WRITING MODULE

TASK 1

1. Task 1 requires candidates to write a

minimum of 150 words in 20 minutes.

2. In Task 1 candidates are asked to look

at a diagram or table and to present the
information in their own words.
** using words to interpret factual information
presented in graphic and diagrammatic form
( you ARE NOT required to give any explanation for
the data )

3. Task types may involve describing

information from :

- a bar graph / histogram

- a pie chart

- a table

4. Candidates are assessed on their ability

to :

* organise, present and possibly

compare data

5. Task 1 is assessed on the following

criteria :

- task fulfillment
- coherence and cohesion

- vocabulary
- sentence structure

5. Scripts under the required

minimum word limit will be penalized.

ACADEMIC WRITING

TASK 1

You are expected to:

* Understand and interpret information
presented in non-linear texts.
* Organize, present and compare data. (
describe facts, figures, trends and
summarising data )

4-Step Guide in completing Task 1

successfully :
Step 1 ( 2 minutes)
* Understand the topic title, headings,
horizontal & vertical axes.
* Understand the question
* Understand the requirements
* Understand the process/procedure and
how something works

Step 2 ( 3 minutes)

Plan your
* introduction summarise the topic,
introduce the graph (eg. The graph shows)
* body - state the main point and other
interesting/important points ( begin with
general then specific details )
* conclusion restate the main points

Step 3 ( 12 minutes )

Write answer on Answer Sheet

* Introduction
* Body
* Conclusion

Step 4 ( 3 minutes )

Check your writing. Check the

content
language
presentation

Planning your essay

* Identify the overall subject of the visual
information
* Identify the main factor(s) being measured.
* Decide the main comparisons.
* Concentrate on any obvious correlations or
contrast in figures.

Paragraph 1 ( INTRODUCTION )

i)

One sentence to introduce the illustration

* DO NOT COPY title of an illustration
or question word for word

3 methods :
Change of words
Eg. The two pie charts show the proportion of
males and females in employment in 6
broad categories.
The two pie charts give the proportion of
men and women employed in 6 broad
areas.
1.

2. Change of structure
Eg. The two pie charts show the proportion of
males and females in employment in 6
broad categories.
The two pie charts show, in 6 broad
categories, the proportion of males and
females in employment.

3. Change the way you express the time

period :
Eg. The graph in Figure 1 shows the total
grain harvest area in millions of hectares
between 1950 and 1960.
The graph in Figure 1 shows the total grain
harvest area in millions of hectares over a
10-year period.

Paragraph 2 ( DESCRIPTION )

i) Do not describe all the data presented.

ii)Demonstrate the relationships between the
data or show a trend. (general details)
iii)Describe the significant data; eg. the
highest, the lowest. (specific details)
iv)Group the data, show comparison or corelation if possible.

General
* The Pacific Ocean has
shown an increase in the
catch of fish.
* The total of fish consumed
in China and Japan is more
than the total of fish
consumed in the US, Russia
and India

Specific
* It has increased from 31
tonnes in 1975 to 55 tonnes
in 1995.
* The total of fish consumed
in China and Japan is about
29 tonnes.

Language of Data Analysis & Comment

Describing Trends
Upward
Movement

Downward
Movement

Stable

increase

decrease

remain constant

climb

drop

levelled off

rise

fall; decline

reach a plateau

peak

plunge

stabilised

pick up

plummet

even out

go up

go down

remain unchanged

Describing Change
Speed of Change
Adjective
gradual
steady
slow
quick
rapid

Adverb
gradually
steadily
slowly
quickly
rapidly

Describing Change
Size of Change
Adjective
slight
substantial
considerable
significant
dramatic

Adverb
slightly
substantially
considerably
significantly
dramatically

Describing Trends
Gross Domestic Product, 2005 to 2015 (projected)
22
5
20
Variable 1:
1
18
item being
16
measured,
4
14
2
e.g. GDP,
12
3
in $100M
10
8
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Variable 2: item for comparison or perspective, e.g. time
1: to fall/to decline/to decrease steadily/gradually

4: will begin/is predicted to rise steadily

2: to drop sharply/steeply/dramatically

5: to reach a new high of/a peak of

3: to remain constant

Describing Quantities
Words that specify quantity
All

Quite a lot

A little

Almost all

Some

Only a little

The majority
Many
Most
A lot

Quite a few
Only a few

A minority
none

Describing Numbers
Words that specify numbers
well over

approximately

slightly under/
less

slightly over /
more

around

under

over

about

well under

Summarizing Data
* When summarizing data, you need to:* Classify
* Compare & Contrast
* Show relationships

Classifying
* Classify the information presented in the
table or graph.
* Examples:
There are four different
types/kinds/categories/varieties of X
X can be divided/classified into four
different types/kinds/categories.

Comparing & Contrasting

To compare
Likewise
Similarly
The same as
In the same way
Just as

To contrast
While/whilst
Whereas
Conversely
In contrast
On the other hand
Unlike

Showing Relationships
* CORRELATION
* Discuss the connection between two kinds
of variables.

Paragraph 3 ( CONCLUSION )

i ) Restatement of the main points.

Describing stages of process/procedure,

an object or how something works :

1. Study the diagram and make sure you

understand how the process works.
2. Begin with an Introductory Sentence
which summarises the whole process.
3. Remember to use sequence expressions to
link the stages, eg. First, Next,
Meanwhile, During this process

Checklist
* Have I answered the question?
* Have I organized the information
coherently?
* Have I written in the correct register?
* Is my vocabulary appropriate and
interesting?
* Is my spelling accurate?

Outline of Task 1

1. Introduction
Introduce what is given
( DO NOT COPY title given )
2. Body/Content
- general to specific details (only significant details )
classify,compare/contrast,show r/ships
3. Conclusion
- restate of main points ( DO NOT give self opinion )

THE END