Approaching the task
Analyse the data
You only have 20 minutes forTask 1.You need to use some ofthis time to look at the data and
analyse it.Take notes about the important points, such as trends, differences and unexpected
results. Decide what the most important pattern is, and think about how you can describe this.
These skills are described in Unit 2 (Task Achievement).
Plan your report
Part 2 Academic Writing Task 1: Unit 1 About Academic Writing Task 1 125
Your answer will be around 150 words.This usually means three to four paragraphs. Before you
start writing, decide on the main point for each paragraph. It is best to put your overview, or
summary, in the first paragraph, so that the examiner can easily see it. These skills are described
in Unit 3 (Coherence and Cohesion).
Write your report
Your overview should say what the main patterns are. Then the following paragraphs should
prove that this is true by giving evidence and details. These skills are covered in Units 4 and 5
(Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy).
Check your report
At the end, spend a few minutes to check your answer and make changes to improve it. These
skills are covered in Unit 6 (Practice Questions, Answers and Feedback). Always check these
things.
Check for task achievement
Have you followed the instructions in the Task 1 question?
Have you described the main patterns in the data?
Have you quoted data accurately, to support your statements?
TIP Check that the data is accurate. For example, what is the unit of
measurement? Is it 'litres· or 'thousands of litres'? Does the chart
show 'number of dogs· or 'number of complaints about dogs'?
Check for coherence and cohesion
Is the information organised well?
Is it easy to see why you have ordered your answer like that?
Have you used a wide variety of linking words and techniques?
TIP Check whether you can change some nouns for pronouns. If you mention
something twice, the second mention can be changed to a word like 'it', 'this'
or 'them·. Doing this will improve your mark for coherence and cohesion.
Check for lexical resource
Have you used a wide variety of vocabulary?
Have you used collocations, phrasal verbs and academic English?
Are most words spelled correctly?
TIP Before the exam, memorise sets of synonyms such as [increase, grow, rise].
Then, in the exam, you can look at your finished answer and substitute
synonyms quickly.
Check for grammatical range and accuracy
Have you used a wide variety of grammar structures, including passives?
Are most of them correct?
Have you used correct punctuation?
TIP Write in pencil, so you can easily erase mistakes and write corrections.
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