There are 3 main types of diagrams in Writing Task 1 Academic:
a.) Dynamic graphs
b.) Static graphs <– we’re talking about this one
c.) Diagrams (Maps, Processes)
In this post I will show you how to write about static graphs.
If you want a more advanced, in-depth, intensive guide to IELTS Static Graph essays, check out my 28-page IELTS Writing Task 1 Workbook. Practice graph-specific, high-band sentence structures, learn the best ways to organise information and see exclusive high-band examples.
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Fortunately, the essay structure for every type of Task 1 is basically the same.
Structure: Task 1 – Academic
4 paragraphs
1.) Summary / Introduction
2.) Overview
3.) Body 1
4.) Body 2
What are static graphs?
Static graphs are graphs that contain data in only 1 time period.
For example:
In this graph there are 3 age groups, but no time period is mentioned. We understand that all the data comes from the same time period.
In this graph, only 1 time period is mentioned: 2019. We understand that all time data comes from 2019.
Again, there are 2 different graphs, but no time period is mentioned. These are 2 static graphs.
In contrast, this is a dynamic graph. This is because it has 2 or more time periods. In this graph the data is measured in 3 time periods: 2005, 2010 and 2015.
As a result, the main features of static graphs are not changes (like in a dynamic graph), but instead the main features are proportions and popularity.
1.) Static Graph Introduction / Summary
The introduction paragraph in Task 1 only needs to be 1 or 2 sentences. Like all IELTS Writing Task 1 essays, your introduction should present the main purpose of the graph to the reader in your own words. This means paraphrasing the official IELTS diagram description if you can.
Again, static graphs only record data in 1 time period, which affects the language we use in the introduction. This language table can help you create static introductions. Notice that there is no time period mentioned at the end.
| – The graph presents data (paraphrased) | - Data: | – Who or Where |
| The graph shows … The graph measures … The graph explains … The graph provides data about … |
the choices of … the preferences of … the popularity of … the average age of the [topic] preferred by … the different [topics] chosen by… |
Who: married couples people aged between 16 and 29 university graduates based on a survey job applicants and employers
Where: |
Here are some example introductions to IELTS Task 1 Static Graphs:
The chart gives information about marriage and children in a selection of countries.
- The graph provides data about + the average age of married couples, as well as their average number of children per couple + in a variety of countries.
- The graph measures + how old couples are on average when they get married, as well as how many children they have + in a selection of different countries.
Here’s another example:
- The graph shows + the sectors of employment chosen + by graduates of Brighton University in 2019.
- The pie graph provides data about + the popularity of different job sectors + among graduates from Brighton University in 2019.
- The pie graph reveals + the various job markets entered + by Brighton graduates in 2019.
You try! – Write an introduction sentence for this static task. Use the table above to help you.
2.) Static Graph Overview
The purpose of the overview paragraph is to give a short summary of the main features. Static graphs show data in only one time period, so the main overall features are usually proportions or popularity of different categories. These features can include the most popular, the highest amount, the most chosen or the least popular, the lowest or least preferred.
Importantly, (just like dynamic graphs) you should describe these proportions in words – do not use any specific numbers or data points from the graph.
Here are some useful phrases you can use to describe these main features in words.
| The most popular / highest groups: | The least popular / lowest groups: | Similarities / Other features: |
| – Overall, we can see that … 16 to 17 year olds used the library the most out of all age groups. - Overall, we can see that … printed books were by far the most popular out of the 3 categories. – Overall, we can see that … Danish families seemed to have the highest number of children per couple.– This topic made up a large portion of graduates. |
- … whereas cycling to work was the least popular way of commuting. – … while painting classes saw the lowest participation among all 4 categories.” - Meanwhile, 50-70 year-olds were the least interested in using audiobooks.” |
– … [X] and [Y] were equally represented / preferred / chosen
– … the majority of countries had roughly the same levels of children per couple. |
Here are some example overview paragraphs using the Task 1 graphs from earlier:
Main features:
+ Highest # of children: Kenya and India | Highest marriage age: AUS-NL-UK-DN
– Youngest marriage age: Kenya and India
+/- Exceptions: USA and China
- Overall, we can see that + there are large discrepancies between certain countries in terms of marriage age and family size. A select group of countries, Australia, the Netherlands, the UK and Denmark, had the latest marriage age and a similar amount of children. Meanwhile, the nations with the youngest marriage age, namely Kenya and India, had some of the highest numbers of children per couple. China and the United States are the only notable outliers of these two trends.
- Overall, we can see that + Kenya had the largest margin between marriage age and number of children, ahead of India. However, the majority of the countries surveyed showed a similar number of children. In contrast, China and the United States were the only nations outside of this trend.
Main features:
+ Most popular sector: Service industries
– Smallest sectors: civil service, transportation, science and technology + others
+/- Similar levels: Education, politics, manufacturing – make up around 33%
- Overall, we can see that + a significant majority of graduates entered the service industry. Education, manufacturing and politics and government also made up a large portion of Bright graduates, while the remaining amount was divided between six other work sectors.
- Overall, we can see that + the service industry was the most chosen job sector among graduates. Around a third of all graduates were spread across manufacturing, education and politics and government, while the remaining third of Bright graduates entered industries ranging from civil service to transportation and warehousing.
You try! – Write an overview paragraph for this static task. Use the table above to help you. The main features have been highlighted for you.
Main features:
+ most common choice: printed books in all age groups
– X
+/- similarly small: e-books and audiobooks
The chart shows data about reading among people under 30 years old.
My in-depth workbook explains the best way to organise and write your IELTS Task 1 Overview Paragraphs, as well as gives you the specific vocabulary and grammar for pie graphs, bar graphs, tables and more!
3.) Body Paragraphs
Next are the Body paragraphs of your Task 1 report. You can write 2 or 3 Body paragraphs.
Body paragraphs describe the main features in detail, including specific numbers from the graph. The data and features of a body paragraph should be similar in some way.
For example, you should describe the most popular categories together in one body paragraph. Then write about the least popular categories in a new body paragraph.
I usually use my overview paragraph to guide the structure of my body paragraphs.
Here is the complete example of a Task 1 static graph essay using the images from before:
Introduction: The graph provides data about the average age of married couples, as well as their average number of children per couple in a variety of countries.
Overview: Overall, we can see that there are large discrepancies between certain countries in terms of marriage age and family size. A select group of countries, Australia, the Netherlands, the UK and Denmark, had the latest marriage age and a similar amount of children. Meanwhile, the nations with the youngest marriage age, namely Kenya and India, had some of the highest numbers of children per couple. China and the United States are the only notable outliers of these two trends.
Body 1: (marriage age together)
Beginning with the latest marriage age, 4 nations waited until after 30 years old to get married, including Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Denmark. Danish couples had the highest average of around 33 years old. In contrast, Kenyan, Indian and Chinese couples were notably younger. The average in Kenya was 22 years old, while India’s was 24 and China’s a year older than that.
Body 2: (number of children together + Exceptions)
Kenya and India, however, both had higher numbers of children per couple. Kenyan and Indian couples had on average 3 and 2.5 children respectively. American couples averaged the same number of children per couple, although their marriage age was closer to that of the 4 highest nations, which only typically had just under 2 children. China was another outlier in this regard, listing only 1.5 children per couple. (255 words)
Introduction: The graph shows the sectors of employment chosen by graduates of Brighton University in 2019.
Overview: Overall, we can see that a significant majority of graduates entered the service industry. Education, manufacturing and politics and government also made up a large portion of Bright graduates, while the remaining amount was divided between six other work sectors.
Body 1: (Biggest proportions together)
Starting with the most chosen sector on the graph, 33.0% of Brighton graduates entered service industries, making it the largest portion of the pie graph by some margin. Meanwhile, collectively the manufacturing industry, education sector and politics and government made up around a third of the graph. Manufacturing received 16.3%, education 14.7% and politics and government posted 12.1%. In total these 4 employment sectors account for almost three quarters of the whole graph.
Body 2: (Smaller portions together)
In regards to the less popular industries, 7.8% of graduates entered the transportation and warehousing sector while 7.3% entered science and technology fields. Civil service is the only remaining comparable sector, with 5.6%. The other sectors received small fractions of total graduates, with “Other” accounting for 2.8%, charity 0.3% and sport just 0.1%. (203 words)
You try! – Write the body paragraphs for this static task. Use the examples above to help you.
The chart shows data about reading among people under 30 years old.
Introduction: The graph provides data about different book formats used by 3 different age groups.
Overview: Overall, we can see that printed books were the clear favourite across all age groups. Meanwhile, e-book and audiobook formats were only about a quarter as popular, though also spread evenly in popularity among the age groups questioned.
There you go! A high-band approach, several examples and a reliable framework for you to use in your own IELTS Writing test.
Questions? Write them in a comments below.
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I’ve uploaded 28 more pages of high-band grammar, vocabulary and essay writing advice in my Static Graph workbook. If you want more practice and to see the structures behind high-band IELTS essays and sentences, click the image or click here to see more.
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