Students often ask me what to do when they are asked to write about 2 graphs. This is a good question because it is important to be prepared and know what to do in case this comes up on your exam. In fact, one of the most recent IELTS writing task 1 exams was to describe 2 graphs.
If students are not prepared, they will often spend too much time and effort on one graph, which can lead to a reduced score in Task Achievement. In a question with 2 or more graphs, you may also spend too much time on task 1, lowering your overall score.
Here I will suggest a simple method for dealing with this situation, called the SIX POINT SYSTEM:
1) WRITE THE TOPIC FOR BOTH GRAPHS
2) GIVE AN OVERALL IDEA FOR GRAPH 1
3) DESCRIBE THE KEY FEATURES (most important data) for GRAPH 1
4) GIVE AN OVERALL IDEA FOR GRAPH 2
5) DESCRIBE THE KEY FEATURES (most important data) for GRAPH 2
6) IF POSSIBLE, SHOW ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO GRAPHS
Let's consider this example:
PARAGRAPH 1
SENTENCE 1 - INTRODUCE the TOPIC of both graphs:
These graphs show the results of a survey and some statistics regarding the impact of a law imposed on December 15, 2007, which obliges all motorbike drivers to wear helmets while driving in HCMC, Vietnam.
PARAGRAPH 2:
SENTENCE 2 - GIVE AN OVERALL IDEA FOR GRAPH 1
In the pie charts, it is clear that the law had a tremendous effect on the percentage of motorbike drivers and passengers wearing helmets.
SENTENCE 3 - DESCRIBE THE KEY FEATURES (most important data) for GRAPH 1
In fact, this figure soared from 10% to 98%, meaning that almost everyone followed the law.
PARAGRAPH 3:
SENTENCE 4: GIVE AN OVERALL IDEA FOR GRAPH 2
Turning to the bar charts, it can be seen that there were significant and somewhat surprising changes in the number of road incidents in the months before and after this law came into effect.
SENTENCE 5 - DESCRIBE THE KEY FEATURES (most important data) for GRAPH 2
Although the number of head injuries fell significantly from 180 to only 40 cases, the number of accidents rose markedly from 400 to 600 cases and the number of deaths also increased by the same proportion, from 40 to 60 cases.
PARAGRAPH 4
SENTENCE 6 - IF POSSIBLE, SHOW ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO GRAPHS
In brief, it can be assumed that the law had a positive impact on lowering the number of head injuries. However, it is unclear if there is any relation between the law and the increased number of accidents and deaths on the road.
HERE IS THE FINAL VERSION
These graphs show the results of a survey and some statistics regarding the impact of a law imposed on December 15, 2007 which obliges all motorbike drivers to wear helmets while driving in HCMC, Vietnam.
In the pie charts, it is clear that the law had a tremendous effect on the percentage of motorbike drivers and passengers wearing helmets. In fact, this figure soared from 10% to 98%, meaning that almost everyone followed the law.
Turning to the bar charts, it can be seen that there were significant and somewhat surprising changes in the number of road incidents the months before and after this law came into effect. Although the number of head injuries fell significantly from 180 to only 40 cases, the number of accidents rose markedly from 400 to 600 cases and the number of deaths also increased by the same proportion, from 40 to 60 cases.
In brief, it can be assumed that the law had a positive impact on lowering the number of head injuries. However, it is unclear if there is any relation between the law and the increased number of accidents and deaths on the road.
192 words.
QUESTION: You only need about 150 words in Writing task 1. Which words do you think could be deleted or changed, while still providing the key things examiners are looking for?
Remember that IELTS examiners always look for:
1) Overall ideas (main trends)
2) Key features
If you have any questions about IELTS Writing, please leave a comment or feel free to email me at larry@ielts-pro.com
I can also offer you a free sample of an IELTS PRO analysis of a students' writing task 1 question. This sample will show you exactly how IELTS examiners score your writing, STEP by STEP!
To get your sample, CLICK HERE