IELTS Essay Task 1: Prehistoric Tools

This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of a prehistoric tool.

Please consider supporting my efforts to creative high quality IELTS materials for students around the world by signing up for my Patreon (and so you won’t miss out on any of my exclusive IELTS Ebooks)!

Dave

IELTS Essay Task 1: Prehistoric Tools

The diagrams below illustrate early toos from 1.4 million years ago and 800,000 years ago. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.

The diagram presents a comparison of prehistoric tools dating back 1.4 and 0.8 million years ago. Overall, the older tool is less refined with rougher edges, while the newer one appears smoother and better preserved.

Comparing the two tools from the frontal view, the one from 1.4 million years ago is slightly narrower, displaying a less defined shape. The more recent one comes to a sharper point with clearly rounded sides.

The side view reveals that the older tool is also bulkier with more jagged indents than the much smoother one from 800,000 years ago. Finally, in terms of the back view there is a distinctive contrast as the newer has fewer major cracks and closely mirrors its front side. The older tool, on the other hand, is approximately half the size overall and is chipped down greatly in the back.

Analysis

1. The diagram presents a comparison of prehistoric tools dating back 1.4 and 0.8 million years ago. 2. Overall, the older tool is less refined with rougher edges, while the newer one appears smoother and better preserved.

1. Paraphrase what the essay shows.
2. Write a clear overview summarising the major trends and differences.

1. Comparing the two tools from the frontal view, the one from 1.4 million years ago is slightly narrower, displaying a less defined shape. 2. The more recent one comes to a sharper point with clearly rounded sides.

1. Write in more detail about the first view.
2. Be sure that you are always comparing them.

1. The side view reveals that the older tool is also bulkier with more jagged indents than the much smoother one from 800,000 years ago. 2. Finally, in terms of the back view there is a distinctive contrast as the newer has fewer major cracks and closely mirrors its front side. 3. The older tool, on the other hand, is approximately half the size overall and is chipped down greatly in the back.

1. Write about the next view and compare.
2. Switch to the final view.
3. Make sure you have detailed all the information.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

The diagram presents a comparison of prehistoric tools dating back 1.4 and 0.8 million years ago. Overall, the older tool is less refined with rougher edges, while the newer one appears smoother and better preserved.

Comparing the two tools from the frontal view, the one from 1.4 million years ago is slightly narrower, displaying a less defined shape. The more recent one comes to a sharper point with clearly rounded sides.

The side view reveals that the older tool is also bulkier with more jagged indents than the much smoother one from 800,000 years ago. Finally, in terms of the back view there is a distinctive contrast as the newer has fewer major cracks and closely mirrors its front side. The older tool, on the other hand, is approximately half the size overall and is chipped down greatly in the back.

Answers

presents shows

comparison differences

prehistoric tools tools made a very long time ago

dating back from a long time ago

less refined not as clear

rougher edges messy parts

appears smoother looks cleaner

preserved still in good shape

frontal view seen from the front

slightly narrower thinner a little bit

displaying showing

less defined shape not as clear of a shape

comes to a sharper point makes a point at the end

clearly rounded sides mosre circular sides

reveals shows

bulkier bigger

more jagged indents rougher

much smoother one cleaner, not jagged

in terms of the back view when it comes to the back

distinctive contrast clear differences

fewer major cracks not as many indents

closely mirrors similar to

on the other hand however

approximately around

chipped down greatly cut away at a lot

Pronunciation

ˈprɛznts 
kəmˈpærɪsn 
ˌpriːhɪsˈtɒrɪk tuːlz 
ˈdeɪtɪŋ bæk 
lɛs rɪˈfaɪnd 
ˈrʌfər ˈɛʤɪz
əˈpɪəz ˈsmuːðə 
prɪˈzɜːvd
ˈfrʌntl vjuː
ˈslaɪtli ˈnærəʊə
dɪsˈpleɪɪŋ 
lɛs dɪˈfaɪnd ʃeɪp
kʌmz tuː ə ˈʃɑːpə pɔɪnt 
ˈklɪəli ˈraʊndɪd saɪdz
rɪˈviːlz 
ˈbʌlkɪə 
mɔː ʤægd ˈɪndɛnts 
mʌʧ ˈsmuːðə wʌn 
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv ðə bæk vjuː 
dɪsˈtɪŋktɪv ˈkɒntrɑːst 
ˈfjuːə ˈmeɪʤə kræks 
ˈkləʊsli ˈmɪrəz 
ɒn ði ˈʌðə hænd
əˈprɒksɪmɪtli 
ʧɪpt daʊn ˈgreɪtli 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The diagram p__________s a c______________n of p________________s d_______________k 1.4 and 0.8 million years ago. Overall, the older tool is l__________________d with r_________________s, while the newer one a_________________r and better p___________d.

Comparing the two tools from the f____________w, the one from 1.4 million years ago is s___________________r, d_____________g a l_________________e. The more recent one c____________________t with c____________________s.

The side view r__________s that the older tool is also b_________r with m___________________s than the m________________e from 800,000 years ago. Finally, i_______________________w there is a d__________________t as the newer has f______________________s and c_________________s its front side. The older tool, o______________________d, is a________________y half the size overall and is c________________________y in the back.

Listening Practice

Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/06/tools-human-early-migration-rainforest-sri-lanka/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

History

1. Do you like reading books about history?
2. Which country’s history is most interesting to you?
3. Which historical event or period do you find most interesting?
4. Why is it important to read about history?

Writing Practice

Write about a similar process below and then check with my sample answer:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay: Rainwater Diagram/Process (Real Past IELTS Exam)