To take an example, look at this question: Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give

longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime. Discuss both views and give your opinion. ake a look at this essay question and introduction. The thesis statement is in red: Question: Blood sports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. Blood sports should be banned. To what extent to you agree or disagree? Sample IELTS essay introduction: Despite the fact that killing animals for sport is popular in modern society, it remains a contentious issue. (thesis) I believe that blood sports are cruel and uncivilized and so should be banned as soon as possible. In order to write the first sentence of the IELTS essay conclusion, you can paraphrase your thesis statement - remember to use a phrase to make it clear it is a conclusion: To conclude, it is clear that blood sports must be prohibited as no civilized society should allow the pain and suffering of animals simply for fun. For your final sentence, you can give some personal opinions, hopes, fears, or recommendations about the future. I hope that governments around the world discuss this issue with haste and forbid this inhumane type of sport as soon as possible. This then, is the full IELTS essay conclusion: To conclude, it is clear that blood sports must be prohibited as no civilized society should allow the pain and suffering of animals simply for fun. I hope that governments around the world discuss this issue with haste and forbid this inhumane type of sport as soon as possible.

Further IELTS Essay Conclusion Examples

Question:

Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Introduction: Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional medicine and it is still used by many people all over the world. I am unconvinced that it is dangerous, and feel that both alternative and conventional medicine can be useful. Conclusion: To sum up, I strongly believe that conventional medicine and alternative therapies can and should coexist. They have different strengths, and can both be used effectively to target particular medical problems. The best situation would be for alternative therapies to be used to support and complement conventional medicine. _________________________________________________ Question: Some people believe the aim of university education is to help graduates get better jobs. Others believe there are much wider benefits of university education for both individuals and society. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Introduction: These days, more and more people are making the choice to go to university. While some people are of the opinion that the only purpose of a university education is to improve job prospects, others think that society and the individual benefit in much broader ways. Conclusion: All in all, I believe that although a main aim of university education is to get the best job, there are clearly further benefits. If we continue to promote and encourage university attendance, it will lead to a better future for individuals and society. _________________________________________________ Question: Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today.

What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue? Introduction: Probably the most worrying threat to our planet at the present time is global warming. This essay will examine the reasons why global warming is occurring and discuss some possible solutions. Conclusion: To conclude, although global warming is a serious issue, there are steps that governments and individuals can take to reduce its effects. If we are to save our planet, it is important that this is treated as a priority for all concerned.

Lesson 1: IELTS Task 1

Describing a Graph Over Time
This lesson explains how to describe a line graph or bar chart for IELTS task 1 that is over time. This uses an example of a bar chart, but it will be the same for a line graph. When you get a chart or graph to describe, it is always important to check whether there is a time frame or not. If there is, you will need to use the language of change. However, it is not enough just to describe the changes of each element (ActiveX, Java and Net in this case) on their own and ignore how they relate to each other. Look at the question you are asked to compare the data as well. So you must also compare the elements where relevant in your IELTS task 1. You must also group datatogether to make sure you have a well organized and coherent answer. To do this, you need to look for similarities and differences when you first analyze the graph for IELTS task 1, and decide what can be logically put together or not. Now look at the bar chart below and read the IELTS task 1 model answer. The bar chart shows the number of times per week (in 1000s), over five weeks, that three computer packages were downloaded from the internet. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Model Answer The bar chart illustrates the download rate per week of ActiveX, Java and Net computer packages over a period of five weeks. It can clearly be seen that ActiveX was the most popular computer package to download, whilst Net was the least popular of the three. To begin, ActiveX and Java showed a similar pattern, with both gradually increasing from week 1 to week 5. However, the purchases of Active X remained significantly higher than for the other product over this time frame. In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000, while those for Java were about 30,000 lower. With the exception of a slight fall in week 4, downloading of ActiveX kept increasing until it reached a peak in the final week of just over 120,000. Java also increased at a steady rate, finishing the period at 80,000. The product that was downloaded the least was Net. This began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks to reach a low of approximately 25,000. It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which was well below that of ActiveX. (Words 197)

Language of Change

As you can see, there are several examples of this in the graph, so it is important to learn how to use these correctly in order to successfully write an IELTS task 1 chart over time. Here are some examples: gradually increasing a slight fall kept rising reached a peak increased at a steady rate fell increased sharply a low of finish at stood at finishing the period at You will need to practice this type of language, and also make sure you know a variety of structures to get a better score if you keep repeating the same kind of phrases this will show you have a more limited range of lexis and grammar.

Making Comparisons
In IELTS task 1, you must also compare the data as you are asked to do in the rubric. If you just write about what happened to ActiveX, what happened to Java, and what happened to Net, without showing any relationship between them, this wont be enough. Here are some examples of where comparisons are made between the products in the IELTS task 1 graph, and the language of comparison is highlighted in black: It can clearly be seen that ActiveX was the most popularcomputer package to download, whilst Net was the least popular of the three ActiveX and Java showed a similar trend, with bothgradually increasing from week 1 to week 5 However, the purchases of Active X remained significantlyhigher than for the other product over this time frame. In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000,while those for Java were about 30,000 lower Java also increased at a steady rate, finishing the period at 80,000 The product that was downloaded the least was Net. This began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks

It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which was well below that of ActiveX

Grouping the Data

It is a good idea to divide your answer into paragraphs so it is well organized. To do this, you should group similar things together into paragraphs or sections. If you look at the chart, you will see that ActiveX and Java have a similar pattern, both steadily increasing over the period (apart from the slight fall of ActiveX in week 4), so these could be put together: To begin, ActiveX and Java showed a similar trend, with both gradually increasing from week 1 to week 5. However, the purchases of Active X remained significantly higher than for the other product over this time frame. In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000, while those for Java were about 30,000 lower. With the exception of a slight fall in week 4, downloading of ActiveX kept rising until it reached a peak in the final week of just over 120,000. Java also increased at a steady rate, finishing the period at 80,000. On the other hand, Net is the lowest and it has a different pattern falling and then rising again. So this could be described in another paragraph: The product that was downloaded the least was Net. This began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks to a low of approximately 25,000. It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which was well below that of ActiveX. There is usually more than one way to group the data for an IELTS task 1, so this needs to be your decision. As long as it is logical and makes your answer easy to follow and read, this should be ok.

Lesson 2: Describing an IELTS Pie Chart

This lesson will provide you with tips and advice on how to write an IELTS pie chart for task 1. To begin, take a look at the pie chart below, and then answer the quiz questions.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The pie charts show the main reasons for migration to and from the UK in 2007. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main

features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

IELTS Pie Chart Quiz

1. What is the best way to organize your answer? Write one paragraph about immigration and one about emigration Write about the pie charts together, comparing each of the reasons

2. What tense should you use to write about the IELTS pie chart? Past Present

3. Can you talk about increases and decreases when describing the information?

Yes No

Lesson 1: IELTS Task 1

Describing a Graph Over Time
This lesson explains how to describe a line graph or bar chart for IELTS task 1 that is over time. This uses an example of a bar chart, but it will be the same for a line graph. When you get a chart or graph to describe, it is always important to check whether there is a time frame or not. If there is, you will need to use the language of change. However, it is not enough just to describe the changes of each element (ActiveX, Java and Net in this case) on their own and ignore how they relate to each other. Look at the question you are asked to compare the data as well. So you must also compare the elements where relevant in your IELTS task 1. You must also group datatogether to make sure you have a well organized and coherent answer. To do this, you need to look for similarities and differences when you first analyze the graph for IELTS task 1, and decide what can be logically put together or not. Now look at the bar chart below and read the IELTS task 1 model answer. The bar chart shows the number of times per week (in 1000s), over five weeks, that three computer packages were downloaded from the internet. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Model Answer The bar chart illustrates the download rate per week of ActiveX, Java and Net computer packages over a period of five weeks. It can clearly be seen that ActiveX was the most popular computer package to download, whilst Net was the least popular of the three. To begin, ActiveX and Java showed a similar pattern, with both gradually increasing from week 1 to week 5. However, the purchases of Active X remained significantly higher than for the other product over this time frame. In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000, while those for Java were about 30,000 lower. With the exception of a slight fall in week 4, downloading of ActiveX kept increasing until it reached a peak in the final week of just over 120,000. Java also increased at a steady rate, finishing the period at 80,000. The product that was downloaded the least was Net. This began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks to reach a low of approximately 25,000. It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which was well below that of ActiveX. (Words 197)

Language of Change

As you can see, there are several examples of this in the graph, so it is important to learn how to use these correctly in order to successfully write an IELTS task 1 chart over time. Here are some examples: gradually increasing a slight fall kept rising reached a peak increased at a steady rate fell increased sharply a low of finish at stood at finishing the period at You will need to practice this type of language, and also make sure you know a variety of structures to get a better score if you keep repeating the same kind of phrases this will show you have a more limited range of lexis and grammar.

Making Comparisons
In IELTS task 1, you must also compare the data as you are asked to do in the rubric. If you just write about what happened to ActiveX, what happened to Java, and what happened to Net, without showing any relationship between them, this wont be enough. Here are some examples of where comparisons are made between the products in the IELTS task 1 graph, and the language of comparison is highlighted in black: It can clearly be seen that ActiveX was the most popularcomputer package to download, whilst Net was the least popular of the three ActiveX and Java showed a similar trend, with bothgradually increasing from week 1 to week 5 However, the purchases of Active X remained significantlyhigher than for the other product over this time frame. In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000,while those for Java were about 30,000 lower Java also increased at a steady rate, finishing the period at 80,000

The product that was downloaded the least was Net. This began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which was well below that of ActiveX

Grouping the Data

It is a good idea to divide your answer into paragraphs so it is well organized. To do this, you should group similar things together into paragraphs or sections. If you look at the chart, you will see that ActiveX and Java have a similar pattern, both steadily increasing over the period (apart from the slight fall of ActiveX in week 4), so these could be put together: To begin, ActiveX and Java showed a similar trend, with both gradually increasing from week 1 to week 5. However, the purchases of Active X remained significantly higher than for the other product over this time frame. In week 1, purchases of ActiveX stood at around 75,000, while those for Java were about 30,000 lower. With the exception of a slight fall in week 4, downloading of ActiveX kept rising until it reached a peak in the final week of just over 120,000. Java also increased at a steady rate, finishing the period at 80,000. On the other hand, Net is the lowest and it has a different pattern falling and then rising again. So this could be described in another paragraph: The product that was downloaded the least was Net. This began at slightly under 40,000, and, in contrast to the other two products, fell over the next two weeks to a low of approximately 25,000. It then increased sharply over the following two weeks to finish at about 50,000, which was well below that of ActiveX. There is usually more than one way to group the data for an IELTS task 1, so this needs to be your decision. As long as it is logical and makes your answer easy to follow and read, this should be ok.

Lesson 3: IELTS Process Diagram

It is less common in the writing test, but sometimes you will get anIELTS process diagram to describe. This should follow the same format as any task 1: 1. Introduce the diagram 2. Give an overview of the main point/s

3. Give the detail

Follow this link about how to write a task 1. However, there are different types of task 1 (line graphs, pie charts, maps etc) and each requires knowledge of a certain type of language. This lesson will look at how to write an IELTS process diagram for task 1.

What is an IELTS Process Diagram?

To begin, look at this question:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram illustrates the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building industry. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

A process will have a number of stages that are in time order. So you should start at the beginning, and describe each stage through to the last one. In the example above, this is fairly clear. It begins with the digging of the clay, and ends with delivery. Processes are not always this clear, and you may have to look more carefully to spot the beginning, and there may also be two things happening at the same time. So it is important that you look at other sample processes to get a good understanding of how they can vary.

Introduce the Diagram

As with any task 1, you can begin by paraphrasing the rubric: The diagram explains the way in which bricks are made for the building industry. As you can see, this has been taken from the question, but it has not been copied. You need to write it in your own words.

Highlight the main points

An IELTS process diagram is different to a line, bar, pie chart or table in that there are not usually key changes or trends to identify. However, you should still give an overview of what is taking place. The public band descriptors state that to achieve a band 6 or more for task response the student must provide an overview in a task 1. As there are no trends to comment on, you can make a comment on, for example, the number of stages in the process and how itbegins and ends: Overall, there are eight stages in the process, beginning with the digging up of clay and culminating in delivery.

Giving the detail

Now you need to explain the IELTS process diagram, and there are two key aspects of language associated with this: Time Connectors A process is a series of events, one taking place after the other. Therefore, to connect your stages, you should use time connectors. Here is the rest of the answer with the time connectors highlighted (notice that you simply go from the beginning to the end of the process): To begin, the clay used to make the bricks is dug up from the ground by a large digger. This clay is then placed onto a metal grid, which is used to break up the clay into smaller pieces. A roller assists in this process. Following this, sand and water are added to the clay, and this mixture is turned into bricks by either placing it into a mould or using a wire cutter. Next, these bricks are placed in an oven to dry for 24 48 hours. In the subsequent stage, the bricks go through a heating and cooling process. They are heated in a kiln at a moderate and then a high temperature (ranging from 200c to 1300c),followed by a cooling process in a chamber for 2 3 days.Finally, the bricks are packed and delivered to their destinations. These connectors are the same you would use to write a graph over time when you explain a series of changes.

These are some common IELTS process diagram connectors:

To begin Following this Next Then After After that Before** Subsequently Finally

** If you use before, this means that you will be mentioning a later stage before an earlier stage, so you need to use it carefully. If you can use it properly though, it will get noticed. Here is an example using stages four and five: Before being dried in the oven, the mixture is turned into bricks by either placing it into a mould or using a wire cutter. The Passive When we describe an IELTS process, the focus is on the activities, NOT the person doing them. When this is the case, we use the passive voice, not the active. This is a brief explanation of how to use the passive voice, but if you are new or unsure about using it, you should do some further study and practice. Most sentences use this structure: Subject + Verb + Object (S) A large digger (V) digs up (O) the clay in the ground. In the active voice (as above), the digger is doing the verb i.e. the digger is doing the digging. When we use the passive voice, we make the object (the clay) the subject, and make the subject (the digger) the object. We also add in the verb to be and the past participle (or Verb 3). (S) The clay in the ground (V) is dug up (O) by the digger.

So throughout most of your description for your IELTS process diagram, you should be using the passive voice. This is difficult as some verbs cannot take the passive. For example, 'to go' cannot be passive, so it is kept in the active voice: ...the bricks go through a heating and cooling process. This is why you need to make sure you practice the passive so you know exactly how to use it. Also, as you will see from the description, it is more usual to to comment on who or what is doing the action so the 'by...." phrase is excluded. Here is the same example description with uses of the passive highlighted: To begin, the clay (which is) used to make the bricks is dug up from the ground by a large digger. This clay is thenplaced onto a metal grid, which is used to break up the clay into smaller pieces. A roller assists in this process. Following this, sand and water are added to the clay, and this mixture is turned into bricks by either placing it into a mould or using a wire cutter. Next, these bricks are placed in an oven to dry for 24 48 hours. In the subsequent stage, the bricks go through a heating and cooling process. They are heated in a kiln at a moderate and then a high temperature (ranging from 200c to 1300c), followed by a cooling process in a chamber for 2 3 days. Finally, the bricks are packed and delivered to their destinations.

Varying your Language

Sometimes it may be appropriate just to use the same language that you are given in the IELTS process diagram to describe it, but you should try to vary it. You may be able to use nouns from the diagram as your verbs. For example, the noun packaging in stage seven becomes: Finally, the bricks are packed

Lesson 11: IELTS Task 1 Line Graph

In this lesson we'll look at an IELTS task 1 line graph in order to help you understand how to deal with 'age groups' and to show you how it is possible to organize an answer in different ways. There is usually more than one way to write about a graph. Each person may view it in a different way and decide on a different way to present the information. One way is not necessarily better than another. However, if one way is difficult to follow, then this is obviously not the best choice. What is important when you plan a task one is to think about how you can organize your graph in the most logical and clear way. This often means grouping the information in some way, and you can do this by looking for patterns - look for similarities and diffferences. This sample IELTS task 1 line graph is divided up into age groups. Although a graph like this is not over time as such, it can still be viewed in this way as it is showing how something changes over different ages - in this case, how certain factors in a neighbourhood when choosing a new home vary over age. Take a look at the following question, the graph below, and the model answers.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The line graph shows the percentage of people of different age groups and how they rate a set of factors in terms of importance when buying a new home. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Model Answer 1 - Organizing by Factors

The line graph illustrates the importance, measured in percentages, that four ages groups place on five different factors when they move to a new home. It is immediately apparent that a low crime rate is the most important variable across all the age groups. Of all the factors, the desire for a low crime rate is by far the most important. Amongst the all the age groups this figure stands at around 80%, with the middle aged and elderly viewing it as slightly more important. Next, schools are seen as very important by a significant proportion of 25 to 44 year olds although the percentages drop significantly as people get older, with just under 25% of 55 to 64 year olds viewing this as important. Shopping facilities, being chosen by around 13%, are not viewed with such importance as schools and crime by the younger age groups. However, as people get older, this increases in importance to approximately 30%, and, as would be expected, is actually more important than schools to those over 55. Finally, although increasing in importance with age, neither parks nor public transport are viewed to be as important as the other factors by any of the groups.

Comments
As you can see in this answer to the IELTS task 1 line graph, the candidate has organized the answer mainly around the 'factors'. Each one is described in turn, starting with the most important, low crime. Less is said about those that are not viewed as so important (parks and public transport).

Notice that the graph does not talk about each factor in isolation, but makes comparisons across the factors and groups. For example: Of all the factors, the desire for a low crime rate is by far the most important. Shopping facilities are not viewed with such importance asschools and crime by the younger age groups. With an IELTS task 1 line graph you should always avoid simply discussing each point on a graph with no reference of how it relates to the other points.

Model Answer 2 - Organizing by Age Groups

The line graph illustrates the importance, measured in percentages, that four ages groups place on five different factors when they move to a new home. It is immediately apparent that a low crime rate is the most important variable across all the age groups. The factors that are very important when purchasing a new house are very similar for the first two age groups. A low crime rate represents the greatest percentage of these groups at around 80%, though it is slightly higher for those aged 35 to 44. Schools as a factor is again very similar at around 60% for the younger age group, but dropping to around 45-50% for 35 to 44 year olds. A much lower percentage rate shopping, parks and public transport as important.

Turning to those aged over 45, low crime accounted for the largest proportion at approximately 80%, similar to those of a younger age. In constast to the younger goups though, schooling was far less important, falling to below 25% for those aged over 55. This older group rated them as less important than shopping facilities. In fact, shopping facilities, parks and public transport all become more important factors as people get older.

Comments
This IELTS task 1 line graph has been organized primarily around theage groups. The candidate has decided that the first two age groups are fairly similar and so can be grouped together, and the second two age group have similarities. The differences between the under 44s and over 44s have also been highlighed. For example: Turning to those aged over 45, low crime accounted for the largest proportion at approximately 80%, similar to those of a younger age.

Summary
This lesson has been about how to write about age groups and examples of how answers may be organized differently. Although this was about an IELTS task 1 line graph, it applies to any graphs or charts in task 1, such as bar graphs or pie charts. You need to make sure that you spend a few minutes analyzing the graph and deciding on the best way to organize it so it will be easy to follow when the examiner reads it.

Prepositions for graphs

It is very important that you know how to correctly use prepositions in the IELTS writing task 1. Certain prepostions go with certain words when you use thelanguage of change. If you put them in the wrong place or use the wrong preposition you may confuse what you are trying to say.

First, take a look at this graph model answer and notice how some of the prepositions are used. They have been highlighted.

Sample Task 1 Answer

The line graph compares the number of car thefts per thousand of the population in four countries from 1990 to 1999. Overall, it can be seen that car thefts were far higher in Great Britain than in the other three counties throughout the whole time frame. To begin, car thefts in Sweden, France and Canada followed a fairly similar pattern over the first five years, all remaining at between 5 and 10 per thousand. The general trend though for France and Canada was a decline in the number of vehicles stolen over the period, with both at around 6 in 1999. In contrast, Sweden experienced an upward trend, starting the period at approximately 8, and finishing atjust under 15. Interestingly, car thefts in Great Britain started at 18 per thousand, which far exceeded that of the other countries. It then fluctuated over the next nine years, reaching a peak of 20 thefts per 1000 in 1996, and ending the period slightly lower than where it began, atapproximately 17 per thousand.

Practice
Now, take a look at the sentences below. Decide which prepostion from the box should go in the gap and write it in. Write in small letters and do not leave any gaps or your answer may get marked as wrong.

with to

at between

in from

by to

at of

1. In may, the price of gold rose slightly

$1,500.

2. Holidays to foreign destinations remained constant for the last two months of the year. 3. Profits increased

about 85,000 per month

4 million dollars to 6 million dollars last year. 125%.

4. From 2001 to 2010, the price of electricity has increased 5. Bike sales reached a peak 20,000 in September.

6. There is a sharp increase in traffic levels from 8am to 9am, cars traveling on the road. 7. The last decade has seen a steep increase with diabetes.

nearly 3000

the number of people diagnosed

8. At the start of the year, the turnover of the company stood 9. During the summer, student numbers at the school fluctuate per week. 10. Following this, the number then fell
Clear

1.3 million. 150 and 170

a low of 20 per month.

Score = Correct answers: