IELTS Academic Writing task 1: Sample charts for practice

In Academic Writing Task 1, you will be required to describe visual information. This may include:

• graphs, charts, or tables

• diagrams showing an object, process, device, or event

Your job is to summarise the key features and present a clear overview. You may leave out minor or unnecessary details. Your writing should follow an academic or neutral tone.

You should aim to complete this task within 20 minutes. The response must be at least 150 words. Writing fewer than 150 words will result in a penalty. Although writing more is allowed, remember that Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1, so managing your time is essential.

Staying on topic is important. Marks will be deducted if your report is irrelevant or if it is written using bullet points or note form — it must be a fully connected piece of writing. Copying text from another source can lead to a severe penalty.

All answers must be written directly on the answer sheet.

Skills assessed in IELTS Academic Writing task 1

Task 1 checks your ability to interpret and present visual information in a clear, structured way while using appropriate academic language.

Depending on the type of question, you may be assessed on your ability to:

• Organise and compare numerical or factual data

• Explain the steps in a process

• Describe an object, event, or series of events

• Outline how something functions

Minimum word count

Your report must contain at least 150 words.

If you’re preparing for IELTS Academic, Writing Task 1 is your first scoring opportunity—and one of the most predictable sections of the test.

This guide will help you understand the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 format, question types, sample answers, and proven strategies to achieve Band 7+.

What is IELTS Academic Writing Task 1?

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you are asked to describe, summarize, or explain visual information in your own words. Your writing should follow an academic or neutral tone.

Time: 20 minutes Word Limit: Minimum 150 words

Writing fewer than 150 words will result in a penalty. Although writing more is allowed, remember that Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1, so managing your time is essential.

You may get:

• Graphs (line, bar, pie)

• Tables

• Charts

• Maps

• Processes (diagrams)

Staying on topic is important. Marks will be deducted if your report is irrelevant or if it is written using bullet points or note form — it must be a fully connected piece of writing. Copying text from another source can lead to a severe penalty. All answers must be written directly on the answer sheet.

What are the Skills Assessed in IELTS Writing Task 1?

Task 1 checks your ability to interpret and present visual information in a clear, structured way while using appropriate academic language.

Depending on the type of question, you may be assessed on your ability to:

• Organise and compare numerical or factual data

• Explain the steps in a process

• Describe an object, event, or series of events

• Outline how something functions

Types of IELTS Writing Task 1 Questions

1. Line Graph - Shows trends over time.

2. Bar Chart - Compares categories.

3. Pie Chart - Shows proportions.

4. Table - Presents structured data.

5. Map - Shows changes in locations over time.

6. Process Diagram - Explains how something works.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Question & Answer

IELTS Bar Chart Practice Samples (Question with Answer)

Here is an IELTS bar chart sample question with answers for your reference:

Sample answers for band 7:

IELTS Line Graph Practice Samples (Question with Answer)

You can refer to this line graph sample question with answers to get familiar with it:

Sample answers for band 7:

IELTS Pie Chart Practice Samples (Question with Answer)

Here is an IELTS pie chart task 1 sample question with answers for your reference:

Sample answers for band 7:

The pie chart shows how people in the UK accessed international news in 2019. TV was the most popular choice, with 43% of people using it. Word of mouth and radio were the least popular options, chosen by only 1% and 4% of people respectively. Printed newspapers were used by 8% of people, showing some interest but not as much as TV. Social media and other internet sources were used by a combined 29% of people, with social media being slightly more popular at 14% and other internet sources at 15%. This means that a lot of people in the UK turned to the internet, including social media, to get their international news. Overall, TV was the top choice, while traditional methods like radio and word of mouth were less popular, and the internet played a big role in providing news.

IELTS Table Chart Practice Samples (Question with Answer)

Here is an IELTS table chart task 1 sample question with answers for your reference:

The table below shows General Practice (GP) appointment attendance in the United Kingdom over six days in January 2020.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

GP appointment attendance in the UK, January 2020

Sample answers for band 7:

The table presents data on the attendance of General Practice (GP) appointments in the UK over a six-day period in January 2020. The data reveals the total number of appointments, the percentage of appointments attended, and the percentage of appointments missed.

The highest number of GP appointments was recorded on Monday, January 6th, with 1,385,000 appointments, where 91% were attended, and 4% were missed. In contrast, the lowest number of appointments occurred on Sunday, January 5th, with only 5,710 appointments, of which 87% were attended, and 6% were missed.

Throughout the week, from Monday to Friday, the percentage of attended appointments remained relatively consistent, ranging between 90% and 91%. However, the percentage of missed appointments varied slightly, from a low of 3% on Thursday, January 9th, to a high of 5% on Tuesday, January 7th, and Friday, January 10th.

It is noteworthy that while the number of appointments was significantly higher on weekdays, the percentage of attendance was slightly lower on Sunday. This suggests that fewer people schedule GP appointments on Sundays, and those who do are slightly less likely to attend them.

Overall, the data demonstrates a strong attendance rate for GP appointments during this period, with slight variations across the different days of the week.

IELTS Process Diagram Practice Samples (Question with Answer)

Here is an IELTS process diagram task 1 sample question with answers for your reference:

Sample answers for band 7:

IELTS Map Practice Samples (Question with Answer)

Here is an example of an IELTS map question for your reference:

Sample answers for band 7:

The two maps illustrate the significant changes in the town centre of Trentville between 1966 and 2016.

In 1966, the town centre had several prominent features, including a church, theatre, and cinema situated on the northern side. An amphitheatre was centrally located, surrounded by antique shops and cafés, while the southern part of the town housed a library, museum, and gardens. The central area featured a piazza, with a gallery and antique shops to the west and a church and theatre to the northwest.

By 2016, the town centre had undergone extensive development. The amphitheatre was replaced by a boutique shop and eatery. The cinema and church in the north had been replaced by a subway station and café, respectively. The area around the former theatre was converted into a hotel. The central piazza remained, but the area to the east saw significant changes, with the addition of a car park and casino. To the south, the museum and gallery retained their original locations, while the library area now accommodated a new restaurant.

Overall, the changes reflect a shift from cultural and religious facilities towards more commercial and leisure-oriented developments, indicating a modernization of the town centre over the past 50 years.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary (Score Booster)

Use strong vocabulary to describe trends:

For Increase

• Rose, increased, climbed, surged

For Decrease

• Fell, declined, dropped, decreased

For Stability

• Remained stable, unchanged

For Comparison

• Compared to, whereas, in contrast

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

• Writing opinions (Task 1 is factual)

• Missing the overview

• Copying the question

• Including too many numbers

• Writing less than 150 words

Band 7+ Strategy for IELTS Writing Task 1

• Start with a clear overview

• Group similar data together

• Use accurate grammar and tense

• Avoid repetition

• Practice different question types

Time Management Strategy

• 2–3 mins: Understand question

• 3–5 mins: Plan structure

• 10 mins: Write answer

• 2–3 mins: Review

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Practice Tips

• Practice 1 question daily

• Focus on structure, not just vocabulary

• Compare your answers with band samples

• Use a timer to simulate exam conditions

Frequently Asked Questions