IELTS Training
Debark University
Academic Writing 2 – 5 May 2023
Dr. Solomon Hailu
Task 1
Notes
Academic writing Task 1
Task 1
• 20 min
• at least 150 words [write above 150 words; 170 - 180 word]
Task features:
o a defined input
o a largely predictable output
o an information-transfer task
o factual content of an input [chart, table, diagram, etc]
o no extrapolation, explanation outside the given information
FOUR key considerations:
o Re-introduce (paraphrase) the task
o Overview: trends (changes overtime)
o Group / Compare
o Refer to data
1
IELTS Training
Debark University
Academic Writing 2 – 5 May 2023
Dr. Solomon Hailu
Task 1
Marking criteria:
▪ Task Achievement
▪ Coherence and Cohesion
▪ Lexical Resource
▪ Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Task achievement - address requirements of the task
o write a clear overview [summarizing the most significant trends or features from the
data or information]
o include all key features in the diagram[ table, chart, flow-chart etc]
o use appropriate format
o main trends or differences highlighted, illustrated and extended
o present information accurately, appropriately
Note: lose marks if important details are left out
1. Re-introduce the graph / chart with some paraphrase
Begin with the title of the graph, making sure you put in a time frame if there is one.
The bar graph below shows the number of users of three platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams and
WebEx) from January to August 2020 during the epidemic of Covid-19.
Here is an example for the above bar graph:
Example:
The bar chart compares how many people used Zoom, Microsoft Teams and
WebEx between January and August 2020 during the epidemic of Covid-19.
2
IELTS Training
Debark University
Academic Writing 2 – 5 May 2023
Dr. Solomon Hailu
Task 1
2. overview
For graphs, charts with a time frame or time span, use language of change or language of
trends.
o Verb + adjective structure
fall slightly rise sharply drop dramatically decrease steadily
o Adjective + noun structure
slight fall sharp rise dramatic drop steady decrease
Example:
Writing the paragraph: - Organize your writing
o Group data
o Compare data
example:
• Microsoft Teams and WebEx have a similar pattern, both steadily increasing over the period
(apart from the plateau of Microsoft Teams in June and July),
• Unlike WebEx and MS, Zoom users declined steadily over the whole period, starting off highest
For higher bands, paragraphing is required.
3
IELTS Training
Debark University
Academic Writing 2 – 5 May 2023
Dr. Solomon Hailu
Task 1
Coherence and cohesion
• overall organisation and fluency of the message: how the response organises and links
information, ideas and language.
Coherence:
the logical sequencing of ideas
Cohesion:
the varied and apposite use of cohesive devices [for example, logical connectors, pronouns and
conjunctions]
Coherence
• logical organisation of information and/or ideas
• the appropriate use of paragraphing for topic organisation and presentation
Cohesion
• appropriate and accurate use of discourse markers to
• clearly mark the stages in a response (e.g. ‘First of all’, ‘In conclusion’)
• signal the relationship between ideas and/or information (e.g. ‘as a result’, ‘similarly’)
appropriate and accurate use of reference and substitution, e.g. articles, personal and demonstrative
pronouns.
4
IELTS Training
Debark University
Academic Writing 2 – 5 May 2023
Dr. Solomon Hailu
Task 1
Lexical Resource - evidence of a wide range of vocabulary (accurate, appropriate)
I boiled water, put tea leaf to filter [I put the tea leaves on the tea strainer]
Range
• the variety of lexis (e.g. the use of synonyms to avoid repetition)
• the adequacy and appropriacy of the vocabulary
• the use of topic-specific items
The air in downstairs underground was unfresh because windows don’t open
The air in the basement smelled stale and felt stuffy because there were only single casement
windows.
• the precision of expression and use of sophisticated phrasing
e.g., bad material of factory is burned [industrial waste is incinerated]
e.g. the car front light is shining brightly [the car's headlights are on full beam]
• the control and application of collocations, idiomatic expressions, etc.
e.g. she used fork and mix quickly egg [she whisked the egg]
e.g. he was release from hospital [he was discharged from hospital]
Accuracy
• the density and communicative effect of errors in spelling
• the density and communicative effect of errors in word formation
5
IELTS Training
Debark University
Academic Writing 2 – 5 May 2023
Dr. Solomon Hailu
Task 1
Grammatical Range and Accuracy - range and accurate use at the sentence level.
Range
• Variety and appropriacy of structures
• appropriate use of subordinate clauses
• complexity of verb phrases (the use of modality, the use of auxiliary verbs; the appropriacy of
tense and voice)
• use of nominalisation and pre- and post-modification (e.g. condensed noun-phrases)
e.g. Crime was increasing rapidly and the police were becoming concerned.
The rapid increase in crime …
Accuracy
• accuracy of both simple and complex structures
• the accurate and appropriate use of punctuation
Types of questions – Academic Task 1
1. Line graph
2. Bar chart
3. Pie chart
4. Table
5. A combination of the above
6. Process diagram
7. Map