How to use the 20 minutes for Task 1
Admin1 November 2026 1 min read
Task 1 gives you 20 minutes. A simple timing plan makes sure every answer has an overview and checked numbers.
The 20-minute plan
| Minutes | Do | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Read the chart. What is the unit? What changes most? What is biggest or smallest? | Three notes |
| 4 to 5 | Decide the overview and how to group details | The overview sentence |
| 6 to 17 | Write the introduction, overview and two body paragraphs | About 170 words |
| 18 to 20 | Check numbers, units, tenses and spelling | A clean copy |
What goes in each paragraph
- Introduction: paraphrase the title in one sentence.
- Overview: the two or three main trends or features, with no numbers.
- Body 1 and 2: group related data and compare, with figures.
If you are running out of time
Shorten the details, not the overview.
- Overview written
- Units and years correct
- Tense matches the time period
#writing#task 1
Test the strategy under time
A timed mock shows whether the plan holds up.