IELTS Writing Task 1

Paraphrasing Examples
1. consumer spending on five different products =
the amount of money that people spent on five items

2. the consumption of rice and pasta in three European countries =

the amounts of rice and pasta that people in (name the countries) eat

3. changes in the cost of renting a home between 2009 and 2019 =

information about residential rental prices over a 10-year period

4. the market share percentage of four UK electricity suppliers =

the proportion of the UK electricity market served by (four names)

Collocations and Phrases

• a country's export earnings
• export revenues
• income from
• earnings from
• the highest earning exports
• it is noticeable that
• five product categories
• over the period shown
• the textile industry
• saw the most significant
growth in
• rose from... to...
• which was an increase of
• reached a similar level
• went up by... to
approximately...
• there was a ...% increase in
• rising from roughly... to...
• there was almost no change in
• the amount of money earned
• which remained at just over
• decline in income
• fell by ...% to...

We could represent these sentence structures like this:

1. x increased significantly.
2. x also increased.
3. There was a fall in x.
(x = noun / noun phrase)
Here are three types of linking (cohesive devices) with some examples
from last week's 'maps' answer for types 2 and 3.
1) The 'normal' linking words that everyone learns
and, but, because, while, whereas, by contrast, however, furthermore etc.
2) Using pronouns and determiners to refer to a previous idea
- three main modifications were made... These involved
- there were three bus stops... These were
- the addition of a bus station... This bus station
- the car park, which was situated... this original car park
3) Using synonyms or paraphrasing to connect ideas
- some changes were made... three main modifications... the changes
- the hospital's transport infrastructure... the hospital's vehicle access
- at the intersection... at the junction
- parking facilities... parking areas... car park... area for parking
- public... visitors... members of the public

Writing Task 1 question types:

1. Line graph
2. Bar chart
3. Pie chart
4. Table
5. Comparison diagram (a diagram or map that compares things)
6. Process diagram (a diagram or map that shows steps in a process)

Sentence 1 (Introduction)
The purpose of this sentence is to begin the description by stating what the [bar]
chart shows. The main feature of the sentence is the paraphrasing (of the question
statement) that it contains:
• The bar chart = the chart
• shows = illustrates, compares, give information about
• the percentage of = the proportions of
• men and women = males and females
• in different age groups = in six age categories
• did regular physical activity = were physically active on a regular basis
 • in 2010 = in the year 2010
• The charts compare Korea, Sweden and the UK in terms of the methods
used in each country to dispose of harmful waste.

Useful Vocabs:
• Cohort → kelompok/group ex 6-10, 11-15 dst.
• - with sales reaching €3 million and €15 million respectively
- with sales of the two respective products reaching €3 million and €15 million

Sentence 2 (Overall)
The purpose of this sentence is to give a general overview of the information, by
describing an overall trend. Some useful language:
• roughly speaking - a nice way to introduce an approximate overall trend
• close to half of Australian adults - grouping men and women in all age
categories together, in order to describe an overall trend
• some kind of routine physical activity - paraphrasing ‘regular physical activity’

Sentence 3
The purpose of this sentence is to continue the overview by highlighting the highest
and lowest figures on the chart. Some useful language:
• Middle aged females - more than one age category grouped together
• the most physically active - highlighting age categories with the highest
figures
• proportionally - this word is necessary because the figures show percentages
of people in each age group, not raw numbers
• while males - contrasting with the statement about females
• the least physical activity - contrasting the highest with the lowest

To write an introduction about a PROCESS DIAGRAM, just paraphrase the question

statement as usual. For the overview, here are some general things that you could
mention:
- the number of stages in the process
- where / how the process begins and ends
- the items (e.g. materials) involved in the process

When the task is to describe two completely different charts, there's no need to
compare them; we can simply write a separate paragraph about each one.

IELTS Writing Task 1: how to write the 'overview'

1. Always try to write two sentences. This forces you to describe two main or
general features of the graph, chart or diagram.
2. Don't put any numbers in your overview. Save specific numbers for the
'details' paragraphs.
3. If the graph or chart shows a time period (e.g. years), look for the overall
change from the beginning to the end of the period (e.g. from the first year to
the last year).
4. Look for overall trends, and ignore individual figures that don't fit the trend. For
example, if a graph shows a rising trend overall, you can ignore a specific
year when the figures decreased - save that year for your 'details' paragraphs.
5. If no time period is shown, you can't look for trends. Instead, look for
differences and similarities between items.
6. Don't look for individual 'highest' or 'lowest' figures such as a 'peak' on a line
graph. Instead, describe the highest and lowest items overall (e.g. which line
on the graph was the highest for the whole or most of the period?).
7. Start your overview with a simple phrase that clearly shows the examiner that
this is your summary paragraph e.g. It is clear that... , It is noticeable that... ,
Overall we can see that...
8. If there are two different charts, write one overview sentence about each
chart.
9. If there are more than two charts, they must be connected in some way, so
look for two main features overall.
10. If the task is to describe a diagram or map that compares things, you can
mention the main differences and maybe the number of differences and / or
similarities between the two diagrams.
11. If the task is to describe a process diagram, you can mention the total number
of stages in the process and say where or how the process begins and ends.
PS: I don't usually include numbers in my summary, so I wrote 'vast majority'
instead of 80%, and 'most widely spoken second language' instead of 30%.
We can add the figures in our "details" paragraphs.
 IELTS Writing Task 2

Introduction Paraphrasing
• some people say that = it is often said that, it is widely believed that,
• music is a good way of = music has the power to
• bringing people together = unite and connect people
• of different cultures = regardless of their cultural backgrounds

IELTS Writing Task 2: try this exercise

Try this exercise using the essay in last week's lesson:
1. Read the essay and make sure you understand it.
2. Read it again slowly, and make notes on a separate piece of paper. Just
write the main idea or key words from each sentence (there are only 13
sentences in the whole essay).
3. Hide my essay, and try to rewrite it using only your notes. Do not try to
memorise the essay exactly as I wrote it; the aim is to see if you can write a
similar essay using the same key ideas.
4. Compare your essay with mine. Did you write the same number of
sentences? Did you include the same key vocabulary? Did you use the
vocabulary correctly? Does your essay 'flow' as well as mine does?

You'll see these three words in the band descriptors for writing task 2. If you want a
high score, you need to extend and develop your ideas, and your writing should
progress from one sentence to the next.
How do you achieve this?
My tip is to make sure that each sentence says something new. The new
information could be a reason, an example, a consequence, an alternative, a
prediction...

Let's review the good vocabulary from the essay that I shared on Wednesday. It
was full of 'less common' collocations and phrases.

with broad implications for

may have its dangers
the negative implications
would be unprecedented
a more optimistic prediction
from a medical perspective
have a positive impact on our lives
people's fears will be unwarranted
Here's a list of the 'band 7-9' vocabulary in my most recent essay:
• modern life presents us with
 • an overwhelming number of choices
• the two major factors involved
• a dramatic expansion in
• online media options
• almost endless
• countless websites
• on-demand TV
• music streaming
• abundance of media
• on the part of the average user
• the content that we consume
• compounding this problem
• faced with a world of options
• limited but simple travel choices
• our grandparents' generation
• the same is true
• the increasing tendency for
• the opportunity for overseas study
• seems appealing
• which path to take
• more bewildering than beneficial

Let's review some of the good topic vocabulary from the three media essay that I
shared recently.
Remember: these are collocations and phrases, not big or 'academic' words.
• the most powerful of these media
• not the best medium
• a much more effective medium
• the most dynamic of these media
• its ability to communicate information
• the communication of up-to-date information
• reliable sources of information
• research a subject in depth
• news broadcasts
• what the broadcaster is describing
• events as they happen
• events as they take place
• no visual element
• brings us closer to reality
• the body language of a politician
 • interrupted by advertisements
• presented in limited depth
• excellent communication tools
• an even greater impact on the viewer
• overseas study → study abroad
• In a similar way, ….. (beda noun tp topik sama)

IELTS Writing Task 2: writing a conclusion

When writing a conclusion, this is what I do:
1. I check the question again, because I want to make sure that I answer it
properly (but briefly) in my conclusion.
2. I also think about key words or phrases from the question that I could reuse
or paraphrase.
3. And I look at my introduction again. I want to make sure that the 'position'
that I express in my conclusion is consistent with what I wrote in the
introduction.
4. I can also paraphrase what I wrote in my introduction when writing the
conclusion.

IELTS Writing Task 2: four 'rules' for introductions

Here are four 'rules' to follow when writing an introduction for a task 2 essay:
1. Write two sentences: introduce the topic, then give a general answer.
2. In those two sentences you should briefly mention everything that the
question mentions.
3. Demonstrate that you can paraphrase the ideas in the question.
4. Do not save any surprises for the conclusion; give your opinion in the
introduction if the question asks for it.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'homework' essay plan

Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their
teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the
education of children. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

Here's a 13-sentence essay plan for the question above:

Introduction
1. Introduce the topic (e.g. People have different views about…)
2. Give a general answer, mentioning both sides and your opinion
One view (arguments against homework)
3. Topic (e.g. People disagree with homework for several reasons)
4. Firstly: homework does not improve educational outcomes
5. Example: achievements of countries like Finland
6. Secondly: school day is long enough, children are tired
7. Finally: play time is equally beneficial for development

Opposite view / my view (some homework is necessary)

8. Topic (e.g. In spite of the above arguments, I support the view that…)
9. Explain: encourage independent learning, problem solving
10. Explain: apply knowledge learnt in the classroom
11. Example: maths exercises to consolidate ability to...
12. Result: prepares people to work alone as adults

Conclusion
13. Repeat / summarise your answer

IELTS Writing Task 2: when to give your opinion

Do the following questions ask for your opinion or not?
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
3. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
5. Is this a positive or negative development?
6. What are the benefits and drawbacks?
Answers:
- Numbers 2 and 6 are discussion questions. Discuss both sides of the issue, but
don't give an opinion about which side you agree with.
- Numbers 1 and 5 are opinion questions. Give your opinion and support it. If you
have a strong opinion, you don't need to mention the other side of the argument.
- Numbers 3 and 4 can be called discussion + opinion questions. Discuss both
sides and make your opinion clear too.