How many words should IELTS Task 1 be?

At least 150 words. Aim for about 160–190 in around 20 minutes, leaving 40 minutes for Task 2, which is worth more.

Do I give my opinion in Task 1?

No. Academic Task 1 is a factual report. Describe and compare the data objectively — save opinions for Task 2.

What is the most important part of Task 1?

The overview. A clear overview sentence that states the main trends (without specific numbers) is essential for Band 6 and above.

IELTS writing

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: How to Describe Any Graph

By Lumi English Academy · Updated August 2026

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 asks you to describe visual data — a chart, graph, table, map or process — in at least 150 words. The good news: almost every Task 1 can be written with the same four-part structure. Here it is.

The four-part structure

1. Introduction (1 sentence). Paraphrase the question — say what the visual shows.

2. Overview (1–2 sentences). State the biggest trends or differences. No numbers here.

3. Body paragraph 1. Describe one group of data in detail, with figures.

4. Body paragraph 2. Describe the rest, making comparisons.

The overview is everything. Examiners look for it directly. Start it with "Overall," so it's impossible to miss.

Language that scores

For change over time (line graphs)

Rose, increased, climbed, surged; fell, declined, dropped, plummeted; remained stable, levelled off, fluctuated. Add adverbs: "rose sharply", "fell slightly", "increased steadily".

For comparisons (bar charts, tables, pie charts)

"far higher than", "roughly double", "the largest proportion", "by contrast", "whereas", "accounted for". For example: "Cycling more than doubled, from 8% to 18%, whereas walking declined slightly."

For processes and maps

Use the passive voice and sequencing words: "First,", "Next,", "Following this,", "Finally,". For example: "The water is then filtered before it is pumped to homes."

A mini model (bar chart)

The bar chart compares the proportion of commuters using four modes of transport in 2000 and 2020. Overall, while the car remained the most popular option in both years, its share fell markedly, whereas public transport and cycling became far more common. In 2000, 55% drove to work, compared with just 25% using public transport. By 2020, car use had dropped to 40%, while public transport had risen to 33%. Cycling saw the sharpest change, more than doubling from 8% to 18%, while walking declined slightly from 12% to 9%.

Common mistakes

No overview, or an overview full of numbers. Keep numbers in the body.
Listing every figure with no comparison. Group and compare instead.
Giving opinions ("I think this is because…"). Task 1 is factual only.
Spending too long. 20 minutes maximum — Task 2 is worth more.

Try it on a real Task 1 — free

Both of our free IELTS Academic practice tests include a Task 1 with a Band 8–9 model answer.

Open free IELTS Practice Test 2 →