Click here to view the original source
Key features
In your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 response, you must present the key features and use data to support your description.
The key features are the features that stand out the most in the diagram. For example, if a diagram shows 5 countries, then these 5 countries are the key features. If you miss a country, your description will be incomplete, and you will receive a band 4.
If we look at the band descriptors below, you will notice that you need to clearly present all key features to achieve a band 7 or higher.
| Band 7 | Clearly presents and highlights key features |
| Band 6 | Presents and adequately highlights key features |
| Band 5 | Presents, but inadequately covers, key features |
| Band 4 | Attempts to address the task but does not cover all key features |
The table below outlines examples of visual diagrams and what the key features may be for each.
| Visual | Key features |
| Graph showing 5 age groups over two years | 5 age groups Major trends Outstanding figures (E.g. highs, lows) Two years |
| Pie chart showing 5 types of fuel | 5 different types of fuel Major fuel type |
| Map showing a town 50 years ago and a town now | 2 maps Things that have remained the same Things that have changes (E.g. location, renovation, removal) Things that are new (E.g. building, roads, facilities) |
| Process showing 7 stages | Each of the 7 stages Any extra step that is part of the process |
| Chart showing three products over 3 years | Three products Three years Numbers that are noticeable (E.g. highest, lowest, unusual trends) |
To successfully address the task, you need to:
- Describe the key features in the visual diagram
- Use data from the visual diagram to support each key feature (E.g. figures, numbers, percentages, buildings, structures, rooms)
If you do not use data in the visual diagram to support the key features, your response will match the
What data should you present to get a band 7 or higher?
- Supporting data for each element (E.g. age groups, products, years)
- Noticeable figures that stand out (E.g. Highs, lows, fluctuation or period of stability)
- Figures that have increased or decreased
- Figures that have not changed at all, that remain the same
- Names of buildings on a map (E.g. Shop, post office, library)
- Roads, pathways or bridges shown on a map
- Things that have changed within the visual diagram (E.g location, renovation, removal)
- Things that are new (E.g. buildings, roads, facilities)
- Each stage in a process
- Any extra step that may be part of a process
- The materials or equipment used in the process
| DO | DON’T |
| Present the figures given in the visual diagram | Present the data mechanically (E.g. In 1992, it was 2%.In 1993, it was 3%. And in 1994, it was 6%…) |
| Present the correct number scale shown on the visual diagram (E.g. hundreds, thousands, ten-thousand, hundred-thousand, millions, tonnes) | Present data inaccurately. Make sure you read the Y-axis carefully to see what data is shown. |
| Write the correct number format when presenting figures from the visual diagram (E.g. 100; 1,000; 10,000; 100,000; 1,000,000) | Use calculations to respond to the task (E.g. calculate averages, add or subtract numbers). Remember to present the data as given. |
| Use the correct data set represented in the visual diagram (E.g. percentage, number, barrels per day, grams, kilograms, people) | Misread the data and present it incorrectly. (For example, saying females instead of males – 72% of females play football) |
To recap on what we have learned here today, remember these three things, and you’ll be on your way to achieving a band 7 or higher in Task Achievement IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
- Write a clear introduction. But don’t copy the question.
- Write a clear summary of what you see in the overview
- Present and highlight all the key features with figures (data)
And remember, Academic Task 1 does NOT need a conclusion.
[divider style=”solid” top=”10″ bottom=”10″]
Note: Every content on this page including text, image and videos is the property of ielts.com.au. Click the button below to visit the website.
[button color=”primary” size=”medium” link=”https://ielts.com.au/” icon=”” target=”true” nofollow=”true”]Visit the website.[/button]
[divider style=”solid” top=”10″ bottom=”10″]