• IELTS

Format of IELTS Writing Test

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By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Jun 03,2023 05:49 PM IST

This blog gives information about the format of IELTS writing test, which is a formal style of writing in which two tasks are given in both academics and general training test. Firstly, in the former’s case for task 1 tables, pie charts bar and line graphs including diagrams sometimes are provided While in latter’s case a letter is supposed to be written following three different styles further. However, the task 2 type is similar in both which contains number of essay types.

• Key Criteria of the Assessment

Academic writing

There will be two academic writing tasks, and a certified IELTS examiner will give you marks; when it comes to scores, these are reported in whole and half bands.

Format

It is recommended that you should write in a formal style for the IELTS Academic test. In task 1, you will find a graph, table, chart or diagram, and you need to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words. You may have to describe and explain the data, the stages of a process, or how something works or describe an object or event. In task 2, You will be asked to write an essay responding to the point of view, argument or problem.

General training writing

Format

The topics in the IELTS General Training Writing test are of general interest. In task 1, you will be given a situation and have to write a letter explaining the situation. You can write a letter in a personal, semi-formal or formal style. In task 2, you must write an essay responding to the point of view, argument or problem.

As with IELTS academics, a certified IELTS examiner will mark your Writing test.

Key Criteria of the Assessment

To improve the score in the writing section, you must understand the four key criteria of the assessment. These are:

1.Task achievement: How well you have addressed and illustrated the main points in the task

2.Cohesion and coherence – This is about how well you have organized your ideas and used linking words and cohesive devices (e.g. ‘in addition, ‘for instance, ‘furthermore,’ ‘however,’ ‘moreover,’ and ‘nevertheless’).

3.Lexical resource – how wide your range of vocabulary is and if you have used appropriate vocabulary or not.

4.Grammatical range and accuracy – The accuracy and range of grammatical structures you have used, such as conditional sentences, who/which/that clauses, modal phrases and inversion.

How Can You Improve Your Writing Skills to Get Desired Bands in IELTS Writing?

1.Be conscious of time:

To complete the writing section, you have 60 minutes, and you have to complete two tasks. You should not spend more than 20 minutes on task 1 and 40 minutes on task 2. While practicing, make a habit of setting your time and completing both the tasks in the given time.

2.Understand the task:

You must understand the task carefully before attempting it. Highlighting the keywords will help you in this case and let you stick to the points you need to cover and the information you need to include.

3.Organize the ideas:

Before writing, you must spend a few minutes thinking about what you will write. Make sure you write your ideas in an organized manner and use linking words and cohesive devices between paragraphs, sentences and phrases.

4.Use appropriate style:

Different questions require you to answer in different styles, such as formal, semi-formal or informal, and according to this, you need to choose grammatical structures and lexical resources.

5.Go through your work:

Always try to go through what you write during your practice sessions. It will help you know your mistakes, and you can improve upon them. Check the grammar and spelling, check for repetition, and if you have covered everything asked in the question, summarized the ideas in conclusion, or used complex sentences. It will help you improve your writing and get the desired band score.

Bonus Tip:

To improve writing, make sure you read various kinds of stuff and add vocabulary to your day-to-day conversation. One can only use what is fed to the brain, and you will be able to write well if you have gathered information through reading and even from other sources. Read the books referred by your IELTS teacher, or search books on the internet to read and gain ideas to write better. It will help you improve your writing and get the desired band score.

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FAQ

How to improve writing scores?

Make sure you read a variety of materials and expand your vocabulary in daily speech to improve your writing. You will be able to write effectively if you have absorbed information from reading and even from other sources because one can only utilise what is supplied to the brain. Read the literature that your IELTS instructor has recommended or look out books online to read and get inspiration for improved writing.

How to improve writing skills?

The score can be raised in a number of ways. Be mindful of the passing of time and comprehend the assignment first. Then, arrange the concepts and employ the proper manner. Always double-check your work.

How to organize ideas in the writing task?

You need to think about what you're going to write for a while before you start writing. Use connecting words and coherent methods to connect paragraphs, sentences, and phrases as you write your ideas down.

What is the assessment criteria of IELTS Writing Task 1?

You must comprehend the four main evaluation criteria if you want to raise your writing section score. The completion of tasks, cohesion and coherence, vocabulary resource and Grammar range and precision.

what kind of format can be followed in IELTS Writing task?

You will discover a graph, table, chart, or diagram in job 1, and you must explain, summarise, or describe the data in your own words. You could need to explain and describe the data, the steps in a process, how something operates, or a specific object or event. You will be required to reply to the point of view, argument, or problem in task 2 by writing an essay. Que: How many types of tasks are there in writing module?

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Format of IELTS Writing Test

Table of Contents

Academic writing

Format

General training writing

Format

Key Criteria of the Assessment

How Can You Improve Your Writing Skills to Get Desired Bands in IELTS Writing?

1.Be conscious of time:

2.Understand the task:

3.Organize the ideas:

4.Use appropriate style:

5.Go through your work:

Bonus Tip:

Learn IELTS with Canamprep

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

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Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

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University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online