IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Sample Answer

Summary: Learn the complete format of IELTS Writing Task 1 with sample answers from IDP. Practice with real tasks and improve your score.

The IELTS Writing Task 1 is a key part of the Academic test. You’ll be asked to summarise visual information such as a graph, chart, table, or diagram in your own words. To score well, you must present key trends, comparisons, and data clearly and accurately.

With IDP, you can access official IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answers, practice questions, and expert tips to boost your performance.

Free Writing Task 1 Samples

What is IELTS Writing Task 1?

• Time: 20 minutes

• Word limit: Minimum 150 words

• Task: Summarise, compare, or explain visual data (graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, or processes).

• Scoring focus: Task achievement, coherence & cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical accuracy.

IELTS Academic Writing task 1 samples

Below are a variety of IELTS charts designed to help you practice. In the IELTS Academic Writing task 1, you will be presented with one of the following types of charts and given 20 minutes to compose a detailed report:

• Bar chart

• Line graph

• Pie chart

• Table

• Process diagram

• Map

• A combination of the above (multiple tasks)

Sample of IELTS bar chart task question with answer

Here is an IELTS bar chart sample question with answers for your reference:

Sample answers for band 7:

Sample of line graph task question with answer

You can refer to this line graph sample question with answers to get familiar with it:

Sample answers for band 7:

Sample of IELTS pie chart task question with answer

Here is an IELTS pie chart task 1 sample question with answers for your reference:

Sample answers for band 7:

The pie chart shows how people in the UK accessed international news in 2019. TV was the most popular choice, with 43% of people using it. Word of mouth and radio were the least popular options, chosen by only 1% and 4% of people, respectively. Printed newspapers were used by 8% of people, showing some interest but not as much as TV. Social media and other internet sources were used by a combined 29% of people, with social media being slightly more popular at 14% and other internet sources at 15%. This means that a lot of people in the UK turned to the internet, including social media, to get their international news. Overall, TV was the top choice, while traditional methods like radio and word of mouth were less popular, and the internet played a big role in providing news.

Sample of IELTS table chart task question with answer

Here is an IELTS table chart task 1 sample question with answers for your reference:

The table below shows General Practice (GP) appointment attendance in the United Kingdom over six days in January 2020.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

GP appointment attendance in the UK, January 2020

Sample answers for band 7:

The table presents data on the attendance of General Practice (GP) appointments in the UK over six days in January 2020. The data reveals the total number of appointments, the percentage of appointments attended, and the percentage of appointments missed.

The highest number of GP appointments was recorded on Monday, January 6th, with 1,385,000 appointments, where 91% were attended, and 4% were missed. In contrast, the lowest number of appointments occurred on Sunday, January 5th, with only 5,710 appointments, of which 87% were attended, and 6% were missed.

Throughout the week, from Monday to Friday, the percentage of attended appointments remained relatively consistent, ranging between 90% and 91%. However, the percentage of missed appointments varied slightly, from a low of 3% on Thursday, January 9th, to a high of 5% on Tuesday, January 7th, and Friday, January 10th.

It is noteworthy that while the number of appointments was significantly higher on weekdays, the percentage of attendance was slightly lower on Sunday. This suggests that fewer people schedule GP appointments on Sundays, and those who do are slightly less likely to attend them.

Overall, the data demonstrates a strong attendance rate for GP appointments during this period, with slight variations across the different days of the week.

Sample of IELTS process diagram task question with answer

Here is an IELTS process diagram task 1 sample question with answers for your reference:

Sample answers for band 7:

Sample of IELTS map question with answer

Here is an example of an IELTS map question for your reference:

Sample answers for band 7:

The two maps illustrate the significant changes in the town centre of Trentville between 1966 and 2016.

In 1966, the town centre had several prominent features, including a church, theatre, and cinema situated on the northern side. An amphitheatre was centrally located, surrounded by antique shops and cafés, while the southern part of the town housed a library, museum, and gardens. The central area featured a piazza, with a gallery and antique shops to the west and a church and theatre to the northwest.

By 2016, the town centre had undergone extensive development. The amphitheatre was replaced by a boutique shop and eatery. The cinema and church in the north had been replaced by a subway station and café, respectively. The area around the former theatre was converted into a hotel. The central piazza remained, but the area to the east saw significant changes, with the addition of a car park and casino. To the south, the museum and gallery retained their original locations, while the library area now accommodated a new restaurant.

Overall, the changes reflect a shift from cultural and religious facilities towards more commercial and leisure-oriented developments, indicating a modernization of the town centre over the 50 years.

Tips for IELTS Writing task 1

• Spend 3–4 minutes analysing the question before writing.

• Highlight main trends, not every detail.

• Avoid copying text from the question.

• Use comparison words (whereas, while, in contrast).

• Aim for clear structure: Introduction → Overview → Details → Summary.

• Manage time effectively (20 minutes max).

Read more: How to Score High in IELTS Writing

Why choose IDP IELTS for Writing Task 1 Prep?

• Access official IDP Writing Task 1 samples with answers.

• Learn from examiner-approved tips and strategies.

• Practice with real exam-style questions.

• Improve with feedback and structured learning resources.

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