⭐ “A strong beginning sets the tone for a strong score.”
The introduction in Task 1 may be short, but it’s a crucial part of your overall score. A well-written introduction not only demonstrates your ability to paraphrase but also shows the examiner that you understand the task.
🎯 Objective of the Introduction:
- ✅ Paraphrase the question prompt in your own words.
- ✅ Clearly introduce the type of visual (chart, graph, map, process, etc.).
- ✅ Mention the time frame, data source, or subject if given.
📌 Golden Rule:
❌ Don’t copy the question.
✅ Always paraphrase using synonyms and changing sentence structures.
🧠 How to Paraphrase the Task Prompt
Let’s look at a sample IELTS Writing Task 1 prompt:
Original Prompt:
The line graph below shows the number of international students who enrolled in Australian universities between 2005 and 2015.
✅ Paraphrased Introduction:
The line chart illustrates the enrolment trends of overseas students at universities in Australia from 2005 to 2015.
🧩 Notice how “line graph” becomes “line chart”, “international students” becomes “overseas students”, and the structure changes — but the meaning stays the same!
✨ Checklist for a Great Introduction
| 🔍 Component | ✅ Example |
|---|---|
| 🔄 Paraphrased Visual Type | The bar chart compares… / The diagram illustrates… |
| 📆 Mention Time Frame | …over a ten-year period from 2010 to 2020 |
| 🌍 Include Context | …in five different countries / …among various age groups |
💡 Pro Tip: Use These Common Phrases to Begin Your Intro
- “The graph/chart/diagram illustrates…”
- “The provided figure compares…”
- “The given data presents information about…”
- “The visual representation shows…”
Avoid robotic or template-like openings such as “This is a graph which shows…”
🛠️ Example Intros for Practice
📊 Task: Pie chart showing energy consumption in six sectors (2000)
Introduction:
The pie chart provides data on how energy was consumed across six different sectors in the year 2000.
📈 Task: Line graph showing unemployment rates in the US (2010–2020)
Introduction:
The line graph depicts changes in the unemployment rate in the United States over a decade, from 2010 to 2020.
🎯 Why This Tip Matters for Band 8+
| 📏 Criterion | 💬 How This Tip Helps |
|---|---|
| ✅ Task Achievement | Accurately introduces the visual with no copied content |
| ✅ Coherence & Cohesion | Smooth start creates logical flow |
| ✅ Lexical Resource | Shows ability to paraphrase effectively |
| ✅ Grammatical Range | Demonstrates variety in sentence structure |
🔚 Final Thought:
Your introduction is your first impression — don’t waste it by copying the prompt or overcomplicating it. Just paraphrase clearly and concisely to show that you’ve understood the task. Once that’s done, you’re ready to move on to the Overview paragraph, which is your next golden opportunity to shine. 🌟
