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De-mystifying IELTS Writing Task 1Forum on Professional Development

Sarah Philpot (teacher-trainer., EFL writer)

Writing Task 1 can be daunting for students and teachers alike. This workshop for IELTS teachers will focus on how to de-mystify this part of the test. By showing how to analyse the question and data, and to reduce the task to clear, simple steps, this workshop will allow teachers and students to approach this task with greater confidence.

INTRODUCTORY PART

1 What types of graph are included in Writing 1?

2 What four criteria are used in assessing the task? Which of these criteria are the most important?

3 How many paragraphs should Writing 1 task consist of?

4 When can the candidate not write the conclusion?

STEP 1 UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTION

5 How to help students to understand the question?

STEP 2 WRITING THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE INTRODUCTION

6 What is the 1st sentence of the introduction?

STEP 3 IDENTIFYING THE MAIN FEATURES

7 Is it necessary to look at the data or only at the main trend?

STEP 4 WRITING THE SECOND SENTENCE OF THE INTRODUCTION

8 What information should be included in the 2nd sentence?

STEP 5 CHOOSING THE DATA

9 It is necessary to describe as much data as possible. a) True b) False

Only the most striking points should be described. a) True b) False

STEP 6 DECIDING THE ORDER TO DESCRIBE THE DATA

10 Match the items:

|a line graph |from biggest to smallest |

|a pie chart |from most to least significant |

|a bar chart |chronological order |

|generally |categories of information |

STEP 7 WRITING THE BODY PARAGRAPH(S)

11 What is appropriate language for a) a line graph?

b) bar/pie chart?

STEP 8 WRITING THE CONCLUSION

12 What can the conclusion include?

13 Is new information added in conclusion?

STEP 9 CHECKING

14 What should the candidate check their answer for?

15. Do you find the approach presented in the talk useful? Why? Would you change anything?

16. What tips for doing Task 1 successfully do you know? Share ideas with your colleagues.

WRITING PRACTICE 1

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Tip Strip

▪ You need to understand the diagram, but you do not need to describe it. Focus on the information in your answer.

▪ Do NOT copy the introduction from the question paper. Always paraphrase the introduction.

▪ Pay attention to any dates given. They will indicate what tenses you should use.

▪ Remember to use figures to support your main points.

The graph below compares figures for the production and consumption of energy in the US from 1950 to 2000. It also predicts figures for 2025.

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

Write at least 150 words.

[pic]

Before you write make sure you understand the information the diagram is showing. Allow yourself two or three minutes to read the task carefully and look at the diagram.

1 Understanding the information

Look at the task and answer the questions below.

1. Which country is the data about?

2. What two main periods of time does the horizontal axis show?

3. What do the two lines represent?

4. What measurement is used in the vertical axis?

5. What does the gap between the lines represent?

2 Writing the 1st sentence of the introduction

1 Think of the possible synonyms to: graph, compare, figures, production and consumption, from 1950 to 2000, predict.

2 Choose expressions below to paraphrase the introduction.

The graph 1 compares figures for/gives figures for / shows changes in 2 US energy / the consumption and production of energy in the US / the gap between US energy consumption and production 3 from 1950 to 2000 / between 1950 and 2000/ since 1950. It also 4 shows figures / predicts figures / estimates trends 5up to 2025 / for 2025 / by 2025.

3 Reformulate the task

________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

3 Identifying the main features

Different types of diagram show different information. Graphs show changes. What is the main topic of the graph opposite?

1. changes in per capita energy consumption

2. changes in type of energy used

3. changes in the gap between energy production and consumption

4. changes in modes of production

4 Writing an overview

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

5. Using the right language for the right information

Look at the types of information typically shown in graphs and identify three things you need to describe in the task.

1. changes over time

2. a comparison of different things

3. contrasting trends

4. a contrast across age groups

5. a prediction of future trends

6. changing proportions over time

6/7 Selecting and organising information

Focus on the main trends. Do not simply list all the information.

a Look at the openings to five pieces of information and put them in a logical order.

1. However, production grew only gradually over the next...

2. Projections up to 2025 suggest that this trend ...

1. Between 1950 and 1970 both the production and consumption of energy increased ...

3. In contrast, growth in consumption ...

4. Energy imports needed to bridge this gap therefore increased ...

b Group the information into three paragraphs.

8 Summarising statement

Choose the best summarising statement for this Task 1.

1. Both consumption and production of energy in the US will continue to rise.

2. Energy consumption in the US is rising faster than production.

1. Energy production in the US is not keeping up with consumption, so imports will continue to increase.

b Write three signals you can use to indicate that this is your summary.

For example: Overall, the graph indicates that...

9 Assessing your writing

Remember to edit your writing for any common mistakes.

Band 9 Sample Answer

NB: There is no single correct answer to the writing task. This is one example of a Band 9 response.

The graph shows changes in the gap between US energy consumption and production since 1950. It also estimates trends up to 2025.

Between 1950 and 1970 both production and consumption increased from just over 30 units to about 65, and although consumption was consistently higher, the difference was marginal during this period.

However, production grew only gradually over the next 30 years to reach 70 units in 2000. In contrast, growth in consumption was steeper and more fluctuating, reaching 95 units by 2000. Energy imports needed to bridge this gap therefore increased from very little in 1970 to a substantial 25 units in 2000.

Projections up to 2025 indicate that this trend is likely to continue, with the gap between production and consumption widening. By 2025 it is expected that consumption will reach 140 units, while production will reach only 90, so more than 30% of energy consumed (50 units) will have to be imported.

Overall, the graph indicates that energy production in the US is not keeping up with consumption, so imports will continue to increase.

(177 words)

Practice Task 2. Assessing Writing 1.

1) Study Writing task 1. [pic]

2) Study the sample answer of a candidate and, using Band descriptors for Writing 1, assess the answer. What band would you give for the answer? Why?

[pic]

[pic]

3) Compare your opinion with the comments of the examiner:

[pic]

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4) Now study the pie charts.

[pic]

5) Analyse the model answer and give your comments.

ANSWER:

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