GENERAL ADVICE

Task 1 is important!
A student wrote to me saying that he didn’t understand why his most recent
writing test score was so low. He wanted my advice on how to improve his
writing task 2 essays.
Before giving any advice, I asked the student whether he thought he had done
well or badly in writing task 1. His answer surprised me: he hadn’t written
anything at all for task 1; he had spent the whole hour in the test doing task 2.
Hopefully you can guess what my advice was! I think students often worry so
much about task 2 that they really neglect task 1. If you’re not getting the score
you need, it might be that task 1 is the problem.

Why I'd start with task 1

Students often ask whether it's better to do task 1 or task 2 first.
In my opinion, it's best to start any exam with something quick and easy that
gives you confidence. Hopefully you'll agree that the quickest and easiest part
of the whole writing test is the introduction to task 1.
You don't need to think too much about the introduction to task 1; simply
rewrite the question statement by changing a few words. If you practise these
techniques, you'll start your IELTS writing test with confidence.

How to use the 20 minutes

You have 20 minutes for task 1, so try spending 5 minutes on each paragraph.
This might help you to organise your time better.
First 5 minutes
Read the question, make sure you understand the chart, highlight key
information, then write your introduction by paraphrasing the question.
Second 5 minutes
Look at the chart and try to find 2 general points. Don't look at specific
details; look for "the big picture". Write 2 sentences summarising the
information.
Final 10 minutes
Describe specific details. Try to break this part into 2 paragraphs because it
looks better. You could spend 5 minutes on each paragraph. Aim to write 3
sentences for each paragraph.

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Look at the chart first
A good piece of advice Task 1: look at the chart/graph/picture before you read
the question.

Sometimes the question contains words that you don't know, and this can
cause you to panic. But you don't really need to understand the question if
you already understand the chart.

WAYS TO PREPARE
Here are some study ideas for task 1:
1) Print a collection of questions
Before you start writing any task 1 reports, it's a good idea to have an
overview of the different types of questions that you might face. Try to get
paper copies (printed) of around 10 different questions - it's useful to be
able to see them all in one place.
Your 'pack' of questions should include:
1. line graph 6. 2 different charts
2. bar chart 7. process diagram
3. pie chart 8. comparison diagram
4. 3 or more similar charts 9. life cycle
5. table 10. map
2) Practise parts of reports
Instead of writing a full report, try writing 10 introductions - one for each of
the questions in your 'pack'. The next time you are studying, just focus on
writing overviews. On a different day, practise describing percentages, or
comparing numbers etc...

3) Use model answers

Use the answers (band 9) as models, and try to copy the way of writing as
closely as you can.

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 10 MODEL ESSAYS

01. Line graph - Internet Users

The graph shows the proportion of Internet users in Canada, Mexico
and the USA from 1999 to 2009.

The line graph compares the percentage of people in three countries who used
the Internet between 1999 and 2009.

It is clear that

 the proportion of the population who used the Internet increased in

each country over the period shown.
 Overall, a much larger percentage of Canadians and Americans had
access to the Internet in comparison with Mexicans,
 and Canada experienced the fastest growth in Internet usage.

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%.

By 2009,

 the percentage of Internet users was highest in Canada.

 Almost 100% of Canadians used the Internet,
 compared to about 80% of Americans and only 40% of Mexicans.

(151 words, band 9)

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02. Bar chart - Students
The charts below show the main reasons for study among students of different
age groups and the amount of support they received from employers

The bar charts compare students of different ages in terms of why they are
studying and whether they are supported by an employer.

It is clear that

 the proportion of students who study for career purposes is far higher
among the younger age groups,

 while the oldest students are more likely to study for interest.

 Employer support is more commonly given to younger students.

 Around 80% of students aged under 26 study to further their careers,

whereas only 10% study purely out of interest.

 The gap between these two proportions narrows as students get older,
and the figures for those in their forties are the same, at about 40%.

 Students aged over 49 overwhelmingly study for interest (70%) rather

than for professional reasons (less than 20%).

 Just over 60% of students aged under 26 are supported by their

employers.

 By contrast, the 30-39 age group is the most self-sufficient, with only
30% being given time off and help with fees.

 The figures rise slightly for students in their forties and for those aged 50
or more.

(178 words, band 9)

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03+04. Pie chart/3 or more similar charts - 3 different diets.
The pie chart gives information on the proportion of carbohydrates, protein
and fat in three different diets.

The charts shows the proportion of carbohydrates, protein and fat in three
different diets, namely an average diet, a healthy diet, and a healthy diet for
sport.

It is noticeable that

 sportspeople require a diet comprising a significantly higher proportion

of carbohydrates than an average diet or a healthy diet.
 The average diet contains the lowest percentage of carbohydrates but
the highest proportion of protein.

Carbohydrates
 make up 60% of the healthy diet for sport
 This is 10% higher than the proportion of carbohydrates in a normal
healthy diet,
 and 20% more than the proportion in an average diet.

On the other hand,

 people who eat an average diet consume a greater relative amount of
protein (40%)
 than those who eat a healthy diet (30%)
 and sportspeople (25%).

The third compound shown in the charts is fat.

 Fat constitutes exactly one fifth of both the average diet and the healthy
diet,
 but the figure drops to only 15% for the healthy sports diet.

(163 words, band 9)

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05. Table - Consumer spending
The table below gives information on consumer spending on different items in
five different countries in 2002.

The table shows percentages of consumer expenditure for three categories of

products and services in five countries in 2002.

It is clear that

 the largest proportion of consumer spending in each country went on

food, drinks and tobacco.
 On the other hand, the leisure/education category has the lowest
percentages in the table.

 Out of the five countries, consumer spending on food, drinks and tobacco
was noticeably higher in Turkey, at 32.14%, and Ireland, at nearly 29%.
 The proportion of spending on leisure and education was also highest in
Turkey, at 4.35%,
 while expenditure on clothing and footwear was significantly higher in
Italy, at 9%, than in any of the other countries.

 It can be seen that Sweden had the lowest percentages of national

consumer expenditure for food/drinks/tobacco and for lothing/footwear,
at nearly 16% and just over 5% respectively.
 Spain had slightly higher figures for these categories, but the lowest
figure for leisure/education, at only 1.98%.

(155 words, band 9)

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06. 2 different charts - Water use
The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and
water consumption in two different countries.

The charts compare the amount of water used for agriculture, industry and
homes around the world, and water use in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of
Congo.
It is clear that

 global water needs rose significantly between 1900 and 2000,

 and that agriculture accounted for the largest proportion of water used.
 We can also see that water consumption was considerably higher in
Brazil than in the Congo.
In 1900,
 around 500km³ of water was used by the agriculture sector worldwide.
 The figures for industrial and domestic water consumption stood at
around one fifth of that amount.
By 2000,
 global water use for agriculture had increased to around 3000km ³,
 industrial water use had risen to just under half that amount,
 and domestic consumption had reached approximately 500km ³.
 In the year 2000, the populations of Brazil and the Congo were 176
million and 5.2 million respectively.
 Water consumption per person in Brazil, at 359m ³, was much higher
than that in the Congo, at only 8m³,
 and this could be explained by the fact that Brazil had 265 times more
irrigated land. (184 words, band 9)

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07. Process diagram - Paper recycling
The chart below shows the process of waste paper recycling.

The flow chart shows how waste paper is recycled. It is clear that there are six
distinct stages in this process, from the initial collection of waste paper to the
eventual production of usable paper.

At the first stage in the paper recycling process, waste paper is collected either
from paper banks, where members of the public leave their used paper, or
directly from businesses. This paper is then sorted by hand and separated
according to its grade, with any paper that is not suitable for recycling being
removed. Next, the graded paper is transported to a paper mill.

Stages four and five of the process both involve cleaning. The paper is cleaned
and pulped, and foreign objects such as staples are taken out. Following this, all
remnants of ink and glue are removed from the paper at the de-inking stage.
Finally, the pulp can be processed in a paper making machine, which makes the
end product: usable paper.

(160 words, band 9)

Note: I joined the introduction & overview together because they were both
short.

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08. Comparison diagram - Possible sites for the supermarket.

The map below is of the town of Garlsdon. A new supermarket (S) is planned
for the town. The map shows two possible sites for the supermarket.

The map compares two potential locations for the building of a new
supermarket in a town called Garlsdon.

The main difference between the two sites is that one is located in the
countryside outside the town, whereas the other is in the town centre. Both
potential sites are close to the railway, and reasonably near to a main road.

The first possible site for the supermarket (S1)

 is located in an area of countryside to the north west of Garlsdon.

 It is close to the railway line and to a main road connecting Garlsdon to
the smaller town of Hindon.
 It is also situated near to the residential housing area of Garlsdon.

The second site (S2), by contrast,

 is in Garlsdon town centre.

 It is also accessible by rail, but not by road because the town centre is a
no-traffic zone.
 Despite this, the main roads to Cransdon, Bransdon and Hindon are not
too far away.
 The distance to Garlsdon’s housing area is similar to the distance from S1
to the same area.

(173 words, band 9)

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09. Life cycle - Honey bee
The diagram shows the life cycle of the honey bee.

nymph = immature form of an insect

moult = shed or lose old feathers, hair or skin to allow for new growth
The diagram illustrates the various stages in the life of a honey bee. We can see
that the complete life cycle lasts between 34 and 36 days. It is also noticeable
that there are five main stages in the development of the honey bee, from egg
to mature adult insect.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 The life cycle of the honey bee begins when the female adult lays an egg;
the female typically lays one or two eggs every 3 days.

 Between 9 and 10 days later, each egg hatches and the immature insect,
or nymph, appears.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 During the third stage of the life cycle, the nymph grows in size and
sheds its skin three times. This moulting first takes place 5 days after the
egg hatches, then 7 days later, and again another 9 days later.

 After a total of 30 to 31 days from the start of the cycle, the young adult
honey bee emerges from its final moulting stage, and in the space of only
4 days it reaches full maturity.

(169 words, band 9)

Note: I often separate the introduction and overview, but in this case I've put them
together in the same paragraph. Both ways are fine.

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10. Map- The town of Harborne

The maps below show how the town of Harborne changes from 1936 to 2007.

The maps illustrate the transformation of a town called Harborne between 1936
and 2007.

Overall, the town became more developed, cutting out some of the natural
beauty while extending the residential area and providing more options for
shopping and leisure activities.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 From 1936 to 2007, the area around the river was developed into a
residential area in the northeastern part of the city.
 The number of trees located in the northwest dropped significantly in
the 71 year period.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the center of the town,
 they built a new shopping centre
 and the post office, bank and library still remained.
 The sweet shop and butchers were replaced with a supermarket.
 Across from the post office, a travel agency was built right on the site
where the flower shop used to be.

The bike path in the southwest was redesigned as a road.

In the southeast, the government offices were converted into a museum, and
the adjacent farmland was turned into a golf course.

(164 words)

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