I’m sure you are keen to learn as much as you can about the IELTS Academic Writing Test,
so I’ll now go through some important facts about the exam.
The IELTS Academic Writing Test takes 60 minutes and you need to complete two tasks in this
time. The two tasks are not linked in terms of topic. In other words, they will be about
different things. There is a lot to do in 60 minutes and it is a good idea if you can
organise your time like this.
In Task 1, you need to write at least 150 words and we usually recommend that you finish in
20 minutes. In Task 2, you need to write at least 250 words and you should plan to finish
in 40 minutes.
Let’s look at the two tasks in more detail.
Okay, so what can you expect in Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Writing Test? You will
receive some information in visual form. This information could be in the form of a graph,
a table, a diagram or even a map. You will also receive a statement explaining what the
visual represents, or what it shows, in other words.
Then, you need to summarise the information in the visual and it is important that you
write this summary in your own words.
So how can you do well in Task 1? In order to do a good job you need to be able to do
the following things: select, organise and compare information. You may need to be able
to describe the stages of a process, or describe an object or place, or perhaps you will need
to explain how something works. You will do this using the information you can see in
the visual. Throughout the rest of the Writing module
of the IELTS Academic course, you will have an opportunity to practise these skills.
So, what about Task 2? In this task, you are given a point of view, an issue or a problem
and it will be written in the form of a question or statement. For this task, you are required
to write an academic essay. And, as in Task 1, you must write it in your own words.
So how are you going to organise your essay and what do you need to include?
You need to read the question carefully and decide what the question is asking you to
do. You may need to present and support an opinion, or present the solution to a problem.
The question may ask you to compare and contrast evidence and opinions, or evaluate and challenge
ideas, evidence or opinions. You will have the opportunity to practise
skills for Task 2 throughout this module. But before we start to practise these skills,
let’s take a look at how you will be assessed in the IELTS Academic Writing Test.
For both Task 1 and Task 2 you will be assessed in four main areas. The first one is cohesion
and coherence. Now this means your ability to write a clear and organised answer that is
easy for the reader to follow and understand. And you’ll need to organise your response
into paragraphs.
The second area is lexical resource, or vocabulary. You’ll be assessed on your ability to use
a range of vocabulary and expressions accurately and appropriately.
And next, you will be assessed on your grammatical range and accuracy. This is your ability to
use a range of grammar structures accurately and appropriately.
There is one more important area on which you’ll be assessed and that is your ability
to answer the question because each writing task requires a different type of written
response, and they are marked slightly differently.
Task 1 is a description of a visual so you will be marked on task achievement, or how appropriately,
accurately and relevantly you complete the task using at least 150 words.
In Task 2, on the other hand, you need to write an academic essay, so you will be marked
on your task response. Here the examiner will be looking to see how well you can make and
develop your position or argument and how you support it with evidence and examples,
to complete the task using at least 250 words.
So what happens to your test when you have finished? Well, it is marked by an examiner
using the assessment criteria. You’ll then receive an IELTS band score for Writing, for
example 6 or 7. It is also possible to be given a half band score, such as 5.5, or
6.5.
By the way, students sometimes ask me if they have to write in pen or pencil. Well, the
answer is that it doesn’t matter. You can use pen or pencil*.
(*Please check with your test centre).