IELTS WRITING TEST - WRITING SKILLS

When you study in an academic context, you need to be able to write clear, formal English. There are two writing tasks in IELTS, reflecting some of the different types of writing that you will have to produce if you study in the medium of English. 

You have one hour to complete the two tasks. You will need to:

- complete the task appropriately

- organize and link your ideas clearly

- write accurately and with a good range of vocabulary

DEVELOPING WRITING SKILLS 1: Completing the task appropriately

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU IN TASK 1?

In the IELTS Task 1, you may need to describe any of the following types of graphs or diagrams:

You may also have to describe a process illustrated by a diagram, or information presented in a table. 

In answering a Task 1 question, you will need to:

• Interpret the data accurately
• point out overall trends rather than details
• include only relevant information
• use appropriate vocabulary

Structure of Writing Task 1

Exercise 1. Read the following task and answer these questions by referring to the graph below:

1. According to the instructions, what does the graph show?

2. What does OECD stand for? What do the numbers represent?

3. What is a key feature of the graph?

4. What trends are shown on the graph?

The graph below shows carbon dioxide emission in several areas of the world. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. You should write at least 150 words.

Read this sample description and answer the following questions.

1. What information has the writer started with?

2. Are the figures correct?

3. What trends have been described?

4. How have the ideas been linked?

  

EXAM TIP: The examiner will look for evidence that you can:

- group information

- link points in complex sentences

- use appropriate vocabulary and structures for describing trends

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU IN TASK 2?

In Task 2 you are expected to produce an academic style essay in which you present your views on the topic given. In order to do this you will have to follow the conventions of essay writing. 

In answering a Task 2 question, you will need to:

• state your thesis
• produce evidence to support your thesis
• clearly organize your argument
• write an appropriate conclusion

Exercise 2. Read the following task. What do you have to write about? Underline the words which help you decide.

University lecturers are now able to put their lectures on the Internet for students to read and so the importance of attending face to face lectures has been reduced. Do you believe the use of the Internet in formal education is a good idea? What future effects will the Internet have on academic study?

Think about the task.

1. What are your personal views on the subject?

2. What is a possible future effect?

3. Think of two pieces of evidence to support your idea.

4. Think of a personal example to support your idea.

EXAM TIP: Don’t forget to include examples relevant to your experience. Remember you are not expected to be an expert on the topic. Personal experience counts!

Exercise 3. Read a sample answer by a student. What is his view? Do you agree?

Look at the sample answer again.

1. How many paragraphs does the writer use to answer the question?

2. What is the purpose of the first and last paragraphs?

3. Now re-read each paragraph. What is the function of the first sentence in each paragraph?

An academic essay in English follows a specific conventional structure. 

DEVELOPING WRITING SKILLS 2: Organising and linking your ideas

HOW IS YOUR ABILITY TO ORGANISE AND LINK YOUR IDEAS ASSESSED IN IELTS?

When writing your answer Task 1, you will need to use appropriate linkers and structures to present the data clearly. Your answer to writing Task 2 must have a clear line of argument with relevant point that are linked well.

Exercise 4. Look at the sentences in columns A and B below and join them together using one of the linking words or phrases in the box.

Exercise 5. Re-order the sentences below to create one coherent text. Underline all the words which help you to do this and say whether the link is in the meaning (i.e. lexical) or in the grammatical structure (i.e. grammatical).

EXAM TIP: When you write your answer, you must be able to demonstrate that your ideas follow a logical sequence within and across the paragraphs. If you do this, your ideas will be coherent and clear.

DEVELOPING WRITING SKILLS 3: Writing accurately and with a good range of vocabulary

WHAT ASPECTS OF GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE EXAMINER?

There are many areas of grammar that the person marking your answer will be checking for. These include:

• verb tenses and verb agreements
• tense range
• sentence structure and word order
• spelling and punctuation

You will also need to demonstrate that you can:

• produce a range of sentence patterns
• use a range of vocabulary and structures

EXAM TIP: It is easy to make mistakes when you are under pressure so it is vital to leave time to check your answer for mistakes before you hand in your work.

Exercise 6. Rewrite the following paragraph to improve its grammatical accuracy