IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

1 The Free School IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1 Dr. Jay Jericho jay@thefreeschool.education Introduction This document provides an overview of the Writing Task 1 component of the Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This document is suitable for scholars who are able to read and write at the intermediate, upper-intermediate and advanced levels. It is also suitable for qualified IELTS instructors and trainee IELTS tutors. Official IELTS materials in this document are reproduced under the fair use for education purposes provisions of copyright laws. You may visit the School’s IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 website at this link to access missing diagrams referred to in this document: http://www.thefreeschool.education/ielts-task-1.html 2 This document contains six sections, in the following order: Section 1: Example of an IELTS Academic writing task 1 exam question Section 2: Quantitative data diagrams Section 3: Picture diagrams Section 4: Analytical requirements Section 5: Analysis and discussion guidelines Section 6: Study guidelines Section 7: Further references 3 Section 1: Example of an official IELTS Academic writing task 1 exam question Source: http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-sample-tests/writing-sample-test-1academic/writing-task-1 4 All text shown in bold blue font on forthcoming pages are a live internet web link that include an official IELTS Writing Task 1 illustration diagram. 5 Section 2: Quantitative data displays There are seven main types of diagram used in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. 1. Line graph This diagram quantifies the movement of something being measured over time. 2. Bar graph This diagram quantifies the size of something compared to other items being measured using a diagram that has an X axis and a Y axis. A stacked bar graph combines two or more quantitative items of analysis within each bar. 3. Pie chart This diagram quantifies the comparative size of two or more items by showing the proportion of a circle ('pie') that each item being measured comprises relative to others in that data set. 6 4. Data table This diagram uses column and row headers to classify and analyze data from a data set. This data may be qualitative (text) or quantitative. This example summarizes quantitative data. Source: IELTS Sometimes IELTS combine quantitative diagrams to form one data set that requires analysis. Examples: Example 1: pie chart and bar graph 7 Example 2: pie chart and data table Source: IELTS 8 Section 3: Picture diagrams 5. Cycle diagram This diagram uses an illustration to show the logical flow of a process, usually from start to completion. 6. Maps This diagram uses a picture model to illustrate a geographic location. Source: IELTS 9 7. Objects This diagram uses a picture illustration to show an item which may be living or nonliving. Combination picture diagram example: Cycle and object Section 4: Analytical requirements Most IELTS Academic task 1questions requires you to do one or more of the following: 1. Comparison analysis Discuss similarities. Example: Comparing radio and television audiences by time of day Major similarity: both have very low audiences (less than 10%) between 2am and 6am. 10 2. Contrast analysis Discuss differences. Example: Contrasting radio and television audiences by time of day 3. Composition analysis Discuss the various individual parts that comprise the whole. Example: Analysis of cultural leisure activities by gender 4. Cause-and-effect analysis Explain why a particular event is the driver of an outcome. This question may require you to analyze a picture diagram or a quantitative diagram. Please do not be intimated. You do not require special technical knowledge or training. You should use your analysis skills to identify how an event is a factor that drives an outcome. The answer is in the diagram. Example: There are three major causes of global land degradation 11 5. Logic analysis Explain why a person or persons has designed a process or object in a particular way. This question may use a picture diagram and does not require technical knowledge. You need to identify the start and end of the cycle/process. You then need to discuss these stages in a logical order, using your own vocabulary, as guided by the stated question. Example: The logic behind the design of a structure - ventilation and heating Section 5: Analysis and discussion guidelines 1. Essential to identify all major issues Most diagrams require you to identify at least two major features to earn a minimum band score of 6.5 for the Task Achievement part of your score. Example: Consumption of hamburgers and pizza in Australia from 1975 to circa 1995 both record an upward trend 12 The consumption of fish and chips in Australia from 1975 to 2000 reports a downward trend. 2. Advantageous to identify a third and possibly a fourth discussion point As a general rule, most IELTS picture diagrams and quantitative data analysis diagrams include at least two major points that you are expected to discuss in addition to a third point that is worthy of comment, if you have the time to do so. Using this method that seeks out 3 or 4 discussion points may be useful in cases where you struggle to meet the minimum word count limit required of the question. Please make sure that you discuss the two most obvious (i.e. dominant) patterns first. Only discuss a third and a fourth major point of analysis if you have sufficient time. Note: IELTS do not impose upper word limits on answers in this section. Example: third discussion point Consumption of hamburgers and pizza in Australia from 1995 to circa 2000 are both flat. 13 3. Select new vocabulary You will receive a higher band score if you use your own vocabulary to discuss words that appear in the question and images. You may do so by selecting a suitable synonym from your vocabulary. For example, the heading of a diagram may state “Analysis of Average Income by Gender from 2000 to 2017”. In your discussion, you may state “This graph quantitatively compares mean earnings for men and women during the new millennium”. Section 6: Study guidelines You should aim to master the logic that underpins each diagram/picture. Always address the requirements stated in the question on a case-by-case basis. The writing task 1 diagram that you must discuss in an IELTS exam may not match the format and structure of any diagrams that you have seen in IELTS’s official exam practice materials. You should therefore not memorize a template answer formula as a strategy to prepare for Academic writing task 1. 14 New example: IELTS may combine a bar graph with a line graph. New example: IELTS may include three diagrams/pictures in one question. New example: IELTS may include four diagrams/pictures in one question. New example: Some IELTS bar graphs place the bars on the Y axis. New example: Most IELTS bar graphs place the bars on the x axis. New example: IELTS sometimes use three dimensional bar graph diagrams Section 6: Further reading These resources listed overleaf are available YouTube subscriber name The Free School. 15 http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html http://www.thefreeschool.education/motivation-letters.html 16 http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html 17 http://www.thefreeschool.education/writing-center.html http://www.thefreeschool.education/finances.html 18 http://www.thefreeschool.education/scholarships.html http://chat.thefreeschool.education/