IELTS Academic Writing Paper

Click to edit Master subtitle style English Language Centre

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Test Format and Tasks

Format and Tasks Strategies and Examples Further Help References Click to edit Master subtitle style Questions

Test Format

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Writing Module lasts 60 minutes. Two tasks:

Test Format

Task 1 20 minutes, 150 words.

Task 2 40 minutes, 250 words. Words Click to edit are counted by the examiners, so dont write too many Master subtitle style or too few words. Tip - learn how many words you usually write on a line, and how many lines = 150 and 250 words, so you dont waste time counting words in the test.

Test Format and Tasks - Answers

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Must be written on the answer sheet. Must be written in full. Notes are not acceptable as answers. Notes may be made on the question paper, but to edit Master be taken from the test room. cannot subtitle style Click

Answers

Test Format and Tasks Task 1

Task 1: (20 minutes, 150 words) o Interpret a diagram or table, and present the information in your own words.

Organise, present and possibly compare data

Describe stages of a procedure or process

e.g. money people spend on different forms of entertainment. e.g. the stages of human evolution.

Click to e.g. Master subtitle style works. edit How the water cycle

Describe on object or event or series of events Explain how something works

e.g. How a car engine works.

Test Format and Tasks Task 2

Task 2 (40 minutes, 250 words) o presented with a point of view or argument or problem.

Present and justify an opinion

Compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications Evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument
e.g. How effective is it to reward good work with extra money?

e.g. Do you think trial by jury should be used in all criminal cases?

Click to e.g. Master subtitle style edit Failure shows desire wasnt strong enough. To what extent do you agree?

Test Format and Tasks: Assessment Criteria

You must respond appropriately in terms of:

General Points

Register formality and politeness; e.g. no short forms Organisation clear and logical Style academic; e.g. no rhetorical questions, no exclamations, no extreme opinions, use tentative Click to edit Master subtitle style expressions such as this appears to be this is probably due to Content relevant and complete

Test Format and Tasks - Topics

Example Task Topics:

Issues in English CD-ROM Time, Newsweek and The Economist magazines (also on the Internet)
Click to edit Master subtitle style

Recommended Materials in CILL

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Test Format and Tasks Task 1

Task Fulfillment answering the question completely o Coherence e.g. Firstly, Secondly, Finally o Cohesion e.g. this, it, he, and, but and synonyms subtitle style Click to edit Master o Vocabulary good range, appropriate o Sentence Structure concise but not simplistic; e.g. correct use of relative clauses.
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Considerations for Task 1 include:

Example of Task 1
Academic Writing - Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The graph Click to shows belowedit Master subtitle style the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown. city in 1950, You should write at least 150 words. 1970 and

Example of Task 1
Academic Writing - Writing Task 1 With a partner:

Identify the main trends for each mode. Identify any large increases or decreases. Are there any clear and Click to edit consistent Master subtitle style directions? Does anything seem surprising? Are there any clear relationships between modes or percentages?

Possible Answer for Task 1 Full Answer

The graph shows the percentage of travellers in a European city who used bus, car, bike and foot to commute to and from work in the years 1950, 1970 and 1990. The amount of people using cars grew considerably, rising from just over 5% in 1950 to 25% in 1970, and then climbing to almost 40% by 1990. However, the amount of people using bikes decreased. Over 25% of commuters cycled in 1950, but this had fallen to less than 10% by 1990. Similarly, the amount of people who walked to work fell from more than a third in 1950 to about 10% in 1990. The amount of people using buses initially rose in 1970 to about 30%, but had Click to edit Master subtitle style dropped to about 17% by 1990. The graph indicates the growing use of cars for commuting and the corresponding fall in the popularity of other modes of transport since 1950.

Possible Answer for Task 1 Introduction Instructions:

The graph below shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1950, 1970 and 1990.

Answer: to edit Master subtitle style Click The graph shows the percentage of travellers in a European city who used bus, car, bike and foot to commute to and from work in the years 1950, 1970 and 1990.

Possible Answer for Task 1 - Cars

Answer: The amount of people using cars grew considerably, rising from just over 5% in 1950 Click to edit Master subtitle style to 25% in 1970, and then climbing to almost 40% by 1990.

Possible Answer for Task 1 Bikes and Walkers

Answer: However, the amount of people using bikes decreased. Over 25% of Click to commuters edit Master subtitle style cycled in 1950, but this had fallen to less than 10% by 1990. Similarly, the amount of people who walked to work fell from more than a third in 1950 to about 10% in 1990.

Possible Answer for Task 1 - Buses

Answer: The amount of people using buses initially rose in 1970Click toabout subtitle style to edit Master 30%, but had dropped to about 17% by 1990.

Possible Answer for Task 1 Conclusion

Answer: The graph indicates the growing use of cars for commuting and the Click to edit Master subtitle style corresponding fall in the popularity of other modes of transport since 1950.

Test Format and Tasks Task 2

Task 2 is assessed on:
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Quality of Arguments logical, well-considered Ideas and Evidence support your points Communicative Quality Vocabulary and Sentence Structure
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Example of Task 2
Read the question carefully and read it several times. Decide what the focus of the task is? The first sentence is sometimes background information, the focus of the essay and the question come after. For example: Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices. Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. This isClick to edit Master subtitleit takes away some of our freedom. a good idea but style Do you agree or disagree?

Decide what the task requires you do.

Strategies - Organisation

Organisation

After you have produced your ideas, you need to organise them. Do not produce a list of ideas without development. Decide on the key ideas. How many ideas can Click to you cover instyle or 250 words? edit Master subtitle 150 Select some supporting points for each key idea in your list. Think about your own experience do you have any further points to add.

Strategies Content

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Your answer must be complete. Make sure you do not:

Respond to each point mentioned in the task.

misunderstand the question; e.g. smoking in Government offices write Click to editabout something not required in the question; Master subtitle style e.g. banning smoking completely answer only half of the topic; e.g. you write about is it a good idea, but dont write about freedom.

Strategies - Planning

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note down clear and relevant ideas make a brief plan of the organisation and content of your answer. For example:
Intro smoking in businesses & Govt. - good idea, freedom? Smoking in businesses Good idea? Smokers may work better if they can smoke Passive smoking objections from other staff Takes away freedom? Businesses have the right to limit staff activities Govt. limitations on smoking in public places Click to Good idea? edit Master subtitle style Costs to society - Passive smoking, litter, health care Benefits to society tax revenue, pleasure of smokers Pressure groups smokers, tobacco companies, sponsors Takes away freedom? Govt. has the right to regulate citizens activities Will citizens support regulation? Conclusion

Allow some time to think about the question.

Strategies Content - Introduction

The Introduction
Important: gives first impression. A few sentences. Introduce the topic. Preface the main points. Define what you understand by the task Show how you intend Click to edit Master subtitle styleto approach the task.

Strategies Introduction - Example

Limitations on smoking in businesses and public places are a controversial topic as, although they may be a good idea, they may also interfere with peoples freedom. Non-smokers are likely to think that banning smoking is a good idea, but smokers naturally may not. Different cultures may have Click attitudes to whether businesses or varying to edit Master subtitle style governments have the right to ban smoking in certain places.

Strategies Body - Example

Banning smoking in businesses may not be a good idea because smokers may work better if they can smoke. However, passive smoking can cause objections from colleagues. Although such bans may reduce freedom, businesses are widely seen as having the right to regulate staff activities. Governments may also ban smoking in public. This may be a good idea due to the costs to society of smoking such as litter and health care. However, smoking in public may also benefit society, for example in tax revenue and the pleasure of smokers. Also, pressure groups such as Click to edit Master subtitle style tobacco companies may discourage limitations on smoking. As for freedom, in many cultures the government has the right to regulate citizens activities. It is also increasingly possible that citizens would support such bans.

Strategies Content - Conclusion

The Conclusion
Important: Opportunity to leave a good impression. A few sentences. Summarises your key ideas and your main Click to edit Master subtitle style ideas. If appropriate, a final decision, statement, or recommendation.

Strategies Conclusion - Example

As a non-smoker I believe that limiting smoking in workplaces and in public is a good idea. I can also understand the opinion of smokers that banning smoking in such places limits theirstyle Click to edit Master subtitle freedom. If the effects of smoking were limited to smokers I would oppose bans, but as smoking affects the health of others, I support them.

Further Help - WAP

One-to-one help from an ELC teacher with your writing o WAP teachers will give you suggestions for improving your style Click to edit Master subtitle writing. They will not proofread. o More information at http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/wap/
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WAP Writing Assistance Programme Core A 3/F

Further Help - CILL

Help from an ELC teacher with your writing, reading, speaking and listening o CILL teachers can give you suggestions for improving your style Click to edit Master subtitle writing. They will not proofread o More information at http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/ielts/
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CILL Centre for Independent Language Learning Core A 3/F

References
You can find these books in CILL, Room AG305: Cambridge Practice Tests for the IELTS, Books 1, 2 & 3 (with CD-ROM for listening tests) Click to edit Master subtitle style Insight into IELTS - an IELTS preparation course Presenting Facts and Figures Great Essays

Useful websites

UGC Introductory site http://www.ugccepa.com IELTS homepage http://www.ielts.org/index.htm

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ELC homepage http://elc.polyu.edu.hk

Questions

Please do not ask us (or any ELC teacher) to predict what grade you will get, as such prediction is forbidden by the IELTS organisation. Please do not ask about test dates and Click to edit Master subtitle style venues, as these are not organised by the ELC.

Task 2 - writing
1. At present, the young often display their affection in public places. What is your opinion?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Many students do not finish school. Why is this and how can the problem be solved? Should rich countries help the poorer ones? Should smoking be banned completely? Should dangerous sports such as boxing or motor-racing be banned? Should parents pay if their children end up in trouble with the law? Should parents use corporal punishment to discipline children? Should governments spend money on art, when they have so many other important issues and concerns? What are the problems of living with a roommate in college? Is it better than living alone? When should people be made to retire? 55? 65? Should there be a compulsory retirement age? Are women are better parents than men? Should children be taught sex education in schools? Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten. Discuss. The youth should cohabit before marriage. Click to edit Master subtitle style Family planning shouldnt impose the birth rate to the intellectual. What are five things that cause pollution? What can be done to eliminate pollution? A young couple should divorce as early as possible if they do not get a long with each other.