How to Write a Band 9 Answer for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: A Tutorial#
If you’re preparing for the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, one of the best ways to boost your score is by mastering how to describe visual data clearly and accurately. This tutorial, inspired by an expert lesson on describing a line graph, breaks down the essentials you need to write a Band 9 answer.
Step 1: Carefully Understand the Graph and the Task#
Before you start writing, read the graph’s title and labels carefully. Understand what the graph depicts, the countries or categories involved, and the time period covered. For example, in a line graph showing household recycling rates in the UK, France, and Germany from 2005 to 2015, note:
- What’s being measured (recycling rates)
- The units (percentages)
- The time frame (2005–2015)
- The subjects (three countries)
This understanding is crucial because your entire description must accurately reflect these details.
Step 2: Write a Clear Introduction (Paraphrase the Question)#
Your introduction should be brief and to the point—usually 1-2 sentences.
- Paraphrase the wording from the graph title or question prompt.
- Retain the same graph type (line graph, bar chart, table, etc.).
- Mention the key elements: what, where, and when.
Example:
The line graph illustrates the household recycling rates in the UK, France, and Germany between 2005 and 2015.
Focus on paraphrasing, which means replacing words like “shows” with synonyms such as “illustrates” or “depicts” without changing the meaning.
Step 3: Write an Overview Paragraph (General Trends)#
The overview sums up the big picture without numbers or exact data points.
- Highlight 2-4 major trends or contrasts.
- Use words like increased, decreased, remained steady, or experienced a decline.
Example:
Overall, recycling rates in the UK and Germany showed a steady increase, while France experienced a downward trend in the same period.
Use linking words such as while to contrast opposite trends clearly.
Step 4: Present Specific Details (Supporting Paragraphs)#
Now, describe key details, supporting your overview with specific data:
- Organize details into two or more paragraphs.
- Group data logically — for example, by country or by trends.
- Mention important numbers, like starting and ending percentages.
- Highlight changes over time using comparative and superlative adjectives.
- Use the past simple tense for changes that have already occurred.
Example Paragraph 1 (Increasing Trends):
In 2005, the recycling rate in the UK was approximately 35%, rising to 60% by 2015. Germany’s rate also increased significantly, surpassing France in 2009 and reaching nearly 60% in 2015.
Example Paragraph 2 (Decreasing Trends):
Conversely, France started with the highest rate at 50% in 2005 but declined steadily to around 30% in 2013, before a slight recovery to 40% in 2015.
Step 5: Use Effective Vocabulary and Linking Words#
Use a variety of words to avoid repetition and demonstrate your range:
- Replace rose or increased with grew, climbed, surged.
- Replace declined or fell with dropped, decreased, dipped.
- Use connectors like however, whereas, meanwhile, in contrast to organize ideas.
Step 6: Don’t Write a Conclusion#
Unlike essays, Writing Task 1 doesn’t require a conclusion. Your overview acts as your summary.
Bonus Tips#
- Always write in a formal tone—no slang or contractions.
- Keep your writing clear and concise.
- Practice using a range of sentence structures: simple, complex, and compound sentences.
- Proofread your work if time allows, checking for grammar and spelling.
By following this structure—Introduction, Overview, and Detailed Paragraphs with supporting data—you’ll produce a clear, coherent, and high-scoring answer for your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
Good luck, and keep practicing!
This tutorial is based on an expert lesson explaining how to describe a line graph in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, with tips on vocabulary, structure, and phrasing to achieve a Band 9 score.