Task 1 Overview & Strategy
The 20-Minute Time Plan
Minutes 1-2
ANALYZE
What type? Main trend? Time period? Units?
Minutes 3-4
PLAN
4 paragraphs. Group logically. Note key data.
Minutes 5-17
WRITE
Intro (1 min) + Overview (2 min) + Bodies (9 min)
Minutes 18-20
CHECK
Word count. Tenses. Obvious errors.
1. NO OVERVIEW - Without this, you cannot get Band 6+. The overview is MANDATORY.
2. Describing EVERYTHING - Select the most significant features only. You don't need every data point.
3. Giving OPINIONS - Just describe what you see. Never speculate about why!
The Perfect 4-Paragraph Structure
Para 1: Introduction (1 sentence)
Para 2: Overview (2-3 sentences, NO data)
Para 3: Body 1 (3-5 sentences with data)
Para 4: Body 2 (3-5 sentences with data)
Paragraph 1: Introduction (1 sentence)
Formula: The + [graph type] + shows/illustrates + [what] + [where/when]
Question: The graph shows fish and meat consumption in Europe between 1979 and 2004.
Your introduction: The line graph illustrates the amount of fish and various types of meat consumed per person in a European country over a 25-year period from 1979 to 2004.
Perfect! Paraphrased the question, identified graph type, clear time period.
This graph shows meat and fish in Europe.
Too short, copied words directly, missing detail.
Paragraph 2: Overview (2-3 sentences)
CRITICAL: This is the most important paragraph. Give the "big picture" WITHOUT specific data.
What to include: Highest/lowest, overall trends, main differences, most notable feature
Overall, it is clear that chicken consumption increased dramatically over the period, while beef, lamb, and fish all declined. By the end of the period, chicken had become the most popular meat, overtaking beef.
Perfect! Main trends stated, comparisons made, NO specific numbers.
In 1979, people ate 220 grams of beef and 140 grams of chicken.
These are details for body paragraphs, not overview!
Paragraphs 3 & 4: Body Paragraphs
NOW you use specific data! Include numbers, percentages, dates. Make comparisons.
Organizing strategies:
- Group by category (all meats in one, fish in another)
- Group by trend (increasing items vs decreasing items)
- Group by time (first half vs second half of period)
Master All 6 Graph Types
Type 1: Line Graphs (Change Over Time)
Introduction: "The line graph illustrates..."
Overview: Describe overall trends (increased/decreased/fluctuated/remained stable)
Body 1: Starting points and highest figures with data
Body 2: Changes throughout period, ending figures
Tenses: Past tense if dates are in the past
Type 2: Bar Charts (Comparing Categories)
Introduction: "The bar chart compares..."
Overview: Identify highest and lowest categories
Body 1: Highest categories with specific figures
Body 2: Lowest categories with comparisons
Language: Use comparatives (higher than, the most)
Type 3: Pie Charts (Showing Proportions)
Introduction: "The pie chart shows the proportion of..."
Overview: Largest and smallest segments
Body 1: Largest segments with percentages
Body 2: Smaller segments with comparisons
Language: Percentages, fractions (one-third, majority, a quarter)
Type 4: Tables (Multiple Data Points)
| Country | 2015 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 87,000 | 165,000 | +90% |
| India | 45,000 | 95,000 | +111% |
| Vietnam | 12,000 | 28,000 | +133% |
| Brazil | 8,000 | 11,000 | +38% |
Introduction: "The table shows/compares..."
Overview: Highest/lowest values, biggest/smallest changes
Body 1: Group highest figures or biggest changes
Body 2: Group lowest figures or smallest changes
CRITICAL: Don't describe every cell - select key data!
Type 5: Process Diagrams (Showing Stages)
Harvest cocoa pods
Extract beans
Dry in sun
Roast beans
Grind to paste
Mold and package
Introduction: "The diagram shows how..." / "the process of..."
Overview: State number of stages, where it begins and ends
Body 1: First half of process in sequence
Body 2: Second half to completion
Tenses: Present passive (is harvested, are dried, is pressed)
Language: Sequencing words (first, next, then, after that, finally)
Type 6: Maps (Showing Changes to a Location)
2000
2020
Introduction: "The maps show/illustrate changes to... between X and Y"
Overview: Main transformations (more developed, urbanized, expanded)
Body 1: What was removed, relocated, or demolished
Body 2: What was added, constructed, or expanded
Tenses: Past passive (was built, were added, was removed, was replaced)
Language: Location phrases (in the north, to the south of, adjacent to)
Essential Task 1 Vocabulary
Upward Trends
Sales increased significantly.
There was a sharp increase.
Prices rose steadily.
A gradual rise occurred.
The population grew rapidly.
Economic growth was substantial.
Demand surged dramatically.
Prices soared by 50%.
Downward Trends
Consumption decreased markedly.
A decrease in usage.
Birth rates declined steadily.
A steady decline occurred.
Profits fell dramatically.
Temperatures dropped sharply.
Sales plummeted after 2015.
(Very dramatic decrease)
Stability & Fluctuation
Figures remained stable at 50%.
Remained constant throughout.
After rising, it leveled off.
Growth plateaued in 2020.
Prices fluctuated between $60-$80.
Showed inconsistent changes.
Figures hovered around 45%.
Stayed near a certain level.
Speed of Change (Adverbs)
Increased dramatically
Fell sharply
Rose significantly
Decreased considerably
Grew steadily
Declined gradually
Increased slightly
Fell marginally
Comparisons
Sales were higher than 2015.
Costs were lower than expected.
China produced more than India.
There were fewer students.
Japan had the highest figure.
Thailand showed the lowest rate.
Oil increased, whereas coal fell.
Men chose X, while women chose Y.
Describing Amounts
Approximately 250 students
Roughly $50,000
Just over half (52%)
Just under a quarter (23%)
A quarter of students
Nearly half preferred online
Oil accounted for 40%
Women represented 60%
Practice Exercise
| Region | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | 180 | 280 | 150 |
| Europe | 450 | 580 | 300 |
| Americas | 150 | 195 | 95 |
| Africa | 50 | 62 | 28 |
Write your complete Task 1 answer (150+ words)
Remember: Introduction + Overview + Body 1 + Body 2
Band 9 Model Answer
INTRODUCTION: The line graph illustrates the amount of fish and three different types of meat consumed per person per week in a European country over a 25-year period from 1979 to 2004.
OVERVIEW: Overall, it is clear that beef consumption declined substantially over the period, while chicken consumption increased dramatically. Fish consumption remained relatively low and stable throughout, and lamb consumption also decreased moderately.
BODY 1: In 1979, beef was the most popular meat, with consumption standing at approximately 220 grams per person per week, compared to around 150 grams for lamb and just 140 grams for chicken. Fish consumption was considerably lower at roughly 60 grams. Over the following decade, beef consumption declined gradually to around 170 grams by 1989, while chicken consumption rose steadily to approximately 200 grams, overtaking lamb which had fallen to about 140 grams.
BODY 2: The trend continued throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s. By 2004, chicken had become by far the most consumed meat at nearly 250 grams per person per week, having increased by over 100 grams since 1979. In contrast, beef consumption had plummeted to just under 120 grams, while lamb had decreased to approximately 60 grams, matching fish consumption which had remained relatively stable at around 50 grams throughout the entire period.
[195 words]
- Task Achievement: All requirements covered, clear overview, key features well-selected
- Coherence & Cohesion: Logical organization, clear paragraphing, excellent linking
- Lexical Resource: Wide vocabulary range (declined, substantially, plummeted, remained stable)
- Grammar: Variety of complex structures, accurate tenses, minimal errors
Task 1 Checklist
- At least 150 words (aim for 170-190)
- 4 paragraphs: Intro + Overview + Body 1 + Body 2
- Overview paragraph with NO specific data
- Specific data and figures in body paragraphs
- Comparisons between categories or time periods
- Correct verb tenses (usually past tense)
- Paraphrased the question (didn't copy)
- NO opinions or speculation about WHY
- Clear, varied vocabulary
- No major grammar errors