IELTS Writing Skills | How To Pass

How To Pass the IELTS Writing Exam - Key Skills

Understand the exam format

The exam is 60 minutes with two writing tasks:

Task 1 – describe a Graph, Table, Chart or Process including the main features. You need to write at least 150 words in 20 minutes.

Types of questions:

Type 1 – describe data from a graph (Bar, Line, Pie, Chart);

Type 2 – describe data from a table;

Type 3 – comparison between two maps;

Type 4 – describe a process from an illustration.

Type 5 – describe two separate diagrams – the more difficult;

Task 2 – you are presented with a point of view & asked to write an essay. It should be in a formal style, at least 250 words to be completed in 40 minutes.

IELTS.org provide these sample Test Papers.

Writing Task 1

Understand the question

Use the keywords in the task to help you understand the question.

Additionally, it is important to understand what the data or information is telling you.

You must understand it to be able to write a logical:

a paraphrased Introduction and Overview sentences;
a strong conclusion.

Time Management

Time management within the exam is critical.

One key to success in this task is to fully understand you must finish writing Part 1 in 20 minutes.

This is a common error students make. They go over-time in Part 1 and have insufficient time for Part 2 and do not complete 250 words and without a strong conclusion to their essay.

Plan your writing

It is important to understand planning your writing is the more efficient method to complete the writing exam.

This is simple advice and students should follow it. Spend 2 minutes quickly planning your essay, writing notes on the question paper.

a simple and effective planning method is to think I, B, C;

I – Introduction – the 2 Introduction & Overview sentences;

B – Body text – 6 sentences;

C – Conclusion – 2 strong sentences;

use your own keywords to plan – not sentences, you do not have time;

find space on the question paper to plan your writing:

What your writing should look like

Make it easy for the examiner to read. They are expecting to clearly see the logical progression of ideas laid out correctly:

Introduction;
Body;
Conclusion paragraphs.

When hand writing, many students make a serious error in their layout and fail to leave any spacing. This should be avoided.

Introduction & Overview Sentences

Your answer should include an Introduction Sentence and Overview sentence.

Your Introduction Sentence should be a paraphrase of the question. Paraphrase the question correctly. Do not just copy the question and substitute a few words with synonyms;

To write the Overview Sentence, pick 1 or 2 of the main features and write about them generally, without discussing in detail.

Sample answer

Introduction Sentence:

The two maps show significant changes to the campus of Cambridge University between 2015 and today.

Overview Sentence:

We can see that the University made many changes during this time, including new buildings and sporting facilities.

Do not write ….including a new library and swimming pool. This belongs in the Body Text. The Overview Sentence talks generally.

Body Text

select information which is important and relevant – not smaller details;

you should include data to support your description;

never include any information that is not illustrated in the question. Even if you have some knowledge of the subject, do not try to explain the reasons for it or give your opinion;

you should have at least 6 sentences in your body with 2 paragraphs.

Conclusion

This is an important part of your essay.

It is the last thing the examiner reads, so it must be logical and strong in meaning.

At least 2 sentences are required.

Describing the Stages of a Process

When describing the stages in a process, use sequencing expressions:

Process Beginning: The first stage, Initially, First of all,To start off with, To begin with …;
Steps: The Process continues, This is followed by; Secondly, Prior to the, Next, In step #3, Then, After that;

Process End: Finally; Upon completion, In the end, Eventually, Production ends.

Writing about two Separate Diagrams

You may have to write about 2 separate types of diagram ( e.g. Pie & Bar Charts).

This is the more difficult task.

When you are working with two diagrams, your:

Introduction Sentence should introduce both of them;

Overview Sentence should summarise both of them.

Model Answer

Introduction sentence:

The Pie chart shows which type of Cheese products are the most common in France, while the Bar chart shows how many Cheese manufactures existed in the France between 2000 and 2019.

Overview sentence:

We can see that Cheddar Cheese and Cottage Cheese are the favourites and that the number of Cheese manufacturers in France rose steadily during this period.

Summary of Steps in Writing Task 1

read the question – twice so you do not misread it;
understand the question and the Graph, Chart – what is it telling you?
identify the keywords in the question;
plan your writing using I,B,C;
write the Introduction Sentence & paraphrase the question effectively;
write the Overview Sentence – summary of features without detail;
write your Body Text – 6 sentences;
write a Strong Conclusion 1 – 2 sentence;
check your Grammar, Plurals & number of words required;
leave lines between the main sentences / paragraphs;
20 minutes maximum.

IELTS.org provide these sample Test Papers.

Writing Task 2

Understand the exam format

Task 2 – you are presented with a point of view & asked to write an essay. It should be in a formal style, at least 250 words to be completed in 40 mins.

IELTS.org provide these sample Test Papers.

Understand the question

Use the Keywords in the task to help you understand the question.

Use the keywords in the task to help you understand the question.

You must understand it to be able to write:

a paraphrased Introduction and your Opinion sentences;

include logical supporting ideas;

a strong conclusion.

Time Management

The serious error students make in Part 1 writing is spending too much time on Part 1 and have insufficient time for Part 2 with 250 words to complete, without a strong conclusion to their essay.

Plan your writing

It is important to understand planning your writing is the more efficient method to complete the writing exam. This is simple advice and students should follow it. Spend 3 minutes quickly planning your essay, writing notes on the question paper.

it is important to plan your writing. Think I, B, C:

why? – it is the most time efficient method of writing;

use your own keywords to plan – not sentences, you do not have time;

find space on the question paper to plan your writing:

– Introduction – Introduction & Opinion – 3 sentences;

– Body text – 2 – 3 main ideas with examples – 10 sentences;

– Conclusion – 2 strong sentences;

What your writing should look like

It is important to write in a clear manner where the examiner can clearly see the various stages your your writing.

Make it easy for the examiner to read. They are expecting to clearly see the logical progression of ideas laid out correctly:

Introduction
Body
Conclusion paragraphs.

Introduction Sentences

It is important to begin with a clear introduction – it should contain:

a paraphrasing of the question as your first sentence and attempt to engage the reader;

do not just copy the question and substitute a few words with synonyms;

tell the reader what your plan is ‘I will consider both sides of the argument’. Then give your opinion.

The Introduction should not contain:

main points for and against – belongs in body text;
supporting evidence – belongs in body Text.

Your Writing Objective & Opinion Sentence

These should be stated clearly as your second paragraph.

Question: Some people prefer to shop for food in supermarkets. Other people prefer to do their food shopping online. Discuss both views giving examples from your own experience.

Introduction paragraph

Now days you can find a supermarket in every town and in addition the larger supermarkets have recently launched online grocery shopping. While many shoppers do their food shopping online, many still tend to prefer shopping the traditional way by visiting the supermarket.

Your Writing Objective & Opinion paragraph

I will consider both sides of the argument. However in my view, I prefer to see products before I buy them and like to shop at Supermarkets.

The Body Paragraphs

it is important to think about at least 2 – 3 main points with examples from your own experience – you will get more marks;

write about yourself or a friend and ensure it provides evidence of the points you are making.

Conclusion

This is an important part of your essay.

It is the last thing the examiner reads, so it must be logical and strong in meaning.

At least 2 sentences are required.

Summary of Steps in Writing Task 2

read the question – twice so you do not misread it;
understand the question – what is it asking you?
identify the keywords in the question;
plan your writing using I,B,C;
write the Introduction Sentence & paraphrase the question effectively;
state your writing objective and give your Opinion;
write your Body Text – 10 sentences;
write a Strong Conclusion 2 sentence;
check your Grammar, Plurals & number of words required;
leave lines between the main sentences / paragraphs;
40 minutes.

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How To Pass the IELTS Writing Exam - Key Skills

Understand the exam format

Writing Task 1

Understand the question

Time Management

Plan your writing

What your writing should look like

Introduction & Overview Sentences

Body Text

Conclusion

Describing the Stages of a Process

Writing about two Separate Diagrams

Summary of Steps in Writing Task 1

Writing Task 2

Understand the exam format

Understand the question

Time Management

Plan your writing

What your writing should look like

Introduction Sentences

Your Writing Objective & Opinion Sentence

The Body Paragraphs

Conclusion

Summary of Steps in Writing Task 2

Speaking Skills

Listening Skills

Reading Skills

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