Writing · Unit 2: Common mistakes
W11: Giving opinions or reasons in Task 1
Target band 6 to 6.5
The graph shows that car ownership in a city doubled in ten years. Many students write: "This is because people became richer." Or: "This is a big problem for the environment." Or: "The government should build more roads." All three sentences are mistakes in Academic Task 1. Your job is to report the data, not explain it, judge it or solve it.
Why this matters
Task 1 tests whether you can describe information accurately and objectively. Adding reasons or opinions that aren't in the visual is irrelevant, and it can lower your Task Achievement score. It also wastes words you could use for key features.
What not to add
| Don't add | Example |
|---|---|
| Reasons | "This was because of the internet." |
| Opinions | "This is a worrying trend." |
| Solutions | "The government should take action." |
| Predictions not in the chart | "This will continue to rise in the future." |
| Outside knowledge | "As we know, Bangladesh is very populated." |
What to do instead
Describe what you see:
- what went up, down or stayed the same
- what was biggest and smallest
- how things compare
Instead of: "Car ownership doubled because people became richer, which is bad for pollution."
Write: "Car ownership doubled over the ten-year period, rising from 200 to 400 cars per 1,000 people."
The exception: projections in the chart
Sometimes a chart shows future years, like 2030 or 2040. These are projections, and you should describe them. But describe them as projections:
- is expected to reach
- is projected to fall
- is predicted to overtake
You're still reporting the data. You're not making your own prediction.
Watch out for the conclusion habit
In Task 2, you end with a conclusion. Many students carry this habit into Task 1 and finish with an opinion: "In conclusion, this shows people should use public transport." Don't. Task 1 doesn't need a conclusion paragraph. Your overview does that job.
Try it yourself
Which sentences are fine for Task 1?
- "The number of tourists peaked at 5 million in 2019."
- "The fall in 2020 was due to the pandemic."
- "Sales are expected to rise to 8,000 units by 2030, according to the projection."
- "It is clear that people prefer tea because it is healthier."
Show the answers
1) Fine. 2) Not fine: it adds a reason from outside the chart. 3) Fine, if the chart shows 2030. 4) Not fine: it adds a reason and an opinion.
Note on 2: even if you're sure the reason is true, the chart doesn't show it. Leave it out.
Honest note
This rule is the opposite of Task 2, where opinions and reasons are essential. Keep the two tasks separate in your mind. Task 1 is a reporter. Task 2 is a debater.
Your task today
Look at your last Task 1 answer. Highlight any sentence that gives a reason, opinion, solution or prediction not shown in the chart. Delete or rewrite it.