IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: structure and language

You are not asked for an opinion and not asked to explain why. You are asked to describe what the visual shows. The clearest response paraphrases the prompt in one sentence, gives an overview of the key features, and then supports that overview with grouped comparisons or ordered process steps.

One sentence introduction (paraphrase the prompt), one overview paragraph (two or three key trends, no numbers), two body paragraphs (grouped detail with specific numbers or stages). This structure works for every visual type.

Use verbs like rise, fall, increase, decline, fluctuate, remain stable, peak at. Modify with adverbs of degree: slightly, gradually, sharply, dramatically. Compare with more than, twice as many as, in contrast to. Avoid basic words like go up or go down when you have room for a more specific verb.

For maps, describe changes between two states with prepositions of place (to the north of, adjacent to, replaced by) and passive verbs (was constructed, was demolished, has been converted). For processes, use sequencing (first, subsequently, finally) and passive voice (the mixture is heated, the product is packaged).

Two minutes to read and plan (identify the two or three key features). Fifteen minutes to write. Three minutes to edit — check word count, articles, verb tenses (past for historical data, present for general, future for projections).