Mastering Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 1

This can be summed up by the one word: “flow.” Your writing needs to flow — meaning, one idea should lead to the next. There should be a clear connection between your sentences.

Also, this platform suggests writing two detailed paragraphs in order to attempt any chart report. So, you need to logically group the data into paragraphs. Failing to do that shows your lack of expertise in organization.

IELTS Writing Task essentially is an organizational test — how you group the data matters.

However, there is no single correct way to organize the data. You can group larger figures together, or smaller ones together. If the chart talks about costs, then you can group salaries of different personnel together, and other costs together.
Just show the examiner what your organization is based on.

Have a look at the the required coherence and cohesion according to the band you desire, taken from IELTS British Council.

🧠 Let’s Practice

Have a look at the prompt and sample reports. Then, answer:
Which one does better in terms of coherence and cohesion?

📊 IELTS Writing Task 1 Prompt:

The table gives information on consumer spending on different items in five different countries in 2002.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

📝 Sample Report 1

The table shows data on consumer expenditure in three different categories across five countries in 2002.

Overall, all countries spent the largest proportion of their money on food, drinks, and tobacco, whereas leisure and education received the least amount of spending.

Citizens of Turkey and Ireland allocated the highest shares of their expenditure to food, drinks, and tobacco, with Turkey spending 32.14% and Ireland 28.91%. The remaining countries spent relatively less: Spain allocated 18.80%, Italy 16.36%, and Sweden 15.77%.

Clothing and footwear was the second most popular category, with Italy spending the highest proportion at 9.00%. Sweden spent the least in this category, at just 5.40%.

Leisure and education received the lowest percentage of spending in all countries, with each allocating under 5%. Turkey again spent the most, at 4.35%, while Spain spent the least, at 1.98%.

📝 Sample Report 2

The table shows data on consumer expenditure in three different categories across five countries in 2002.

Overall, all countries spent the largest proportion of their money on food, drinks, and tobacco, whereas leisure and education received the least amount of spending.

Citizens of Turkey and Ireland allocated the highest shares of their expenditure to food, drinks, and tobacco, with Turkey spending 32.14% and Ireland 28.91%. Clothing and footwear was the second most popular category, with Italy spending the highest proportion at 9.00%. Leisure and education received the lowest percentage of spending in all countries, with each allocating under 5%.

The remaining countries spent relatively less: Spain allocated 18.80%, Italy 16.36%, and Sweden 15.77%. Sweden spent the least in the category of clothing and footwear, at just 5.40%. Turkey spent the most in the category of leisure and education, at 4.35%, while Spain spent the least, at 1.98%.

✅ Which One Was Better at Coherence and Cohesion?

You got it right, right?

The first one groups the data according to categories, while the second one gives the same information without a logical order or organization.

🔚 To Sum Up

In order to do well in this section, just make sure to group the data logically. As far as the flow of writing is concerned, ensure that each sentence leads to the next. Use linking words wherever applicable!

Also, keep in mind — using too many transitional devices such as furthermore, however, and in addition can be troublesome.
Use them only when needed. Depending on them for every sentence can lower your band score in this category.