← All guidesIELTS Academic Writing Task 1: the 20-minute data report for Band 7+
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: the 20-minute data report for Band 7+ — the overview rule that caps 6.5 scripts, tense rules, and drill plans.
By the IELTS Training editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-10-04Free account to read
1. Know what the examiners actually score
Task Achievement at Band 7 requires: all requirements of the task fully covered, a clear overview of main trends/differences/stages, and data clearly selected to illustrate. Note the word "clear" twice. Miss the overview — the single sentence (or two) summarising the big picture — and you are capped below 7 no matter how good your English is. Most 6.5 scripts have strong grammar and zero overview.
2. The 4-paragraph spine (use it every time)
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