Master how to write IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction

From ancient times to the present, we have always believed that "if the beginning is smooth, the rest will follow." Therefore, the IELTS Writing Task 1 exam is no different. When you can write a perfect opening sentence, you will certainly find it easier to develop the remaining parts. So, do you know how to quickly and accurately write the Introduction for Task 1 in the IELTS Writing exam?
In the following article, prepedu.com would like to share with you how to write the IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction. Refer to the article now to easily achieve a high band score!

I. Structure of an IELTS Writing Task 1 essay

When developing an IELTS Writing Task 1 essay, we should have at least 3 paragraphs and at most 4 main paragraphs as follows:

• Introduction: Introduce the chart or data table being described.
• Overview: Provide an overall view of the author's article, highlighting the most significant information from the figure before delving into the details.
• Body 1: Present important information.
• Body 2: Present important information.

II. Methods & Techniques for Writing the IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction

1. How to write the IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction

The IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction typically consists of one sentence, aiming to introduce the chart or data table being described. The fastest way to write this part is to paraphrase the task statement based on identifying the following elements:

The chart / graph + shows / illustrates + What + Where + When

When writing the introduction, keep in mind:

• For verbs: It is recommended to use "show" or "illustrate." While there are many ways to express the meaning of "show," such as "demonstrate," "reveal," or "depict," in this context, "illustrate" is the closest in meaning. Therefore, it should be reflected in the vocabulary used in the paraphrase and throughout the essay, not necessarily in the introduction.
• What: What the chart is about; this is the main content of the paraphrase.
• Where: The country or location related to the chart. Usually, this information does not need to be paraphrased and should not be paraphrased to avoid conveying a different meaning (e.g., the UK and England are two different concepts).
• When: The time period of the chart. Pay attention to determine the verb tense throughout the essay.
• Recommended writing time: 3 minutes.

2. Common paraphrasing methods for IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction

The common paraphrasing methods used for writing the IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction are:

• Synonyms: This is the most common method that learners often think of when it comes to paraphrasing. However, it is also the most difficult to use accurately because synonyms may not always fit the context or collocation. Learners usually find synonyms for 2-3 words and combine them with other methods.
• Grammar: Change the grammatical structure, for example, changing the word form (e.g., "The chart below shows the unemployment rate in the US" → "The chart illustrates the rate of unemployed Americans").
• Order: Rearrange the order of information (e.g., "in the US, Canada, and Switzerland" → "in Canada, Switzerland, and the US").

3. IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction examples

Refer to the table below to learn some examples of writing the Introduction for Task 1 in various types of IELTS Writing test prompts.

Prompt	Image	Introduction sentence
The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.		The graph illustrates the average CO2 emissions per capita in four European countries: the United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden, and Italy from 1967 to 2007.
The maps show the changes made to a small museum and its surroundings in 1990 and 2010.		The maps depict how a small museum and its surrounding area changed between 1990 and 2010.
The graph shows the value in US dollars (in millions of dollars) of investment in funds of four categories from 1988 to 2014.		Between 1988 and 2014, the line graph depicts the amount of money invested in four financial assets: property, gold, fine art, and company shares.

For more information, please refer to the following article:

• How to Write a Conclusion in IELTS Writing Task 2 & 50 Sample Conclusions for Band 7.0+

III. Conclusion

In conclusion, you've probably learned how to write the IELTS Writing Task 1: Introduction from the article above, haven't you? PREP believes that the insights provided will prove highly beneficial for you to effectively implement in the IELTS Writing test. Should you have any further inquiries or find the information unclear, we encourage you to enroll in the IELTS course at prepedu.com.