{"id":38,"date":"2021-02-07T13:24:16","date_gmt":"2021-02-07T13:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ielts.englishprotips.com\/?p=38"},"modified":"2021-10-20T12:38:35","modified_gmt":"2021-10-20T12:38:35","slug":"dont-make-these-5-mistakes-in-task-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ielts.englishprotips.com\/dont-make-these-5-mistakes-in-task-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t make these 5 mistakes in Task 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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How to get a 7+ in Academic Task 1<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Don’t make these mistakes!<\/h3>

\u00a0<\/p>

In this lesson we look at the five most common mistakes that stop our students from getting a Band 7+ in IELTS Academic Task 1.\u00a0<\/p>

1. The wrong overview<\/h5>

According to the public band descriptors<\/a>, at Band 7 it is very important to have a “clear overview of main trends, differences, or stages”. If we choose the wrong overview, we cannot get a Band 7 for Task Achievement.\u00a0<\/p>

Here are some tips for writing an overview:<\/p>

  1. Spend 2-4 minutes analysing the graphic before you start writing. While you are doing this, think about what you will write in your overview and the order of your answer.<\/li>
  2. Put your overview at the beginning of your answer.\u00a0<\/li>
  3. Start with “Overall,”- this makes it very easy for the examiner to see that you have written an overview.\u00a0<\/li>
  4. \u00a0Look at the general trends of all of the different categories.\u00a0<\/li>
  5. Learn what to write in an overview for all of the different graphic types (table, process diagram, map diagram, graphics with future predictions).\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>

    To learn more about how to write an overview check out our Academic Task 1 IELTS Writing Course<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

    \u00a0<\/h5>
    2. Missing out one of the categories<\/h5>

    If the graphic has 8 countries, you should write about all 8 countries. Don’t miss out any of the categories. According to the public band descriptors<\/a>, if you miss out any of the “key features” you will get a 5 for Task Achievement.\u00a0<\/p>

    Some tips:<\/p>

    1. Check how many categories there are.\u00a0<\/li>
    2. Look for superlatives (e.g. the greatest\/smallest changes in data)<\/li>
    3. Think about how you can group the categories. (e.g. which countries increased, decreased, etc.)<\/li>
    4. Check if there are any predictions. If there are, make sure to mention these.\u00a0<\/li>
    5. If the graphic is a process diagram, write about all of the different stages.\u00a0<\/li>
    6. If the graphic is a map diagram, write about the differences between the two maps.\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>
      3. Not using logical paragraphs<\/h5>

      At band 7, you need to “logically organise information and ideas”<\/a> .<\/p>

      Here are some tips on how to structure your answer:\u00a0<\/p>

      1. Write at least two body paragraphs.\u00a0<\/li>
      2. Look for ways to group categories when you analyse the graphic.\u00a0<\/li>
      3. Avoid body paragraphs with only one sentence.\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>
        \u00a0<\/h5>
        4. Repeating the same sentence structure<\/h5>

        In the public band descriptors<\/a>, at Band 7 it says “uses a variety of\u00a0 complex structures”. If you use the same grammar over and over again, you are unlikely to even score above Band 5.\u00a0<\/p>

        Here are some grammar structures that are very useful for Academic Task 1.\u00a0<\/p>

        1. Non-defining relative clauses<\/li>
        2. The passive structure<\/li>
        3. Subordinate clauses with “before” and “after”<\/li>
        4. The past perfect form<\/li>
        5. Subordinate connectors<\/li><\/ol>

          We go through all of these advanced structures in our Academic Task 1 IELTS Writing Course<\/a><\/p>

          \u00a0<\/p>

          5. Explaining the data<\/h5>

          The question paper tells us to\u00a0<\/p>

          “Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

          If you try to explain the reasons for the data then you will lose marks (see the video above for examples). Instead, you should focus on making comparisons between the data.\u00a0<\/p>

          \u00a0<\/p>

          I hope that this has helped you. If you are interested in learning about how to get a Band 7+ in IELTS writing then become a Free Member of English Pro Tips.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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