IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Overview Templates + Examples
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1. PIE CHART — Changing proportions
Template
Overall, [Category A] accounted for the largest proportion, while [Category B] represented the smallest share. Meanwhile, the remaining categories made up varying proportions of the total.
Example
Overall, housing accounted for the largest proportion of household expenditure, while entertainment represented the smallest share. Meanwhile, food, transport and utilities made up varying proportions of the total.
Useful vocabulary:
accounted for • represented • constituted • comprised • proportion • share • percentage
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2. PIE CHART — One category dominates
Template
Overall, it is evident that [Category A] was by far the dominant category, whereas [Category B] contributed comparatively little.
Example
Overall, it is evident that private cars were by far the dominant form of transportation, whereas cycling contributed comparatively little.
Useful connectors:
Overall • whereas • while • in contrast • by comparison
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3. TABLE — Highest and lowest figures
Template
Overall, [Country/Group A] recorded the highest figures across most categories, while [Country/Group B] generally had the lowest values.
Example
Overall, Canada recorded the highest figures across most age groups, while Mexico generally had the lowest values.
Useful vocabulary:
recorded • registered • reported • stood at • figure • value • level
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4. TABLE — Similarities and differences
Template
Overall, the figures reveal considerable variation among [groups], although [Category A] and [Category B] followed broadly similar patterns.
Example
Overall, the figures reveal considerable variation among the five cities, although London and Paris followed broadly similar patterns.
Useful vocabulary:
variation • disparity • similarity • comparable • broadly similar • contrasting patterns
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5. BAR CHART — Ranking
Template
Overall, [Item A] ranked first in terms of [measure], followed by [Item B], whereas [Item C] recorded the lowest figure.
Example
Overall, smartphones ranked first in terms of household ownership, followed by laptops, whereas desktop computers recorded the lowest figure.
Useful vocabulary:
ranked first • came second • followed by • exceeded • lagged behind • lowest
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6. BAR CHART — Clear contrast
Template
Overall, [Group A] showed considerably higher figures than [Group B] in most categories, with the widest gap occurring in [Category].
Example
Overall, university graduates showed considerably higher employment figures than school-leavers in most sectors, with the widest gap occurring in healthcare.
Useful vocabulary:
considerably higher • substantially lower • marginally greater • pronounced gap • widest disparity
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7. LINE GRAPH — General upward/downward movement
Template
Overall, [Variable A] followed an upward trajectory, whereas [Variable B] moved in the opposite direction over the period shown.
Example
Overall, the number of online shoppers followed an upward trajectory, whereas high-street visits moved in the opposite direction over the period shown.
Useful vocabulary:
upward trajectory • downward trajectory • increased • declined • rose • fell • movement
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8. LINE GRAPH — Fluctuation
Template
Overall, [Variable A] fluctuated considerably throughout the period, while [Variable B] experienced a relatively steady increase.
Example
Overall, electricity prices fluctuated considerably throughout the period, while household solar-panel installations experienced a relatively steady increase.
Useful vocabulary:
fluctuated • varied • oscillated • remained stable • levelled off • climbed steadily
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9. LINE GRAPH — Beginning and ending comparison
Template
Overall, although [Variable A] began at a relatively low level, it ended the period considerably higher, while [Variable B] followed the reverse pattern.
Example
Overall, although the number of electric vehicles began at a relatively low level, it ended the period considerably higher, while petrol-car sales followed the reverse pattern.
Useful vocabulary:
began at • ended at • started from • reached • finished at • reverse pattern
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10. MAP — Major transformation
Template
Overall, the area underwent substantial redevelopment, with [major feature] being introduced and [existing feature] being removed or relocated.
Example
Overall, the village underwent substantial redevelopment, with a new residential area being introduced and the farmland being removed to accommodate additional facilities.
Useful vocabulary:
underwent redevelopment • was converted into • was replaced by • was relocated • was demolished • was expanded
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11. MAP — Development and accessibility
Template
Overall, the area became considerably more developed and accessible, owing to the addition of [feature] and the expansion of [feature].
Example
Overall, the town centre became considerably more developed and accessible, owing to the addition of a pedestrian zone and the expansion of the road network.
Useful vocabulary:
developed • accessible • expanded • extended • constructed • introduced • pedestrianised
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12. PROCESS — Linear / stages
Template
Overall, the process consists of [number] main stages, beginning with [first stage] and culminating in [final stage].
Example
Overall, the production process consists of seven main stages, beginning with the collection of raw materials and culminating in the packaging of the finished product.
Useful vocabulary:
consists of • begins with • is followed by • subsequently • thereafter • culminates in • final stage
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Extra Process Template — Cyclical Process
Template
Overall, this is a cyclical process involving [number] principal stages, whereby [starting point] eventually leads back to [starting point].
Example
Overall, this is a cyclical process involving five principal stages, whereby water evaporates, forms clouds and eventually returns to the ground before the cycle begins again.
Useful vocabulary:
cyclical • recurring • cycle • subsequently • eventually • returns to • repeats
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CONNECTORS YOU CAN USE IN TASK 1
Instead of repeatedly writing “while”, rotate these:
Contrast
whereas
while
by contrast
in contrast
conversely
compared with
Addition
additionally
furthermore
moreover
alongside this
Sequence — especially processes
initially
subsequently
thereafter
following this
at the next stage
finally
Time
over the period
throughout the timeframe
during the years shown
across the period
between X and Y
Similarity
similarly
likewise
in a similar manner
followed a comparable pattern
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HIGH-VALUE TASK 1 VOCABULARY
Increase
rise → increase → grow → climb → surge → soar → escalate
Use carefully: surge/soar imply a very large or rapid increase.
Decrease
fall → decline → decrease → drop → dip → plunge → plummet
Again, plunge/plummet should be reserved for dramatic falls.
Stable
remain stable → remain unchanged → level off → plateau → maintain the same level
Fluctuation
fluctuate → vary → oscillate → experience ups and downs
Highest
the highest figure → the largest proportion → the greatest share → the peak → the maximum
Lowest
the lowest figure → the smallest proportion → the lowest point → the minimum
Comparison
exceed → surpass → overtake → outnumber → outweigh → be comparable to → be considerably higher/lower than
Maps
constructed → demolished → converted → relocated → expanded → extended → renovated → pedestrianised → replaced → transformed
Processes
stage → step → phase → undergo → process → transform → produce → generate → manufacture → culminate
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The key rule
Do not try to use the most complicated vocabulary possible.
A Band 8/9 overview is primarily about accurate selection of the major features, not stuffing every sentence with advanced words.
TREND → COMPARISON → KEY FEATURE
That is the basic thinking pattern behind a strong Task 1 overview.
