IELTS Academic · Writing · W1
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Describing a Chart, Table, Process or Map
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 asks you to describe visual information in at least 150 words, with about 20 minutes suggested. The visual may be a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, table, process diagram or map. You summarise the main features and make comparisons in a formal report, without giving your opinion.
- Length
- At least 150 words
- Suggested time
- About 20 minutes (of the 60-minute Writing test)
- Visual types
- Line graph, bar chart, pie chart, table, process diagram, map, or a combination
- Assessed on
- Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy
How it works
- 1The Writing test opens with one 60-minute timer for both tasks.
- 2Task 1 shows the visual and the instruction to summarise the main features.
- 3You type your report in the answer box; a word count is shown.
- 4You can switch to Task 2 at any time. Both responses are submitted when the timer ends.
Sample task
Original sample · not from an official test
The table below shows the percentage of commuters who cycled to work in three cities in 2010 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Data (in prose): Northport rose from 4% in 2010 to 15% in 2020. Eastfield rose from 9% to 11%. Lakeside fell from 12% to 8%.
Show a strong responseHide response
Outline: Introduction: paraphrase the table (share of commuters cycling to work, three cities, 2010 and 2020). Overview: cycling grew in two cities, most sharply in Northport, while Lakeside was the only city to decline; Northport moved from lowest to highest. Body 1: Northport nearly quadrupled, 4% to 15%; Eastfield rose slightly, 9% to 11%. Body 2: Lakeside, the leader in 2010 at 12%, fell to 8%, the lowest in 2020.
A strong response states the overview clearly, groups the data instead of listing every number, and uses accurate comparison language ('nearly quadrupled', 'the only city to decline'). It adds no reasons or opinions, because the data does not give any.
Tips that work
- Write a clear overview of the two or three biggest patterns. A report with no overview is limited in Task Achievement.
- Group data by trend or by category rather than going through the visual line by line.
- Paraphrase the prompt in your introduction; copying it word for word adds nothing.
- Leave 2–3 minutes to check numbers and tenses.
Common mistakes
- Explaining why the changes happened, which the task does not ask for.
- Listing every figure without comparisons.
- Writing far past 150 words, leaving Task 2 short of time.
Questions candidates ask
Should I write a conclusion in Task 1?
What matters is an overview of the main features. You can put it after the introduction or at the end. A separate conclusion that repeats the overview is not needed, and your own opinion should not appear anywhere.
How is Task 1 different in IELTS General Training?
General Training Task 1 is a letter. Academic Task 1 is a report on visual information: a graph, chart, table, process or map. The word minimum and suggested time are the same.
How does EnglishHub mark my Task 1 answer?
You get AI feedback on your response against the four Writing criteria, with comments on your overview, data accuracy and language. It is an independent practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.
Other IELTS Academic Writing tasks
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