In my experience, not many people are able to write a good overview / summary paragraph under exam conditions. They can see specific information, but they find it difficult to see the "big picture".
Let's try looking for the "big picture" in some data. We can then write a good overview or summary.
Percentage of students able to speak languages other than English:
30% - Spanish
15% - French
10% - German
15% - another language (not Spanish, French or German)
10% - two other languages
20% - no other language
(adapted from Cambridge IELTS book 11)
Writing your overview / summary paragraph:
I'm sure you noticed the biggest number straight away (30% - Spanish), and we could certainly mention this in our overview. Many people then look for the smallest number, but I wouldn't do that in this case. I think there is something better that we can mention: the 80% of students who are able to speak at least one foreign language. Did you notice the 80%?
Here's my 2-sentence overview / summary:
It is noticeable that the vast majority of students are able to speak at least one foreign language, as well as English. We can also see that Spanish is the most widely spoken second language among the surveyed group of students.
PS. I don't usually include numbers in my summary, so I wrote 'vast majority' instead of 80%, and 'most widely spoken second language' instead of 30%. We can add the figures in our "details" paragraphs.
Helpful indeed. Thanks a lot. You are doing a great job for free. Your effort and generosity are beyond appreciation.
Posted by: lana | October 20, 2016 at 12:58
Yes, i noticed the 80% and i understood,when i read your summary. That's what you are pointing- the bigger picture.
Thank you so much Mr. Simon.
Posted by: Glory | October 20, 2016 at 18:51
Before knowing this precious lesson from Simon, I feel that it's impossible for me to learn IELTS by myself, that's why I intend to take course for 1-2 months in other city. Finally I found this lesson is very understandable and makes me realize that nothing is impossible.
Thanks Simon.
U're inspiring me 😄😄😄
Posted by: Indonesian | October 21, 2016 at 01:06
I took IELTS twice this year:
July: R 8.5, L8, S 8, W 6.5
I need 8 from each section or at least 7 for now. As my writing was below 7, I decided to work with a tutor. I practice with Ielts examiner (she was really good teacher). She was reviewing my essays, assessing them according to IELTS rubric. She was telling that I could get at least 7. Then I scored this:
October: R 9, L8, S 8, W 6.5.
I do not know what else should I do. I think I did better in writing, to get at least 7. I do not blame the teacher, it is my fault. But, IELTS seems to be quite subjective and commercialized. I shall go for PTE. Thanks to IELTS for scamming people!
Posted by: Nika | October 21, 2016 at 01:13
Hi !
Is there anyone took ielts on 8/10 ? As I can't find my result electronically ! Any one have an idea why ?
Appreciate your replying !
Posted by: La13 | October 21, 2016 at 03:29
Hi Nika !
I believe your situation pretty similar to mine as I did take exams many times so far but in either times got 6.5 in writing, especially last time I was nearly devastated as my score in other modules were very high , but I think it's all about having a superb and organising thinking skill which are very challengable to perform under a stressful exam condition ... But we all should bear in mind the fact that the secret of being success and being the most secured place of this country is their way of thinking !!! So I think we must adapt our thinking to them though it's pretty tough thing to do !
Posted by: La13 | October 21, 2016 at 03:46
You opened my eyes of thinking.
Posted by: H.A.Kader | October 21, 2016 at 04:03
I'm bit confused here. In my opinion, No other language means "Only English". This 80% are certainly able to speak English, but how it is making sure that they able to speak one more language along with English?
Posted by: Hero7 | October 21, 2016 at 04:37
HEY SIMON !!!
I'd like to thank you for providing such a good source. I've studied from your blog for 10 - 15 days. My results came and I've got 0.5 point higher than I need.
So, Thank you so much, Simon.
Posted by: MG-42 | October 21, 2016 at 08:05
Yes thats true 100%
Ielts test is just kindof making people donkeys
these people would not gonna give you a chance to get into your career.
im heartbroken seriously !
Posted by: misha | October 21, 2016 at 08:48
Hi MG-42 !
Have you got your result ? And did you take exam on 8th of October ? As I can't get my result electronically !!!
Thanks !
Posted by: La13 | October 21, 2016 at 09:19
Nika and La13
The most common reasons for not achieving a 7 in writing are:
1. Too many errors. As a general rule, if there are more than 7 errors in Task 1 or more than 10 errors in Task 2, then it is likely that either the grammar or vocabulary score will be a 6. When you hire a tutor, this should be your top priority. Grammar and vocabulary errors are 'factual' and noticed by all examiners.
2. Issues with Task 1, especially a) focusing too much on small details b) missing a key feature, such as not mentioning a category c) an insufficient overview
I would estimate that these issues account for the vast majority of people achieving a score under 7.
Posted by: sjm | October 21, 2016 at 11:13
If you are stuck on 6.5 and you think you deserve a higher score, please try asking for a re-mark. It is possible that some examiners are over-cautious about giving a band 7. I've heard from quite a few people who had their writing scores raised.
Posted by: Simon | October 21, 2016 at 11:59
Congratulations MG-42!
Posted by: Simon | October 21, 2016 at 12:00
Issues with Task 1, especially a) focusing too much on small details b) missing a key feature, such as not mentioning a category c) an insufficient overview
Tanks SMJ
Could you explain it in more detail
""
Posted by: misha | October 21, 2016 at 13:21
1. If you list too many numbers and try to describe 'everything', then you might get a 5 for Task Achievement (the candidate focuses on details instead of reporting the main features)
2. All key details must be covered. This means you have to at least mention every category (not every number), and you need to highlight important numbers, similarities and differences. If you don't, you can get a 4 for Task Achievement.
3. To achieve a 7 in Task Achievement, the overview must be 'clear' and present 'the main trends'. Most overviews do not do this. Just naming the highest and lowest figures is not considered a level 7 overview.
Posted by: sjm | October 21, 2016 at 21:20
Thanks for your nice explanation sjm
However, would you like to give a little bit detail on what you mean by 'the main trends'? since so far I consider that naming the highest and the lowest figures is the best way to have good overview on writing part 1.
Thanks in advance
Posted by: Indonesian | October 22, 2016 at 03:13
Indonesian
The highest and lowest are key features, because you are isolating particular numbers and highlighting them. A 'trend' is a more general comment. You can usually identify a trend because it includes a whole time period, or groups categories together (like Simon did in this task). Simon used the expression 'big picture', which refers to a trend.
It is amazing how many 'IELTS' teachers do not know what a 'main trend' is, and you would be surprised how many candidates do not achieve a 7 in Task 1 because of this.
Posted by: sjm | October 22, 2016 at 05:27
The numbers show that most of the students can speak more than one language except English, and Spanish is the most spoken language by those students participated the survey.
Posted by: abai | October 24, 2016 at 10:53
I often write "The highest rate is Spanish at 30% and the second...".
Your blog is really helpful for me. I can inspire many ideas thanks.
Posted by: Hiro | October 24, 2016 at 12:51
Thanks sjm 😄😄😄
I got your point. I do hope Simon is pleased to give other similar exercises so that we could practice to find and involve "the big picture" on the overview, instead of key features.
Posted by: Indonesian | October 25, 2016 at 10:33
I really want to thank you, Simon. I have prepared ielts writing task, especially task 1 for nearly 3 months. I have read a guide book written by Chinese teacher and the only thing he put down is imitating high-score copies. No one tip targets for guiding thoughts.
Really thank you very much.
Posted by: Pomelo | November 14, 2016 at 11:02
No problem Pomelo. I'm glad you like my lessons!
Posted by: Simon | November 14, 2016 at 14:57
Really helpful! Thank you!
Posted by: Hinsome | November 14, 2016 at 15:24
The most important feature to note is that spanish language was by far the most popular language between students. By contrast German language accounted for the lowest number of students.
Posted by: isabel | December 20, 2016 at 00:40
Sir can we use personal pronoun in task 1?
Posted by: Siva | January 09, 2017 at 14:02
I mainly count on your site,but I have a question in regards to where to write the overview.I checked the examiner's model answers in Cambridge books, they usually write the overview as the last part.It looks like a close for task 1.what do you think?
Posted by: David | January 21, 2017 at 11:54
Siva,
You can write "we can see".
...
David,
The position of the overview won't affect your score - there is nothing in the examiners' mark scheme about where it should go.
I prefer to start with general information and then go into detail - I find this easier and more logical. However, both ways are equally acceptable.
Posted by: Simon | January 23, 2017 at 12:55
I appreciate it, thanks a lot
Posted by: David | January 26, 2017 at 00:29
@simon
how could 80% students learn one foreign language along with English?
It states"no other language" but English?
Would you please explain this?
It willbe great help.
Posted by: aj | December 03, 2017 at 04:08
aj,
20% only speak English, so 80% speak English and another language.
Posted by: Simon | December 05, 2017 at 13:38
YOU ARE THE BEST MENTOR I HAVE EVER SEEN
Posted by: Tanvir | January 08, 2018 at 14:44
Hi Simon
Where can I find the full sample answered by you for this writing task?
I find this writing a little hard, so it would be very helpful for me to check the comparisons you've done for this task.
Posted by: Negar Yara | April 10, 2019 at 20:13
Negar Yara,
I don't think I've put a sample answer for this task on my site. I'll check and maybe go back to that question soon.
Posted by: Simon | April 12, 2019 at 12:24