Microsoft Word Test writing 1sept09-final

sequence expressions such as ‘first of all’, ‘after that’, ‘at the same 
time’, ‘concurrently’ etc. (See Holmesglen website downloadable writing 
booklet p.39).
· Don’t copy phrases from the instructions as this will not be 
assessed. Use your own words. 
· Don’t take more than 20 minutes over this task. 
· Try to write neatly. Cross out errors with one line only. 
· Leave a couple of minutes to read through what you have written. 
Remember 
q 
that you will receive a higher mark if your use a range of structures 
and vocabulary. 
q 
you are NOT being asked for your opinion on the information, just 
to report it. An opinion would be considered ‘irrelevant’ for this 
task. 
 
 
How to prepare for Task 1 
· Become familiar with the graph types. See Focus on IELTS, p.33. 
· Do lots of practice exercises in describing graphs. See Focus on 
IELTS, pp.17-18; Insight, pp.67-75 & p.115. 
· Practise identifying key information in graphs and charts. See 
Focus on IELTS, p.101. 
· Practise working out what graph axes represent. See Insight into 
IELTS, pp.70-72. 
· Become familiar with a variety of ways to: 

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How to prepare for IELTS – Writing 
11 
v 
express percentages 
v 
express numbers & statistical data 
v 
express the key points in a graph or describe trends 
v 
describe increase and decrease  
v 
make comparisons between data.  
For example, ‘words to describe the degree of change’ – ‘slight’, 
‘dramatic’, ‘significant’ & ‘moderate’. See Preparation & Practice: Writing 
p.107-115; Homesglen website downloadable Writing booklet pp.25-29; 
Focus on IELTS, p.18 & p.23, pp.33-35, p.39; Insight into IELTS, p.69 & 
74; Helpful Hints for IELTS, p.58-59. 
· Look at the language used for: 
v