IELTS Writing
This section of the IELTS Exam consists of two tasks which should take you 60 minutes to complete.
Graph, Table or Chart (Academic)
Task 1 of the IELTS Writing test assesses your ability to analyse the visuals and show you the difference between answering graphs compared to maps and processes. More specifically, you will be asked to describe quantity, speed and change, along with appropriate sentence structure for these type of questions.
In the first task, you will be presented with a table, graph, chart, or diagram, and you will have to summarize, describe, or explain it. You may be asked to explain and describe data, stages of any process, how something functions, or even write an event/object. This task assesses the ability to identify the most important and relevant information and trends in a graph, chart, table or diagram, and to give a well-organised overview of it using language accurately in an academic style.
- For Academic Writing Task 1, when writing the introduction, never copy the text from the question. Always use your own words.
- Identify the ‘key idea’ that the graph or table is presenting. Try and mention each category of data in a graph, chart or table.
- Compare only ‘like to like’, e.g numbers to numbers or percentages to percentages.
- Use the present verb tense
Letter (General Training)
You are asked to write a letter which requests information or explains any particular situation. This may be a personal, semi-formal, or formal letter.
To complete the task, your answer must be at least 150 words in length and completed in 20 minutes.
- Do not concentrate on writing long and complicated answers. Write well, coherent and organise your thoughts well. Ensure, your grammar is immaculate.
Essay
In Writing Task 2, you are asked to write an essay as a response to an argument, point of view, or problem. Your response should be written in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style present a clear, relevant, well-organised argument, giving evidence or examples to support ideas and use language accurately. This task is allotted 40 minutes and your response should be a minimum of 250 words in length.
- Task 2 of the Academic Writing test is an essay. Always plan the structure of your essay beforehand. Place a nice introduction, supporting ideas and real-life examples.
- Keep the last paragraph for a valid conclusion of all the points you’ve made in the answer.
- Remember to stick to the word limit. If you happen to write lesser than 150 words in Task 1 or lesser than 250 in Task 2, you will lose marks.