How To Pass The Ielts Writing Module

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Learn From The Examiner
How to Pass the
IELTS Writing
Module
April2010IELTSBlog.com
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. AcademicTask1oftheIELTSWritingModuleExplained
3. GeneralTrainingTask1oftheIELTSWritingModuleExplained
4. Task2oftheIELTSWritingModuleExplained
5. The10mostcommonmistakesmadebyIELTScandidatesandhowto
avoidthem.


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1. Introduction

ThisbookisdesignedtohelpIELTScandidatesraisetheirIELTSwritingscoresbyanentire
band, enabling them to get the mark they require for their future life. This document has
been put together by a former IELTS Writing Examiner who has experience of marking
many thousands of IELTS writing tests and has been thereby able to identify the simple
errorswhichthemajorityofcandidatesmakeagainandagain.
After finishing reading this book you will be in a strong position to prepare yourself to
succeed in the IELTS Writing exam. Of course if you combine the knowledge and wisdom
inside this book with completing an online Writing course at IELTSBlog.com, you will
greatlyincreasetheeffectivenessofthisbookinhelpingtoraiseyourbandscore,andwill
bealmostcertaintoraiseyouroverallbandscorefortheIELTSwritingmodule.
It is important to note that all materials in this book are not original IELTS materials and
havebeenseparatelyproducedforIELTSBlog.com.


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2. How to Answer Part 1 of the Academic Writing Module

Part 1 of the IELTS writing module is an easily passed part of the test if you follow the
answeringsystemexplainedbelow.Althoughthedatapresentedinthequestionsforpart
1 are always different, they all follow a very similar pattern, and so long as you actually
readthequestionandtheinformationprovided,itshouldbeeasytoprovideanimpressive,
higherbandscoreanswer.
Tip 1: It is importantto remember that you only have 1 hour for the writing test, so you
mustmakesurethatyoudonotspendmorethan20minutescompletingpart1asitisonly
worth33%ofthemarksavailableforthewriting.
Tip 2:Youwilllosemarksifyoudonotwritetheminimumnumberofwordsrequiredfor
eachanswer.Thewordscounteddonotincludeanywordsofthequestiontitleandare:
Task1:141words(Tobesafeyoushoulddoatleast150words)
Task2:241Words(Tobesafeyoushoulddoatleast250words)

Writing Task 1
Intheacademicmodule,Task1isalwaysapresentationofdataonaspecifictopic.Thisis
presentedintheformofagraphoradiagram.Whateverthedatais,thequestionformatis
always the same. So to answer part 1 question effectively and gain maximum possible
marksonachievingthetaskrequirementsyoushouldmakesurethatyoudothefollowing
inyouranswer:

AcademicTask1Requirements
1. Introducethesubject
2. Explainthemainfeatureswithdata
3. Showtrendswithdata
4. Makeaconclusion


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Toshowhowthisworksinpractisewewilluseanexampleofatask1stylequestion:
Example Question 1
The bar chart below shows the number of students in three different courses from 2001
2004.Identifythemaintrendsandsummarizethedata.

1. Introducethesubject
Thebarchartshowsstudentsattendingthreedifferentcoursesoverfouryearsfrom2001
to2004.

Explanation:Themaintopicandreferencepointsareintroducedwithoutcopyingquestion
title.Sothewordswillcounttowardsthefinalwordcountfortask1.


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In2001,4.3millionstudentstookcourseA.In2002,2.5millionpeopleattendedcourseA.
Movingontotheyear2003,3.5millionpeopletookcourseA.Finallyin2004thenumberof
studentstakingcourseAhadincreasedto4.5millionstudents.
In2001,2.4millionstudentstookcourseB.In2002,4.4millionpeopleattendedcourseB.
Movingontotheyear2003,1.8millionpeopletookcourseB.Finallyin2004thenumberof
studentstakingcourseBhaddecreasedto2.8millionstudents.
In 2001, 2 million students took course C. In 2002, 2 million people attended course C.
Movingontotheyear2003,3millionpeopletookcourseC.Finallyin2004thenumbersof
studentstakingcourseAhadincreasedto5millionstudents.

Explanation: All the data is presented clearly and without copying the task question, so
allowingallthewordstocounttowardsthefinalwordcount.However,tomaketheanswer
read more effectively and so increase the band score we need to change some of the
languageandthephrasesused.
Forexample:
Moving onto Course B, in 2001, 2.4 million students took the course. In 2002, 4.4 million
peopleattendedcourseB.In2003,1.8millionpeopletookcourseB.By2004,thenumber
ofstudentstakingcourseBhaddecreasedto2.8millionstudents.
TakingalookatthecourseCwecanseethatin2001,2millionstudentstookthecourse.In
2002,2millionpeopleattendedcourseC.Intheyear2003,3millionpeopletookcourseC.
By2004,thenumberofstudentstakingcourseAhadincreasedto5millionstudents.

Explanation:Astherearedifferentwordsused,andthesentenceorderchanges,thewriting
becomeseasiertoread.


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Explanation:Thekeyaimofexplainingtheoverall(overthefouryears)changein
numbersforeachofthe3categoriesisincludedhere,avoidingrepeatingthesame
sentenceforms.
4.Makeaconclusion
Inconclusionthen,onecansaythatoverthefouryearperiodfrom2001to2004,therehas
beenanincreaseinoverallnumbersofstudentsattendingallthreecourses.
Explanation:Theaimoftheconclusionistoexplainonekey trendidentifiedfromallthe
differentdatatrends.
SoputtingallthedifferentpartstogetherwecanseewhatwouldgetanIELTSbandscore
answerof8forthisquestion:
Example question 2.

The bar chart below shows the number of students in three different courses from
2001-2004. Identify the main trends and summarize the data.
2. Showtrendswiththedata
If we analyze the data we can see several trends emerging. Firstly, the number of
candidates taking course A has stayed almost the same over the four years, despite
declining in 2003. The number of candidates taking course B has gradually declined over
the four years from 4.4.million in 2001 to 2.8 million in 2004. However the number of
candidatestakingcoursehasgrownfrom2millionto5millionoverthefouryears.
Number of Students Attending Three

Courses From 2001-2004
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
2001 2002 2003 2004
Years
Students in
Millions Course A
Course B
Course C


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SowhywouldtheaboveanswergetanIELTSBand8score?Becauseofthefollowing:
1. Alltherequirementsofthetaskareachieved.
2. Therearenospellingorgrammaticalerrors.
3. The answer is over the minimum word count and the answer can be followed
effortlessly.
4. Awiderangeofgrammarandvocabularyisused.
ItisimportanttonotethatonlyananswerwithpracticallynoerrorscangetanIELTSband
8.
Sample Answer 1 (Band Score 8).
to2004.
Moving onto Course B, in 2001, 2.4 million students took the course. In 2002, 4.4 million
peopleattendedcourseB.In2003,1.8millionpeopletookcourseB.By2004,thenumber
ofstudentstakingcourseBhaddecreasedto2.8millionstudents.
TakingalookatthecourseCwecanseethatin2001,2millionstudentstookthecourse.In
2002,2millionpeopleattendedcourseC.Intheyear2003,3millionpeopletookcourseC.
By2004,thenumberofstudentstakingcourseAhadincreasedto5millionstudents.
If we analyze the data we can see several trends emerging. Firstly, the number of
candidates taking course A has stayed almost the same over the four years, despite
declining in 2003. The number of candidates taking course B has gradually declined over
the four years from 4.4.million in 2001 to 2.8 million in 2004. However the number of
candidatestakingcourseChasgrownfrom2millionto5millionoverthefouryears.
Inconclusionthen,onecansaythatoverthefouryearperiodfrom2001to2004,therehas
beenanincreaseinoverallnumbersofstudentsattendingallthreecourses.
Wordcount:258


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For it to become a 9, the writing would have to show an improvement in the style, and
evidence that the essay writer could use the most advanced grammatical structures and
vocabulary.Andtherewouldhavetobenoerrorsintheanswer.Theansweraboveuses
grammar and vocabularyappropriateforansweringthe question.An example of a band 9
answerwouldbethefollowing:
The bar chart featured in Task 1 shows students attending three different courses over a
fouryeartimespanfrom2001to2004.
First of all, lets take a look at the data provided in the bar chart over the duration of the
four year period. In 2001, 4.3 million students had presumably enrolled onto course A. In
2002,thisfigurehadincreasedbynearly20percentto2.5million.Thenumberscontinued
to increase so that by 2003, 3.5 million people were at that time taking the course. A.
Finally in 2004 the number of students taking course A had increased by another whole
millionto4.5millionstudents.
Moving onto course B, in 2001, 2.4 million students had decided to take the course. In
2002,thenumbersnearlydoubledto4.4millionpeopleattendingthecourse.In2003,1.8
million people took course B. However in 2004 the situation markedly changed the
numbersofstudentstakingcourseBhaddecreasedsignificantlyto2.8millionstudents.
Turning to the data for course C one can discern that in 2001, 2 million students took the
course. This figure stayed the same for 2002. Then in 2003, there was a notable rise to 3
million people taking course C. By 2004, the numbers of students taking course A had
increaseddramaticallyto5millionstudents.
If we analyze the data we can see several trends clearly emerging. Firstly, the numbers of
candidates taking course A has stayed virtually the same over the four years. This was
despite a decline and then gradual rebound in 2003 to 2004.The number of candidates
taking course B has gradually declined over the four years from 4.4.million in 2001 to 2.8
million in 2004. However the numbers of candidates taking course had more than double
from2millionto5millionoverthefouryearperiod.
Toconcludethen,onecansaythatoverthefouryearperiodfrom2001to2004,therehas
beenanoverallincreaseinthenumbersofstudentsattendingallthreecourses.
Wordcount:342


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Explanation:TheIELTSband9answerthereforedoesthefollowing;
1. Itanswersthequestionfullyandindetail.
2. Itusesafullrangeofadvancedgrammaticalstructuresandvocabulary.
3. Thestyleisfaultless.
Now you may have noticed something obvious about both Sample Answer 1 and 2. Both
havewordcountswhicharemuchlongerthanrequired.Intherealexamyouwillnothave
enoughtimetowritesuchdetailedanswerssoletslookatanansweroftherecommended
length(150words)whichwouldbegoodenoughtogetaband6scoreinIELTS:
to2004.
Firstly, let us look at the data. In 2001, 4.3 million students took course A. In 2002, 2.5
million people attended course A. By 2004 this had increased to 4.5 million. In 2001, 2.4
million students took course B. This declined to 2.8 million students by 2004. In 2001, 2
million students attended course C. By 2004, the number of students taking course A had
increaseddramaticallyto5millionstudents.
IfweanalyzethedatawecanseethatthenumberofcandidatestakingcourseAhasstayed
almostthesameoverthefouryears,evenwithadeclinein2003.Thenumberofcandidates
taking course B has gradually declined over the four years from 4.4.million in 2001 to 2.8
million in 2004. However the number of candidates taking course C has grown from 2
millionto5millionfrom2001to2004.
In conclusion then, one can say that from 2001 to 2004, there has been an increase in
overallnumbersofstudentsattendingallthreecourses.
Wordcount185.
Explanation3:SampleAnswer3answersalltherequirementsofthequestionandshowsa
controlledrangeofgrammaticalstructuresandvocabulary.


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For Sample Answer 3 to be able to get a 7, we would have to add a wider range of
grammaticalstructuresandvocabulary:
Sample Answer 4 (Band Score 7):
The bar chart provides an overview of students attending three different courses in four
yearsfrom2001to2004.
Firstly,letuslookatthedata.In2001,4.3millionstudentstookcourseA.Thishadshrunk
in 2002 to2.5 millionpeople andthen rebounded in 2004 to 4.5 million, slightly ahead of
the 2001 figures. In 2001, 2.4 million students took course B. This low number had
increased slightly to 2.8 million students by 2004. In 2001, 2 million students attended
courseC.By2004,thenumbersofstudentstakingcourseChadincreaseddramaticallyto5
millionstudents,amassiveincreaseonthe2001figures.
If we analyze the data we can see that numbers of candidates taking course A has stayed
almostthesameoverthefouryears,takingintoaccountadeclinein2003.Thenumberof
candidates taking course B has gradually declined over the four years from 4.4.million in
2001 to 2.8 million in 2004. However the numbers of candidates taking the course C had
leptfrom2millionin2001to5millionin2004.
Inconclusionthen,onecansaythatfrom2001to2004,therehasbeenanotableincrease
inoverallnumbersofstudentsattendingallthreecourses.
Wordcount185.
Band 7 features:
1.providesanoverviewof
2.Thishadshrunk
3.Rebounded
4.slightlyaheadofthe2001figures
5.hadincreasedslightly
6.amassiveincreaseonthe2001figures
7.takingintoaccountadecline
8.notable


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Hereisabreakdownofthefourareasthatdecidewhatbandscorecandidatesareawarded
toforpart1.
Tip. Unless the question is fully answered according to the explanation provided below,
thenthecandidatecannotgetmorethanaBand 5fortheiranswer.
MarkingCriteria
MarkingCriteria Explanation
AnsweringtheQuestion Were all the parts of the question
answered?Theseare
Sowasthereanintroductionofthe
datapresented
examplesofthedataprovided
ananalysisofdatagiven
and a summary of the main trends
inthedata
Style Howeasywasittoreadtheessay?Wasit
logicalanddidithavethefollowing:
Anintroductionandaconclusion
Paragraphing
Good use of language connecting
thedifferentparagraphs
A logical progression towards the
conclusion did the essay develop
towardsaconclusion?
Vocabularyused How varied and accurate was the
vocabulary?
Grammarused How wide was the range of grammatical
structures uses, and how accurately and
appropriatelyweretheyused?


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Detailedanalysisofthedifferentmarkingcriteria;
MarkingCriteria
AnsweringtheQuestion
The Task 1 academic answer should include the following subsections in order to
getaband6orhigherscore
1. Overviewofthetopic.
2. Examplesofthedata.
3. Analysisofthedata.
4. Summaryofidentifiedtrendsinthedata.
MarkingCriteria
Style
getaband6orhigherscore
1. Anintroductionandaconclusion.
2. Aclearlogicalprogressionfromtheintroductiontotheconclusion.
3. Effectiveuseofparagraphing.
4. Appropriate use of cohesive devices (language that links the different
paragraphstogether).
MarkingCriteria
VocabularyUsed
The Task 1 academic answer should include effective and accurate use of
vocabulary. This language has to be in addition to the language provided by the
Question. The wider the range of vocabulary, so long as it is accurately used, the
higherthebandsscore.
MarkingCriteria
GrammarUsed
grammatical structures. This language has to be in addition to the language
provided by the Question. The wider the range of grammatical structures, so long
asitisaccuratelyused,thehigherthebandsscore.


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Connective devices
As mentioned in the style marking requirement, an important part of how highly graded
the Task 1 answer is in the use of what are known as connective devices. These are the
linking word and phrase used to connect paragraphs together developing from the
introductiontotheconclusionofanessay.Demonstratingagooduseandcontrolofthese
features can significantly improve band scores. What follows is a template with suggested
connectivedevicesandwhentousethem:
Template for Answering

Academic Task 1


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3. How to Answer Part 1 of the General Training Test

Part 1 of the IELTS writing test is an easily passed part of the test if you follow the
answering system explained below. Although the question tasks presented in the
questionsforpart1arealwaysdifferent,theyallfollowaverysimilarpattern,andsolong
as you actually read the question and the information provided, it should be easy to
provideanimpressive,higherbandscoreanswer.
Tip 1:Itisimportanttorememberthatyouonlyhave1hourforthe writingtest,soyou
mustmakesurethatyoudonotspendmorethan20minutescompletingPart1asitisonly
worth33%ofthemarksavailableforthewriting.
Tip 2:Youwilllosemarksifyoudonotwritetheminimumnumberofwordsrequiredfor
eachanswer.Thewordscounteddonotincludeanywordsofthequestiontitleandare:
Task1:141words(Tobesafeyoushoulddoatleast150words)
Task2:241Words(Tobesafeyoushoulddoatleast250words)

Writing Task 1
In the general training module, Task 1 asks the candidate to write a letter for a specific
purpose. The question provides the reason why the candidate is writing the letter, the
person to address the letter to, and three specific points that have to be mentioned in the
letter. To answer Part 1 question effectively and gain maximum possible marks on
achieving the task requirements you should make sure that you do the following in your
answer:

GeneralTrainingTask1Requirements
1. Usethecorrecttoneandletterformat
2. Mentionallthreepoints.
3. Write at least 150 words, (less than 141 words will cost
marks.) This does not include the salutations (the
beginningandclosingphrasesoftheletter.


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ToshowhowthisworksinpractisewewilluseanexampleofaTask1stylequestion:
GeneralTrainingSampleQuestion1
You are planning to stay in a hotel in an English speaking country. You are writing to the
hotel manager to find out some additional information. In your letter ask the following
questions:
Whatthedailyrateforonestandardroomis
Whatthefacilitiesinthehotelare
Whetherthehoteloffersexcursionstothenearbytouristsites
Thereisnoneedtoincludenamesandaddresses.
Theletterisaformaloneasyouarewritingtoapersonwhoyoudonotknowsoyouneed
towriteinaformaltone.Aninformalletterisaletterthatyouwritetoapersonwhoyou
do know (a friend, a colleague, an acquaintance). Below is a comparison between formal
andinformallanguageinletterwriting:
FormalWriting InformalWriting
DearSir/Madam, Hi,
Iamwritingtoyoutorequestdetailsabout Iwanttoknow
Itrust Ihope
Iwouldappreciate Iwant
Iwouldbegrateful Itwouldbegreat
Iwouldliketo Idliketo
Confirm Check
Yourssincerely Bye
Additionally Also
Providemewith Giveme
Establishment Business
Ilookforwardtoreceivingyourreply Hopetohearfromyousoon
So now that we know that it is a formal letter, we can then write the answer after
identifyingwhatinformationgoesintotheanswer(seehighlightedbelow):


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You are planning to stay in a hotel in an English speaking country. You are writing to the
hotel manager to find out some additional information. In your letter ask the following
questions:
Whatthedailyrateforonestandardroomis
Whatarethefacilitiesinthehotel
Whetherthehoteloffersexcursionstothenearbytouristsites
Hereishowtheanswermightlook:
GeneralTrainingTask1,SampleQuestion1
Answer(BandScore8):
DearSir/Madam,
I am writing to you to request details about your hotel and its services. I plan to stay at
yourestablishmentinonemonthstimeandthereareanumberofpointswhichIwouldbe
grateful if you could clarify for me. This will allow me to plan my holiday in your country
moreeffectivelyandtherebygivemetheopportunitytomaximisemyvacationtime.
Firstofall,couldyoupleaseinformmeastowhatthecurrentdailyrateisforonestandard
room. If the quoted price is satisfactory then I would like to proceed to reserve the room
foroneweekfromthefirstofMarchtotheeighthofMarch.
Secondly,Iwouldappreciateitifyoucouldadditionallyprovidemewithdetailsofwhatthe
hotelfacilitiesareatyourestablishment.Couldyoupleaseconfirmformethatyouhavea
gymandaswimmingpoolfortheuseofthehotelguests.
Finally,Iaminterestedinvisitingthelocaltouristsitesandsowouldgreatlyappreciateitif
you could provide me with details of any excursions which your hotel may run to these
destinations.
Ilookforwardtoreceivingyourreply.
Bestregards,
Wordcount:198


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Theaboveanswerismadeupofthreeparts:
Dear
Sir/Madam
1. Introduceyourself:whoyouareandwhyyouarewriting
Iamwritingtoyourequestdetailsaboutyourhotelanditsservices.Iplantostayatyour
establishment in one months time and there are a number of points which I would be
grateful if you could clarify for me. This will allow me to plan my holiday in your country
moreeffectivelyandtherebygivemetheopportunitytomaximisemyvacationtime.
2. Talkaboutthethreekeypointsintheexamquestion
Firstofall,couldyoupleaseinformmeastowhatthecurrentdailyrateisforonestandard
room. If the quoted price is satisfactory then I would like to proceed to reserve the room
foroneweekfromthefirstofMarchtotheeighthofMarch.
Secondly,Iwouldappreciateitifyoucouldadditionallyprovidemewithdetailsofwhatthe
hotelfacilitiesareatyourestablishment.Couldyoupleaseconfirmformethatyouhavea
gymandaswimmingpoolfortheuseofthehotelguests.
Finally,Iaminterestedinvisitingthelocaltouristsitesandsowouldgreatlyappreciateitif
you could provide me with details of any excursions which your hotel may run to these
destinations.
3. Finishtheletterinanappropriatemanner
Ilookforwardtoreceivingyourreply.
Yours
Sincerely,


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toforpart1.
MarkingCriteria
AnsweringtheQuestion Were all three parts of the question
answered?
Style Howeasywasittoreadtheletter?Wasit
Appropriate tone (formal or
informal)
Appropriatestyle(aletterstyle)
Abeginningandanending
Paragraphing
the different paragraphs (cohesive
connectors)

vocabulary?
Grammarused How wide the range of grammatical
structures uses was, and how accurately
andappropriatelyweretheyused?
Detailedanalysisofthedifferentmarkingcriteria:
MarkingCriteria
The Task 1 general training answer should include the following subsections in
ordertogetaBand 6 or higher score
1. Thereasonfortheletterismadeclear
2. Allthreepointsinthequestionarementionedintheanswer


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MarkingCriteria
Style
getaBand 6 or higher score
1. Anappropriateintroductionandanending.
3. Appropriate use of cohesive devices (language that link the different
paragraphstogether).
4. Anappropriatetone(formalorinformal)isused.
5. Appropriatestyle(aletterstyle).
MarkingCriteria
VocabularyUsed
vocabulary. This language has to be in addition to the language provided by the
Question. The wider the range of vocabulary, so long as it is accurately used, the
higherthebandsscore.
MarkingCriteria
GrammarUsed
grammatical structures. This language has to be in addition to the language
provided by the Question. The wider the range of grammatical structures, so long
asitisaccuratelyused,thehigherthebandsscore.
GeneraltrainingTask1alsohasinformalstylesoflettertowrite.Hereisanexample
questionfollowedbyanexampleanswer:
You are planning to stay with a friend in an English speaking country. You are writing to
your friend to find out some additional information. In your letter ask the following
questions:
Howlongshouldyouplantostayfor
Whatyoushouldbringwithyou
Whatyouwouldliketodothere


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Answer(BandScore8):
Hi____,
I hope you are well. I am writing to you to check a few details about my planned trip to
comeandstaywithyounextmonth.
Firstofall,howlongdoyouthinkthatIshouldplantostaywithyou?Whenwelastspokeit
was a little bit unclear and I would like to confirm this in advance of booking my flights
over to your country. I know that you said two weeks was fine, but are you sure that it
wouldbeokformetostayforthatlongatyourhome?
Secondly, do you have any recommendations about the types of things that I should bring
with me? I am planning on bringing the usual travel items that I take on holiday with me,
butitoccurredtome,thatitmightbealittlebitcoldinyourcountryatthemoment.Doyou
thinkthatIshouldbringwarmclotheswithme?
Finally, I know that we have talked generally about doing things when I arrive, but I have
read about a tourist attraction near your home. I am very interested in going to see this
sight,andafterIfindthemagazineagainIwillsendyouanotherletterwiththenameofthe
attractiononit.
Well,Ireallylookforwardtoseeingyousoon.
Allthebest,
Wordcount:223

Connective devices
As mentioned in the style marking requirement, an important part of how highly graded
the Task 1 answer is in the use of what are known as connective devices. These are the
linking words and phrases used to connect paragraphs together developing from the
introductiontotheconclusionofanessay.Demonstratingagooduseandcontrolofthese
features can significantly improve band scores. On the next page is a template with
suggestedconnectivedevicesforansweringGeneralTrainingTask1.Allthedevicesshould
beusedatthebeginningoftherespectiveparagraphs.


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4. Writing Task 2
For both Academic and General Training Modules, the Writing Task 2 is the same. The
answerisworth66%oftheavailablemarksforwriting,soyoushouldallow40minutesto
complete Task 2. You are presented with a discussion topic and asked to discuss it and
presentyourownopiniononit.Thequestionsmayvary,butthetaskrequirementsalways
remainthesame,whichare:

AcademicandGeneralTrainingTask2Requirements
1. Use the correct tone and essay format (an introduction to
the topic, an analysis of both sides of the argument and a
conclusionwherethewritergivestheirownopinion.
2. Alwaysuseparagraphing.
3. Write at least 250 words, (less than 241 words will cost
marks.)Thisdoesnotincludetheessaytitle.Sodonotcopy
theessaytitletogainextrawordlength.
Tip:Everyessayquestionwillhaveatleasttwopossibleviewsforandagainstthe
discussiontopic.Togaintopmarksyouneedtopresentbothviewsbeforeprovidingyou
ownviewpointintheconclusion.
Examplesofessayquestionsandanswers:
Allowfor40minutestocompletethistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:

It is more important to invest in further education rather than to gain work
experience after finishing university in order to find a good job.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledge
orexperience.
Write250wordsormore.


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Toanswerthisquestionweneedtoidentifythekeypointsasfollows:

Key points:
Opinion 1: Important to invest in further education.
Opinion 2: Gain work experience after finishing university.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Asampleanswercouldlooklikethis:
Answer(BandScore8)
Asthenumbersofuniversitygraduatescontinuestoincrease,itcanseemthatthereisno
alternativebuttocontinueonesstudiesinordertobemoreattractiveinthejobmarket,
ratherthantoseektogainpracticalworkexperience.Toseehowvalidthisargumentis,we
havetolookatbothsidesofthedebate.
Firstofall,letstakealookatthefirsttraditionalrouteforuniversitygraduates.Themain
reasonwhypeopleundertakeanundergraduatedegreeistogivethemacompetitiveedge
inthejobmarket,asgainingadegreeisseenaguaranteeofacertainlevelofmentalability.
Itisthenseenasnecessarytocombinethisintellectualtrainingwithpractical,realworld
workexperienceinordertobecomeaviableandstrongcontenderinthejobmarket.
Thealternativeviewhoweverarguesthatitisnolongerenoughmerelytopossessa
standarduniversitydegreeandpracticalworkexperience.Thesheernumbersof
graduatesenteringthelabourmarketeachyearmeansthatitisvitaltogainanadditional
competitiveedgewhenapplyingforthemoresoughtafterpositionswithselective
employers.
Sowheredoesthetruthlie?Ontheonehandthereisthetimehonouredviewthathaslong
beentheconventionalandpracticalroutetocareersuccessforyoungambitious
individuals.Ontheotherhand,theviewthatthejobmarkethasneverbeenmore
competitiveanditisessentialtoaspiretomuchhigherlevelsofcompetitiveexcellence.
Withcurrentlackofjobsavailableinthelabourmarketitseemsinevitablethatonehasto
gainadditionalqualificationswhichwillprovetoapotentialemployerthatoneistheright
candidateforthatveryjob.

Wordcount291


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Hereisanothersampletask2question:

Allowfor40minutestocompletethistask.
Composeanessayonthefollowing:
Some people believe that television is a powerful educational tool. Other people
believe that television is nothing more than mindless entertainment and should be
discouraged.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Discussbothviewsandgiveyourownopinion.Provideexamplesandsupportingevidence
tobackupyouropiniononthissubject.

Write250wordsormore.
Toanswerthisquestionweneedtoidentifythekeypointsasfollows:

Key points:

Opinion 1: Television as a powerful educational tool.
Opinion 2: Television as mindless entertainment to be discouraged.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.


28
Asampleanswercouldlooklikethis:
It seems that television is ever present in our society. Perhaps because of its popularity,
therearewidelydifferingviewsastowhetherthemediumoftelevisionisapositiveforce
oranegativeforceinsociety.
On the plus side, there is a commonly heard view that television is of great importance to
society as it acts as an educational tool for the general public. Television, it is argued,
makes the boring exciting through its ability to engage us with both sound and visual
stimulation. People respond well to the visual storytelling power of fastpaced television
programmes and are better able to retain the knowledge learned through the experience.
The use of television programmes to teach children how to read and write is a good
exampleofthis.
Alternatively, some people believe that television is nothing more than mindless
entertainment. It is argued by such people that television acts as a substitute for actual
learning.Thatinsteadofabsorbinginformationatonesownspeedthroughthemediumof
reading for example, one is forcefed the briefest of information at a fastpace, making in
depth analysis difficult. An example of this would be the comparison between television
newsandanewspaper.Anewspapercanbereadandabsorbedatonesownpaceandhas
theabilitytogointomuchgreaterdepththantelevision.
In conclusion then, one can see that the rapid superficiality of television is in fact no
substituteforindepthcoverageprovidedbyothermedia,suchasthewrittenform.
Wordcount:252

toforpart2.


29
MarkingCriteria
AnsweringtheQuestion Were all three parts of the question
answered?
Style Howeasywasittoreadtheessay?Wasit
Appropriate tone (formal or
informal)
Appropriatestyle(anessaystyle)
Abeginningandanending
Paragraphing
the different paragraphs (cohesive
connectors)

vocabulary?
Grammarused How wide the range of grammatical
structures uses was, and how accurately
andappropriatelyweretheyused?
Detailedanalysisofthedifferentmarkingcriteria:
MarkingCriteria
TheTask2answershouldincludethefollowingsubsectionsinordertogeta Band
6 or higher score
1. Overviewofthetopic.
2. Exampleandanalysisofthefirstviewpoint.
3. Exampleandanalysisofthesecondviewpoint.
4. Conclusionwiththewritersownopinionbaseduponthetwo
analysedviewpoints.


30
MarkingCriteria
Style
TheTask2answershouldincludethefollowingsubsectionsinordertogetaBand
6 or higher score
1. Anintroductionandaconclusion.
2. A clear logical progression from the introduction to the
conclusion.
4. Appropriate use of cohesive devices (language that links the
differentparagraphstogether).
MarkingCriteria
VocabularyUsed
The Task 2 answer should include effective and accurate use of vocabulary. This
languagehastobeinadditiontothelanguageprovidedbytheQuestion.Thewider
therangeofvocabulary,solongasitisaccuratelyused,thehigherthebandsscore.
MarkingCriteria
GrammarUsed
The Task 2 answer should include effective and accurate use of grammatical
structures. This language has to be in addition to the language provided by the
Question.Thewidertherangeofgrammaticalstructures,solongasitisaccurately
used,thehigherthebandsscore.


31
Tip:ThekeytosuccessfullyansweringTask2istouseanessaystylewithanintroduction,
ananalysisofbothpointsofviewandaconclusionbasedupontheevidencepresented.To
dothissuccessfullyitisessentialtousethefollowing:
paragraphing
aformalstyle
anintroductionandaconclusion
presentationofbothviewpoints
yourownopinion
towriteover241words,notincludingtheessaytitle
Togetthehighermarksitisagainimportantuseconnectivedevicestolinktheparagraphs
together.Belowisalistofhigherlevelconnectivedevicesandwhentousethem.
Anoverviewofasuccessfultask2answerwouldlooklikethis:


32


33
Tip:Avoidusingclichswherepossibleaclichisasetphrasetodescribeasituation.
Classicexamplesarethefollowing:
Clich Explanation
Everycoinhastwosides. Explaining that there are two sides to an
argument
Thisisahotbuttontopic Describingacontentiousissue
Franklyspeaking Togiveanhonestviewpoint
Tolookforgreenerpastures To improve ones chances in a new
environment
Tohaveabrightfuture Toimproveonesfuturelife
Therapiddevelopmentoftechnology Thespeedoftechnologicalchange
Therapiddevelopmentoftheeconomy Thespeedofeconomicchange
Below is a list of clichs and the suitable highlevel language that can be used instead to
gainratherthanlosemarks.
Clich Explanation
Everycoinhastwosides. Everyargumenthastwosides
Thisisahotbuttontopic Thisisahighlycontentiousissue
Franklyspeaking Honestlyspeaking
Tolookforgreenerpastures Toseeknewbetteropportunitiesoverseas
Tohaveabrightfuture Togreatlyimproveonesfuturechances
Therapiddevelopmentoftechnology Thespeedoftechnologicalprogress
Therapiddevelopmentoftheeconomy Thespeedofeconomicprogress
Soifyoubeartheaboveinmindandpracticeansweringtheabovequestions(Task1and2
both) within a 1 hour time limit, you will greatly improve your chances of passing the
Writing module. Indeed, if you practice using the above techniques to answer the 2040
individualpracticewritingtestsontheIELTSblog.comwebsite(eachwithaseparateTask
1andTask2question),andtheincorporatetheteachers'feedbackthereisnoreasonwhy
youshouldnotgetahighbandscoreintheIELTSWritingmodule.


34
5. The 10 Key Mistakes Made by IELTS Candidates Taking the IELTS
Writing Exam
IELTS candidates frequently fail to get the score they require because they make some
basicmistakes.UnlessyouareaForeignIELTSexamineryoudonotknowwhatthesebasic
mistakes are. IELTS preparatory courses teach you how to pass the IELTS writing exam
fromthestudent'sperspective.NowforthefirsttimeyoucanlearnhowtopasstheIELTS
writing exam from the perspective of the person who gives out the scoresthe IELTS
examiner.
Lets take a look at the ten most common and easily solved problems made by IELTS
candidatestakingtheIELTSwritingExam:
10 Key mistakes Made By IELTS Candidates taking the IELTS writing Test
Mistake Explanation
1. Writingdownmemorisedanswers A memorised answer is written by a nonnative
speaker is easy to recognize and will stop you
frompassingtheexam
2. Notwritingenough Failure to write the minimum amount of words
meansthatthecandidatewillbemarkeddown
3. Notwritinglikeanindividual Although it is common to think as part of a
group in many countries, most examiners come
from Western countries where they expect
people write personal or individual answers to
questions.
4. Beinginadvertentlyracist Describing one ethnic/national group as unique
and deserving special treatment is considered
offensivebypeoplefromWesterncountries.
5. Usingclichs A clich is a phrase used to describe a situation
suchaseverycoinhastwosideswhichisover
usedbymanycandidates.Chooseyourownway
ofdescribingsomething.
6. Writinginappropriately Unlessthequestionasksyoutowritetoafriend,
your answers should always be written
formally.
7. Notusingparagraphing It is essential to use paragraphing in Task 2 of
theWritingexam.
8. Notansweringthequestion Always answer try to answer the question,
otherwiseyouwillnotpasstheexam
9. Using vocabulary and phrases
inappropriately
Do not use vocabulary and phrases unless you
knowhowtousetheminawrittenanswer.
10. Notmanagingexamtimewell If you take longer than the recommended
amountoftimeoneachtask,youwillrunoutof
timetowriteagoodanswer.


35
Andherearethewaystosimplyavoidtheseproblems:
10 Key mistakes Made By IELTS Candidates taking the IELTS Writing Test
Mistake Solution
1. Writingdownmemorisedanswers
Repeatedlypractisewritingdownyourown
answerswiththefeedbackfrom
IELTSBlog.comteachersyouwilllearntobe
able to write your own highscoring
answers
2. Notwritingenough
Practise writing the minimum word
amountsintherequiredtimelimits
(Task 1141 words in 20 minutes. Task 2
241wordsin40minutes.)
3. Notwritinglikeanindividual
Avoid writing things such as "because I am
(yourownnationality)Ithink...
4. Usingclichs
AvoidusingEnglishsayingswhichyouhave
not seen used by native English speaking
writers.
5. Beinginadvertentlyracist
Recognizing that there are many different
types of people in the world and that there
no one country or ethnic group can be the
bestatanything.Sowritingsomethingsuch
as the following would be acceptable: The
(yourownnationality)haveareputationfor
beingveryhospitable...
6. Writinginappropriately
Use formal speech always, unless
specifically told otherwise in the Task
question (this applies only to General
Trainingcandidates)
7. Notusingparagraphing
Practise writing essays with paragraphing
andusingconnectivedevices.
8. Notansweringthequestion
Alwaystrytoanswerthequestion.
9. Using vocabulary and phrases
inappropriately
Practise using new vocabulary and phrases
by identifying them in material written by
native English speaking writers, such as
newspapersandmagazines.
10. Notmanagingexamtimewell
Practise writing your answers under timed
conditionsremember it is 20 minutes for
Task1and40minutesforTask2.


36
Final word

Itisstronglyrecommendedthatyoufirstofallmemorizetheinformationinthisbookand
thenpractiseusingitthroughdoingcontrolled1hourtests.
Remember,ifyouplancorrectly,andrepeatedlypractice,thenthewritingtestisoneofthe
surestwaystoachieveahighbandscoreintheIELTStest.
Goodluck!

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Number of Students Attending Three

Template for Answering

3. How to Answer Part 1 of the General Training Test

Vocabularyused How varied and accurate was the

Vocabularyused How varied and accurate was the

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