IELTS Writing Task 1 – Common mistakes to avoid

In Writing Correction Service I have noticed some common mistakes IELTS candidates make when writing Assignment 1. Read this article carefully or watch the video below to know what these mistakes are and avoid making the same mistakes during IELTS Test.

Mistake #1 - Insufficient words.

The instructions clearly state: "You must write at least 150 words." This is the number you should aim for. If you write too few words, you risk not reporting all the details. Significantly exceeding this number means you are reporting unnecessary detail and failing to summarize important information. While you don't have to count every word, you should learn to recognize 150-word lengths in your writing when you're practicing for tests.

Mistake #2 - Incorrect interpretation of the chart.

Before you start typing, take a minute or two to study the pattern. Read the instructions of IELTS Correction and title as they will give you an idea of ​​what the diagram shows. For example, examine all the details of a graph or chart, or the key items on the vertical and horizontal axes, and try to figure out what they represent. A common mistake is to omit or distort units of measurement or symbols, such as omitting the percent sign (%) or omitting a unit like a kilogram or ton, or even a unit of temperature like degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit. All of this information must be correct for an answer to be marked as correct.

Mistake #3 - Mechanical data report. Directive

Clearly states: “You summarize information by selecting and specifying the most important characteristics and making comparisons where appropriate. So if you simply write numbers or percentages without noticing the similarities or differences, the information will not be interpreted. For example, University A may show a strong upward trend in enrollments, while University B shows minimal growth of 25-100 and 20-30 over a period of time. We not only show the number of enrollments per university but also compare the fluctuation rate of enrollments.

Mistake #4 - Adding unnecessary details.

The provision of all information in the table does not imply that all details are added for each minor or insignificant change. It's best to be selective and focus on major trends or changes. For example, if a line chart shows a series of small increases and decreases in car sales over a 20-year period, you wouldn't describe each increase and decrease separately. Instead, summarize the main trend by noting slight swings in car sales between the low numbers and the high. Show that you recognize the main characteristics of the trend and not just write the numbers.

Mistake #5 - Adding your own opinions or assumptions.

Remember that Activity 1 is an objective summary of the graphical information. This means that you should simply describe, not explain or comment on, the information you see on the chart. Expressing an opinion would distract from the written answer as it is not part of the task.

Mistake #6 – Repeating the same words and grammatical structures.

When reading the IELTS Writing answers, the examiner pays attention to the range of vocabulary and grammar. So you need to learn a few synonyms to describe each trend, such as B. upswing, upswing, and upswing, and avoid using the same word. You can also change sentence structure by using a noun phrase. For example, "stock prices have fallen dramatically." Or use a verb phrase like "stock prices have fallen sharply."