IELTS COMMON MISTAKE:

WRITING TASK 1
LESSON 3
 Look at the following sample paraphrases of the
rubric:
The chart below shows the percentage change in the
What is wrong with these sample overviews?
share of international students among university
graduates in different Canadian provinces between 2001
and 2006. Sample A:
Overall, there were more graduates in 2001 than in
2006.

Sample B:
The number of graduates is highest in New Brunswick
in both years.

Sample C:
Overall, the provinces with the highest figures in 2001
were New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. And British
Columbia with over 10% each while the in 2006, the top
areas were New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec all
with over 5%.
Common Mistake: Incorrect Overview
A common mistake of some students in writing task 1 is writing an incorrect overview.

Sometimes, it lacks the required information.

Some students, write too much detail.

Others, do not write overviews at all.

So, what are the characteristics of a good overview?

 A Good Overview
A good overview…

…highlights the salient points in the essay.

…does not include any specific

figures/numbers.

…must depend on the type of graph.

Bar / Line / Table / Pie (with timeline)
-the best overview pattern should be “TREND”

For example:

Overall, the percentage of male readers of fiction showed an upward trend while that of
the women depicted a downward trajectory.
Bar / Table / Pie (no timeline or only one year)

-the best overview pattern is talking about the highest or lowest categories.

For example:

It is clear that the most preferred way of commuting was by bus while the least was
through riding taxis.
Process / Lifecycle
-the best overview is to mention: TOTAL number of steps and First and Last steps.

For example:

As an overview, the process consists of eight distinct steps which begins with the collection
of clay and ends with the finished product being delivered.
Maps / Plan
-the best overview pattern is to mention the GENERAL CHANGE that occurred and the
ADDED FEATURES.

For example:

Overall, the town center transformed from a mostly residential area to a bustling
metropolis with the added entertainment facilities, train station, shopping malls and
restaurants.
Diagram of Design
-the best overview pattern is to mention how the design functions and how it looks

For example:

It can be seen that fuel and oxygen create a chemical reaction resulting in
combustion products which produce the power to move the spacecraft
upwards.
Mixed / Two or More Illustrations
-the best overview depends on the two illustrations given.

IF Pie graph (one year) and Line graph (with timeline)

For example:

Overall, the highest usage of water consumption is for the category of domestic use and
the line graph clearly shows an increasing trend of water prices in all areas in the given
timeline.
Activity: Write the best overview for the given graphs.
The chart below shows the process
of waste paper recycling.

Overview:

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 More Sample:
The charts show the number and types of books
bought by men and women and four different age
groups in the UK.

Overview:

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The maps below show the changes in the town of
Denham from 1986 to the present day.

Overview:

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LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME SAMPLE ANSWERS
Activity: Write the best overview for the given graph/s.
The chart below shows the process
of waste paper recycling.

On the whole, it takes six

distinct steps to recycle
paper, from the initial
gathering of used paper to
the eventual production of
usable paper.
 More Sample:
The charts show the number and types of books
bought by men and women and four different age
groups in the UK.

Overall, people who are forty-five

years old and above comprise the
highest percentage of buyers for
both fiction and non-fiction books
while fiction books were more
preferred by women and more men
purchased non-fiction.
The maps below show the changes in the town of
Denham from 1986 to the present day.

It can be seen that from a land area that was

mostly covered by farmlands, the area has become
a residential area completely with the addition of
more houses and roads, and the building of a
retirement home.
Remember!
To avoid the mistake of writing an incorrect overview:

1. Make sure you only mention the key points of the graph and no specific details.

2. Look at the graph carefully and be accurate in writing your overview.

3. Follow the best overview pattern for the given graph.

Q and A
Do you have any questions about this common mistake in writing task 1?