IELTS Writing Teacher: Trang Nguyễn Trung Hiếu (Ms.

)
eliztrang@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/aieoffice

No. DON’T DO

Use contraction / abbreviation: Use full form of words:

- It’s…; It’ll…; People can’t… - It is…; It will…; People cannot…
1
- etc… - and so on.
- asap - as soon as possible
Use spoken language: Use written language:
- small kids - young children
2 - mom / dad - mother / father
- The atmosphere at the festival is cool. - The atmosphere at the festival is quite
interesting.
Use vague words (Words that can be Use more precise & specific words:
understood in many ways à unclear
3 meaning): - This method is really energy-efficient.
- This method is very good. - That student is very hard-working.
- That student is very good. - That student is very generous.
Use too common words: Use less-common words & more context-
related:
- Good è beneficial, advantageous, constructive…
- Bad è negative, harmful, detrimental, undesirable…
- Hard è difficult, complicated, harsh …
- Easy è effortless, manageable, simple…
4
- Big
è considerable, immense, serious...
- Stuff
è equipment, goods, kit, objects, possessions …
- A lot of
- Things
è several, abundant, numerous, considerable, …
- Get / have è aspects, areas, elements, points, …
è acquire, accomplish, gain, receive …
Start sentences with conjunction (and / but / Start sentences with conjunctive adv /
so...): subordinators:
5 - But the most important thing is that the è However, it is important for the government
government acts immediately to solve the to take prompt action so as to mitigate the
problem. problem.
Use phrasal verbs: Use formal alternatives:
- A couple of researchers have found out that... - Several researchers have discovered that...
- Government agencies may need to keep - Government agencies may need to continue
6 on looking into the safety of genetically investigating the safety of genetically modified
modified food. food.
- Teachers have to put up with lots of bad kids. - Teachers have to endure many cases of
children with bad behaviour.
Use idioms / Proverbs: Use idiomatic expressions for writing only:
- In a nut shell, …. - In conclusion, …
7
- “All that glitters are not gold”. - People should not be deceived by appearances
because they can be deceptive.
Use redundant words: Avoid redundancy:
8
- This is the most unique chair. - This is the unique chair.
Use questions: Use affirmative statements:
9 - The question is, however, does this method - It is questionable whether this method
provide a practical solution to the problem? provides a practical solution to the problem.
10 Overuse personal language: Use impersonal language appropriately:

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IELTS Writing Teacher: Trang Nguyễn Trung Hiếu (Ms.)
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- I believe that the greatest threat to polar bears - There is no doubt that the greatest threat to
comes from global warming. polar bears comes from global warming.
- In this essay, I will examine the issue of - This essay will examine the issue of juvenile
juvenile crimes and propose solutions. crimes and propose solutions.
- We clearly need to do more to protect - It is clear that more needs to be done to protect
biodiversity. biodiversity.
Overuse active form of Verb: Use gerund (V-ing) or Noun phrase
- It is well known that in order to get a good job in appropriately:
11 today's global market, people need to speak - It is well known that in order to get a good job in
English. today's global market, speaking English
is becoming a requirement.
Overuse absolute words: Add more tolerant expressions:
- This must have bad effects on the environment. - This will probably have detrimental effects on
the environment.
12 - It will lead to financial crisis. - It may possibly lead to financial crisis.
- It cannot be denied that…. - It is understandable that…
- English will absolutely remain the world’s - English is highly likely to remain the world’s
global language. global language.
Overuse “Not”: Strengthen negative:
- Fortunately, the consequences are not - Fortunately, the consequences are
13 significant. insignificant.
- The government don’t have enough control - The government has insufficient control over
over the issue. the issue.
Use “You”: Use third person OR passive voice:
- If you lose your health, you may not get it back - If people lose their health, they may not get it
14
again. back again.
- If health is lost, it may not return.

NOTE:
Do NOT overuse formal language (Ex: Overuse passive voice, “to be” form, “that”, false subjects (“it” /
“there”)…
à be flexible & keep your writing natural!

EXERCISE 1 - Which of the two alternatives in bold is more appropriate in academic writing?
1. The government has made considerable / big progress in solving the problem.
2. The results of lots of / numerous tests have been pretty good / encouraging.
3. A loss of jobs is one of the consequences / things that will happen if the process is automated.
4. Some suggestions springing up from / arising from the study will be presented.

EXERCISE 2 - Use more formal words or phrases to replace those in bold.

1. The reaction of the officials was sort of negative. ………………………………………………..
quite
2. The economic outlook is nice. ………………………………………………..
positive
3. The resulting competition between countries is good. ………………………………………………..
positive
4. The economy is affected by things that happen outside the country. ………………………………………………..
problems, factors,...
5. She was given the sack because of her poor work performance. ………………………………………………..
fired, displaced

EXERCISE 3 - Suggest improvements to the following sentences to avoid use of personal language.
1. You can apply the same theory of learning to small children.
ð The same theory of learning can be applied to small children.
2. In this essay, we will consider the environmental consequences.
ð This essay will discuss the environmental consequences.
3. I will conclude my essay by proposing that all drugs should be legalized.
ð This essay will be concluded by proposing that all drugs should be legalized.

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IELTS Writing Teacher: Trang Nguyễn Trung Hiếu (Ms.)
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EXERCISE 4 – Rewrite the following sentences by using more tolerant expressions to avoid being
“absolute” or “extreme”.
1. Today everyone uses credit cards for all their shopping.
ð Today the majority of costumers use credit cards for most of their shopping.
2. Global warming will have disastrous consequences for the whole world.
ð Global warming may lead to disastrous consequences worldwide.
3. Teleworking leads to isolation.
ð Teleworking could lead to isolation.
4. Women are worse drivers than men.
ð Women do not drive as certain as men.

EXERCISE 5 – Adjust the “tone” of the sample essay below (for the words/ phrased underlined) to make
it more academic (where needed).
Suggest: increase or decrease the level of formality, replace words/ phrases…

TOPIC
Scientists say that in the future humanity will speak the same language. Do you think this is a positive
or negative social development?
(IELTS WRITING ACTUAL TEST 20/04/2017)
essential
Learning languages is [1] very important to the sustainable development of the international community.
Many people argue that one language will be used as an international language in the future. [2] I contend that
such a development [3] will have many advantages.
may result in negative effects for
[4] There is a common fallacy that the use of one language as a lingua franca [5] will be bad for many
countries. [6] Many linguists claim that a universal language may replace local dialects, [7] making
minority languages extinct and threatening global language diversity. However, I believe that such a claim is
[8] false. In reality, despite the role of English as a common language across most countries, [9] less common
languages are being well preserved at present. [10] This can be seen in the case of the Irish language, which
[11] only a few Irish spoke in the latter half of the 20th century. This language is now increasingly popular in
Ireland [12] as a result of the tireless efforts of the Irish government to promote its use.

[13] I am of the opinion that the universality of one language is [14] of great benefit to the development of
the world. [15] The primary reason is that in today’s context of globalisation and international integration,
the use of one common language promotes mutual understanding between those who come from different
geographical and cultural backgrounds. As a result, international trade may grow, which would benefit all
nations [16] that choose to engage in this process. [17] Another significant reason is that when language
barriers are removed, all learners may have access to a wealth of knowledge [18] which is written exclusively
in other languages, and they have the opportunity to become experts in a variety of areas. This may help every
country to build a stronger intellectual workforce, which could act as the catalyst for long-term
global development.

In brief, [19] one may conclude that the use of one international language is not necessarily disadvantageous.
[20] It is clear that having a universal language is advantageous, such as the growth of international trade
and the development of a stronger intellectual workforce in every country.

8. not correct
19. it could be believed that

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