IELTS Academic
- Time: 20 minutes
- Words: Minimum 150
- Task: Describe visual information (graph, chart, table, diagram)
- Focus: Data analysis and comparison
IELTS General Training
- Time: 20 minutes
- Words: Minimum 150
- Task: Write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal)
- Focus: Communication and tone
Academic Task 1: Describing Data
In Academic Task 1, you'll be presented with a visual representation of data and asked to summarize the main features, make comparisons where relevant, and report key information. You should NOT give your opinion - only describe what you see.
Types of Visual Information
Show trends and changes over time
- • Focus on: peaks, troughs, fluctuations, trends
- • Compare: starting/ending points, overall changes
Compare quantities across categories
- • Focus on: highest/lowest values, comparisons
- • Compare: differences between categories
Show proportions and percentages
- • Focus on: largest/smallest segments
- • Compare: proportions, changes over time (if multiple)
Show changes to a location over time
- • Focus on: changes between two time periods
- • Describe: what was added, removed, replaced
The 4-Paragraph Structure
Introduction (1 sentence)
Paraphrase what the graph/chart shows
Overview (2 sentences)
Identify 2-3 main trends or features (NO details)
Body Paragraph 1
Detailed description with data (numbers, percentages)
Body Paragraph 2
Remaining details and comparisons
Essential Vocabulary by Graph Type
Upward Trends:
increased, rose, grew, went up, climbed, skyrocketed, surged
Downward Trends:
decreased, fell, dropped, declined, went down, plummeted
Stable:
remained steady, stayed constant, plateaued, leveled off
Fluctuation:
fluctuated, varied, showed volatility, experienced ups and downs
Comparative:
higher than, lower than, more than, less than, compared to
Superlative:
the highest, the lowest, the most, the least, the greatest
Proportions:
accounted for, represented, comprised, constituted
Similarity:
similarly, likewise, at the same rate, comparable to
General Training Task 1: Letter Writing
In General Training Task 1, you'll write a letter in response to a given situation. The letter could be formal, semi-formal, or informal depending on the recipient and context.
Three Types of Letters
To someone you don't know
- • Complaint letters
- • Job applications
- • To companies/authorities
Close: Yours faithfully/sincerely,
To someone you know professionally
- • To a landlord
- • To a colleague
- • Request information
Close: Yours sincerely,
To a friend or family
- • Invitations
- • Giving advice
- • Sharing news
Close: Best regards, / Love, / Take care,
Letter Structure
Opening Salutation
Dear Sir/Madam, / Dear Mr. Smith, / Hi John,
Opening Paragraph
State the purpose of writing (1-2 sentences)
Body Paragraphs (2-3)
Address all bullet points from the prompt with details
Closing Paragraph
State what you expect to happen next
Closing Salutation
Yours sincerely, / Best regards, / Love,
Top Tips for Band 7+
Spend 3-5 Minutes Analyzing
Before writing, identify key features, trends, and group data logically.
Always Include an Overview
Without an overview, you cannot score above Band 5 for Task Achievement.
Use Specific Data
Include numbers, percentages, and dates to support your descriptions.
Match Tone to Audience
For letters, use appropriate vocabulary and style for formal/semi-formal/informal.