At a glance
| Visual | What to describe | Useful language |
|---|---|---|
| Line graph | Change over time, highest and lowest points | rose steadily, peaked at, fell sharply |
| Bar chart | Comparisons between categories | twice as many as, slightly higher than |
| Pie chart | Proportions of a whole | accounted for, a quarter of, the largest share |
| Table | Biggest and smallest figures, notable patterns | by contrast, similarly, the figure for |
| Map | What was added, removed or changed | was replaced by, was extended, to the north of |
| Process | Each stage in order | first, after that, once, is then + past participle |
Step 1 · Task
Write the overview paragraph.
Step 2 · Model overview
Overall, ownership of all three items increased over the period, with mobile phones showing by far the most dramatic growth. Car ownership changed the least, while computers rose steadily before levelling off in the final years.
Step 3 · Why it works
Two sentences, no figures, covering the biggest trend and the main comparison.
Step 4 · Common mistake
Many students write the overview as "In 2000, 20% of households had a phone, which rose to 90% in 2020." That is a detail with numbers, not an overview. The examiner is looking for the big picture.
1A structure that works for every visual
- Introduction: one sentence that rephrases what the visual shows. Do not copy the task wording.
- Overview: two sentences on the biggest trends or features, without numbers.
- Body paragraph 1: details and figures for one group of data.
- Body paragraph 2: details and figures for the other group, with comparisons.
2How to choose what to include
You cannot describe every number in 150 words, and examiners do not want you to. Pick the highest, the lowest, the biggest change and anything that breaks the pattern. Group similar items together so you can compare them in one sentence.
Practice questions
Decide whether each sentence would be acceptable in a Task 1 report, then tap to check.
- 1
"The number of tourists rose because flights became cheaper."
Answer: Not acceptable
Task 1 does not ask for reasons. Describe the rise, not why it happened.
- 2
"Spending on transport doubled from $200 to $400 between 2010 and 2015."
Answer: Acceptable
It reports a trend with accurate figures and a time frame.
- 3
"In my opinion, the government should invest more in public transport."
Answer: Not acceptable
Opinions belong in Task 2, never in Task 1.
- 4
"Overall, the use of renewable energy grew while coal declined."
Answer: Acceptable
This is a clear overview sentence that captures the two main trends.
- 5
"The chart shows many interesting things about different countries."
Answer: Not acceptable
It is vague and tells the reader nothing specific. Rephrase the task precisely instead.
Up next
Writing Task 2
Essay structure that answers the question
Written by the AdmitVerse team. Last reviewed on . AdmitVerse is not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council or IDP. For official rules and test dates, see ielts.org.