IELTS Writing
IELTS Writing Task 1
Task 1 is worth a third of your Writing band. In Academic it is a data or process description; in General Training it is a letter. This hub explains both, the way an examiner marks them.
In short
- Academic Task 1 = describe a chart, graph, table, map or process in 150+ words.
- General Training Task 1 = a 150+ word letter (formal, semi-formal or informal).
- Both are marked on Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
Academic Task 1
Describe what the visual shows, select the key features, and report them accurately with a clear overview. Start with the full Academic Task 1 guide, or jump to a visual type:
General Training Task 1
Hit the right register for the reader, cover all three bullet points, and use the conventions of the letter type. Start with the full General Training letter guide, or jump to a letter type:
IELTS Writing Task 1 — common questions
What is IELTS Writing Task 1?+
In IELTS Academic, Task 1 asks you to describe a chart, graph, table, map or process in at least 150 words. In IELTS General Training, Task 1 is a letter of at least 150 words. You have about 20 minutes for it.
How many words should IELTS Task 1 be?+
At least 150 words. Writing under 150 words is penalised under Task Achievement. Aim for roughly 160–190 words — enough to cover the data or letter fully without padding.
Is Task 1 the same for Academic and General Training?+
No. Academic Task 1 is a data or process description; General Training Task 1 is a letter (formal, semi-formal or informal). Task 2 is an essay in both modules.
How much is Task 1 worth?+
Task 1 contributes one third of your Writing band; Task 2 contributes two thirds. Both are marked on the same four criteria, but Task 1 uses Task Achievement instead of Task Response.