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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 · Multi-band Outline

Average TV prices in Canada (C$), 1985–2015
STUDENT'S EDITION1A · ① Past – a period (dynamic)Learn Smart – Aim High
Band
🎯 Band 4.5 · Foundation — Nền tảng: câu đơn + and/but, 1 mốc – 1 số liệu · target 150–165 words🎯 Band 5.5 · Developing — Thêm while/whereas, by + năm, gom số liệu · target 150–175 words🎯 Band 6.5 · Competent — Mệnh đề phân từ, so sánh kép, chia Body theo xu hướng · target 160–190 words🎯 Band 7.5 · Advanced — Danh từ hoá, mệnh đề quan hệ/danh ngữ/trạng ngữ, xấp xỉ chính xác · target 170–200 words

0Read the task · What–Where–When

Every Task 1 prompt answers three questions. Find them before you look at any number. · Mọi đề Task 1 trả lời 3 câu hỏi – tìm ra trước khi nhìn số liệu.

Chart type · Loại biểu đồline graph
Số liệu gìaverage prices of black-and-white and colour televisions, Canadian dollars (C$)
Ở đâu / của aiCanada → Colour TV · Black-and-white TV
Khi nàofrom 1985 to 2015 · 7 points (every 5 years) · no black-and-white figure for 2015
Unit · Đơn vịCanadian dollars (C$)
Time frame → Tense① Past – a period (dynamic) → Past simple; by + year → past perfect

Exercise · What – Where – When

Drag each phrase from the task into the right box. · Kéo từng cụm từ của đề vào đúng ô.

1Classify the task

Exercise · Type, time frame, tense

Choose one answer for each question, then press Check. · Chọn đáp án rồi bấm Check.
Reference — 4 data types & 5 time frames
CodeTypeHow to spot itKey languageBody grouping
1AChange over timeTwo or more time points (line; bar/table/pie by year)Trend words: rose, peaked, fluctuatedBy trend (up/down) or by period
1BStatic comparisonOne time point or no timeComparison & proportion: the largest share, twice as muchBigger group / smaller group
1CMixed / multiple chartsTwo different charts (e.g. line + pie)Overview covers the main point of BOTH chartsBody 1 = chart 1, Body 2 = chart 2
1DFuture projectionData run to 2030/2050is predicted / is expected toAs 1A, separating the projected period
FrameNameTense
①Past – a period (dynamic)
Quá khứ – một giai đoạn		Past simple; by + year → past perfect
②Past – one point (static)
Quá khứ – một mốc		Past simple
③Present / no year
Hiện tại / không ghi năm		Present simple
④Future – projection
Tương lai – dự báo		is expected / projected / predicted to + V; will
⑤Past + future (mixed time)
Quá khứ + tương lai		Past simple → future forms

2Big picture vs detail

Overview = big picture, NO figuresBody = details WITH figures

Exercise · Overview or Body?

Drag each card (or tap a card, then tap a box). · Kéo thẻ hoặc chạm thẻ rồi chạm ô.

3Data Grouping Lab

You cannot report every number. First decide how to group the data, then which figures to report. · Không thể báo cáo mọi số liệu: chia nhóm trước, chọn số liệu sau.

Step A · Choose the grouping strategy

Pick one strategy. · Chọn một chiến lược.

Step B · Sort the data cards into Body 1 and Body 2

Drag each data card into its paragraph. · Kéo thẻ vào đúng đoạn.

Step C · Select the key figures

Which figures must appear in your report? · Số liệu nào bắt buộc phải có?

🔎 How to find the KEY FEATURES · Cách tìm Key Features

Scan the chart with these 6 radar questions. Each “yes” is a key feature. · Quét biểu đồ bằng 6 câu hỏi radar; mỗi câu trả lời “có” là một key feature.

1Highest & lowest · Giá trị cao nhất / thấp nhất
Which item is biggest / smallest – at the start, at the end?
2Biggest change · Thay đổi lớn nhất
Compare the FIRST and the LAST point of every line / bar.
3Overall direction · Xu hướng chung
Up, down, stable or fluctuating for the whole period?
4Peaks, troughs & turning points · Đỉnh, đáy, điểm đổi chiều
Where does a line stop rising and start falling?
5Crossovers & ranking changes · Điểm giao nhau, đổi thứ hạng
Does one item overtake another?
6Exceptions & similar groups · Ngoại lệ, nhóm giống nhau
Which item behaves differently? Which items behave alike?
Rule: key feature (no number) → Overview; the figures that PROVE it → Body 1 Body 2. Report start, end, peak / low point, crossover. Skip middle points that add nothing. · Chỉ báo cáo điểm đầu, cuối, đỉnh/đáy, giao nhau; bỏ điểm giữa không thêm thông tin.

📈 Why it raises your band · Vì sao tăng band (Task Achievement)

Band 4–5Recounts details mechanically; no clear overview; key features missed.
Liệt kê số liệu máy móc, thiếu overview
Band 6Presents an overview with information appropriately selected.
Có overview, chọn thông tin hợp lý
Band 7Clear overview of main trends / differences; clearly presents and highlights key features.
Overview rõ, làm nổi bật key features
Band 8+Key features are well illustrated and fully extended.
Key features được minh hoạ đầy đủ, mở rộng tốt
Key features of THIS chart (check after Step C)
Key featureHow we found it (radar)Goes to
Both prices fell throughout the period.Radar 3 · Overall direction: both lines slope down from left to right.Overview
Colour TVs were the more expensive type in every year.Radar 1 · Highest & lowest: the blue line is always above the red line.Overview
The gap narrowed from C$720 (1985) to C$215 (2010).Radar 2 · Compare the distance between the lines at the start and at the end.Overview
Colour TVs fell by C$650 (900 → 250) – the biggest change.Radar 2 · Biggest change: first point vs last point.Body 1
Colour prices fell fast until 2000, then the decline slowed.Radar 4 · Turning point: the slope becomes flatter after C$480 in 2000.Body 1
Black-and-white prices more than halved (180 → 85), levelled off after 2000 and have no 2015 figure.Radar 4 + 6 · Flattening line; exception: the red line stops in 2010.Body 2

4Language bank

Each phrase is tagged with the paragraph where you use it. Tap a paragraph to filter. · Mỗi cụm từ có nhãn đoạn văn sử dụng; bấm để lọc theo đoạn.

Word / phraseTiếng ViệtBandUse in · Dùng ở đoạnExample with this chart
the average cost ofgiá trung bình của4.5IntroThe line graph shows the average cost of two types of TV.
gives information aboutcung cấp thông tin về5.5IntroThe line graph gives information about TV prices in Canada.
over a 30-year periodtrong giai đoạn 30 năm7.5IntroPrices are compared over a 30-year period.
Overall,Nhìn chung,4.5OverviewOverall, both types of TV became cheaper.
became cheapertrở nên rẻ hơn4.5OverviewBoth types of TV became cheaper over the period.
whereastrong khi đó5.5OverviewBody 2Colour TVs fell sharply, whereas black-and-white TVs fell slowly.
the price gap narrowedchênh lệch giá thu hẹp6.5OverviewBody 2The price gap narrowed as colour TVs became cheaper.
far more pronouncedrõ rệt hơn nhiều7.5OverviewThe fall was far more pronounced for colour TVs.
decreasedgiảm4.5Body 1Body 2The price of colour TVs decreased to C$300 in 2010.
fell steadilygiảm đều5.5Body 1Colour TV prices fell steadily until 2000.
a drop ofmức giảm6.5Body 1There was a drop of C$650 in colour TV prices.
the rate of decline slowedtốc độ giảm chậm lại6.5Body 1After 2000, the rate of decline slowed.
lost momentummất đà7.5Body 1The fall in colour TV prices lost momentum after 2000.
much cheaperrẻ hơn nhiều4.5Body 2Black-and-white TVs were much cheaper.
levelled offchững lại, đi ngang5.5Body 2Black-and-white TV prices levelled off after 2000.
dipped slightlygiảm nhẹ5.5Body 2The price dipped slightly to C$85 in 2010.
more than halvedgiảm hơn một nửa6.5Body 2Black-and-white TV prices more than halved.
a fifth ofmột phần năm của7.5Body 2A black-and-white TV cost a fifth of the price of a colour TV in 1985.

Exercise · Trend and comparison words

Drag the right word into each gap. Two words are extra.

Exercise · Tense for this time frame

Time frame ①: Past simple; by + year → past perfect.

5Introduction

Introduction = paraphrase the task in ONE sentence: [chart] + [verb] + WHAT + WHERE + WHEN. · Mở bài = viết lại đề trong 1 câu.

Task wordingSynonym 1 · Band 4.5–5.5Synonym 2 · Band 6.5Synonym 3 · Band 7.5
illustratesshowsg… (tap)gives information aboutc… (tap)compares
the average prices of black-and-white and colour televisionsthe average cost of black-and-white and colour TVsh… (tap)how much black-and-white and colour TVs cost on averaget… (tap)the typical price of monochrome and colour television sets
in Canadaacross Canadai… (tap)in the Canadian marketf… (tap)for Canadian consumers
from 1985 to 2015between 1985 and 2015o… (tap)over a 30-year periodo… (tap)over the three decades from 1985

🧩 Intro mixer · Ghép mở bài từ 3 cột synonyms

Choose one option in each row – the sentence builds itself. Change at least 3 rows. · Chọn mỗi dòng một phương án – câu tự ghép. Đổi ít nhất 3 dòng.

3 formulas for the introduction · 3 công thức mở bài

Formula 1 · Synonym swap Band 4.5–5.5
The + [chart] + shows + [WHAT – synonym] + [WHERE] + [WHEN – between … and …].
Build it in the exercise below ↓
Formula 2 · How much clause + unit Band 6.5
The + [chart] + gives information about + how much + [WHAT as a clause] + [WHERE] + [WHEN], + measured in + [UNIT].
Build it in the exercise below ↓
Formula 3 · Compare + in terms of + period length Band 7.5
The + [chart] + compares + [WHAT – subjects] + in terms of + [measure] + [WHERE] + over + [length of period].
Build it in the exercise below ↓

Exercise · Build one introduction with each formula

Drag the pieces into the yellow line in the right order. · Xếp các mảnh theo đúng thứ tự.

✍️ Write your own introduction (Band 6.5–7.5)

Use a formula you have not used yet. · Dùng công thức bạn chưa dùng.
    Band 4.5–5.5: press “Use as my introduction ✓” in the mixer – your sentence goes into the final report.

    6Overview

    There are 3 common ways to write an overview. Use the type that fits the time frame – the best overview combines TWO of them. · 3 cách viết overview phổ biến; overview tốt thường kết hợp 2 cách.

    TypeUse for · Dùng cho khungPopularity & ease · Phổ biến, dễ viếtFormula
    a · Trend overview
    Overview xu hướng    		① ④ ⑤ – dynamic charts (2+ time points)★★★ Most common for change-over-time charts. Easy: both lines go down.Overall, [A] + fell / rose …, while / and [B] + …
    b · Comparison overview
    Overview so sánh    		② ③ – static charts, 1C; also useful here (two lines)★★ Needs comparison structures (more expensive than, the gap).Overall, [A] + was more expensive than + [B] …, but the gap …
    c · Highest / lowest overview
    Overview cao nhất / thấp nhất    		All frames ①–⑤ – especially bar, pie, table★★★ Easiest: find the highest and the lowest price.Overall, [A] + had the highest …, while [B] + had the lowest …
    This chart (①): recommended = a · Trend overview + c · Highest / lowest overview. Dạng thời gian (①④⑤) → Trend + Highest/Lowest; dạng tĩnh (②③) → Comparison + Highest/Lowest. Highest/Lowest dễ viết nhất.

    Exercise · Choose the best overview

    One is right; the others break a rule.

    Practice (Band 4.5) · Build the 3 kinds of overview

    Drag the pieces into the right order. · Kéo các mảnh để tạo câu overview.

    Practice (Band 5.5) · Build the 3 kinds of overview

    Drag the pieces into the right order. · Kéo các mảnh để tạo câu overview.

    Write the 3 overview types (Band 6.5–7.5)

    a · Trend overview — write yours

    Overall, [A] + fell / rose …, while / and [B] + …
    Show a Band 6.5 exampleOverall, both types of television became cheaper, with colour sets showing a far steeper decline than black-and-white ones.
    Show a Band 7.5 exampleOverall, televisions grew steadily more affordable, although the downward trend was considerably sharper for colour models than for monochrome sets, which eventually levelled off.

      b · Comparison overview — write yours

      Overall, [A] + was more expensive than + [B] …, but the gap …
      Show a Band 6.5 exampleOverall, colour televisions remained considerably more expensive than black-and-white ones, but the price gap narrowed significantly over time.
      Show a Band 7.5 exampleOverall, colour sets commanded a substantially higher price than their black-and-white counterparts throughout, yet the gap between them narrowed markedly.

        c · Highest / lowest overview — write yours

        Overall, [A] + had the highest …, while [B] + had the lowest …
        Show a Band 6.5 exampleOverall, colour televisions recorded the highest price at the beginning, whereas the lowest figure was for black-and-white sets at the end of the data.
        Show a Band 7.5 exampleOverall, the colour television was consistently the costlier product, while black-and-white sets remained the cheapest option, ending at their lowest level in the final recorded year.

          ✍️ Your final overview (matches your Body grouping)

          Start like this: Overall, the prices of both …
          Sentence frame · Khung câuOverall, [the trend of both lines], with [the line that fell more], although [comparison that stayed true].
          Need help? Open the sentence frameOverall, [the trend of both lines], with [the line that fell more], although [comparison that stayed true].
          Band 7.5 challenge:
          • Use one nominalised trend (e.g. a threefold increase).
          • Add one participle clause (…, reaching a peak of …).

            7Body 1 & Body 2

            Choose the Body method by time frame. Safe = group the data; Advanced = group + extend each sentence. · Chọn cách viết Body theo khung thời gian: an toàn (gom số liệu) hoặc nâng cao (mở rộng câu).

            Time frameTense🛡 Safe Body · An toàn, gom số liệu🚀 Advanced Body · Nâng cao, mở rộng
            ① Past – a period (dynamic)Past simple; by + year → past perfectGroup lines by trend. For each group: start → grouped middle (fluctuated between … and …) → end.Compare inside the group (similarly / whereas), add a participle clause (…, reaching …), by which time + past perfect, nominalised trends (a threefold increase).
            ② Past – one point (static)Past simpleBiggest items in Body 1, smaller items in Body 2. Use was / accounted for / stood at.Ratios and multiples (twice as much as, a third of), while / whereas contrasts, relative clauses (…, which was the highest).
            ③ Present / no yearPresent simpleBig group vs small group, or category A vs category B – present simple only.Similarity vs difference grouping, noun clauses (It is noticeable that …), approximations (roughly, just over).
            ④ Future – projectionis expected / projected / predicted to + V; willStart point (now) → projected end point for each group; repeat one future form correctly.Vary forms (is set to, is forecast to, is likely to), future perfect with by + year, nominalisation (a projected doubling).
            ⑤ Past + future (mixed time)Past simple → future formsBody 1 = past part (past simple), Body 2 = projection (is expected to / will). Never mix tenses in one sentence.Transition sentence at the split year (From 2025 onwards, …), contrast past vs predicted trends with whereas, future perfect for end points.

            Body 1 — Colour TVs – a dramatic fall that slowed after 2000

            🛡 Safe method · Band 4.5–5.5 ★ Recommended for your band
            1. Topic sentence – name the line
              Colour TVs saw the biggest change in price.
            2. Start point + grouped fast fall (gom số liệu)
              They cost C$900 in 1985, and the price went down quickly to C$480 in 2000.
            3. Slower fall + end point
              After that, it fell more slowly and was C$250 in 2015.
            🚀 Advanced method · Band 6.5–7.5 ★ Recommended for your band
            1. Topic sentence with comparison
              Colour televisions experienced by far the steeper fall of the two products.
            2. Grouped fast fall + participle clause
              Starting at C$900 in 1985, their price dropped by C$150 every five years until 1995.
            3. Slowdown + relative clause / nominalisation
              The decline then eased, ending at C$250 in 2015, which represented a fall of C$650 overall.
            More upgrades → Tab ② Sentence Skills

            Exercise · Put the figures in place

            Drag the correct figure into each gap. Some figures are extra.

            Exercise · Order the sentences

            Drag the sentences into the yellow box in a logical order.

            ✍️ Write Body 1

            Start like this: In 1985, a colour TV cost …
            Sentence frame · Khung câuIn [year], [X] cost [figure]. The price [verb + adverb] to [figure] in [year]. After [year], [the decline slowed], and it reached [figure] in [year].
            Need help? Open the sentence frameIn [year], [X] cost [figure]. The price [verb + adverb] to [figure] in [year]. After [year], [the decline slowed], and it reached [figure] in [year].
            Band 7.5 challenge:
            • Use one nominalised trend (e.g. a threefold increase).
            • Add one participle clause (…, reaching a peak of …).
            • Make one comparison with times / fractions (almost three times as much as …).
            • Use one accurate approximation (just under, roughly, well over).

              Body 2 — Black-and-white TVs – a gentle fall, then levelling off + the gap

              🛡 Safe method · Band 4.5–5.5 ★ Recommended for your band
              1. Topic sentence – name the line
                Black-and-white TVs were always much cheaper.
              2. Start point + gradual fall
                Their price was C$180 in 1985 and fell slowly to C$100 in 2000.
              3. Levelling off + the gap
                Then it stayed almost the same, at C$85 in 2010, so the difference between the two prices became smaller.
              🚀 Advanced method · Band 6.5–7.5 ★ Recommended for your band
              1. Topic sentence with contrast
                Black-and-white sets, by contrast, saw only a modest decline.
              2. Adverbial clause (although)
                Although their price more than halved, most of this fall happened before 2000, when it reached C$100.
              3. Noun clause + the gap
                What is notable is that the gap between the two products shrank from C$720 to C$215 by 2010.
              More upgrades → Tab ② Sentence Skills

              Exercise · Put the figures in place

              Drag the correct figure into each gap. Some figures are extra.

              Exercise · Order the sentences

              Drag the sentences into the yellow box in a logical order.

              ✍️ Write Body 2

              Start like this: Black-and-white TVs were much cheaper, at …
              Sentence frame · Khung câu[X] were much cheaper, at [figure] in [year]. The price [verb + adverb] to [figure] in [year], and then [levelled off] at [figure]. As a result, the gap [had narrowed] from [figure] to [figure].
              Need help? Open the sentence frame[X] were much cheaper, at [figure] in [year]. The price [verb + adverb] to [figure] in [year], and then [levelled off] at [figure]. As a result, the gap [had narrowed] from [figure] to [figure].
              Band 7.5 challenge:
              • Use one nominalised trend (e.g. a threefold increase).
              • Add one participle clause (…, reaching a peak of …).
              • Make one comparison with times / fractions (almost three times as much as …).
              • Use one accurate approximation (just under, roughly, well over).

                8Final report & models

                Your full report ·

                  Teacher: dán bài của học viên vào ô trên rồi bấm “Chấm điểm” để có điểm ước lượng theo 4 tiêu chí. Điểm tự động chỉ mang tính tham khảo.

                  Self-check before you see the models

                  🔒 Model answers (4 bands) & band ladder — ask your teacher for the password after your self-check.