IELTS Writing Task 1 – Complete Guide, Structure, and Practice

Learn how to write high-scoring IELTS Task 1 reports with clear structures, accurate vocabulary, and examiner-approved strategies. Master charts, maps, and processes with confidence and move beyond Band 6.

What Is IELTS Writing Task 1?

IELTS Writing Task 1 is the first part of the Academic Writing test. In this task, you are asked to write a short report based on visual information such as charts, graphs, tables, maps, or process diagrams.

Unlike Task 2, which requires you to present arguments and justify opinions in an essay format, Task 1 focuses entirely on objective description and comparison. If you are unsure how Task 2 differs structurally and conceptually, you can explore our complete guide to IELTS Writing Task 2. Your job is to summarise key features, highlight major trends, and compare important data accurately.

For Academic IELTS candidates:

  • You must write at least 150 words
  • You should spend around 20 minutes
  • You will receive one visual prompt
  • You must use a formal, neutral tone
  • You must avoid personal opinions

Task 1 is designed to test your ability to interpret data, organise information logically, and communicate trends clearly in English.

There is also a General Training version of Task 1. In that format, candidates write letters instead of reports. This page focuses specifically on Academic Writing Task 1, which is required for university and professional applications.

Many candidates underestimate Task 1 because it is shorter than Task 2. However, it counts for one-third of your total Writing score, and weak performance here can significantly limit your final band.

A major reason students struggle is that they do not understand how IELTS examiners mark Task 1, especially in relation to task achievement, coherence, and language control. In Academic Task 1, your report is assessed using four official criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion carries equal weight. Weakness in one area can limit the overall band, even if the other areas are strong.

Understanding these criteria transforms Task 1 from guesswork into a controlled, assessable writing task.

You can learn more in our guide on How IELTS Examiners Mark Task 1.

When you understand the assessment system and reporting style, Task 1 becomes predictable, structured, and highly trainable.

This page will show you exactly how.

Why Many Candidates Struggle with Task 1

Many IELTS candidates remain stuck at Band 6 or 6.5 in Writing Task 1, even after months of practice. This is rarely due to poor English ability. Instead, it is usually caused by structural and strategic weaknesses.

The most common problems include:

Missing or weak overviews
 The overview is the most important paragraph in Task 1. Without it, candidates often lose one full band score. Many students either skip it or write one that simply repeats data.

Learn how to fix this in How to Write Overviews Properly.

Listing instead of comparing
 Lower-band answers often describe each figure separately instead of making meaningful comparisons.

Copying data mechanically
 Some candidates rewrite numbers without showing understanding. This creates long, confusing paragraphs with no clear message.

Limited vocabulary range
 Repeating words such as “increase,” “decrease,” and “go up” reduces lexical score.

Grammar repetition and errors
 Using only simple sentences or repeating the same tense lowers accuracy and flexibility.

Lack of structure
 Band 6 responses often lack clear paragraphing and logical flow.

These mistakes appear again and again in student scripts. You can see full breakdowns in Common Mistakes (Band 6 → Band 8).

The good news is that all of these problems are fixable with the right system.

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How High-Band Candidates Approach Task 1

Candidates who consistently score Band 7 or higher follow a clear, repeatable process. They do not rely on talent or memorisation. They rely on structure and strategy.

1. Analyse Before Writing

High-band candidates spend 2–3 minutes analysing the task before writing. They identify:

  • Main trends
  • Key comparisons
  • Significant changes
  • Unusual features

They do not try to describe everything. Instead, they select the most important information.

Learn this skill in How to Select Data.

Expert Insight

After reviewing hundreds of Task 1 scripts, a consistent pattern emerges: candidates who try to describe every data point usually score lower than those who select and group information strategically. Task 1 rewards selection and clarity, not coverage of every number.

2. Organise Clearly

Strong answers follow a predictable structure:

  • Introduction
  • Overview
  • Body Paragraph 1
  • Body Paragraph 2

Introductions are paraphrased accurately. Paragraphs are balanced. Ideas flow logically.

To improve this skill, study:

3. Compare, Not Describe

Band 7+ writers focus on relationships between data, not isolated numbers.

They use:

  • Comparatives
  • Superlatives
  • Contrast markers
  • Grouping techniques

This turns raw data into meaningful analysis.

Master this skill in Comparison Language.

4. Use Accurate Grammar

High-band candidates control grammar rather than avoiding it.

They use:

  • Appropriate tenses
  • Passive structures
  • Complex sentences
  • Time references

Common tools include:

5. Match Examiner Criteria

Every sentence in a strong answer supports the official marking system.

High-band candidates understand:

  • Task Achievement
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy

They write with these criteria in mind.

Study them in:

When you combine these five skills, your writing becomes reliable and scalable.

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What a Band 6 Overview Looks Like vs Band 7

Many candidates believe their overview is clear, but examiners often see it as incomplete or descriptive rather than analytical.

Band 6 Overview Example

Overall, the number of people using public transport increased from 2000 to 2020. The bus figures went up, and the train figures also increased.

Why this remains at Band 6:

  • Simply repeats information
  • No comparison of magnitude
  • No mention of key differences
  • Lacks clear summarising insight

Upgraded Band 7 Overview

Overall, public transport usage rose steadily over the period, with train travel experiencing the most significant growth, while bus usage increased more gradually.

Why this reaches Band 7+:

  • Summarises main trend
  • Highlights the most significant change
  • Makes comparison
  • Avoids unnecessary data

In Task 1, the overview determines Task Achievement. If it is weak, the entire report is capped.

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Charts and Trends

Line graphs, bar charts, and pie charts are the most common Task 1 formats. These tasks require you to identify patterns, trends, and proportions over time or across categories.

Strong responses focus on:

  • Overall direction
  • Major rises and falls
  • Dominant categories
  • Significant contrasts

A common Band 6 issue in chart questions is over-reporting. Candidates describe minor fluctuations while ignoring the overall pattern. High-band answers prioritise dominant trends and group related categories together.

Key resources:

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Maps & Changes Over Time

Map questions test your ability to describe spatial changes and development. These questions often reduce scores when candidates describe locations individually instead of comparing developments across time. Clear spatial comparison is essential.

You must compare:

  • Old vs new layouts
  • Infrastructure changes
  • Land use shifts
  • Urban development

Clear sentence patterns and logical grouping are essential.

Learn more in:

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Process Diagrams

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

These tasks require:

  • Stage sequencing
  • Passive structures
  • Technical vocabulary
  • Clear introductions

Most high-band answers rely heavily on the passive voice. In contrast, many lower-band responses overuse active structures. Effective reports use passive forms and clear stage sequencing to maintain objectivity.

Study:

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Structure & Language

Good Task 1 writing depends on organisation as much as vocabulary.

This section focuses on:

  • Paragraph balance
  • Linking devices
  • Sentence variety
  • Lexical range

Improve these areas with:

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Scoring & Improvement

Raising your score requires understanding why marks are lost.

This area helps you:

  • Diagnose weaknesses
  • Target band descriptors
  • Fix recurring errors
  • Track progress

Start here:

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4-Week IELTS Task 1 Study Plan

Week 1: Foundations

Week 2: Data & Comparison

Week 3: Question Types

Week 4: Accuracy & Speed

  • Review: Common Mistakes
  • Focus: Grammar and sentence control
  • Practise: Timed Task 1 writing

Follow this system and most students see measurable improvement within one month. Remember that Writing Task 1 contributes one-third of your Writing score, while Task 2 accounts for the remaining two-thirds. For a balanced preparation strategy, it is essential to apply a similar structured approach to IELTS Writing Task 2.

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Quick Self-Assessment: Is Your Task 1 Band 7 Ready?

Before submitting a practice report, ask yourself:

  • Does my overview clearly summarise the main trend?
  • Have I grouped related data logically?
  • Did I compare categories rather than list them?
  • Are my paragraphs balanced?
  • Have I avoided personal opinion?
  • Is my tense use consistent and accurate?

If several answers are “no”, the issue is likely structure rather than vocabulary.

Task 1 improvement begins with selection and organisation.

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Do I Need to Include Every Number in IELTS Task 1?

No. High-scoring answers do not describe every figure. Instead, they select the most important trends and use data to support comparisons. Including too many numbers often reduces clarity and coherence.

Examiners reward summarising and grouping key features, not mechanical reporting of every figure.

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IELTS Task 1 FAQs

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How many words should I write?

‍150–180 words is ideal. Writing too little limits development. Writing too much wastes time.

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Is an overview compulsory?

‍Yes. Without a clear overview, you are unlikely to score above Band 6.

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Can I use “I think” or “in my opinion”?

‍No. Task 1 must remain objective and factual.

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How much time should I spend on Task 1?

‍Around 18–20 minutes. Save most time for Task 2.

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Is memorising templates safe?

‍Only if they are flexible. Rigid templates often reduce Task Achievement.

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Do I need exact numbers?

‍No. Approximate language is often more natural and effective.

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Can I use bullet points?

‍No. Task 1 must be written in paragraph form.

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Improve Your Task 1 Score Faster

If you want faster progress and personalised guidance, Download the Band 7→8 Toolkit.

Each resource is designed to help you apply the strategies on this page with structured feedback and measurable improvement.