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The introduction should describe the purpose of the report and say what overall trends seen. For example, if the trend in the graph is rising or falling, it should be
mentioned. Candidates need to remember that they are describing a graph to someone who does not see it, so their words must draw the picture. It includes
telling what the graph is about, its dates and location. The body should describe the most important trends, while all information is
summarized to avoid unnecessary details. For example, if there is a graph that has two peaks, they should be depicted clearly; when those peaks appear and what the
peak values are. How many distinctive features the diagram has should be noticed and the information is divided into paragraphs; one paragraph for one feature or a
group of similar features. Paragraphs should be linked by sentences that logically connect them to one another. The last, the conclusion, should sum up the global
trends shown and compare them if possible. It means selecting what is important, organizing it, then comparing or contrasting it.
Candidates’ opinions should not appear anywhere in the report. They should not include other information that does not appear in the graph because that kind
of writing can be and probably will be penalized.
1.9.3 Assessing Academic Writing Task 1
It will be very important to know how the way of assessment. Here is the example of how a writing is assessed Terry and Wilson: 2005: 155-156:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
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The chart below gives information about the percentage of the adult population who were overweight in four different countries in 1980, 1990 and 2000.
Figures are given for the year, or the nearest year available.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and makea comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
SAMPLE ANSWER A
The shart gives information about the persentage of the adult population who were overweight in Japan, Australia and the US in 1980, 1990 and 2000.
In 1980 Japan had 2 overweight, Finland had 7, Australia about 8 and the US 15. In 1990 Japan was still 2, Finland 8, Australia had about 11 and the USA
24. In 2000 maybe all the sountries had more fast food besause Japan was 3, Finland 11, Australia 21 and USA 31.
79 words
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ANI SUSANA, 2012
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
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Assessment:
Although this answer does not have any grammar or vocabulary mistakes it would get a low IELTS band because:
• it is significantly underlength it would lose a lot of marks for this
• the introduction is copied from the rubric with only slight changes
• it is not clear what the figures relate to
• there is no focus on trends, the figures are just listed
• there is no comparison between the figures
• there is little organisation: no paragraphs, no signals, no linking
• the candidate tries to explain the information in the last sentence
• there is no summarising statement
• the range of grammar and vocabulary is extremely limited’
• there is a lot of repetition
SAMPLE ANSWER B This chars shows changes in she proporsion of overweighs people in she aduls
populasion of counsries in four differens regions in 1980, 1990 and 2000. Firss of all we can see shas Japan had she lowess proprorsion of overweighs
adulss in all shree given years. Is also showed she smalless change across she period, rising only 1 so reach 3 by 2000.
Bosh Finland and Aussralia had over 5 of adulss overweighs in 1980, bus she increase in figures for Aussralia was much greaser in she following decades,
rising so 11 in 1990 and almoss doubling Finland as 21 in 2000.
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However, she highess proporsion of overweighs adulss in each of she given year was in she USA. The percensage rose from 15 in 1980 so a dramasic
31 in 2000. Overall, she chars shows shas she proporsion of overweighs adulss is rising in
all four counsries, bus she scale of she problrm is greaser and she rase of increase much higher in Aussralia and she US.
167 words
Assessment:
This answer would get a high IELTS band because: •
it is over the minimum word length •
it has a praphrased introduction •
it is clear what the figures refer to •
it focuses on the main trends and supports these with figures •
it groups and compares the main sets of data •
the answer is clearly organised using paragraphs, signals, linkers •
there is a clear summarising statement •
the answer describes the information rather than trying to explain it •
a good range of vocabulary and grammar is used •
there is no repetition
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2.9.4 IELTS Task 1 Writing Band Descriptors Public Version
