IELTS Task 1 High Band Report Writing Structure
We suggest using four paragraphs for your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Report:
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Paraphrase the question
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Write an overview
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Body paragraph 1
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Body paragraph 2
This four-paragraph structure will work for all Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 reports. We recommend that you start practicing your IELTS Academic task 1 writing with this simple structure. You will definitely see the benefits.
On this page, we will show you how to write an IELTS Task 1 essay, using our four-paragraph strategy.
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Task 1 Writing Structure
We can complete the essay using only 10 sentences! Yes, it is that much simple! Take a look how we place the 10 sentences in our 4 paragraph task 1 writing structure.
1. Paraphrasing the Question Sentence
Paraphrase the question statement using just one or two sentences.
2. Overview Paragraph
Sentence 1: summary statement 1(preview of the essay without presenting data)
Sentence 2: summary statement 2 (more preview without presenting data)
3. 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).
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4. 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)
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Let's develop the answer step by step applying the above-stated 4 paragraph task 1 writing structure.
Example
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
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The charts below show the percentage of volunteers by organisations in 2008 and 2014.
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Write at least 150 words.
1. Paraphrasing the Question Sentence
This is the opening paragraph of our IELTS Task 1 essay, where you need to restate the question sentence in your own words without changing its meaning. To do this well, you should have a good grasp of paraphrasing techniques. In the eBook, you will find an extensive discussion on how to paraphrase most effectively.
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This paraphrased statement shows the examiner how well you have understood the question.
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Let's look at the actual question statement that we are using on this page:
"The charts below show the percentage of volunteers by organisations in 2008 and 2014."
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We can paraphrase this statement as below:
"The charts presented depict the proportion of volunteers among organizations for the years 2008 and 2014."
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That's it, quite simple. Your first paragraph for the IELTS Task 1 Pie Chart Report is complete, and you have already used 14 out of 150 words. Let's move to the next part of the essay, the "Overview Paragraph".
2. Overview Paragraph
An overview is a summary of the main features that you will discuss in the body paragraphs. This is the second and most critical paragraph of our IELTS Writing Task 1 essay. Without this paragraph, it is unlikely to score higher than a band 5 in the IELTS Writing section.
Therefore, it is crucial to pay special attention to this section. You can check the eBook where the team of former examiners shared their powerful tips and strategies how to write an impressive Task 1 overview paragraph.
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Remember, this paragraph should not include any data; rather, it should simply state the obvious features seen in the diagrams to let readers know what you will describe in the body paragraphs.
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Overview Paragraph Structure
Sentence 1: summary statement 1(preview of the essay without presenting data)
Sentence 2: summary statement 2 (more preview without presenting data)
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Let's form the paragraph:
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Sentence 1(Summary Statement 1)
"In general, the volunteer rate increased for three out of the six participating organizations."
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Sentence 2(Summary Statement 2)
"While Sport saw the most significant change, Educational and Environmental organizations had the highest percentage of volunteers in 2008 and 2014, respectively."
Complete Overview Paragraph
"In general, the volunteer rate increased for three out of the six participating organizations. While Sport saw the most significant change, Educational and Environmental organizations had the highest percentage of volunteers in 2008 and 2014, respectively."
It's pretty straightforward. The first paragraph (paraphrasing the question) was only 14 words, and the second paragraph (overview) was 36 words. So far, we have completed two out of the four paragraphs for the IELTS Task 1 essay. We are halfway there and ready to move on to Body Paragraphs 1 and 2.
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3. Body Paragraph 1
In the overview paragraph, we have given just a general statement of significant features, we haven't discussed any detail. Now it's time to explain them in the two body paragraphs.
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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).
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Let's form the paragraph following the above-stated structure:
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Sentence 1(First Major Point)
"In 2008, the Educational organization emerged as the foremost source of volunteers, accounting for a significant 24% of the total volunteer participation, surpassing Environmental and Art organizations."
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Sentence 2(Second Major Point)
"However, in 2014, Environmental organizations gained the upper hand, attracting a remarkable 29% of volunteers."
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Sentence 3(Extension Sentence 1)
"During this period, Educational organizations experienced a slight dip from 24% to 17%, while Environmental organizations experienced a substantial surge from 21% to 29%."
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Sentence 4(Extension Sentence 2)
"In contrast, Health Care organizations continued to exhibit the lowest levels of volunteer participation in both 2008 and 2014."
Complete Body Paragraph 1
"In 2008, the Educational organization emerged as the foremost source of volunteers, accounting for a significant 24% of the total volunteer participation, surpassing Environmental and Art organizations. However, in 2014, Environmental organizations gained the upper hand, attracting a remarkable 29% of volunteers. During this period, Educational organizations experienced a slight dip from 24% to 17%, while Environmental organizations experienced a substantial surge from 21% to 29%. In contrast, Health Care organizations continued to exhibit the lowest levels of volunteer participation in both 2008 and 2014."
We've completed the first body paragraph of our IELTS Task 1 essay and added 85 words. This means we're 75% done with the essay! It's easy because we're only describing the significant features we observe in the diagrams.
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To be precise, we've written 14 words for the first paragraph, 36 for the second, and 85 words for the third. This means we've used 135 words out of the total 150 for the IELTS Task 1 essay question. We need to write at least 15 more words and one more paragraph to complete the essay. Let's move on to the final paragraph, Body Paragraph 2.
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Remember, if you want more powerful tips and a detailed discussion on how to write a top-scoring Task 1 essay, be sure to check out our eBook.
4. 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:
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)
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Let's form the paragraph following the above-stated structure:
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Sentence 1(Exceptional Feature)
"Conversely, while all other organizations witnessed a moderate shift in their volunteer participation rates, Sport demonstrated a remarkable increase from 15% in 2008 to 25% in 2014."
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Sentence 2(Extension of the Exceptional Feature)
Furthermore, only Health Care, Environmental, and Sport organizations saw an increase in volunteer engagement rates, whereas the remaining three experienced a decline during the same period."
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Sentence 3(Final Sentence)
"Ultimately, Educational and Environmental organizations stood out as the leading contributors in 2008 and 2014, respectively, while Health Care persistently remained the least active participant during both periods."
Complete Body Paragraph 2
"Conversely, while all other organizations witnessed a moderate shift in their volunteer participation rates, Sport demonstrated a remarkable increase from 15% in 2008 to 25% in 2014. Furthermore, only Health Care, Environmental, and Sport organizations saw an increase in volunteer engagement rates, whereas the remaining three experienced a decline during the same period. Ultimately, Educational and Environmental organizations stood out as the leading contributors in 2008 and 2014, respectively, while Health Care persistently remained the least active participant during both periods."
We've successfully completed the fourth and final paragraph of our four-paragraph IELTS Task 1 report, adding a total of 81 words to our previous count of 135. With this accomplishment, we've composed a remarkable 216-word essay, which meets the requirements for a high band score. Congratulations!
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Now, let's have a quick look at the complete framework and see how it appears in a simple, four-paragraph structure for Task 1 writing.
The Complete Task 1 Report Writing Structure
1. Paraphrasing the Question
Paraphrase the question sentence using just one or two sentences.
"The charts presented depict the proportion of volunteers among organizations for the years 2008 and 2014."
2. Overview Paragraph
Sentence 1(Summary Statement 1)
"In general, the volunteer rate increased for three out of the six participating organizations."
​
Sentence 2(Summary Statement 2)
"While Sport saw the most significant change, Educational and Environmental organizations had the highest percentage of volunteers in 2008 and 2014, respectively."
3. Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1(First Major Point)
"In 2008, the Educational organization emerged as the foremost source of volunteers, accounting for a significant 24% of the total volunteer participation, surpassing Environmental and Art organizations."
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Sentence 2(Second Major Point)
"However, in 2014, Environmental organizations gained the upper hand, attracting a remarkable 29% of volunteers."
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Sentence 3(Extension Sentence 1)
"During this period, Educational organizations experienced a slight dip from 24% to 17%, while Environmental organizations experienced a substantial surge from 21% to 29%."
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Sentence 4(Extension Sentence 2)
"In contrast, Health Care organizations continued to exhibit the lowest levels of volunteer participation in both 2008 and 2014."
4. Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1(Exceptional Feature)
"Conversely, while all other organizations witnessed a moderate shift in their volunteer participation rates, Sport demonstrated a remarkable increase from 15% in 2008 to 25% in 2014."
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Sentence 2(Extension of the Exceptional Feature)
Furthermore, only Health Care, Environmental, and Sport organizations saw an increase in volunteer engagement rates, whereas the remaining three experienced a decline during the same period."
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Sentence 3(Final Sentence)
"Ultimately, Educational and Environmental organizations stood out as the leading contributors in 2008 and 2014, respectively, while Health Care persistently remained the least active participant during both periods."
We just finished a 216-word report on the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Pie Chart question. We used a simple 4-paragraph essay structure, which we will use for all Task 1 question types on this website.
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However, if you want more in-depth discussion and powerful tips and strategies for writing impressive essays and achieving high band scores, you can check out our eBook. A team of experienced former IELTS examiners has shared incredible resources in this eBook to help you ace the exam.
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Additionally, if you want detailed feedback on your writing, you can use our intensive IELTS Essay Correction Service. You will receive feedback from a former IELTS examiner who will provide a thorough analysis of your writing and a band 9 sample answer. The examiner will also guide you through each step, helping you improve your IELTS writing skills and achieve your desired score.
Don't forget to check the following resources:
Check the detailed discussion on all the question types