How Many Types Of Questions In IELTS Writing Task 1

IELTS is a popular exam taken by the students to prove their language proficiency for working or studying in an English-speaking country.

IELTS exam measures students proficiency in 4 different modules;

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

There are two types of IELTS exam;

• IELTS general training : This exam is for those who want to prove their language proficiency for immigration purposes (work permit or PR).
• IELTS academics : This exam is taken by those who want to prove language proficiency for study purposes.

In this blog, I will discuss how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 1. 

The reading and writing task 1 part of the IELTS exam is different for both exams, while the other parts are the same in both test types. 

Let’s start discussing questions in task 1 of IELTS for both types of IELTS exam without wasting any more time.

How Many Types Of Questions In IELTS Writing Task 1

The question types for both the types of IELTS exam are different. There are only 3 types of questions in IELTS general training while in IELTS academics there are 7 different types of questions.

To understand how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 1, you must understand the question types in both test types.

Let’s start with IELTS writing general training task 1 question types.

Type Of Questions In IELTS General Training Writing Task 1

There are three types of letters in the IELTS writing general training task 1;

• Personal (Informal)
• Semi-formal
• Formal

Personal (Informal)

A personal or informal letter is a type of letter you write to someone you know personally. The person can be your friend, family member, or relative.

Here is an example of a personal or informal letter in IELTS writing task 1;:

“Next year, one of your friends is going to start university, and he or she has asked for your advice on choosing a course. Write a letter to your friend giving your advice and explaining your reasons.”

Semi-formal

In a semi-formal letter, you write to someone you may know personally but do not have a close relationship with. You write this type of letter to a teacher, manager, or colleague.

Example of the semi-formal letter in IELTS writing task 1;

“You recently stayed at a hotel for a conference, but you were disappointed with the service. Write a letter to the hotel manager to express your dissatisfaction and suggest ways the hotel could improve.”

Formal

A letter that you write to a company or organization where you do not know the person personally. This type of letter you may write to the bank or university you want to apply to study.

Example of formal letter in IELTS writing task 1;

“You are a business owner who has been invited to speak at a conference on entrepreneurship. Write a letter to the conference organizer confirming your attendance and providing details about your speech.”

There is more on how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 1; let’s look at the writing task 1 question types for IELTS academics.

Type Of Questions In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

There are 7 types of questions in IELTS academic writing task 1.

1. Bar Chart.
2. Line Graph.
3. Table.
4. Pie Chart.
5. Process Diagram.
6. Map.
7. Multiple Graphs

Bar Chart

In this question type, the data is shown vertically in the form of bars, and this is the most common question asked in the IELTS writing task 1.

Here is an example of the Bar chart in IELTS writing task 1;

Line Graph

In this type of IELTS writing task 1 question, you will be given a line graph, as shown in the example below and asked to explain the graph.

Example of Line Graph in IELTS writing task 1 ;

Table Chart

This is the second most common type of question in IELTS writing task 1. In this question type, the examiner will give you some numbers in tabular form and ask you to explain the data. You are required to cover all the striking points that you can notice in the tabular chart.

Example of table chart question in IELTS writing task 1;

Pie Chart

In this question, the data is given in circular form like a pie, as shown below in the exam. There are chances that you may get more than one pie chart in one question.

Example of pie chart question in IELTS writing task 1;

Process Diagram

In these questions, there will be a process of manufacturing something or some natural process. You will be asked to explain the process properly without missing any necessary detail.

Example of process diagram question in IELTS writing task 1;

Map

In this, there can be 2 or 3 maps of a place, for example, a map of a place in the past, present, and future. You must look at the maps properly and ask them to give complete detail.

Example of map question in IELTS writing task 1;

Multiple Graphs

There will be more than one type of graph in this question type. This question combines two different types of charts in a single question.

Example of multiple graphs question in IELTS writing task 1;

Now when you understand how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 1, you must also know how you must answer the question in IELTS writing task 1. As it will help you to score required band score in IELTS writing task 1.

How To Answer IELTS Writing Task 1

After learning how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 1, you must also learn how to answer IELTS writing task 1.

A well-answered and well-structured IELTS writing task 1 answer will help you get a full band score in IELTS writing task 1.

If you want to score a full band score in IELTS writing task 1 you must follow the pattern I will mention below.

There must be a minimum of 4 paragraphs in IELTS writing task 1.

• Introduction
• Overview
• Body paragraph 1 (BP 1)
• Body paragraph 2 (BP 2)

Introduction

Start your answer with a clear introduction about the given topic. For this you can use your paraphrasing skill so that you can avoid repetition without changing the meaning of the sentence. In the introduction, mention the time period, given units, and the main trend of the topic.

Overview

In the overview, summarize the details given in the diagram or graph in task 1. There should be the key information about the given question in IELTS writing task 1. Include the highest or lowest values given in the task 1 question. 

Main Body Paragraphs (BP 1 & 2)

To describe and compare the content given in the IELTS writing task 1 question use separate paragraphs in your response. Use a variety of sentence structure and start each paragraph with the main point of the question. Use the numbers or data given in the question to support your statements in your response. Also use a wide range of vocabulary for a good band score.

Structure your answer of IELTS writing task 1 for the best result. If you use this format properly you will definitely get the best result.

Here is the sample answer of IELTS writing task 1 to make it easier to understand for you.

After learning about how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 1 and how to write IELTS writing task 1, here are some tips that you can follow to get a good band score in IELTS writing task 1.

Tips For IELTS Writing

Here, we will explain some of the best tips for the IELTS exam that you must follow if you are aiming to get a score of 7+ in IELTS writing. There will be tips for both tasks of IELTS writing.

1. Firstly, you must understand how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 2 and task 1. By this, you will understand what different IELTS writing tasks 2 and 1 you must prepare to get a good score.
2. Practice every writing task question type because you do not know what type of question you may get during the exam.
3. Learn some new vocabularies that you can use in your writing, and practice them by writing sentences using them.
4. Learn the best way to write the introduction for IELTS writing; this is because if your introduction is catchy and interesting, the examiner will read your essay with enthusiasm, and if it is not, then the examiner may get bored of reading your essay, and this may cause you band lose in IELTS` writing.
5. Ask a friend or a teacher to check your mistakes and try to improve your mistakes.
6. Give as many mock tests as you can.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have discussed how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 1. As the question types for both IELTS writing types are different, first decide what type of IELTS exam you must take.

It is important to understand the question types of an exam before taking the exam for the best results.

We hope we have cleared all your queries about how many types of questions in IELTS writing task 1. 

If you still have any questions or queries, please let us know through comments, and our experts will revert you as soon as possible.

Keep visiting Tackle IELTS for more interesting and informative content like this.

References: The example of the question types in IELTS writing task 1 taken from Cambridge official website.

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