How to Write an IELTS Task 1 Body Paragraph
In the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you are required to summarize and compare data presented in a visual form, such as graphs, charts, and tables. While this may seem like a daunting task, the good news is that with the right approach, you can ace this section of the test. One crucial aspect of writing a successful IELTS Task 1 report is crafting effective body paragraphs that are coherent, logical, and clearly communicate your ideas.
In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of writing body paragraphs for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. We will cover the key components of a body paragraph, including the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence. We will also share some tips on how to organize your ideas and structure your paragraphs effectively.
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IELTS Task 1 Body Paragraph Structure
You don't have to use this structure only. There are other structures that you can use for your IELTS Task 1 Report Writing. You can use any structure that you feel comfortable with. But, we suggest using this structure for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 because it has been tried and tested by hundreds of successful students worldwide.
Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1: first major point
Sentence 2: second major point
Sentence 3: extension sentence 1 (compare/combine the major points stated above)
Sentence 4: extension sentence 2 (extension of the previous sentence, or adding an exceptional feature).
Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1: exceptional feature
Sentence 2: extension of the exceptional feature
Sentence 3: final sentence (wrapping-up the whole essay, completely based on the discussion above, nothing new)
Example
Let's go through the example question below, and see how we prepare the body paragraphs following the above-stated structure.
Source: Cambridge English IELTS Past Papers
How To Write A Task 1 Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 1 is the 3rd paragraph of our recommended IELTS Task 1 report writing structure. We will use the first and the second sentences of this paragraph just for stating the major points. The 3rd and 4th sentences will be used for explaining and comparing the major features.
Task 1 Body Paragraph 1 Structure
Sentence 1: first major point
Sentence 2: second major point
Sentence 3: extension sentence 1 (compare/combine the major points stated above)
Sentence 4: extension sentence 2 (extension of the previous sentence, or adding an exceptional feature).
Let's form the paragraph following the above-stated structure:
Sentence 1(First Major Point)
"In 2008, educational organizations accounted for the highest percentage of volunteers at 24%, followed by environmental and artistic organizations."
Sentence 2(Second Major Point)
"However, the scenario changed in 2014 as environmental organizations contributed the most volunteers at 29%, which was 8% higher than that of the contribution in 2008."
Sentence 3(Extension Sentence 1)
"During this period, educational institutions experienced a slight decline in volunteer contributions, dropping from 24% in 2008 to 17% in 2014."
Sentence 4(Extension Sentence 2)
"Health care remained the lowest contributor to volunteerism in both 2008 and 2014."
Complete Body Paragraph 1
"In 2008, educational organizations accounted for the highest percentage of volunteers at 24%, followed by environmental and artistic organizations. However, the scenario changed in 2014 as environmental organizations contributed the most volunteers at 29%, which was 8% higher than that of the contribution in 2008. During this period, educational institutions experienced a slight decline in volunteer contributions, dropping from 24% in 2008 to 17% in 2014. Health care remained the lowest contributor to volunteerism in both 2008 and 2014."
Look, we have used the first and the second sentences just for stating the two major points, whereas the 3rd and 4th sentences have been used for explaining the previous two sentences. That's it. Pretty straight forward. We've just completed the Body Paragraph 1.
How To Write A Task 1 Body Paragraph 2
Body paragraph 2 is the final paragraph of our IELTS Task 1 essay. This is the easiest paragraph in the whole essay. Because here we're just stating other features in brief and then adding a final sentence to conclude the essay. Let's apply our structure for the second body paragraph:
Task 1 Body Paragraph 2 Structure
Sentence 1: exceptional feature
Sentence 2: extension of the exceptional feature
Sentence 3: final sentence (wrapping-up the whole essay, completely based on the discussion above, nothing new)
Let's form the paragraph following the above-stated structure:
Sentence 1(Exceptional Feature)
"Sports experienced a remarkable surge in volunteer contributions, rising from 15% in 2008 to 25% in 2014, while the other sectors exhibited only minor fluctuations."
Sentence 2(Extension of the Exceptional Feature)
"Health Care, Environmental, and Sports sectors were the only ones that saw an increase in volunteer participation, whereas the other three sectors experienced a decline over the same time span."
Sentence 3(Final Sentence)
"To sum up, educational and Environmental sectors ranked the highest in contribution in 2008 and 2014, respectively, while Health Care remained at the bottom in both periods."
Complete Body Paragraph 2
"Sports experienced a remarkable surge in volunteer contributions, rising from 15% in 2008 to 25% in 2014, while the other sectors exhibited only minor fluctuations. Health Care, Environmental, and Sports sectors were the only ones that saw an increase in volunteer participation, whereas the other three sectors experienced a decline over the same time span. To sum up, educational and Environmental sectors ranked the highest in contribution in 2008 and 2014, respectively, while Health Care remained at the bottom in both periods."
So, we have discussed how to write an effective body paragraph for the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, which requires summarizing and comparing data presented in visual forms such as graphs, charts, and tables. The article has provided a structure for writing body paragraphs, which includes four sentences. The first two sentences are used to state the major points, and the third and fourth sentences are used to explain and compare these major points or add exceptional features. Overall, the blog post provides useful tips and a clear structure for writing effective body paragraphs for the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
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Don't forget to check the following resources:
Check the detailed discussion on all the question types