- 85.7KShares
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.
- Paraphrase what the essay shows.
- 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.
- Write in more detail about the first view.
- 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.
- Write about the next view and compare.
- Switch to the final view.
- 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
- Do you like reading books about history?
- Which country’s history is most interesting to you?
- Which historical event or period do you find most interesting?
- Why is it important to read about history?
Writing Practice
Write about a similar process below and then check with my sample answer:

- 85.7KShares