IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: how to describe a graph or chart
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 you're given a graph, chart, table, process or map and asked to describe it in at least 150 words, in about 20 minutes. You are not asked for your opinion — just an accurate, well-organised report of what the visual shows. Here's a structure that works for any of them.
The four-part structure
- Introduction: one sentence that paraphrases the question — say what the visual shows, in your own words.
- Overview: two or three sentences describing the biggest, most general trends. No specific numbers here.
- Body 1 and Body 2: the detail — the key features and comparisons, supported with data.
The overview is where the marks are
This is the single biggest mark-mover. To reach band 7 on Task Achievement you must include a clear overview of the main trends — the highest and lowest points, the overall direction, the biggest contrast. Many band-6 answers skip it and dive straight into numbers. Don't.
Practise on real Task 1 visuals across all six types — bar, line, pie, table, process and map. Take a free IELTS mock test and get feedback on your overview, key features and data accuracy.
Take a free IELTS mock test →Common mistakes to avoid
- Listing every number instead of selecting the important ones and comparing them.
- Giving an opinion or a reason ('this is because…') — Task 1 is description only.
- Forgetting the overview, or burying it at the end where the examiner may miss it.
Remember Task 1 is worth a third of your Writing score and Task 2 two-thirds — so spend about 20 minutes here and move on. A clean introduction, a clear overview, and two well-supported body paragraphs is all a band-7 answer needs.