Task 1 introductions should be fast and easy. Just paraphrase the question statement (rewrite it in your own words). If you practise this technique, you will be able to start the writing test with confidence.
Look at this question statement from Cambridge IELTS book 2, page 95:
The table below shows the figures for imprisonment in five countries between 1930 and 1980.
I'll change 3 elements of this sentence:
- table shows = bar chart compares
- figures for imprisonment = number of people in prison
- between... and... = over a period of
So, here's my paraphrased introduction:
The bar chart compares the number of people in prison in five different countries over a period of 50 years.
I think it is very useful to me.
Posted by: Bablu | Thursday, October 07, 2010 at 05:50
No problem Bablu.
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Thanks Al Bara
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Thanks Isa.
Posted by: Simon | Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 11:28
Great
Posted by: mc | Saturday, December 04, 2010 at 02:05
Thanks mc
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No problem Ebtesam.
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No problem Umitory.
Posted by: Simon | Monday, January 03, 2011 at 21:37
Good job !
Posted by: Wan | Sunday, March 06, 2011 at 05:22
Thanks Wan.
Posted by: Simon | Sunday, March 06, 2011 at 22:26
Can I write "people imprisoned" instead of "people in prison" ?
Posted by: Yuan | Monday, May 02, 2011 at 14:29
Yes, that's possible too.
Posted by: Simon | Monday, May 02, 2011 at 15:21
Thank you. :)
Posted by: Yuan | Monday, May 02, 2011 at 16:29
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Thank you. :)
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Posted by: Lenin | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 16:35
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Posted by: Catherine | Friday, June 15, 2012 at 06:13
Hello simon gud day, can u give some easy tricks hoow wil i start my task 1 gt leter? tnx
Posted by: jc | Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11:02
Hi jc,
Keep following my GT writing lessons here:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/ielts-general-writing/
Posted by: Simon | Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11:15
hi dear simon or other friends......
i need full writing this question plz send me my pudasaini_susan@yahoo.com......i try to write but i can't...plz..
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Posted by: Antonio | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 16:59
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Posted by: leyla | Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 21:19
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Posted by: Aray | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 06:25
thanks alot it is really useful
Posted by: Khaled Alajmi | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 12:23
its really usefull and easy to understand. thank you
Posted by: roop | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 01:58
Hi Simon,
I'm still confused about how to use "over a period of". In this context, between 1930 and 1980, you used "over a period of 50 years", while actually there are 51 years in between. Is it okay? then, how to use "over a period of" in this essay http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/10/ielts-writing-task-1-look-at-the-chart-first.html ?? the data is from 1999 to 2008. should it be "over the period of 10 years" because there are 10 years or "over the period of 9 years" because 2008-1999=9.
Hope you understand my question. Thanks a lot for your help!
Posted by: Allan | Sunday, July 08, 2012 at 12:10
it is really helpful. thank you so much!
Posted by: susan | Monday, July 09, 2012 at 05:22
Hi Allan,
Don't worry about that kind of thing. Personally I'd write that 1999 to 2008 is a 9 year period, but it won't matter if you put 9 or 10.
Posted by: Simon | Monday, July 09, 2012 at 14:42
Thanks Simon! Your website has been extremely helpful! I'm gonna take the IELTS Exam next Thursday, hoping to get a 7 overall. Once again, thank you!
Posted by: Allan | Monday, July 09, 2012 at 15:51
Ok, good luck Allan!
Posted by: Simon | Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 12:14
thanks a lot for lessons, they are very useful
Posted by: Hussein | Saturday, September 01, 2012 at 15:53
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Posted by: vikas | Tuesday, September 04, 2012 at 13:51
Hi Simon. Could you possibly explain how to paraphrase diagram, flowchart, table, graph? Thanks so much!
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FROM SIMON:
Thanks guys! I'm glad you like the lessons.
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This is wonderful
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Very useful...
Posted by: pearl | Tuesday, March 05, 2013 at 23:45