The Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic & General)

IELTS Writing Task 1 accounts for one-third of your overall writing score, making it a critical component of your IELTS exam. Whether you're describing a complex chart or writing a formal letter, mastering Task 1 is essential to achieving your target band score.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about both the Academic and General Training versions of IELTS Writing Task 1. From understanding the differences between each format to mastering specific question types, we'll equip you with the strategies, structures, and vocabulary you need to excel.

Academic & General Training20 minutes · 150+ wordsOne-third of your Writing score

See Band 9 Task 1 Samples

Academic vs. General Training: Which Task 1 Will You Take?Mastering Academic Writing Task 1 Mastering General Training Writing Task 1 Our Task 1 Sample & Example Library Understanding the Task 1 Scoring Criteria Get Your Task 1 Instantly Graded by AI Frequently Asked Questions Your Path to Task 1 Success

Aspect

Academic Task 1

General Training Task 1

Task Type

Describe visual information (charts, graphs, maps, diagrams)

Write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal)

Style

Objective, factual report writing

Purpose-driven correspondence

Tone

Formal and academic

Varies based on the recipient

Word Count

Minimum 150 words

Time Allowed

20 minutes (recommended)

Skills Tested

Data interpretation, trend description, comparison

Letter writing conventions, appropriate register, clarity

Which one do you need? If you're taking IELTS for university admission or professional registration, you'll take Academic. If you're taking IELTS for immigration, work experience, or training programs, you'll take General Training.

The Universal 4-Paragraph Structure for Academic Reports

Every high-scoring Academic Task 1 response follows this structure:

Paragraph 1: Introduction (1-2 sentences) — Paraphrase the question to show what the visual data represents; use synonyms and new structures. Example: "The line graph illustrates how many people visited..."
Paragraph 2: Overview (2-3 sentences) — The most important paragraph for Task Achievement. Summarize main trends, patterns, or key features without specific data. Use phrases like "Overall, it is clear that..." or "In general, we can see that..."
Paragraphs 3 & 4: Key Features / Body Paragraphs — Provide specific details and data to support the overview. Group related information logically, include precise numbers/percentages/time periods, and make comparisons between categories or time periods.

Critical tip: Never include a conclusion in Academic Task 1. The overview replaces the conclusion.

Big-Picture Checklist

State what the visual shows, not your opinion.
Keep tense consistent with the timeline in the graphic.
Select only the most significant features—highest/lowest values, notable changes, and clear comparisons.

Decoding the 6 Types of Academic Questions

1. Line Graphs (Trend Charts)

Line graphs show changes over time and require you to describe trends accurately.

Upward trends: increase, rise, grow, climb, surge, soar, peak

Downward trends: decrease, decline, fall, drop, plummet, dip

Stability: remain stable, level off, plateau, stay constant

Fluctuations: fluctuate, vary, experience volatility

Example: "Between 2010 and 2015, smartphone sales rose dramatically from 500 million to 1.2 billion units, before leveling off in the subsequent three years."

2. Bar Charts (Column Charts)

Bar charts compare quantities across different categories.

Key strategies: Identify the highest and lowest values, group similar categories, use comparative language.

Useful language: "X was the highest at...", "Y ranked second with...", "In contrast, Z recorded the lowest figure...", "A exceeded B by approximately..."

Example: "France dominated wine production at 45 million liters, significantly outpacing Italy (32 million) and Spain (28 million)."

3. Pie Charts

Pie charts show proportions and percentages of a whole.

Essential vocabulary: one-third, two-fifths, three-quarters; accounted for 35%, comprised 40%, represented nearly half; the largest/smallest proportion.

Example: "Transportation represented the largest share of household spending at 35%, while education accounted for only one-tenth of the total budget."

4. Tables

Tables present data in rows and columns, often comparing multiple categories across time.

Key strategies: Do not describe every number; compare across rows/columns; look for patterns and exceptions.

Example: "While coffee consumption remained relatively stable in all countries between 2000 and 2020, tea consumption increased sharply in the UK from 2.5kg to 4.1kg per capita, whereas it declined slightly in China."

5. Maps

Maps show geographical changes over time or compare locations.

Essential vocabulary: in the northeast, to the south of, adjacent to, opposite, next to; was relocated, was demolished, was constructed, expanded, replaced; previously, formerly, currently.

Example: "The library, which was previously located in the town center, was relocated to the eastern side of the park, while a new shopping complex was constructed in its former location."

6. Process Diagrams (Flow Charts)

Process diagrams show how something is made or how something works.

Essential vocabulary: first, initially, subsequently, then, next, after that, finally; passive voice such as "The mixture is heated..."

Example: "First, raw materials are collected and sorted. Subsequently, they are heated to 200°C before being transferred to the molding machine, where they are shaped into the final product."

The 3 Tones of GT Letters: Formal, Semi-Formal, and Informal

Formal

Recipient: Unknown person, official, organization

Opening: Dear Sir/Madam,

Closing: Yours faithfully,

Style: No contractions, polite and professional language

Semi-formal

Recipient: Known person you respect (boss, teacher, neighbor)

Opening: Dear Mr./Ms. [Name],

Closing: Yours sincerely,

Style: Polite but slightly warmer; some contractions acceptable

Informal

Recipient: Friend, family member, close colleague

Opening: Dear [First name], Hi [Name],

Closing: Best regards, Take care, See you soon,

Style: Casual language, contractions, personal tone

How to decide: Read the task carefully. If they give you the person's name and indicate a formal relationship (e.g., "your employer," "the manager"), use formal or semi-formal. If it says "your friend" or "your neighbor you know well," use informal.

Essential Structure of an IELTS Letter

Opening Paragraph (Purpose) — State why you're writing clearly in the first sentence. Formal: "I am writing to inquire about..." Informal: "I hope you're doing well! I'm writing to tell you about..."
Body Paragraphs (2-3 paragraphs) — Address each bullet point completely. Use one paragraph per main point or group of related points, adding specific details and explanations.
Closing Paragraph (Action/Sign-off) — Indicate what you'd like to happen next and give a polite sign-off. Formal: "I look forward to hearing from you." Informal: "Let me know what you think!"

Critical: Make sure you cover ALL the bullet points—this is essential for Task Achievement.

Common Letter Types and Key Phrases

Letter of Request

"I am writing to request information about..."

"Could you please provide details regarding..."

"I would be grateful if you could inform me about..."

"I would appreciate it if you could clarify..."

Letter of Complaint

"I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with..."

"Unfortunately, the product/service did not meet my expectations..."

"I was disappointed to discover that..."

"I would like to request a full refund/replacement..."

"I trust you will resolve this matter promptly."

Letter of Application

"I am writing to apply for the position of..."

"I believe I would be an ideal candidate because..."

"My experience includes..."

"I am particularly interested in this role because..."

"I have attached my resume for your consideration."

Letter of Invitation

"I'm so excited to invite you to..."

"I'd love for you to come and visit..."

"We could spend time..."

"There are so many things we could do together..."

"Please let me know if you can make it!"

Letter of Apology

"I am writing to sincerely apologize for..."

"I deeply regret that I was unable to..."

"Please accept my apologies for..."

"I take full responsibility for..."

"I hope this has not caused too much inconvenience."

Academic samples: Line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, tables, maps, and process diagrams
General Training samples: Formal, semi-formal, and informal letters across all common scenarios
AI-powered commentary: Each sample includes detailed analysis explaining why it achieves a high band score

Whether you're struggling with describing trends in a line graph or finding the right tone for a letter of complaint, you'll find the perfect model to guide you.

➡️ Browse our complete library of Task 1 samples and examples now!

Proper structure and organization
Appropriate vocabulary for the task type
Natural cohesive devices
Complete coverage of all task requirements
Techniques that earn Band 7, 8, and 9 scores

Task Achievement (Academic) / Task Response (GT)

Academic: Describe key features, give a clear overview, include relevant data and comparisons, and stay accurate.
General Training: Address every bullet point completely, make the purpose clear, keep tone appropriate, and write at least 150 words.

How to score higher: Always write an overview paragraph for Academic tasks. For GT letters, explicitly cover every bullet point.

Coherence and Cohesion

Logical organization with clear paragraphing.
Natural use of cohesive devices (however, moreover, in addition) without overuse.
Smooth flow between ideas.

Avoid overusing connectors, jumping between ideas, or weak paragraphing. Use reference words to link ideas.

Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

Use a wide, precise range of vocabulary with accurate spelling and word formation.
Academic: vocabulary for trends, comparisons, and data (approximately, roughly, fluctuate, plateau, surge).
General Training: register-appropriate vocabulary for requests, complaints, or informal letters.

How to score higher: Learn task-specific vocabulary, paraphrase effectively, and avoid repeating the same words.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences accurately.
Use passive voice for processes, comparatives/superlatives for contrasts, and precise time expressions.
Proofread for subject-verb agreement, articles, and prepositions.

How to score higher: Prioritize accuracy, then add complexity. Avoid frequent errors that impede communication.

Get Your Task 1 Instantly Graded by AI

Wondering if your chart description captures key trends or if your letter tone is right? Our AI-powered IELTS Writing Checker evaluates your Task 1 response using the official scoring criteria and provides:

A predicted band score for Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Detailed feedback on strengths and areas for improvement
Specific suggestions for vocabulary and grammar upgrades
Identification of any missed task requirements

Stop guessing whether you're on track. Get instant, actionable feedback that helps you improve with every practice attempt.

Do I need a conclusion for IELTS Writing Task 1?

Academic: No, you should NOT write a conclusion. Instead, write an overview paragraph summarizing main trends or key features (often the second or final paragraph). GT: the closing paragraph signals next steps or a polite sign-off.

How many words should I write for Task 1?

The minimum is 150 words. High-scoring responses are usually 170–190 words for Academic and 180–200 for GT. Writing far under 150 hurts Task Achievement; writing 220+ can waste time for Task 2.

What happens if I don't finish Task 1 in time?

You'll lose marks for Task Achievement/Response due to an incomplete answer and have less time for Task 2, which carries twice the weight. Practice finishing within 20 minutes.

Can I give my opinion in Academic Task 1?

No. Your job is to objectively report visual information. Avoid "I think," "In my opinion," or value judgments.

Should I describe every single number in a table or chart?

No. Choose the most significant features—the highest/lowest values, dramatic changes, notable comparisons, and key trends. Support your overview with relevant details only.

Where can I find more IELTS Writing Task 1 practice questions?

Use Cambridge IELTS books and official IELTS websites (ielts.org and britishcouncil.org). Many preparation sites also offer realistic Academic graphs and GT letter prompts. After practicing, use our AI Writing Checker for feedback.

How formal should my Academic Task 1 be?

Keep it formal and academic: no contractions ("it is" not "it's"), no informal vocabulary or phrasal verbs, an objective tone (avoid "I" and "you"), and precise vocabulary.

Can I use bullet points in my Task 1 response?

No. Use full paragraphs. Bullet points, numbered lists, or note-form answers lower your score. Both Academic and GT Task 1 require continuous prose with clear paragraphing.

Your Path to Task 1 Success

Mastering IELTS Writing Task 1 comes down to three elements:

Understanding the format and structure required for your test type (Academic or General Training)
Learning the specific vocabulary and techniques for each question type
Practicing regularly with feedback to refine your skills

Task 1 is one-third of your writing score—use the structures here, study the samples, and submit your own work for AI review. With consistent practice, you'll approach Task 1 confidently on test day.

See Band 9 Task 1 Examples