IELTS Tips

A Beginner’s Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1

So you want to do the IELTS but you’re worried about the writing exam. Don’t be. It’s actually quite predictable, and if you study the right knowledge you can expect a high band score. This PPT lays out the basics that you need to know to do the IELTS Writing Task 1:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Overview from David Wills

Here are the basics that you need to know:

20 minutes is the recommended time limit
150 words is the minimum you should write
Line graphs are the most common type of questions you may be asked to answer

Learn more

You can learn how to structure IELTS writing task 1 essays here. There is a guide to line graphs here and another to bar charts here.

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.