The task will involve describing, summarizing, and explaining the information provided in a graph, table, chart, or diagram.
How to answer IELTS Academic Task 1?
Ideal structure for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

- Introduction
Introduce the paragraph using a paraphrase of the question. Always answer the question. It should be about 1-2 sentences long.
- Body
Give some general overviews. Explain the main trends shown in the graph.
- Specific features
Put the given data into groups based on a certain characteristic, then describe more specific information about each feature.
Do not put your ideas or guesses in this essay. Just elaborate on the data.
Useful Vocabulary and Sentence Structures for the Introduction

You can combine the words and sentences below to write a perfect introduction.
The beginning of the sentence
The/ the given / the supplied / the presented / the shown / the provided
Presentation Type
diagram / table / figure / illustration / graph / chart / flow chart / picture/ presentation/ pie chart / bar graph/ column graph / line graph / table data/ data / information / pictorial/ process diagram/ map/ pie chart and table/ bar graph and pie chart …
Verb
shows / represents / depicts / enumerates / illustrates / presents/ gives / provides / delineates/ outlines/ describes / delineates/ expresses/ denotes/ compares/ shows contrast / indicates / figures / gives data on / gives information on/ presents information about/ shows data about/ demonstrates/ sketch out/ summarises…
Description
the comparison of…/the differences…/ the changes…/ the number of…/ information on…/ data on…/ the proportion of…/ the amount of…/ information on…/ data about…/ comparative data../. the trend of…/ the percentages of… /the ratio of…/ how the…
The example of the introduction sentence
If you want to get over 6.0, you should use advanced vocabulary.
Some examples of complex introduction sentences:
- The given pie charts represent the proportion of male and female employees in six broad categories, divided into manual and non-manual occupations in Australia, between 2010 and 2015.
- The provided bar graph compares the number of male and female graduates in three developing countries, while the table data presents the overall literacy rate in these countries.
Source: IELTS Preparation & Sample Answer
If you want to practice more?
What you need to know to succeed in your IELTS Writing Task #1