In IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic), candidates describe:

**The reasoning** IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic) is a **data description task**. You're given visual information — a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, diagram, or map — and you must describe what you see objectively. The task tests your ability to identify trends, compare data, and report factual information clearly. You write around 150 words summarizing the key features without adding personal opinions. This is different from Task 2, where you *do* give your opinion on an issue. **Why the wrong options tempt you** **A) Opinion** sounds right because Task *2* asks for your opinion — students mix these up. **C) Story** might seem possible because you "tell what happened" in the data, but it's formal reporting, not narrative storytelling. **D) Poem** is obviously wrong, but it's there to catch anyone who didn't study the format at all. **Quick takeaway** Task 1 = describe **what the data shows**; Task 2 = argue **what you think** — keep them separate and you'll never confuse them again.