A Beginner’s Guide to IELTS Academic Writing

Sources: https://www.ielts.org/ ; https://ielts.idp.com/ ; https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/

The International English Language Testing System(IELTS) is a standardized test that measures the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. The test is divided into four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This article will focus on the writing section of the IELTS, specifically the Academic Writing Task 1 and Task 2.

IELTS Academic Writing Task-1

The Academic Writing Task 1 requires test takers to describe and analyze data presented in a graph, chart, table, or diagram.

The data can be in the form of a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, or process diagram.

• Test takers are given 20 minutes to analyze the data and write a report of at least 150 words.

• When writing your report, it is important to use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

• The report should be well-organized, with clear paragraphs and a logical flow of ideas. You should also use appropriate linking words and phrases to connect ideas and show trends or comparisons.

It is also important to accurately describe the data, including the main features and any trends or patterns that are present. However, you should not simply copy the data.

IELTS Academic Writing Task-2

The IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 requires test takers to write an essay on a given topic.

Test takers are given 40 minutes to plan, write, and revise their essay.

• The essay should be at least 250 words in length.

• When writing your essay, it is important to structure your ideas and present a clear argument.

• Your essay should have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

• The introduction should provide background information and state your thesis or main argument.

• The body paragraphs should provide evidence and analysis to support your thesis. The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis.

• It is also important to use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures in your essay.

Additionally, you should use appropriate linking words and phrases to connect ideas and show relationships between different points.

• In conclusion, the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 and Task 2 are an important part of the IELTS test.
• To do well on these tasks, test takers should be able to accurately describe and analyze data, as well as write a clear and well-structured essay.
• Practice and preparation are THE KEY to success on these tasks, so test takers should make sure to familiarize themselves with the task format and practice writing under timed conditions before taking the test.

What is the IELTS Writing Test?

• Duration and format
• Task 1
• Task 2
• Marking and assessment

The Writing test takes 60 minutes. There are two tasks to complete.

Task 1: It is suggested that about 20 minutes is spent on Task 1, which requires candidates to write at least 150 words.

Task 2: This task requires at least 250 words and should take about 40 minutes. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

Responses must be given on the Writing Answer Sheet and must be written in full. Notes are not acceptable as answers.

Responses to both tasks must be written in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style.

Test takers may write on the Question Paper but this cannot be taken from the test room and will not be seen by the examiner.

In Task 1, test takers are asked to describe some information (graph/ table/ chart/ diagram) and to present a summary of this information in their own words.

• Depending on the type of input and the task suggested, test takers are assessed on their ability to:

• Organise, present and possibly compare data
• Describe the stages of a process or procedure
• Describe an object or event or sequence of events
• Explain how something works.
• In Task 2, test takers are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. Test takers are assessed on their ability to:

• Present the solution to a problem
• Present and justify an opinion
• Compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
• Evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.
• Topics are of general interest and suitable for test takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
• Test takers should support their ideas with evidence based on their own knowledge or experience.
• In both tasks, test takers are assessed on their ability to write a response which is appropriate in terms of content, the organisation of ideas, and the accuracy and range of vocabulary and grammar.
• Each task is assessed independently.
• Assessment of writing performance is carried out by examiners trained and certified by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia or IELTS USA.
• Scores are reported as a whole band or half band. Detailed assessment criteria have been developed, which describe written performance at the nine IELTS bands.

ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION OF WRITING TASKS

• In both tasks, test takers are assessed on their ability to write a response which is appropriate in terms of content, the organisation of ideas, and the accuracy and range of vocabulary and grammar.
• Each task is assessed independently.
• Assessment of writing performance is carried out by examiners trained and certified by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia or IELTS USA.
• Scores are reported as a whole band or half band. Detailed assessment criteria have been developed, which describe written performance at the nine IELTS bands.
• Task Achievement/Response: Answering all the required parts of the Question/Ruberic
• Coherence & Cohesion: This criterion is concerned with the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the response organised and links information, ideas and language.

• Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing.
• Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear.
• Lexical Resources: This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary the test taker has used and the accuracy and appropriacy of that use in terms of the specific task.
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: This criterion refers to the range and accurate use of the test taker’s grammatical resource as manifested in the test taker’s writing at the sentence level.

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