WRITING · Theory
Task 1 Overview & Structure
Theory lesson in Task 1 Fundamentals
Lesson notes
Read through the lesson
Writing Task 1: Overview & Structure
Section
What You Need to Do
In Task 1, you must describe visual information in at least 150 words within 20 minutes. The visual could be:
- Line graph
- Bar chart
- Pie chart
- Table
- Process diagram
- Map comparison
- Combined charts
Section
The 4-Paragraph Structure
Every Task 1 response should follow this structure:
Paragraph 1: Introduction (2 sentences)
Paraphrase the question. State what the chart shows without copying the original wording.
"The line graph illustrates changes in the proportion of elderly people in three countries between 1940 and 2040."
Paragraph 2: Overview (2–3 sentences)
State the main trends or key features. This is the most important paragraph for your score.
"Overall, the percentage of people aged 65 and over is projected to increase in all three nations, with Japan expected to see the most dramatic rise."
Paragraphs 3–4: Details (3–4 sentences each)
Group the data logically. Compare and contrast. Include specific figures.
Section
Scoring Criteria
| Criterion | What Examiners Look For |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement | Did you cover all key features? Is there a clear overview? |
| Coherence | Is the response logically organised with clear paragraphing? |
| Vocabulary | Do you use varied language to describe data (rose, surged, plummeted)? |
| Grammar | Do you use a range of structures accurately? |
Section
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing an opinion or conclusion (this is NOT an essay)
- Describing every single data point instead of selecting key features
- Not writing an overview (this alone can cap you at Band 5)
- Starting with "The chart shows..." (paraphrase instead)
- Writing fewer than 150 words