It is essential to use the right tense in IELTS writing task 1, both academic and GT. This page will explain which tenses to use. The academic test will be explained first and lower down the page you will find grammar tips for GT letters.
Also find writing task 1 tips further down the page.
For IELTS writing task 1, you may be given a map, a diagram, a bar chart, a line graph, a table or a pie chart in the academic test. The IELTS examiner will mark you on the following (each worth 25% of task 1)
So, you can see that using the right tense is important in IELTS writing task 1 because it falls into the marking criterion of Grammar.
Dates and Tenses
On your IELTS graph, chart, map, diagram or table, you might find dates. These will tell you what tense to use. See the list below:
Using Passive Voice in IELTS Writing Task 1
There are students who seem to think they will get a high score if they use passive voice. This is not true. You can only use passive voice when it is appropriate and correct to do so. Most writing task 1 will not give you this opportunity. However, if you get a diagram, they are usually a combination of passive and active voice.
Mixing both Past Tense and Future Forms
Here is a sample sentence using both tenses:
In 2010, the number of sales stood at 2 million and is forecast to rise to a peak of 10 million by 2050.
You can see past simple “stood” and future forms of prediction “is forecast to”
The examiner will mark you using the same criteria as the AC test, but with one difference in Task Achievement. The IELTS examiner will mark you on the following (each worth 25% of task 1). See below:
For students taking the General Training test. You will use a range of tenses in your letter depending on the aims and purpose. Below are some sample sentences: