Ending Task 1 (Academic): what to do and what to avoid
Clear final lines and useful examples
Somewhere in your Task 1 report you must include an overview of the main trends or information shown. The final lines should show the examiner that your report is finished and that you have completed the task.
DON’T use “In conclusion” — Task 1 Academic is not asking for opinions or personal views. DON’T add a personal point of view or extra explanation not present in the data.
DO use neutral closing expressions such as “Overall” or “To sum up” to signal the end of the report. You may also use a direct phrase like “This ends the report…” but follow it with neutral factual information related to the task.
DO present a concise overview of the main points. If you’ve already stated the overview in the body, you may repeat it using different vocabulary.
DON’T write “The end” — this is not appropriate language for the test and does not show the required level of writing.
Examples of good end statements for Task 1 Academic:
- To sum up, it can be seen that sales were at their highest in 2012 and have fallen since that date.
- Overall, it can be seen that nurses had the longest working hours of all occupations given in the table.
- This ends the report on the data provided in the chart, which clearly illustrates that studying in New Zealand and Australia are the least expensive options for international students.
BOOST YOUR VOCABULARY! Here’s a glossary of key words from this post:
| Word (Part of Speech) | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Overview (noun) | a short description of the most important points | Write a brief overview summarising the main trends in the chart. |
| Trends (noun) | general directions or patterns shown by the data | The trends show a steady increase in sales over five years. |
| Indicate (verb) | to show or point out | The chart indicates that 2012 was the busiest year. |
| Imply (verb) | to suggest something without saying it directly | Avoid implying opinions in Task 1; stick to the facts. |
| Insight (noun) | a clear, deep understanding of something | Task 1 does not ask for personal insight—report the data instead. |
| Transfer (verb) | to move or copy information from the chart into words | Your task is to transfer the information from the graph into a clear report. |
| Paraphrase (verb) | to say the same idea using different words | Paraphrase the question in your introduction to avoid repeating it. |
| Vocabulary (noun) | the words you know and use when writing or speaking | Use varied vocabulary to describe changes and comparisons in the chart. |
| Examiner (noun) | the person who marks your test | Make the end of your report clear so the examiner knows you have finished. |
| Academic (adjective) | relating to study or education at a higher level | In Academic Task 1 you must report the data, not give personal opinions. |