After this/that,
Following this/that,
Afterwards,

This is followed by + <n/n.p>

following which
after which

which is followed by + <n/n.p>

untilafter which
untilfollowing which
untilwhen

before + <sentence or n.p.>

during/over the nextyears
years later,

3. Final event:
Finally,
Ultimately,

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

1. x y

2. x

3. Proportional changes

4. Rounding

For Trends:
relatively

rather

almost

For Values:
Roughly

Almost

About

Approximately

Around

Just about

Well/just below

Well/just above

A little/slightly more than

A little/slightly less than

5. Referencing

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below gives information about Dubai gold sales in 2002.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Sample answer by E. Tahasoni:

The diagram illustrates how gold sales in Dubai changed over a period of 12 months.

It is observed that in the first month of 2002, gold sales stood at 200 million dirhams and rose slightly
to reach about 225 million in February. This was followed by another increase, although much steeper,
in March when sales were almost 125 million dirhams higher than February. However, this upward
trend was suddenly broken and sales plummeted dramatically over the next 4 months to reach a little
over 100 million dirhams in July. August sales saw a significant rise back to January levels as figures
nearly doubled, but this was not to last since they dropped again in September to the same level as
they were in July. October came with a small increase of about 100 million dirhams in sales, after which
sales figures levelled off and remained relatively static over the last two months of 2002.

Overall, gold sales in Dubai remained relatively unchanged in 2002. Besides, they were at their highest
in March while the weakest sales figures could be observed in July and September.

(184 words)

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below gives information about the number of cases of diarrhea in Mashhad between
1983 and 1992.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below gives information about the number of parcels delivered by two major mail
services companies from 1920 to 2000.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Parcels delivered by Federal Express and TNT Mail Services

30000

25000

20000

15000 FedEx
TNT

10000

5000

0
1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The chart below gives information about the number of books rented in a British local library in
2009.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.

Malton Town Library: Books Rented 2009

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The chart below gives information about birth and death rates in Switzerland from 1970 to 2020
according to United Nations statistics.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Switzerland birth and death rates 1970-2020

3.5

2.5

2
millions

Births
1.5 Deaths

0.5

0
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Comparison Bar
Charts

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

A. Introducing Differences
a significant difference between a and b.
Generally, there is
a wide disparity in + n.

B. Comparative Structures
In contrast (to B), by a narrow margin.
1 A is larger/smaller
In comparison (with B), by x.

[just]+[under/over]
2 A is x larger/smaller than B.
[approximately]

twice
3 A is [under/over] as large/great/high as B.
two/three times

more/less + uncountable n.
4 A produces/consumes/ than B.
more/fewer + countable n.

considerably/substantially
5 A is greater/higher/smaller than B.
marginally/slightly

6 A is [almost/roughly /] As large/high as B.

C. Superlative Structures

1 A is the [second/third] largest/smallest/most significant/most productive/ + n.

2 A has the [second/third] greatest/widest/ most significant/most productive/ + n.

proportion of + n.
uses
quantity of + n.
3 A produces the largest/highest/smallest/lowest
amount of + uncountable n.
consumes
number of + countable n.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The charts below give information about travel to and from the UK, and about the most popular
countries for UK residents to visit.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Answer by E. Tahasoni:

The first diagram compares changes in the number of British tourists who travelled abroad with that of
foreign visitors to the United Kingdom over the last 20 years of the previous century. According to the
graph, the former initially stood at more than 12 million and grew six-fold at the end of the survey. In
comparison, the latter number was slightly less than that of the British tourists at the beginning of this
period and experienced similar yet less intensive trends, reaching approximately half as high by the end of
the century.

The bar chart reveals the top 5 countries visited by the British in the last year of the above survey. It can be
observed that while France and Spain absorbed the largest numbers of British tourists with about 11 and 9
million visits respectively, Turkey was the least popular among the five, visited by only about 30% as many
British as France.

Overall, tourism from and to the United Kingdom boomed in the 1980s and 90s. Moreover, most of the trips
made by the British abroad were to 5 countries only.

(185 words)

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Sample answer by E. Tahasoni:

The diagram compares the spending habits of shoppers in five European countries on six consumer
products, namely personal stereos, tennis racquets, colognes, compact disks, toys and photographic film.

It can be observed that in Britain, the highest amount of money was spent on photographic film (more than
170 million pounds), while similar amounts were spent on personal stereos and tennis racquets. The
French spent the second highest amount of money on the first three products while they stood last in the
latter three. It is also revealed that Italians spent more money on toys than on any other product (a bit less
than 160 million), but they also paid a lot for photographic film. Finally, Germans spent the least overall,
having similar spending figures for all 6 products compared in the chart.

Overall, more money was spent on toys and photographic film than on any other product. Also, the British
were the biggest spenders in all six categories among the nations compared in the bar chart while the
lowest spending levels were attributed to the residents of Germany.

(178 words)

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The chart below shows the different levels of post-school qualifications in Australia and the
proportion of men and women who held them in 1999.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Post-school qualifications in Australia according to gender 1999

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Pie Charts

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

The pie chart shows how electricity is used in an average English home.
(Cambridge IELTS 4, page 54)

What the electricity is used for

Vaccum cleaners, food Heating rooms,
mixers, electric tools heating water
15% 52%
Lighting, TV, radio
15%

Ovens, kettles,
washing machines
18%

Fill the gaps below using words from the following list.

appliances remaining account proportion for largest household

In an average English home, the ______ ______ of electricity, 52.5%, is used for heating rooms
and water.

Three kitchen ______, namely ovens, kettles and washing machines, ______ ______ 17.5% of
______ electricity use.

The ______ 30% of electricity is used for lighting, televisions and radios (15%), and vacuum
cleaners, food mixers and electric tools (15%).

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The charts below give information about world spending and population.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

World Spending World Population

Food 24% Other Europe
5% 14%
Other 40%
Americas
Clothing 14%
6%

Housing Asia Africa

Transport 57% 10%
12%
18%

Sample answer by E. Tahasoni (166-182 words):

The first pie chart compares the shares of four major items in global expenditure. It is observed that the most
significant amounts are paid for food (almost a quarter of global expenditure) and transport (almost 20%), while
housing also accounts for a considerable proportion. The least among the four is spent on clothing (merely 6
percent) and the remaining 40% is spent on a variety of other items.

The second diagram illustrates how global population is distributed. According to this chart, there is a significant
difference between the population of Asia and that of other continents since 3 out of every 5 human beings live
in Asia. Europe and the Americas share similar proportions and together are host to roughly one-third of the
worlds population, while the inhabitants of Africa form a mere one-tenth.

To sum up, four items are responsible for three-fifths of the overall spending around the world, the most
prominent share being that of food. Moreover, the largest group of humans populates Asia, the population of
which outnumbers that of the rest of the world by 3 to 2.

Please note: The words in gray background have been added for a higher TA score; yet without them, the writing
would probably still score around 8.5-9.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

(Source: Cambridge IELTS 8, Test 2, Writing Task 1)

Sample Answer by E. Tahasoni:

The charts compare changes in the shares of five different items which comprised the yearly expenses of a
British school between 1981 and 2001.

According to the diagrams, wages paid to the teaching staff accounted for the most significant proportion of
expenditure in 1981 (40%) and went up by a quarter before declining slightly. In comparison, the share of
furniture and equipment was initially as high as that of educational resources (15%), but while the former
dropped by 2/3 before rising fivefold, the latter experienced a marked rise after which it halved, reaching
just below 10%.

The salaries of non-academic employees were responsible for less than a third of all expenses in 1981 but
their share dipped substantially by 13% over the course of these 20 years. Lastly, the contribution of
insurance remained constant at an insignificant level (2%) until 2001 when it climbed fourfold.

Overall, while the shares of three items experienced rises, there were declines in the remaining two.
Moreover, academic staff salaries contributed the largest proportion of expenditure throughout the survey,
whereas insurance had the smallest share.

(180 words)

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Tables

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below shows social and economic indicators for four countries in 1994, according to
United Nations statistics.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Indicators Canada Japan Peru Angola

Annual income per person (in
11100 15760 160 130
$US)

Life expectancy at birth 76 78 51 47

Daily calorie supply per person 3326 2846 1927 1749

Adult literacy rate (%) 99 99 68 34

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Process and
Cycle Diagrams

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Process:

A B C

Cycle:

C B

and the process/procedure/cycle starts over again.

A. Tenses:

Generally, the present simple tense is used to report actions which regularly happen in a process.
Sometimes, the present perfect may also be used to signify the completion of a stage

B. Passive vs. Active form

I. Natural events
For events which happen autonomously in nature, such as rain, formation of clouds or erosion o
f mountains, generally use the active form unless you need to shift focus from the subject to the
object of the stage.

II. Artificial events

In artificial stages, the human subjects are usually ignored so use the passive to focus on what is
being done. If the subject has also been mentioned in the diagram, add it as an "agent".

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

When you need to report the means or tool used to perform a stage, avoid using "by":

For tools: It is done using/through the use of a...

For methods: It is done through/via...

is used to <inf.>
The role of is to <inf.>
The prevents/stops/protects/avoids from <+ing/n>
The allows to <inf.>

A. The first stage

First,
Firstly,
First off,
First of all,
In the first stage,
At/In the beginning,

The first stage is when

The process begins/starts/commences when
The process begins with +<n./n.p.>

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

B. Middle stages:

Next,
Then
After this/that,
Following this/that,
Afterwards,

In the following stage,

In the stage after/following this,
In the stage that follows,
Over the course of/During the next/following/second/third stage,

This is followed by +<n./n.p.>

When/After/Once <stage A>, <stage B>

<stage A>. When/Once this stage is complete, <stage B>
<stage A> before <stage B as n./n.p. or clause>

Before <stage B>, <stage A>

<stage A> after/following which <stage B>

<stage A> which is followed by <stage B as n./n.p.>

C. Last stage:

Finally,
Ultimately,
Eventually,

The last/final stage is when

The process ends when
The process ends with

<stage A> before finally <stage B as n./n.p.>

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Model Answer by E. Tahasoni:

The first diagram illustrates the process through which cement is produced. The process begins when the initial
raw materials, namely limestone and clay, are crushed using two rotating drums to make a fine powder which is
then mixed in a cylindrical mixer. The next stage involves a tube-like rotating heater with a blowtorch mounted
at its bottom opening. The mixed powder is fed from the top and simultaneously heated and blended, after
which it is transferred to a grinder using a conveyor belt. There, it is milled to yield the final cement product
which is eventually packed in bags.
This cement is used as raw material in the production of concrete in a second, rather simpler process illustrated
in the second picture. An initial mixture comprising 15% cement, 10% water, one-quarter sand and half gravel is
fed into a rotating concrete mixer where they are stirred until the concrete mix is ready for construction
purposes.
To sum up, there are 5 stages in the production of cement. Moreover, cement and a few other simple
ingredients are used to produce concrete through a single-stage procedure.
(184 words)

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the process of using water to produce electricity.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Model Answer by E. Tahasoni:

The picture explains the process through which water is used to produce electrical power.

The process begins when seawater is heated by the sun and evaporates to form small clouds in the sky. Next,
they merge into a storm could, which then rains over the mountain. This rainwater is gathered in the reservoir
behind a dam. To following steps involve a pipe which connects the reservoir to a turbine as well as a pump, and
is controlled using a valve. Once this valve is opened, water flows into the turbine and rotates it to produce
electrical current, following which it is pumped back into the reservoir. After this, the electricity produced by the
turbine is transferred to the transformer station though high voltage cables. The last stage is when the electrical
power being delivered to domestic and industrial consumers as well as educational and medical facilities.

Overall, hydroelectric power is generated using water from the sea through a relatively sophisticated procedure
which comprises over ten stages.

(169 words)

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the life cycle of the honey bee.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Nymph: immature form of an insect

Moult: shed or lose old feathers, hair or skin

to allow for new growth

Model Answer by E. Tahasoni:

The chart illustrates the stages in the life of honey bees. All in all, this life cycle is comprised of six stages from
egg to full maturity, and takes approximately five weeks (34 to 36 days to be exact) to complete.

The first stage is when the female bee lays up to a couple of oval eggs once every 72 hours. These eggs hatch
between nine and ten days later, and immature bees, called nymphs, emerge which lack the typical bee stripes.

Over the next 3 weeks nymphs experience three moulting stages, that is, they shed their skins to allow further
growth to occur: The first moulting happening 5 days after the eggs hatch, a week after which the second one
takes place. Nine days later nymphs moult for a third time and young adult honey bees emerge, identified by
their horizontally striped backs. These take four more days to mature into larger adult bees whose backs are
marked with bolder and darker stripes, and the cycle starts over again.

(170 words)

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the process of producing construction broicks.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Model Answer by A. Tootoonchi (TA: 9 | CC: 8 | LR: 7 | GRA: 8 | Overall: 8)

The picture illustrates how bricks are produced.

The process begins when clay is dug out through the use of a digger, which is followed by clay passing through a
metal grid. Fine clay is then carried by a roller after which sand and water are added to it. In the next stage,
either this mixture is pressed through a frame and cut into bricks using a wire cutter, or it is put into moulds and
formed into bricks. Following that, the bricks are dried in a drying oven for one to two days. The next three
stages involve two kilns connected to a cooling chamber. The dried bricks are first heated from 200 to 980
degrees centigrade, before being exposed to high temperature (870 to 1300 degrees). They are then cooled
within 48 to 72 hours. Eventually, they are packed and delivered to customers by trucks.

Overall, the procedure of producing bricks is comprised of ten stages which are rather simple.

(161 words)

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the process of producing construction broicks.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Model Answer by E. Tahasoni (Band 9):

The chart illustrates the procedure through which bricks are produced for construction work.

It commences when raw clay is dug using a digger machine following which it is sifted through a metal grid into
finer fragments which then fall onto a conveyor belt. In the next stage, water and sand are added and the
resulting mixture is either pushed through a frame and cut into simple bricks, or is moulded into specially-formed
bricks. These are then placed in a special oven for two to three days in order to minimise their moisture content.
The following three stages involve the use of a couple of kilns and a cooling chamber: bricks are first heated
moderately in the first kiln to reach a temperature of between 200 and 980 degrees centigrade before being
subjected to higher temperatures (870 to 1300 degrees) in the second one. Next, they are allowed to cool down
for two to three days in the cooling chamber. The process ends with the bricks being packed on palettes and
delivered to end users on trucks.

Overall, the process of producing bricks is comprised of ten relatively simple stages during which clay, sand and
water is used to produce baked bricks.

(201 words)
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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Maps

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

at the top /bottom

on the right/left side

in the right/left hand corner

in the middle

Along

Across [from]

Opposite

Close to

Adjacent to

Next to

Beside

10 miles from

10 miles to the right of

10 miles north of

is situated/located/sited/positioned + around/above/below/inside/next to

is situated/located/sited/positioned + to the right of/to the north of

is covered with

is connected to via/through/by means of

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Residential area: an area that has lots of houses and some schools.
Industrial area: an area that has lots of factories
Commercial area: an area that has lots of stores

Hospital: a health facility where patients receive treatment

Zoo: a place where people can go and see many kinds of animals
Post office: a place where you can send mail (letters and packages)
Fire station: a station housing fire apparatus and firemen
Airport: an airfield equipped with control tower and hangers as well as accommodations for passengers and
cargo
Park: a recreational area where people can play football and have picnics
Skyscraper: very tall buildings

Warehouse: a building where things are kept until they are sold.
Parking lot: an area where people can park cars
Museum: a place that displays things of scientific or historical or artistic value
Supermarket: a large store that sells mostly food but sometimes other items such as clothes and furniture.
Factory: an industrial plant, a production facility,

Woodland: an area with lots of trees

River: a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
Street: the place where cars drive
Intersection: the point where several streets meet.

Remove: remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, taking off, etc.

Develop: to make
Change: modify
Construct: to build
Demolish: to destroy a building or other structure completely
Replace: to take the place of or substitute for somebody or something
Expand: to become or make something become larger

Recreation: an activity that is exciting, stimulating or relaxing. For example, bike riding and playing football are
recreational activities.
Proximity: closeness

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One
The map below is of the town of Garlsdon and shows two possible sites for a new supermarket.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.

Model Answer by an Examiner (from Cambridge IELTS book 5):

The first potential location (S1) is outside the town itself, and is sited just off the main road to the town
of Hindon, lying 12 kilometres to the north-west. This site is in the countryside and so would be able to
accommodate a lot of car parking. This would make it accessible to shoppers from both Hindon and
Garlsdon who could travel by car. Since it is also close to the railway line linking the two towns to
Cransdon (25 km to the south-east), a potentially large number of shoppers would also be able to
travel by train.

In contrast, the suggested location, S2, is right in the town centre, which would be good for local
residents. Theoretically the store could be accessed by road or rail from the surrounding towns,
including Bransdon, but as the central area is a no-traffic zone, cars would be unable to park and access
would be difficult.

Overall, neither site is appropriate for all the towns, but for customers in Cransdon, Hindon and
Garlsdon, the out-of-town site (S1) would probably offer more advantages.

(179 words)
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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Chorleywood is a village near London whose population has increased steadily since the middle of the
nineteenth century. The map below shows the development of the village.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Model Answer by E. Tahasoni (173-206 words):

The map shows how a village called Chorleywood developed over a period of 126 years.

From 1868 to 1883 there were only two main roads in the region with Chorleywood covering a small area along one of them.
Over the next 40 years, the village grew southward alongside the road and a railway was built in 1909 passing through this
part. Chorleywood station is also located in this area of the village.

Over the period between 1922 and 1970, the railway was the line along which Chorleywood expanded, both towards the
east and west. However, a motorway was constructed in 1970 parallel to one of the main roads and further development of
the village occurred around its intersections with the other main road and the railway between 1970 and 1994. Furthermore,
Chorleywood Park and Golf course is now located in an area enclosed by the two main roads, the railway and this
motorway.

Overall, the village saw considerable growth in the development of new inhabited areas during this period which increased
in volume as well as speed towards the end of the 20th century. Furthermore, the developments, both in the establishment
of new populated areas and transportation routes, occurred over four phases.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The diagrams below show the site of a school in 2004 and the plan for changes to the school site in 2024.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Model Answer (211 words):

The maps illustrate how a school site is planned to be developed over a 20-year period.

In 2004, there was only one car park to the west of the site where the main entrance to the school was located. There were
also two school buildings, accommodating 600 students altogether, separated by a path running from the main entrance to
the sports field in the east. The school was surrounded by woodland in the north, south and east.

There are plans to increase the number of students served by the school is by 400 in 2024. As a result, a new school building
will replace the old sports field, and the two original buildings are going to be joined together. The old path will then
connect these to the new building number 3, no longer running to the main entrance. Furthermore, a part of the woodland
in the east is planned to be deforested and replaced by a new car park as well as a new, smaller sports field. Finally, a new
road will be paved passing south of the school building, which will connect the two car parks.

Overall, there will be extensive developments with regards to construction of buildings, facilities and roads in the school
site during these 20 years.

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Master IELTS Visuals IELTS Academic Writing Task One

Writing Task 1
Answer Sheet

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 INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM

WRITING ANSWER BOOKLET

Candidate Name: ........................................................... Candidate Number: ..................................................

Centre Number: ................................................................. Date: ........................................................................

Module: ACADEMIC GENERAL TRAINING (Tick as appropriate)

TASK 1

EXAMINERS USE ONLY

EXAMINER 2 NUMBER: ..........................................

CANDIDATE NUMBER: ............................................. EXAMINER 1 NUMBER: ..........................................

 

EXAMINERS USE ONLY

NO OF
UNDERLENGTH WORDS PENALTY

EXAMINER 2 TA CC LR GRA OFF-TOPIC MEMORISED ILLEGIBLE

TASK 1

EXAMINER 1 TA CC LR GRA UNDERLENGTH

NO OF
WORDS PENALTY

TASK 1
OFF-TOPIC MEMORISED ILLEGIBLE