IELTS Writing Task 1: how to select main points After a short introduction, I always try to write a paragraph which summarises the main points When there is a lot of information (like in the bar chart below), it can be difficult to select the main points The table below shows the figures for imprisonment in five countries between 1930 and 1980 (The y axis shows numbers of prisoners in thousands) (Cambridge IELTS 2) Usually I look for a change from the beginning to the end of the period However, there is no overall trend because the figures fluctuate So, I'll talk about the highest and lowest figures instead Here is my summary of the main points: While the figures for imprisonment fluctuated over the period shown, it is clear that the United States had the highest number of prisoners overall Great Britain, on the other hand, had the lowest number of prisoners for the majority of the period IELTS Writing Task 1: selecting details Last week's lesson was about selecting the main points After that you need to describe specific details The bar chart we saw last week contains a lot of information, so you will not be able to include everything Make sure that you write something about each country Select the most relevant point for each country, and don't forget to mention some figures I've written an example sentence about each country below United States The United States had the highest number of prisoners in four out of the six years shown on the chart, and in 1980 the figure for this country peaked at nearly 140,000 prisoners Canada Canada had the highest figures for imprisonment in 1930 and 1950, with about 120,000 prisoners in both years New Zealand and Australia The figures for New Zealand an Australia fluctuated between 40,000 and 100,000 prisoners, although New Zealand's prison population tended to be the higher of the two Great Britain In contrast to the figures for the other countries, the number of prisoners in Great Britain rose steadily between 1930 and 1980, reaching a peak of about 80,000 at the end of the period  ... shown on the chart, and in 19 80 the figure for this country peaked at nearly 14 0,000 prisoners Canada Canada had the highest figures for imprisonment in 19 30 and 19 50, with about 12 0,000 prisoners... 12 0,000 prisoners in both years New Zealand and Australia The figures for New Zealand an Australia fluctuated between 40,000 and 10 0,000 prisoners, although New Zealand's prison population tended to... figures for the other countries, the number of prisoners in Great Britain rose steadily between 19 30 and 19 80, reaching a peak of about 80,000 at the end of the period