February 13, 2017 alexis

Writing

THE IELTS WRITING TEST

There are two separate writing tasks. You have to write at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2.

In Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Module, you are given some visual information which may be presented in the form of a bar chart, pie chart, graph, table, map, diagram or flow chart describing a process. You have to describe and summarise the information presented without giving your opinion.

In Writing Task 1 of the IELTS General Training Module, you have to write a letter in response to a given situation following the bullet-pointed instructions.

In Writing Task 2 of both the IELTS Academic and the IELTS General Training Modules, you have to write a discursive essay. You are given a prompt about an issue and then you may be asked to respond by giving your opinion, discussing the arguments for and against, or suggesting how a problem can be solved.

The IELTS Writing Test lasts 60 minutes. You should spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2, which carries more marks.

Your writing is assessed according to the following criteria:

  • Task Achievement/Response.
  • Coherence and Cohesion.
  • Lexical Resource.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

The final result is then translated into a score based on the IELTS nine-band scale.

‪‎IELTS WRITING TASK 2
WRITING INTRODUCTIONS (Part1)

INTRODUCTION FOR OPINION ESSAY = REPHRASING THE TOPIC + THESIS STATEMENT.

The introduction is the first paragraph the #IELTS examiner will read in your discursive essay. Begin the introduction by REPHRASING THE TOPIC and telling the reader what the topic is about. Use your own words instead of copying expressions from the rubric of your essay topic. By doing so, you will make a good first impression as you will show that you have a wide range of vocabulary. End the introduction with a THESIS STATEMENT, which is your opinion on the essay topic.

For example, if you had a topic about whether smoking should be banned, you could write:
Nowadays, most people would agree that smoking can have a detrimental effect on a person’s health Nevertheless, there is still a large number of smokers around the world who are reluctant to quit their bad habit. (REPHRASING THE TOPIC).I agree to a large extent with the view that smoking should be banned for the following reasons. (THESIS STATEMENT).

Here are some useful expressions that can help you begin the introduction by rephrasing the topic:

  • Nowadays, many people are becoming aware of the fact that…
  • Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy about …
  • Recently, there has been a matter of debate between the supporters of… and the opponents of…
  • It is a well-known fact that…
  • Some/Many people/scientists/experts who… believe / feel / claim/ support the view that…

Here are some expressions that you can use to express your opinion and make a thesis statement:

  • It is generally believed / maintained that…
  • I agree to a great / certain extent with the view that …
  • In my opinion / view …
  • I am (not) convinced that …
  • As far as I am concerned, …
  • It seems / appears that …

Writing an effective introduction will help you to do well in the #IELTS Writing Test.

‪‎IELTS WRITING TASK 2
WRITING INTRODUCTIONS (Part 2)

INTRODUCTION for FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY = REPHRASING THE TOPIC + THESIS/INTENTION STATEMENT.

Begin the introduction of a for and against essay by REPHRASING THE TOPIC and telling the reader what the topic is about. Use your own words instead of copying expressions from the rubric of your essay topic. By doing so, you will make a good first impression as you will show that you have a wide range of vocabulary. End the introduction with a THESIS/INTENTION STATEMENT, which tells the reader that you will discuss the pros and cons in the main body of your essay before you express your opinion in the conclusion.

For example, if you had to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad, you could write:
Nowadays, many students seriously consider or look forward to the prospect of studying abroad. Others prefer the convenience of remaining in their hometown or country. (REPHRASING THE TOPIC). Studying abroad has both benefits and drawbacks, both of which will be discussed below. (THESIS/INTENTION STATEMENT).

Here are some useful expressions that can help you to begin the introduction by rephrasing the topic.

  • Nowadays, many people are becoming aware of the fact that…
  • Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy about …
  • Recently there has been a matter of debate between the supporters of … and the opponents of …
  • It is a well-known fact that …
  • Some/Many people/scientists/experts who .. believe / feel / claim/ support the view that … while others believe / feel / claim / oppose the view that …

Here are some expressions that you can use to make a thesis/intention statement in your introduction:

(Studying abroad) has both/certain/several advantages/benefits and disadvantages/drawbacks, which will be considered/discussed/examined below/in this essay.

Writing an effective introduction will help you to do well in the #IELTS Writing Test.

‪‎IELTS WRITING TASK 2
WRITING INTRODUCTIONS (Part 3)

INTRODUCTION FOR SUGGESTING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS ESSAY
= REPHRASE THE TOPIC (STATE THE PROBLEM, WHAT HAS CAUSED IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES) + THESIS STATEMENT.

Begin the introduction for this type of essay by REPHRASING THE TOPIC. Briefly, state the problem, what has caused it and the consequences. Use your own words instead of copying expressions from the rubric of your essay topic. By doing so, you will make a good impression as you will show that you have a wide range of vocabulary. End with a THESIS STATEMENT, which informs the reader of the necessity to take measures in order to deal with the problem.

For example, if you had a topic about the systematic destruction of various ecosystems and what steps could be taken to prevent further destruction, you could write;
In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the world’s population that live in urban areas, which has had an adverse effect on the environment. The growth of cities has contributed to the systematic destruction of various ecosystems because more and more land is used for housing and industry. This in turn, has resulted in seas and rivers being contaminated and the air being polluted. (REPHRASING THE TOPIC). As a result, serious attempts to curb the destruction of ecosystems need to be made (THESIS STATEMENT).

Here are some useful expressions to write a THESIS STATEMENT for a SUGGESTING SOLUTIONS TO A PROBLEM essay.

Measures / Steps
must / need to / should be taken
to / in order to / so as to
solve / deal with / overcome / combat / tackle / alleviate
the problem.

Writing an effective introduction will help you to do well in the #IELTS Writing Test.

STYLE

Both Task 1 and Task 2 of the Academic Module of the ‪#‎IELTS exam need to be written in a FORMAL STYLE. In Task 1, you have to accurately describe and summarise visual information, which might be presented in a chart, diagram, graph, table or map. In Task 2, you have to write a discursive essay.

In Task 1 of the General Training Module of the #IELTS exam, you need to write a letter in response to a given situation. The style of the letter will vary depending on who it is addressed to. For example, a letter to someone you do not know and are not intimate with requires a FORMAL STYLE, whereas a letter to a friend requires an INFORMAL STYLE. In Task 2, you have to write a discursive essay, which requires a FORMAL STYLE.

This means that, as far as FORMAL STYLE is concerned, there are certain things you must or must not do.

DO

  • use formal linking words and phrases to make your writing coherent. (e.g. consequently, furthermore, nevertheless)
  • use passive voice and impersonal constructions (e.g. It is widely believed that… It can be argued that… It is an undisputed fact that… It is a common belief that… )
  • use complex sentences with a variety of links and dependent clauses ( e.g. Although capital punishment exists in some countries, I cannot support it since it is a form of legalised murder.)
  • use inversion (e.g. In very few cases is it true to say that… Little do we realise that… Never has this been more obvious…)
  • use a range of advanced vocabulary (e.g. a highly controversial issue, deeply ingrained beliefs, to exert peer group pressure on)

DON’T

  • use short forms or abbreviations ( e.g. it’s not feasible, I don’t think, there aren’t many reasons… etc )
  • use colloquial expressions, idioms or phrasal verbs ( I don’t get it, once in a blue moon, put up with )
  • use simple vocabulary repeatedly ( e.g. nice, good, bad, very )
  • use simple linking words too often ( e.g. and, but, so )
  • use a series of short simple sentences ( e.g. Some people think so. It is true. )

Take care to use the correct style, otherwise you will lose marks in the writing tasks of the #IELTS exam.

GENERALISATIONS

A generalisation is a written or spoken statement in which you say or write that something is true all the time when it is only true some of the time. In the ‪#‎IELTS exam you should be careful not to make sweeping generalisations.

For instance, it is a sweeping generalisation to say that because a young man caused an accident, all young men are bad drivers, when there are a lot of young men who are excellent drivers.

In order to be valid, general statements need to be accepted as common knowledge or substantiated by repeated experience.

Here is some useful language to help you avoid making sweeping generalisations:

IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT/ IN GENERAL/ GENERALLY SPEAKING/ AS A RULE/ IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES smoking increases the risk of lung cancer.

Smoking CAN/ TENDS TO increase the risk of lung cancer.

Smoking USUALLY/ GENERALLY/ MORE OFTEN THAN NOT increases the risk of lung cancer.

DESCRIBING CHANGE

In the ‪‎IELTS exam, you will need to be familiar with a good range of grammar and vocabulary to describe and understand change.

Here is some useful language describing change:

VERBS DESCRIBING INCREASES:
go up, grow, increase, rise.

VERBS DESCRIBING DECREASES:
decline, decrease, drop, fall, go down.

These verbs can be modified by adverbs describing the type of increase or decrease.

A BIG CHANGE:
dramatically, markedly, noticeably, significantly, substantially.

A FAST CHANGE:
exponentially. rapidly, sharply, suddenly.

A SMALL CHANGE:
incrementally, negligibly, slightly, marginally.

A SLOW CHANGE:
gradually, steadily.

The following verbs describe big increases or decreases and do not need an adverb because they already tell us that they describe large changes.

VERBS DESCRIBING BIG INCREASES:
double, jump, rocket, soar, surge.

VERBS DESCRIBING BIG DECREASES:
halve, plummet, plunge, slump.

NOUNS DESCRIBING INCREASES:
growth, increase, rise, upward trend.

NOUNS DESCRIBING DECREASES:
decline, decrease, downward trend, drop, fall.

These nouns can be modified by adjectives describing the type of increase or decrease:

A BIG CHANGE:
dramatic, marked, noticeable, significant, substantial.

A FAST CHANGE:
exponential, rapid, sharp, sudden.

A SMALL CHANGE:
incremental, negligible, slight, marginal.

A SLOW CHANGE:
gradual, steady.

The following nouns describe big increases or decreases and do not need an adjective because they already tell us that they describe large changes.

NOUNS DESCRIBING BIG INCREASES:
boom, surge.

NOUNS DESCRIBING BIG DECREASES:
plunge, slump

The following expressions describe NO CHANGE or HARDLY ANY CHANGE:
level out, remain steady/stable.

The following expressions describe UPS and DOWNS:
fluctuations, peaks and troughs.

Here are some EXAMPLES:
The price of petrol has fallen steadily since the beginning of 2015.
There was a slight increase in unemployment in 2008.

WHY PLAN AN ESSAY IN THE ‪‎IELTS EXAM?

Having a plan helps you to see the essay as one whole piece before and as you write. It is like using a map in a strange area. It can show you;

  • where you are starting from (the essay question and the introduction)
  • where you are going to (the conclusion) and
  • how you are going to get there (the body).

Your plan can help you stick to the main idea which is holding your essay together and it can remind you that all the smaller ideas need to connect to the main idea.

Imagine that you have to write an essay about how mobile phones can affect our lives .You could make the following plan.

INTRODUCTION:

Background information: more and more people have a mobile phone. Thesis/Intention statement: many effects some positive,some negative.

BODY:

Positive effect #1 convenience.

  • meet friends when out
  • text messaging.

Positive effect #2 emergencies.

  • quick reporting of road accidents
  • contact family and friends in emergencies.

Negative effect #1 privacy.

  • people you do not want to talk to can find you.
  • workers can be contacted at any time.

Negative effect #2 intrusion on others.

  • very annoying on public transport
  • interrupt movies and other performances.

CONCLUSION:

Effects both good and bad, but likely to become an integral part of our lives in the future.