📖 Step 1: Understanding Introduction Requirements
📊 Sample Task
The line graph below shows the percentage of tourists to England who visited four different attractions in Brighton between 1980 and 2010.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
A good introduction must meet all four IELTS criteria. Let's understand what each criterion requires:
🎯 Task Achievement
- ✅ Paraphrase the task prompt
- ✅ Identify chart type and data
- ✅ Mention time period and location
- ✅ Be accurate and complete
- ❌ Don't copy word-for-word
🔗 Coherence & Cohesion
- ✅ Use appropriate linking words
- ✅ Create smooth flow of ideas
- ✅ Connect information logically
- ✅ Use reference words (it, this, these)
- ❌ Avoid choppy, disconnected sentences
📚 Lexical Resource
- ✅ Use synonyms for key words
- ✅ Vary your vocabulary
- ✅ Use precise, formal language
- ✅ Demonstrate word knowledge
- ❌ Avoid repetition and basic words
⚖️ Grammar Accuracy & Range
- ✅ Use complex sentence structures
- ✅ Show variety in grammar
- ✅ Maintain accuracy
- ✅ Use appropriate tenses
- ❌ Avoid simple sentences only
❌ Weak Introduction Example
The line graph shows the percentage of tourists to England who visited four different attractions in Brighton between 1980 and 2010.
Problems:
- ❌ Task Achievement: Copies the prompt word-for-word
- ❌ Coherence: No linking or flow
- ❌ Lexical: No paraphrasing or synonyms
- ❌ Grammar: Only one simple sentence
✅ Strong Introduction Example
The graph illustrates the proportion of visitors to England who went to four tourist sites in Brighton over a 30-year period from 1980 to 2010.
Strengths:
- ✅ Task Achievement: Effectively paraphrases all key information
- ✅ Coherence: Flows naturally with good connections
- ✅ Lexical: Uses synonyms (illustrates, proportion, went to, tourist sites)
- ✅ Grammar: Complex sentence with relative clause
💡 Key Insight
A perfect introduction is like a movie trailer - it tells you exactly what you're about to see, but in more exciting language!
🔧 Step 2: The Introduction Formula
📐 The Perfect Introduction Formula
This formula ensures you cover all requirements while demonstrating language skills!
| Component | Original Prompt | Paraphrase Options | Criteria Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chart Type | line graph | graph, chart, diagram, figure | Lexical Resource |
| Action Verb | shows | illustrates, displays, presents, depicts, demonstrates | Lexical Resource |
| What | percentage of tourists | proportion of visitors, share of travellers | Task Achievement |
| Location | attractions in Brighton | tourist sites, destinations, places of interest | Lexical Resource |
| Time | between 1980 and 2010 | from 1980 to 2010, over a 30-year period | Grammar Range |
🎯 Applying the Formula
Step 1: Choose Chart Type + Action Verb
Original: "The line graph shows..."
Improved: "The graph illustrates..." / "The chart displays..." / "The diagram presents..."
Step 2: Paraphrase the Main Subject
Original: "percentage of tourists to England"
Improved: "proportion of visitors to England" / "share of travellers to England"
Step 3: Paraphrase the Specific Details
Original: "who visited four different attractions in Brighton"
Improved: "who went to four tourist sites in Brighton" / "who toured four destinations in Brighton"
Step 4: Enhance Time Expression
Original: "between 1980 and 2010"
Improved: "from 1980 to 2010" / "over a 30-year period from 1980 to 2010"
💡 Grammar Boost Tip
To show grammar range, use a relative clause: "The graph illustrates the proportion of visitors who went to four tourist sites..." This demonstrates complex sentence structure!
🏗️ Step 3: Build Your Introduction
📊 New Task
The bar chart below shows the number of cars sold by different companies in the UK in 2019 and 2020.
Let's build a perfect introduction step by step. Choose the best option for each component:
🔹 Step 1: Choose Chart Type + Action Verb
Replace: "The bar chart shows"
🔹 Step 2: Paraphrase the Main Subject
Replace: "the number of cars sold"
🔹 Step 3: Paraphrase Location/Agent
Replace: "by different companies"
🔹 Step 4: Enhance Time Expression
Replace: "in 2019 and 2020"
📊 Your Introduction Analysis
💡 Builder Success Tips
Remember: Each choice affects multiple criteria! Sophisticated vocabulary (LR) + accurate paraphrasing (TA) + complex structure (GA) = high band score!
✍️ Step 4: Free Practice
📊 Your Turn!
The pie chart below shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive. The table shows how these causes affected three regions of the world during the 1990s.
Now write your own introduction using everything you've learned. Remember the formula and criteria!
📊 Your Introduction Analysis
💡 Practice Tips
Aim for 25-35 words. Longer isn't always better - focus on quality paraphrasing and complex grammar structures!
🎯 Step 5: Perfection Techniques
Advanced Techniques for Band 8-9 Introductions
🔧 Technique 1: Complex Sentence Structures
Basic (Band 6): The chart shows car sales. The data is from 2019 and 2020.
Advanced (Band 8): The chart illustrates car sales data that was recorded over a two-year period from 2019 to 2020.
Grammar boost: Relative clause adds complexity and connects ideas smoothly.
🎨 Technique 2: Sophisticated Paraphrasing
| Original Phrase | Basic Paraphrase | Advanced Paraphrase | Why It's Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| shows | displays | illustrates / depicts / presents | More sophisticated vocabulary |
| different countries | various countries | multiple nations / several regions | Shows wider vocabulary range |
| from 2000 to 2020 | between 2000 and 2020 | over a two-decade period | Demonstrates time expression variety |
| the number of people | the amount of people | the population figures / demographic data | More precise and formal |
🔗 Technique 3: Cohesive Devices
Reference Words
Basic: The pie chart shows energy consumption. The pie chart covers five sectors.
Improved: The pie chart shows energy consumption across five sectors, while the accompanying table provides regional comparisons.
Connecting Multiple Charts
Good: The pie chart shows causes and the table shows regions.
Better: While the pie chart illustrates the main causes, the accompanying table demonstrates how these factors affected different regions.
⚖️ Technique 4: Grammar Range Showcase
Passive Voice
Active: The chart shows data that researchers collected...
Passive: The chart shows data that was collected over a five-year period.
Participle Clauses
Simple: The graph shows population growth. It covers urban areas.
Complex: The graph shows population growth, focusing specifically on urban areas across three decades.
🏆 The Perfect Introduction Checklist
✅ Task Achievement: All key information paraphrased accurately
✅ Coherence: Smooth flow with appropriate linking
✅ Lexical Resource: Sophisticated synonyms and varied vocabulary
✅ Grammar: Complex sentence with relative clause or other advanced structure
✅ Length: 25-35 words (concise but complete)
✅ Accuracy: No grammatical or spelling errors
🌟 Model Introductions by Chart Type
Line Graph
Task: The line graph shows the population of three cities from 1990 to 2020.
Model: The graph illustrates demographic changes in three urban centers over a three-decade period from 1990 to 2020.
Bar Chart
Task: The bar chart shows the amount of money spent on books in four countries in 2019.
Model: The chart presents comparative data on book expenditure across four nations during 2019.
Pie Chart
Task: The pie chart shows the main sources of energy used in a country.
Model: The diagram illustrates the proportional breakdown of primary energy sources utilized within a specific nation.
Table
Task: The table shows the number of students studying different subjects at a university.
Model: The table presents enrollment figures across various academic disciplines at a particular university.
🎯 Final Mastery Tip
Practice Formula: Write 10 different introductions using the same task prompt. This builds your paraphrasing muscles and shows you multiple ways to achieve Band 8-9 language!