IELTS Writing Task 1 question types

Seven visuals, one task

Know your visual before you plan your answer.

Task 1 always presents you with a visual to describe. It could be a bar chart, a line graph, a pie chart, a table, a map, a process diagram, or a combination of more than one. Each type calls for slightly different analysis and vocabulary.

Choose a visual type below for a full breakdown — analysis method, vocabulary, common mistakes, and a worked example.

Choose a visual type

Task 1 question types

Ready for the next step?

Learn the structure every Task 1 answer follows.

Once you know which visual you’re working with, review the overview-and-data framework that applies no matter which one you’re given.