IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips, Model Answers & More

Useful IELTS writing task 1 tips, answers, lessons for success achieving a high score. This page contains all the information and help you need to do well. Learn about the IELTS marking criteria, paragraphing, vocabulary and much more. This page has tips for Academic writing task 1 and GT writing task 1 (see bottom of page).

IELTS Writing Task 1 Information

1. IELTS recommend you spend no more than 20 mins on writing task 1. However, the time is yours to manage as you wish.
2. You should write over 150 words.
3. IELTS writing task 1 is worth only about 33% of your total writing marks.
4. You will be marked on:
   1. Task Achievement (25%)
   2. Coherence & Cohesion (25%)
   3. Vocabulary (25%)
   4. Grammar (25%)
5. Academic writing task 1 is a report on a chart (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram/process). See below for practice charts, model answers, tips etc.
6. General Training writing task 1 is a letter only. GT letter writing tips can be found towards the bottom of this page. Click here for Information about GT Writing Differences. There are tips for letter writing, further down this page.
7. All words will be counted and all numbers count as one word. See this page: How Words are Counted

IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips

Free IELTS  writing task 1 tips for the right techniques and understanding the test more clearly.

• Essential Tips: How to Prepare for Writing Task 1
• Tips: How Many Words Should you Write?
• Tips: What tense to use in writing task 1?
• Tips: Penalty for Under the Word Count

Writing Task 1 Model Answers

IELTS model answers for charts, graphs, diagrams, maps and tables.. Each sample answer is estimated band score 9.

• Diagram Model Answer
• Bar Chart & Pie Charts Model Answer
• Table Model Answer
• Map Model Answer
• Line Graph Model Answer
• Bar Chart Model Answer
• Pie Chart Model Answer
• Diagram Model Answer
• Line Graph & Bar Chart Model Answer

IELTS General Training Letter

The following links are for IELTS candidates who are preparing for the General Training Writing Test. Your task will be asked to write a letter. You will not be writing a report as in the Academic Test. Use the links below to help you prepare:

10 Essential Tips for IELTS Letter Writing

How to Improve your IELTS GT Letter

Differences between GT & Academic Writing

General training model letters and practice exercises:

• Apology Letter: Model Answers Formal & Informal
• Amendment Letter: Model Answer 2017
• Complaint Letter: Model Answer
• Complaint Letter: Error Correction
• Letter to a Friend: Model Answer
• Invitation Letter: Model Answer