IELTS Writing

Among the four skills assessed in IELTS, IELTS Writing will be discussed in this blog. There will be different IELTS Writing tests for IELTS Academic and IELTS General test takers. IELTS Writing is considered the most challenging part of the IELTS test. During the writing test, the test taker must answer two writing Questions.  This test will assess a wide range of writing skills of the test taker like

• The ability to write the response appropriately
• The ability to organize ideas
• The ability to use a range of vocabulary and grammar accurately

Test Duration: 60 minutes

IELTS Writing task will be conducted within 60 minutes. Within the given 60 minutes, the test takers are required to answer 2 questions. The first task is worth only 33% of the Writing scores and the second task worth 66%, so it is advised to spend 20 minutes on Writing Task 1 and 40 minutes on Writing. Of course, the test takers are free to manage time as they want.

Test Format

Before discussing the test format of IELTS Writing, be sure of what type of test you are taking; Academic or General Training. 2 tests are different in IELTS Academic and General Training, and one of them is Writing.

Test Format for IELTS Academic

There are two tasks in IELTS Academic Writing,  distinguished as Task 1 and Task 2. Both tasks should be completed within the span of 60 minutes.

IELTS Academic Task 1

The test taker or students is required to answer the given task with at least 150 words. It is suggested to spend 20 minutes completing this task. This task might involve the test takers to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, or describe an object, plan, design, or event.

Graphic or pictorial information would be provided as a graph, table, chart, or diagram and the test taker are asked to describe, summarise or explain the shown information in their own words.

Question type:

Here, visual information is given, and the test taker or students may be given one or more than one visual information. The visual information can be Table, Chart, Process, Graph, or Map.

With the visual information, the test taker is asked to summarise the given information selecting and reporting the main features shown, and relevant comparisons. The task here is to transfer all the given visual information into the form of text.

How to answer the question:

For task 1 of the IELTS Academic writing task, as a test taker or student, you will need to write a minimum of 150 words. The answer must be written in a formal style with complete sentences and no bullet points or notes.

To complete this task successfully you will need to keep 3 things in mind:

1. You will need to write an introduction.
2. You will need to write an overview, a summary of what you see
3. You will need to present and highlight the key features with data

The structure of the answer is very important. The test taker’s task is to organize all the information into a logical order and put it into different paragraphs. You will need to make 4 different paragraphs: introduction, overview, Body Paragraph A, and Body Paragraph 2.

1. Introduction: here, you are to write what you see in the task question you are given. you need to study the given task question carefully and understand what it is about. IELTS always gives a description of the task question you see, and you can use that as your introduction by paraphrasing the same. You cannot copy the same.
2. Overview: This is a very important paragraph; this paragraph is quite short but it contains all the key information presented in the task question.
3. Body Paragraph A: this is a detailed paragraph; you need to put all the information here. The analysis and the comparisons are to be put in the body paragraph.
4. Body Paragraph B: this is a detailed paragraph; you need to put all the information here. The analysis and the comparisons are to be put in the body paragraph.

You can put the overview as soon as the introduction ends or you can put it at the very end. But never forget it, it is very important. However, you should never put a conclusion for Writing task 1.

The test taker will be penalized if they are unable to write a minimum of 150 words.

IELTS Academic Task 2

The test taker is required to write an essay of a minimum of 250 words. It is suggested to spend 40 minutes completing this task, spending much time on this task is important as the task carries double the marks of Writing task 1.

The task instructs the test takers to write an essay on a specific topic relating to an academic issue, it will also provide you instructions for ways to discuss the topic of the essay.

Question type

For writing test 2, the test taker is to write an academic essay on a topic where the test taker might be asked to discuss the essay topic with factual information, outline, and present solutions, justify opinions, or with evidence and ideas. It is important that you complete the essay task with relevant ideas and examples.

Your essay topic will require you to respond to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay instruction will suggest the essay type whether the essay asks for your opinion, discussion on the topics, or asks you to do both; discuss and give an opinion. The essay topic will be related to an academic subject.

How to answer the question:

First and foremost, you need to study the essay to distinguish what type of essay it is; does the essay ask for your opinion, descriptive discussion on the topics, or asks you to do both; discuss and give an opinion.

• If the essay asks for your opinion, then, as the test taker, you must share your opinions. You need to write an essay making sure you voice your opinion on the given topic and support your ideas.
• If the essay asks for a descriptive discussion, then the test taker must be capable to discuss the given topic by providing different views without supporting their own.
• If the essay asks you to discuss and share your opinions, you must do the same, discuss various views and support any of the views you shared.

Make sure to write more than 250 words for this task and spend as much as 40 minutes on it. The more time you can spend on this writing task the better, as it carries 66 per cent of the total score, double of writing task 1.

For the structure of the essay, here, make at least 4 paragraphs. And the paragraphs will constitute an Introduction, 2 Body Paragraphs, and a Conclusion.

1. Introduction: The introduction must have a background statement and a thesis statement. The Background Statement is basically the statement given by IELTS, paraphrased. The test taker must not copy the same statement given by IELTS. The thesis statement is the answer to the essay question, here, you are to subtly give a hint of what the essay is going to discuss. The introduction can be completed with two sentences, one background statement, and one thesis statement. Try not to write more than 50 words here, as the main focus of the essay should be in the body paragraphs.

2. Body Paragraphs: The core of the essay lies in the body paragraphs; you must discuss the ideas of the thesis statement here. The composition of the body paragraphs can be however the takers prefer. You can discuss multiple opinions in one paragraph and write contrasting opinions in another, you can also compare and contrast one opinion in a paragraph and write another paragraph with a different opinion. One of the ways, to write body paragraphs is: 
3. Body Paragraph 1: Simply, for body paragraph 1, you can state one of your opinions and provide supporting statements with relevant examples.
4. Body Paragraph 2: For body paragraph 1, you can state a different opinion and provide supporting statements with relevant examples.
5. Conclusion: In this part of the essay, the test-taker is required to sum up the ideas they provide. The opinions they state in the body paragraphs must be concluded here.

The essay should be written in a formal style with full grammatically correct sentences and no bullet points or notes.

The test taker will be penalized if they are unable to write a minimum of 250 words.

Test Format for IELTS General Training

Similar to IELTS Academic Writing, IELTS General training has two tasks, and both the tasks must be completed within 60 minutes. The difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training can be seen in the question format.

IELTS General Training Task 1

At least 150 words must be written for the IELTS General Task 1 within 20 minutes. The task here is to write a letter in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. This task will assess the test takers’ ability to provide general and factual information related to the task, following the interests; likes, dislikes, needs, wants as well as opinions, views, and complaints.

Question type

The taker is asked to respond to a situation, point of view, argument, or problem by writing a letter. The letter will require the test taker to request information or explain the situation.

The letter can be personal, semi-formal, or formal in format. The test taker will be given a common, everyday situation as the letter topic. With the instructed situation additional, 3 bullet points will outline the information you need to include in your letter. You may be asked to give details, express likes and dislikes, give suggestions or recommendations

How to Answer the Question:

While writing a letter for the IELTS task 1, you need to distinguish what type of letter you need to be writing; semi-formal, formal, or personal. Then you need to choose the tone of the letter accordingly. The type of letter you need to write will depend on who you are writing the letter to, as a letter to a friend would be informal/ personal and the letter to the manager would be formal.

Things you should keep in mind while writing a letter:

• The purpose of the letter,
• Appropriate tone
• Appropriate format
• Elaborating the bullet points

The letter you write must comprise of:

• A Greeting: This part of the letter must state a greeting or a salutation to the person/ organization to whom is addressed. The opening greeting/ salutation must be appropriate for the letter format. The purpose for writing the letter must also be stated in this part. The purpose of the letter is the task question itself, paraphrased.
• The Main Body: The main body of the letter can have as many paragraphs as the test taker wants but it is highly suggested that it has 3 paragraphs, a paragraph each presenting each bullet point in the task instructions.
• A Closing: For closing a letter, always note to write a concluding statement, to sum up, the purpose of the letter in a paragraph. After the concluding statement, a closing salutation must be added appropriately to the letter format. Finally, end the letter with your name like a real letter would end.

A letter in IELTS does not require any address, do not write it. But never forget to write a greeting or a salutation.

Keep the tone of the letter consistent throughout the letter, write longer sentences with passive sentences for a formal letter and write in a conversational language for an informal letter.

The test taker will be penalized if they are unable to write a minimum of 150 words.

IELTS General Training Task 2

For General Training Writing task 2, the test taker is required to write an essay on a general topic with a minimum of 250 words. This task carries double the band scores of writing task 1, so it is suggested that the test taker spend 40 mins on it.

Writing task 2 instructs the test takers to write an essay on a specific topic relating to a general issue, it will also provide you instructions to discuss the topic of the essay.

Question type

Here, the test taker is to write an essay on a given general topic where the test taker is asked to discuss the essay topic with factual information, justified opinions, or relevant evidence and ideas.

Your essay topic will require you to respond to a point of view, argument, or problem of general interest. The essay instruction will suggest the essay type, here as well, whether the essay asks for your opinion, discussion on the topics, or asks you to do both; discuss and give an opinion. The essay topic will be related to any subject of general interest.

How to Answer the Question:

The essay needs to be distinguished whether it is asking for your opinion, descriptive discussion on the topics, or asking you to do both; discuss and give an opinion.

• If the essay asks for your opinion, you must share your opinions. You should voice your opinions in the essay and support your ideas with relevant examples.
• If the essay asks for a descriptive discussion, then the test taker must be capable to discuss the given topic by providing different views.
• If the essay asks you to discuss and share your opinions, you must discuss various views and support any of the views you shared.

More than 250 words should be written for this task and spend around 40 minutes on the task. It carries 66 per cent of the total score, double of writing task 1, thus you need to spend as much time possible.

The structure of the essay must comprise 4 parts; an Introduction, 2 Body Paragraphs, and a Conclusion.

1. Introduction: The introduction must have a background statement and a thesis statement. The Background Statement is basically the statement given by IELTS, paraphrased. The thesis statement is the answer to the essay question, here, you are to subtly give a hint of what the essay is going to discuss.

2. Body Paragraphs: The ideas discussed in the thesis statement should be elaborated on here. The composition of the body paragraph can differ as per the test taker. You can discuss multiple opinions in one paragraph and write contrasting opinions in another, you can also compare and contrast one opinion in a paragraph and write another paragraph with a different opinion. One of the ways to discuss opinions in a body paragraph is:
3. Body Paragraph 1: Discuss one opinion with relevant ideas and examples.
4. Body Paragraph 2: Discuss another opinion with relevant ideas and examples.
5. Conclusion: In the conclusion, the test-taker needs to sum up the opinions they state in the body paragraphs, the opinions must be concluded here.

The essay should be written in a semi-formal/neutral style with full grammatically correct sentences and no bullet points or notes.

The test taker will be penalized if they are unable to write a minimum of 250 words.

Scoring Assessment

The test takers are assessed by certified IELTS examiners for IELTS Writing, each task is assessed independently. It is well known that Task 2 carries more marks. The Writing task tests your ability to follow English writing conventions along with an accurate and coherent way of writing. It checks the test takers’ ability to organize ideas and opinions, and express them.

Writing of the IELTS is assessed on the following four points:

1. Task Achievement: the examiner will look for the criteria set for writing the task, and whether it is matched or not.

For task 1 in IELTS Academic, the examiner will look for the word count; of 150 words. The factual information from the task questions and explanations, and the accuracy, appropriateness, and relevancy.

For task 1 IELTS General Training, the examiner will check for the word count; of 150 words. The purpose of the letter, context, and functions. The examiner will also assess how appropriately, accurately, and relevantly the response fulfils the requirements.

For task 2 of both IELTS Academic and General, the examiner will check the criteria of 250  words set. The essay should formulate and develop the prompt in the task question with appropriate evidence and examples that is relevant and appropriate in the context.

2. Coherence and Cohesion:

Coherence means the linking of ideas through a systematic, logical connection/consistency.

Cohesion refers to the logical flow in the text which is achieved with the proper use of devices to link the sentences together.

Examiner will focus on the organization of ideas and information into paragraphs with linking devices and consistency.

3. Lexical Resources

Lexical resource refers to the vocabulary and the accuracy of the used terms on the task. It tests the test takers’ ability to use a range of words, paraphrasing, collocations, and spelling errors.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

This tests the test taker’s ability to use a range o sentence structure, grammar tenses, and punctuation.

Tips for IELTS Writing

• Practice writing tests following proper structure.
• Learning to manage time, and writing a total of 400 words within 60 minutes isn’t an easy task. Practice writing so that you learn to tackle the questions within the provided time.
• Use correct spelling and grammar. Make sure the English language is simple and easy to understand
• Make sure to write more than the word limit.
• Do spend time counting the words, although word count is important, counting each and every word will cost you time, so learn to calculate an average word count. For example, if you write 10 words in a line, then if you 25 write lines, thus in total you write about 250 words. Write a few more lines just to make sure you write a minimum of 250 words.
• Understand the test format, and keep in mind what tone, structure, and style you need to write in.
• Use correct vocabulary for the tone you aim to write in.

We hope this Gurubaa blog on “IELTS Writing” aided your preparations for your Writing test. If you have questions regarding the IELTS Writing test, you are welcome to comment your queries or you can contact/visit Gurubaa.