How to prepare for IELTS - Writing
Contents

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Details of the writing test Task 1 Bar and line graphs, pie charts & tables Process or flow charts Objects/how something works How to prepare for Task 1 Task 2 Questions How to prepare for Task 2 General tips for writing

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Make sure you have a copy of the How to prepare for IELTS – FAQs booklet in addition to this booklet.

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How to prepare for IELTS - Writing
Details of the Writing Test Procedure of the test
The writing test is the third test you do on the test day. You have 60 minutes for this test. There are two tasks or parts to do. You will be given a card with the two tasks – one task on each side of the card. You can make notes or write your plans on the card but it will not be seen by the examiner. You will also be given an answer booklet. You have to write your essays in the answer booklet. Notes are not acceptable and essays under the word limit will be penalized.

How to prepare for IELTS - Writing
Length & Timing
You have to write at least 150 words. You are advised to spend 20 minutes on this task.

Marking

The Tasks
This task tests your ability to perform one or more of the following functions in English: describe and interpret graphic data describe the stages of a process or procedure describe an object or event or sequence of events explain how something works

Task 1

Your performance in Task 1 will be assessed on the criteria below: Task Achievement Being able to follow the instructions properly. Being able to write a clear, accurate and relevant description of the information. Being able to focus on the important trends presented as graphic information. Coherence and Cohesion Being able to organize your writing using a suitable structure. Using connective words to link sentences and paragraphs logically. Lexical Resources Being able to use a wide range of vocabulary naturally. Being able to spell accurately and using the appropriate word formation. Grammatical Range and Accuracy Using the appropriate grammatical structures accurately Using a variety of sentence structures.

The question

You are given graphic or pictorial information and you have to write a description of this information. Bar charts, line graphs, pie charts and tables are most frequently given for this task. However, you could also be given an object or series of pictures or diagrams or a flow chart to describe. If graphs are used there may be just one – usually a line graph or a bar chart. However, there could also be more than one of the same type of graph or a combination of graphs and charts. For example, you could get a bar chart and a pie chart together (see Cambridge IELTS 1, p.31) or a line graph and a table.

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How to prepare for IELTS - Writing
Task 1 – Bar and line graphs, pie charts & tables
Look at the two examples below. Example 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The chart below shows how primary, secondary and tertiary students in Britain spend their free time. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

How to prepare for IELTS - Writing
Example 2
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The pie charts below show incidences of firework injuries in Great Britain in 1984 and 1998. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words. Incidences of firework accidents in 1984.

5%

How students in Britain spend their free time (5 or more hours a week).

16%
At public displays

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Watching TV Homework

47%

At a club/society display At a family party Children playing alone

Primary Secondary Tertiary
Working for Using the Extramoney Internet curricular school activities

32%

Incidences of firework accidents in 1998.

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11% 33%
At public displays

28%

At a club/society display At a family party Children playing alone

28%

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How to prepare for IELTS - Writing
How to do Task 1 – Processes and flow charts
• Spend about 5 minutes studying the flow chart or diagram and preparing your answer. • Make sure you understand what the important stages of the flow chart or diagram are and that you know what order they all come in. Find a place to begin and work...

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