Step-by-step guide to answering this type of IELTS Writing Task 1 question. Covers structure, key language, and band-scoring criteria.
Originally published May 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at the importance of being able to paraphrase. Paraphrasing is important, not only for the writing test but for all of the other parts of the test too. Being able to paraphrase will show the examiner that you have a wide vocabulary, helping you to achieve a higher band score.
To paraphrase text is to read the question then rewrite it in your own words. You should not copy words straight from the question, instead change the order of the words and choose words with a similar meaning (a synonym). This means you are using different words to write about the same idea.
Paraphrasing
Here is an example of a Writing Task 1 Question >>
The graph below shows the average monthly temperatures in three well-known cities. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Paraphrased >>
The line graph illustrates the climate conditions in Athens, Barcelona, and Sydney over the period of one year.
Here I changed temperatures to conditions (synonym) and then I added the three city names instead of saying ‘in three well-known cities’.
Using Synonyms
Synonyms are words you use when you want to write a word that has a similar meaning to the original word in the question. For example;
Area / space
Map / diagram / picture
Amount / number
Car / automobile / vehicle
Price / amount / cost
High / big / great
When paraphrasing the question, you don’t need to change all of the words, but you should try to change most of them. Be careful though, because choosing a word that has a similar meaning – not the same meaning can make the meaning of the sentence change or become unclear.
The best way to practice this is to have a look at writing task 1 questions and paraphrase/re-write the question in your own words. Whilst practising you can use an online thesaurus tool to help you find synonyms and learn new words.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
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If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
Step-by-step guide to answering this type of IELTS Writing Task 1 question. Covers structure, key language, and band-scoring criteria.
Originally published May 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at the importance of having a good clear overview. The overview is the most important paragraph in the writing task 1 essay and without one, you will lose marks. this will affect your score and your ability to gain a band score 7 or higher.
What is an overview?
An overview is where you clearly write about the general information you can see in the graph/chart/map/process.
For the graphs/charts questions – You give the examiner a clear overview of the main features and you can make comparisons if you can see any. You don’t have to mention any numbers/data/stats here; this information should be in the next two paragraphs.
For the maps questions – You give a general overview of the most noticeable changes that have occurred / or will occur in the future.
For the process questions – You state how many stages the process has, how it begins and how it ends.
Things you should look for in the charts/graph questions >>
Focus on what the main features are
Look at the highest and lowest numbers
See if there has been a substantial growth or decline in a particular category
If there are a few categories, check if there is an obvious way to group them together into just two or three groups.
Look for one or two categories, which break the pattern set by all of the others.
Sometimes there are several different main features, which you can identify. You can circle the key information on the question paper before you start to write about your main features.
Things you should look for in the maps questions >>
Focus on the main changes that you can see, have they improved anything?
Have they built anything in an area that was countryside before?
Have there been any dramatic changes?
Things you should look for in the process questions >>
Think about the number of stages that are in time order.
How many stages are there?
What is happening at the beginning?
What is happening at the end?
I advise my students to write the overview in the second paragraph, after the introduction (paraphrased question) and before the main body paragraphs. The overview leads the reader through into the main body of the essay, where the specific details are written about.
Essay Structure
The structure should look like this >>
Paragraph 1- Introduction / Paraphrase the question.
Paragraph 2- Overview
Paragraph 3- Specific Details
Paragraph 4- Specific Details
Paragraph 2 – Overview of the main features
You need to be able to give a broad summary of the information. This is best started with Overall……. then giving details of the main features you can see. You can write this in one or two sentences.
You should try to make a complex sentence here by using a subordinate clause. This means when you are writing your sentences, you join two pieces of information with a linking word – while, whereas, with, although, even though. This can help you to gain more marks in the test.
Students often ask if they should write a conclusion in writing task 1 and the answer is no. This is not an opinion essay, therefore you do not need to give a conclusion. You stick to the facts in this essay, you do not give you own opinion.
Line graph question overview example >>
Overall, the highest recurrence of burglary was in Great Britain, which was fairly high from 2000-2009 in comparison to the other countries, while the lowest incidence when the study began in 2000 was in Spain. It can be seen that in 2009 Spain reported slightly lower figures than the other four countries.
Maps question overview example >>
Overall, the most important change will be the addition of safety measures and the appearance of foliage amid the initial monotonous city design. The sidewalks will be wider on both sides of the road and bicycle lanes will be added, while a pedestrian crossing will also be constructed at the bottom of the street. The crossing will have an island where pedestrians can wait.
Process question overview example >>
Overall, it can be observed that there are eight stages in this process, beginning with the collection of trees from the forest and ending with the paper being made in the paper making machine.
We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.
