Making the Most of IELTS Writing Task- An Overview

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most popular English language tests taken by individuals who aim to study or work abroad. It is also the only language test accepted for migration to  Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It is recognised by more than 11,000 institutions the world over, which includes not only educational institutions but also employers, professional associations and governments. For those looking to study abroad, there is the IELTS Academic test and for candidates wanting to migrate or work abroad, you have the IELTS general test. In both versions of the test, you are tested on all four language skills viz. Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, While the  Listening and Speaking tests are the same, the Reading and Writing test formats are different for IELTS Academic and General. Test takers can prepare themselves  by opting for a full length IELTS mock test online, offered by best IELTS online coaching centres including the reputed Yuno Learning. One might also come across coaching institutes offering free IELTS courses online, but the efficacy of such courses is surely questionable. 

Understanding the formal of the IELTS Writing Test

The well-known British author Neil Gaiman has said, ‘This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy, and that hard’. This quote sums up the fear that most of us have for the writing module in the IELTS test. Many IELTS coaching centres and institutes offer free IELTS writing tests to help students practice at their own pace, to polish up their writing skills. There is a plethora of free IELTS course material as well, that is available for students who wish to prepare on their own, without enrolling for a course.  Before we get into those details, let’s understand the format of the test. In the IELTS writing test, the test taker has 2 tasks to complete in 60 minutes. Task 1 is different for Academic and General Training; task 2 is the same for both. In Academic Task 1, test takers will be required to describe, explain or summarize the information presented in the form of a graph, table, chart, or diagram. This could involve comparing data or describing the stages of a process. General Writing Task 1 involves writing a formal, semi-formal or informal letter based on a given situation. For Writing Task 2, you will be asked to write an essay on a topic of general interest. 

There are many aspects to be considered while preparing for the IELTS writing test. These could be segregated based on the assessment criteria which are -

For most students, it is quite a struggle to decide what to write and how to organise  the response in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. For the purpose of this blog, let’s focus on drafting the overview for Writing task 1. 

In writing task 1, based on the diagram given, you will need to do an information transfer task – the visual information you are given needs to be presented in the form of text.  You will need to write a minimum of 150 words and answers must be written in paragraphs,  not as bullet points or notes.

Your response will need to include -

• An introduction - All that you need to write in the introduction is a paraphrase of the question statement
• An overview 
• Present and highlight key features supported by figures or numbers

“No Conclusion is needed for Task 1”

How to write the Overview

To understand the importance of the overview, let us first check what the band descriptors say about an overview.

These points in the band descriptors make it evident that an overview is essential to get a band score of 6 or more for the ‘task achievement’ assessment criteria. 

What does one include in an overview?

The overview should be a summary of the -

• Main trends or patterns
• Striking Features
• Highest and lowest numbers
• Significant developments
• Stages/steps

‘Be sure not to include figures or data in the overview’

Where in the response does one include the overview? 

Make sure to write the overview in the second paragraph i.e. immediately following the introduction, which is quite obviously the first paragraph. Although you might have many guidelines which suggest that the overview can be written as the last paragraph as well, it makes practical sense to write it as the second paragraph as, if you run out of time, you would have an overview included in your response.

How does one draft an overview? 

You could use linking words or phrases mentioned below to begin the overview paragraph -

• Overall it is seen that….
• It is evident/clear/apparent from the diagram/graph/chart that…
• On the whole, it is seen that…..  

Just to reiterate, include the most strong or noticeable features in the overview without any numbers or data. In a combination chart, do make sure that you include one point pertaining to each graph/chart. If comparisons can be made between the two charts, you could include one point of comparison as well. You could have around two to three points in the overview.

To practice writing overview and other aspects of the writing task you can take the IELTS mock test online. The mock tests are usually part of the IELTS courses offered by various coaching centres except free IELTS courses.  

Sample Overview from Free IELTS Writing Test

In this section you will find examples of overviews for different types of diagram questions like bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, combination charts/graphs, and process diagram. You can find complete answers discussed in Yuno Learning online classes or Yuno Learning’s IELTS mock test online.

Bar Chart:

Overview:

It is evident from the graph that the majority of the cities had lower water levels in October 2009 as compared to October 2010.  Conversely, only one city had more water in October 2009 whereas one had the same water levels in both years.

Line Graph:

The graph below shows, in percentage terms, the changing patterns of domestic access to modern technology in homes in the UK.  

Overview:

Overall, it is apparent that the domestic use of mobile phones, home computers, CD players and the internet increased over the 8-year period. While the percentage of mobile phone usage and internet access increased dramatically,  that of  CD players and home computers increased at a slow pace.  

Pie Chart:

Three pie charts show the proportions of Korean video games in terms of gender, age, and best-selling games in 2003. 

Overview:

On the whole, it is clearly evident that video games were more popular among males than females. While action games were the most widely sold electronic game genre, middle-aged players enjoyed these games the most.  

Table:

The table shows the amount of money given to developing countries by the USA, EU countries and other countries from 2006 to 2010 (Figures are in millions of dollars).

Overview:

Overall, it can be seen that the USA was the largest contributor to developing countries in all of the given years. Additionally, while the European Union countries and other nations gave almost the same amount of money to developing countries every year, the amount contributed by America more than doubled over the 4-year period. 

Combination or mixed graphs/charts:

The table and chart below show the time spent on leisure and household activities in Britain. 

Overview:

Overall, it is seen that women spend more time on household work than men with the exception of one activity while it is just the opposite for leisure. 

Process Diagram:

The diagram below shows the process of making cheese. Describe the process.

Overview:

Overall, it is seen that the cheese-making process consists of five steps commencing with the mixing of the raw materials namely, water and milk and culminates in the production of the final product which is soft cheese.

Maps:

The map shows the development of the village of Rye mouth between 1995 and the present.  

Overview:

It is evident that commercial structures like a golf course and tennis courts have been set up at the cost of the green area.  Additionally, the structures supporting fishing have also completely disappeared.

These examples give you an idea of how an overview can be drafted for various types of diagrams. If you feel more confident about writing a good overview, based on these inputs, how about doing some practice utilising the free IELTS writing test options at Yuno Learning? As Louis L’amour, the American novelist says, ‘Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.’ 

Remember, free ielts courses might not provide you with the feedback which is essential  to learn the right techniques and improve your writing skills to get your desired band score. For us at Yuno Learning, your success is our success. Avail of the  Best IELTS Online Coaching with us and move abroad to fulfil your study goals. For test takers who prefer to study on their own, Yuno Learning has a wide range of  IELTS Practice Tests  which includes IELTS mock tests online and  free IELTS writing tests. What’s more, you do not have to shell out even a single dime to avail yourself of these benefits. That’s not it. Get access to a host of  Free IELTS Preparation Materials on the Yuno Learning website. With all this support awaiting you, what are you waiting for? Visit us at  Yuno Learning and fast-track your success story. We look forward to seeing you!