IELTS Writing Task 1 Introduction Paragraph: Try this easy method

While describing an image in IELTS Writing Task 1, it would be appropriate to begin with a short introduction paragraph telling what the image is.

Therefore, it is advisable to write just one or two sentences to explain what the image displays for IELTS Writing Task 1 Introduction. You should avoid going into too much detail, however.

Paraphrase the description from the question itself

For IELTS Writing Task 1 Introduction, writing a paragraph just by looking at the picture may turn out to be more difficult than you think. There may be confusion about choosing the right words, using the correct tense, and deciding what to include as well as what to leave out.

Luckily, there is a hack you can try. Look at the question below, for an instance:

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The line graph below shows the rate of inflation in India in the months between December 2019 and December 2020 compared with the corresponding months from a year earlier. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

You can see that all questions in IELTS Writing Task 1 include a box above the image. The box contains a short description of the image, followed by instructions.

The line graph below shows the rate of inflation in India in the months between December 2019 and December 2020 compared with the corresponding months from a year earlier. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Rather than sweating over what to write, you can use this box to write your own IELTS Writing Task 1 Introduction paragraph.

You should paraphrase the description in this box instead of wasting valuable time thinking of something out of thin air. A paraphrase is the process of rewording something but retaining the same meaning.

To learn about paraphrase and the different methods of paraphrasing, click here »

In other words, you can rewrite the description already given in the question by using your own words to replace the words in the box.

Let us try to paraphrase the description from earlier question:

Original:

The line graph below shows the rate of inflation in India in the months between December 2019 and December 2020 compared with the corresponding months from a year earlier.

Paraphrase:

The given line chart demonstrates India’s year on year inflation rate from December 2019 to December 2020.

You can see the paraphrased sentence retains the core meaning of what the sentence in the question contains, but the choice of words is different. A lot of words from the question have been condensed. For example, “compared with the corresponding months from a year earlier” means “year on year“.

Here is another example:

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The bar chart below shows the number of British citizens in Germany and the number German citizens in the UK from 2010 to 2019. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Introduction:

The bar diagram represents how many British nationals resided in Germany as well as how many Germans lived in the United Kingdom in years between 2010 and 2019.

Caution: Never copy the description from the box in the question word for word into your answer. You will lose marks for that. Try as much as possible not to repeat the words.

Common ways to paraphrase

The following words and phrases are often used to introduce images in IELTS Writing Task 1 questions. You can use the synonyms listed alongside to paraphrase in the exam:

Words or phrases	Synonyms
shows	demonstrates, represents, illustrates, indicates, provides information about, sheds light on, reveals
percentage	ratio, proportion, rate
…between…and…	…from…to…
average	mean, typical, regular
country	nation, state
world	globe, planet, Earth

IELTS Writing Task 1 Introduction Examples

The chart below shows the percentage of water used for different purposes in two countries. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Introduction:

The graph illustrates the ratio of water utilized for various reasons in two nations.

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The table below gives information about changes in modes of travel in Japan between 1995 and 2010. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Introduction:

The given table reveals data regarding the differences in means of transportation in Japan from 1995 to 2010.

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The pie charts below show the annual spending by a particular company in France in 2001, 2011, and 2021. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Introduction:

The pie charts demonstrate the yearly expenditure by a French organization in the years 2001, 2011, and 2021.

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The diagram below shows the stages and equipment used in brick-making process. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Introduction:

The graphic sheds light on the manufacturing process of bricks.

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The two maps show the village of Viterbo in 1920 and in 2020. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Introduction:

The maps indicate the transformation in the village of Viterbo over the last century.

Next lesson:

Writing the perfect IELTS Writing Task 1 Overview