APIEIELTS Writing Task 1: The Attention Economy
The attention economy and digital wellbeing
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
How to use this lesson
👨🏫 For the teacher
Run through this 10-minute warm-up module at a brisk pace to reactivate reporting lexis before students tackle the Task 1 prompt.
Let learners complete each section independently, then do a quick 2-minute choral or peer-check before moving on.
🎯 For the learner
Start with Part A to refresh key word forms, then test your natural collocations and standard sentence phrases in Parts B and C.
Finish with the 3 paraphrase challenges in Part D so you can avoid repetitive structures in your writing.
In this module, you will practice the exact words, phrases, and sentence patterns needed to report figures clearly, using annual visitor records from City Zoo.
Word forms for describing changes
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the word in brackets. Pay attention to whether the sentence requires a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
1. Attendance figures at the zoo tended to [fluctuation] between 12,000 and 15,000 visitors per week throughout spring.
2. Weekend visitor numbers rose [dramatic] during July, reaching almost double the winter average.
3. After several weeks of unpredictable weather, ticket sales began to [stable] at roughly 20,000 per month.
4. A [sharply] contraction in overseas tourist admissions was recorded in November.
5. Student groups constituted a significant [proportionate] of all autumn zoo entries.
Collocations for describing data
Choose the single word that forms the most natural and accurate academic collocation in each sentence.
1. August recorded a _____ rise in family ticket bookings, surpassing every other month.
2. Following the heavy rains in October, visitor numbers _____ to their lowest point of the year.
3. Annual membership passes remained virtually _____ at 4,000 entries per month over the winter period.
4. Daily entries peaked in mid-summer before experiencing a _____ reduction as schools reopened.
5. Admission levels _____ off at around 18,000 visitors per week throughout September and October.
Common phrases for describing figures
Fill in each blank using the exact phrase from the word bank below. Use each phrase once.
Word Bank
1. Total visitor admissions _____ approximately 8,500 in January before picking up in the spring.
2. In August, monthly attendance _____ 45,000 visitors, the highest figure recorded that calendar year.
3. Senior citizens and children _____ over 60% of all discounted weekday passes sold.
4. During late autumn, weekend admissions _____ as outdoor temperatures dropped.
5. Zoo attendance was noticeably lower in February _____ the summer months.
Paraphrase: Saying the same thing differently
Choose the sentence (a, b, or c) that accurately restates the given sentence without changing the factual meaning.
Original sentence:
"The number of visitors to the zoo tripled between May and August."
Which sentence expresses the exact same meaning?
Original sentence:
"Slightly under a third of all annual visitors came during the summer quarter."
Which sentence expresses the exact same meaning?
Original sentence:
"While weekend guest numbers grew steadily, weekday admissions remained flat."
Which sentence expresses the exact same meaning?
Now study the task prompt and table below, check the standard requirements, and draft your complete report.
The table shows the percentage of adults in one country who spent different amounts of time on screens outside work each day in 2012 and in 2022. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
| Daily screen time | 2012 (%) | 2022 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 hours | 30 | 12 |
| 2-4 hours | 40 | 28 |
| 4-6 hours | 20 | 34 |
| Over 6 hours | 10 | 26 |
(Figures are fictional.)
What every Task 1 report needs
Before you write or submit, make sure your response meets all five essential criteria:
A clear overview
Summarise the big picture and overall trend in a clear, separate statement.
Key features
Pick out the most noticeable highs, lows, and shifts instead of listing every single item.
Comparisons
Compare categories and time periods directly to show how figures relate to one another.
Accurate figures
Quote the numbers and units accurately to support every claim you make.
At least 150 words
Aim for a fully developed report, not just a list of numbers.
Write your report
AI GradedType your complete report in the box below. When you are ready, submit your text to receive detailed feedback across all four official criteria.
____ (Type your full report here (introduction, overview, and detail paragraphs)...)Have a look at this sample answer to see how everything fits together cleanly, then check the notes below to borrow the best phrases for your own writing.
Model Answer
The table illustrates the proportion of adults in one country who spent free time on screens across four daily categories in 2012 and 2022. Overall, adults spent noticeably more leisure time on screens over the decade. While the lighter usage brackets saw sharp declines, the shares reporting heavier screen use expanded substantially, with four to six hours becoming the most prevalent bracket.
Looking first at lower screen time, in 2012, seven in ten adults used screens for under four hours daily. The largest share was the two-to-four-hour group at 40%, followed by under two hours at 30%. However, by 2022, both categories experienced marked falls. The proportion under two hours dropped to less than half its initial level at 12%, while the two-to-four-hour group contracted to 28%.
In sharp contrast, heavier usage patterns grew dramatically. In 2012, just 20% of adults logged four to six hours daily, and a mere 10% exceeded six hours. By 2022, the four-to-six-hour bracket climbed to 34%, overtaking all other groups. Meanwhile, the percentage spending over six hours more than doubled to reach 26%.
Why these phrases work
"illustrates the proportion of"
OpeningWhy this works: It replaces common prompt words like "shows the percentage of" right away in your opening line, showing you can rephrase the title smoothly.
"saw sharp declines"
OverviewWhy this works: Instead of saying "went down quickly", this lets the category take action (like saying "the company saw quick growth"), making your overview sound natural and concise.
"becoming the most prevalent bracket"
ComparisonWhy this works: It highlights the new number-one position without repeating "the highest percentage", keeping your vocabulary varied and fresh.
"seven in ten"
GroupingWhy this works: Grouping 30% and 40% into 70% ("seven in ten") shows you can spot larger patterns instead of just copying out every individual number in the box.
"dropped to less than half its initial level"
RatiosWhy this works: Half of 30% is 15%, so 12% is strictly under half. Comparing a number back to where it started gives the reader a clearer picture than just listing "30% and 12%".
"In sharp contrast"
LinkingWhy this works: It clearly signals that you are pivoting from groups that fell to groups that went up, helping your paragraphs flow smoothly from one thought to the next.
"overtaking all other groups"
Adding detailWhy this works: Tacking this phrase onto the end of your sentence explains the real significance of 34% in one neat step, rather than starting a whole new sentence.
"more than doubled to reach"
AccuracyWhy this works: The number rose from 10% to 26%. Saying "more than doubled" is mathematically correct because 26% is above 20%, whereas saying "tripled" would be an error since 26% never reached 30%.
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