IELTS Writing Task 1- Writing a report on Static Data

We will discuss about how to write on GRAPH,TABLE OR A PIE CHART, if the data is Static.

What I mean by Static is that either the graph is of one particular year or there is no year or date mentioned on it.

Lets understand with examples.

Here the data of the graph is of one particular year and that is 2012 and so we dont see that the data progressing year wise.

Here no year or date is mentioned and so again the data is not progressing according to time.

So we have a disadvantage here ,because we cannot compare a data of one year with the other years.

Like for example , we CANNOT use words like, "there is a sudeen increase, the data rose gradually,there was a dramatic decline,,etc" . Like what we used when describing " Trends"- we discussed earlier.

Those who have not done Trends graph  with me earlier, I will repeat it at a later date.Also do not think that you need to cover that in order to understand Static Graph(what we are learning now).Just focus and you will understand.Please ask if you have any doubts uptill now.

Now consider the following graph:

This is an example of Static graph as the data is only of one year,i.e 2010.

Now, the following should be the format or the plan for writing a report on this graph:

1.Write an introduction to the topic of the graph in your OWN word (Para 1)

You should use the lines describing the graph (The graph shows...in 2010) and rephrase them in your own words.

2.Give an overview of the main ideas of the graph (para 2)- Approx 4-6 lines.

 Here you see that Bernie's Buns is leading in sales in most of the categories.You can use this idea to write your overview.

3.Describe the most important details, including number(Para 3 and 4)- Approx 8 lines each)

This is the part we are going to learn in this section today.That is, how to describe the important details, when we have a graph/Table/Pie chart with Static Data.

So all together you are going to write 4 Paras.Th eword limit is 150 words and the time limit is 20 mins.

Lets see how to understand and describe the data.Whatever we learn in this part is to write our Para 3 and 4.

Looking at the above paragraph...please do the following:

1. T (We see that Bernie's buns sales are more in more categories )

2.T

3.T 

4.F ( As the least popular snack is toasted sandwiches)

5.F (As there is a huge difference between the sales of toasted sandwiches and cookies)

6.F( As slightly more mean less difference, but we see a considerable(huge) difference between the two)

Generally busier than- to Compare both the data and notice which is more.

By far the most popular item- The difference is more

Second best selling- This is easy

Are the least popular- Its last on the list

as popular as- both are same

Sells slightly more- the difference is less

Cheaper- Cheapest

More Common - Most Common....

I hope you find the others easy..except Well Paid..Its Better Paid and Best Paid.

These are important when describing Static graphs: When comparing 2 data, we can use comparatives.Eg: The sale of cakes in Bernie's buns was more than Lovely loaves.

Notice: The use of "than" after the comparative adjective.

When comparing all the data , we can use superlatives.Eg:The sale of doughnuts was the highest in Bernie's buns among all the snacks.

Use the adjectives from the above list and write them down in your copy.

Eg: The city life is more expensive than the life in countryside(Village).You need to try the rest on your own.

Small- Slightly,a bit,a little

Big- Much,a lot, considerably,far

If you observe carefully , you can use the above list of words with the list of comparative adjectives we practised earlier.Like: Learning grammar is considerably more difficult than learning vocabulary  OR  Playing cricket is a bit easier than playing football.

IELTS Writng Task 2- Basic and Argumentative topics -2

Paragraph 1- Introduction

I advise you to only write 3 parts in your Introduction.

A. A general statement about the main theme of the topic.

Here in this case,the main theme is Fast food. So, for a moment let forget what opinion we need to give and lets just write a general statement on Fast food.

Eg:1. Fast

 food is a food that takes less time to prepare and today we see them sold in every part of the world.

Eg:2. Everything in the modern era has become fast and wuick, whether it be our modes of communication,transportation or education and so the food has also not remained untouched from it.

B. In the second part, make sure you rephrase or rewrite the question in your own words.Do not use the words in the ques as much as possible.

Eg: It is believed that the authorities must levy extra taxes on convenient food that people consume.

Eg: Some people have the opinion that it is important for the administration to charge more taxes from street food.

C. In the third part, you need to write your opinion statement.I mean , mention which side of the argument are you in.Also make sure you write a plan statement.

Eg: I completely agree with the above statement and I would present my arguments in the following paragraphs.

Eg: I am in total disagreement to the above view and in the coming space I will support my opinion.

Please make sure , you don't give your reasons of agreeing or disagreeing in the 3rd part.

Also remember that all these 3 parts will form 1st paragraph.They are not to be written in Separate Paras but 1 single para:

Eg: Fast food is a food that takes less time to prepare and today we see them sold in every part of the world.It is believed that the authorities must levy extra taxes on convenient food that people consume.I completely agree with the above statement and I would present my arguments in the following paragraphs.

Paragraph 2,3 and 4- Writer's Opinion or Argument:

After the Introduction, the next 2nd and 3rd paras(Possibly 4th) would be your opinion paras.Lets focus on it now.In the introduction you only gave your opinion, but here you will give the reasons for that opinion.

Again , my suggestion would be to write 3 ideas in these paras as well.

A. You need not re-state your opinion here but straight away state your REASON statement here(Why, I agree or disagree).

Always start with a SIGNPOST word(like,Firstly,to begin with,the first reason is, etc).

Followed by your reason.

Lets take the Fast food topic:

I mentioned there my points:1.Many people are facing health issues like Obesity(fat),so such people will be discouraged from eating fast food.

So my Reason statement could be: 

"To begin with, there are many people who face health problems due to being addicted to street food and taxes would discourage them from eating it frequently"

B. This can be followed by some examples.

You can give some examples to prove your point.

You can use words like,For example,for instance, Like,such as,Take (something) as an example ,etc.

Here, the example could be: 

"For example, many people who have fast food regularly suffer from Obesity, heart problems,Diabetes etc."

C. Finally, you can add an Explanation Statement to further prove your main point (Reason).

Words like In other words,What's more,As a result,To explain further, etc can be used for explanation.

Always add one more explanation to conclude this Para.

For Eg: " In other words, it would become expensive for regular eaters of comfort food and they will adopt home made food instead. Eventually their health would improve. "

So Adding all the 3 parts would make my 2nd para:

"To begin with, there are many people who face health problems due to being addicted to street food and taxes would discourage them from eating it frequently.For example, many people who have fast food regularly suffer from Obesity, heart problems,Diabetes etc.In other words, it would become expensive for regular eaters of comfort food and they will adopt home made food instead. Eventually their health would improve."

Note that you can write the 2nd part(Example) and 3rd part(Futher explanation) in any order after writing the 1st part (Reason statement)

IELTS Writng Task 2- Basic and Argumentative topics -1

Lets discuss about IELTS Writing Task-2.

An Essay Topic would be given and you are expected to write 250 words essay on it in 40 mins.

There are basically 4 types of Essay Topics:

1.Argumentative

2.Advantage/Disadvantage

3.Cause and Effect

4.Problem and Solution

Lets learn Argumentative type :

Consider the following topic:

In some countries an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of eating too much fast food. It is therefore necessary for government to impose a higher tax on this kind of food. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

1st Sentence in the topic is a Statement which gives us facts.Its a truth statement.We are not supposed to argue with it.

2nd sentence in the topic is an argumentative topic and it on this statement that we need to give our opinion.

Always read the topic carefully and quickly identify the sentence on which you need to give your views.Otherwise you may misunderstand the question and write your essay in a wrong direction.

Take a Side:

Now, never try to be diplomatic when giving your opinion.What I mean by this is that you should never try to balance your opinion by saying that you support both sides of the argument.

This is important because in almost of the argumentative topics, you will find that both the sides have equally good points.

Like in the above topic: You can both agree, that that govt.should impose higher taxes on Fast food, and disagree, that it is not right to tax fast food.

So, my advise is to take one side and think from it.That is what I mean by saying don't be diplomatic.

Make up your mind quickly:

So, as soon as you read the topic , you make up your mind as to which side are you going to argue on.

Again, like in the above topic: If I decide that the Govt. should charge higher taxes on fast food ,then I will quickly write some points as to WHY do I think so.

This is extremely important to understand. We are not asked to talk about the various taxed that should be charged but Why should there be a higher tax.If we are not careful in our planning then we might start writing something which is not expected of us.

So, thinking about WHY:

My points can be:

1.Many people are facing health issues like Obesity(fat),so such people will be discouraged from eating fast food.

2.The restuarants who sell such food will also be demotivated and they will start selling traditional food.

3.Most of the fast food are foreign concepts and so domestic food will get boost and the economy will also may grow.

I must think at least 3 points in its favour.

Did you notice that I did not say what should be done but WHY should it be done.

Ponder about the opposite:

Now, in the argumentative topics, it is also important to talk about the oppposite view of the topic but make sure you talk about is as if it is not your view and also make sure that you only discuss only one point in the opposite.

The Opposite view:

People who are bachelors and who generally don't have free time to cook at home ,eat fast food.For them it will become very difficult.

So what we just saw is that we made a plan of the essay but writing our points both on agreement(3 points) and disagreement (1 point).

Now lets talk about the format of the essay.I mean how many paras do we write and what should we write in them:

Para 1--> Introduction->Approx 8 to 10 lines

Para 2/3/4-->Your opinion--> Approx 8-12 lines each

(you can write only 2 points here if you are writing around 12 lines each)

Para 5--> Opposite opinion--> Approx 8-12 lines

Para 6-->Conclusion--. Approx 4-6 lines

We Shall discuss each Para Separately.