Essential To The Ielts - Writing Skills - 15.05.2019

Essential to the
IELTS
Student’s Book
The Writing Module

INTRODUCTION TO THE IELTS TEST
Background
If you’re preparing to take the IELTS test, you’re not alone. Over two million people all over the
world take the test each year. A knowledge of English is increasingly important for people who
want to study abroad, or work in countries where English is the first language, and IELTS is widely
recognised by universities and colleges, professional bodies, employers, immigration authorities
and other government agencies. You can find a list of over 9,000 organisations which recognise
the test on the IELTS website at www.ielts.org.
Academic and General Training tests

There are two versions of IELTS, Academic and General Training (or GT). When you enrol, you can
choose which version you want to take.
You should take IELTS Academic if you want to study abroad, for example an undergraduate or
postgraduate course at a university where the teaching is in English. You should take the General
Training version if you intend to live and work in an English-speaking country and need to show
the migration authorities that you have the required level of English.
Your teacher can advise you on the version which is appropriate for you, or you can contact the
organisation you intend to apply to and find out which one they require.
The Test
There are four parts to the test: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, and you must take
them all. The total test time is two hours and 45 minutes The tests of Listening and Speaking
are the same for all candidates, but the tests of Reading and Writing are different depending on
whether you chose the Academic or General Training versions. You do the Listening, Reading and
Writing tests on the same day, and usually the Speaking test is done a few days before or after the
other components.
The test is administered very frequently, typically once or twice each month, and you can find your
local centre and information about how to register for the test on the IELTS website at www.ielts.
org.
Scoring
IELTS assesses your language knowledge and skills and gives you a Band Score from 1 to 9 in each
of the four parts of the test, and also an overall Band Score from 1 to 9 for the whole exam, which
is an average of the scores for each part. There is no pass or fail in IELTS because the college,
university or organisation you’re applying to will tell you the Band Score you need to achieve.
2 Essential to the IELTS

IELTS BAND SCORES
Band 9: Expert user

Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete
understanding.
Band 8: Very good user
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and
inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed
argumentation well.
Band 7: Good user
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriaces
and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and
understands detailed reasoning.
Band 6: Competent user
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies
and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar
situations.
Band 5: Modest user
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is
likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
Band 4: Limited user

Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and
expression. Is not able to use complex language.
Band 3: Extremely limited user
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in
communication occur.
Band 2: Intermittent user
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words
or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty
understanding spoken and written English.
Band 1: Non-user
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
Band 0: Did not attempt the test
No assessable information provided.
Essential to the IELTS 3

The Writing
Module

ABOUT THE WRITING TEST
or statistical information may be presented in

A The Test the form of line graphs, bar charts, tables or pie
charts. This information often describes how
Minimum something has changed over time, and there may
Writing Description Time Marks
length
be two sets of visual information to compare.
Describing
20
Task 1 visual
minutes
150 words 1/3 of total Your job is to describe the most important points
information in the statistical or diagrammatic information in
Expressing your own words. For statistical tasks, you usually
40
Task 2 and justifying 250 words 2/3 of total
an option
minutes need to select and report on the most important
features of the charts, to identify trends, and
The IELTS Academic Writing Test is designed to to compare and contrast data. For map tasks,
test your ability to write in clear, coherent, and you often have to compare the features of a
well-organised English. There are two Writing place over time, for example, a map of a town
tasks, and you have one hour to complete both today compared with one of the same town
tasks. The instructions advise you to spend about twenty years ago. In diagram tasks, you usually
20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. have to describe a process, for example, how a
You can decide how to organise your time, but product is made or how a piece of equipment
it’s best to follow this advice. functions. There are seven Task 1 Writing lessons,
which deal one by one with the seven possible
In Task 1, you see some visual information on the variations in Task 1.
question paper. For example, there may be a
chart, a graph, a table, a diagram or a map/plan.
Your job is to describe this visual information Task 2
in your own words. There is no need to give In Task 2, you’re asked to give your opinion
your opinion about the data or to interpret the about a contemporary issue, and to support
information in any way, because only a simple your opinion with reasons and examples. The
description is required. issue that you have to write about is given on
In Task 2, a point of view or argument is the question paper, and there is no choice of
presented on the question paper. Your job is topic. But the issues included are familiar ones
to comment on this, giving your own opinions that most students already know quite a lot
with examples from your own knowledge and about. Not all tasks are the same, however,
experience. and you may, for example, be asked to present
In Task 2 you have to write more words, have a solution to a problem, present and justify an
more time and more marks are available. This opinion, or to compare and contrast evidence
doesn’t mean that Task 1 is easier to write, and the opinions of other people. The task on the
however. In fact, you may have more experience question paper often takes the form of a brief,
of writing opinion essays and so you may find general statement and you have to say to what
this easier than describing visual information. extent you agree or disagree with it. The task
The main difference between Tasks 1 and 2 is that may, however, present two sides of an argument
Task 1 only calls for a simple description, whereas and ask you to discuss these views before giving
in Task 2 you’re expected to give your opinion. your own opinion. A third type of task presents
you with a problem and asks you to describe
possible causes and solutions.
Task 1
You don’t need any special knowledge to do any
For Task 1, you see some sort of visual of these tasks and you’re marked on your use of
information which you need to describe. There language rather than your opinions. Some typical
may be, for example, a map or a diagram Task 2 topics include: technology,
showing a process or how something works,

culture, education, family, health, friendship, In other words, do you know which grammatical
transportation, the environment, travel, crime, structures to use to write your answer? Does
work and entertainment. your answer use a wide range of simple and
complex grammatical structures? Is the grammar
There are three Task 2 Writing lessons, which deal of your sentences generally accurate?
one by one with the three possible variations in
Task 2.
C Strategies
B Marking criteria
Before the test
Writing tasks are marked by trained examiners
according to very detailed criteria. The two tasks • It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with
are marked separately, and each is given a band the format of the Writing test. Make sure you
score from 0-9. Half-band scores such as 4.5 are know exactly what you have to do in both
also possible. Task 2 accounts for two thirds of parts of the test - then you can feel confident
your overall Writing score, and Task 1 accounts and prepared on the day of the test. For
for one third. example, you could read some examples of
Tasks are marked according to four criteria. Each students’ writing tasks and see what marks
of these criteria counts equally towards your they were given and why.
score for each task. • Practise doing the writing tasks within the
Task Achievement (Task 1) time limit. Students often spend too long on
Task 1 because they try to include too much
Here the examiner assesses whether you have information. This leaves them with too little
fulfilled the task. For example, have you included
time to complete Task 2.
all the relevant information in your own words?
Did you write at least 150 words? • For Task 1, it’s important to look at the visual
material and understand it fully before you
Task Response (Task 2)
start writing. Practise looking at charts, tables,
Here the examiner assesses whether you etc. to see how the information is typically laid
have fulfilled the task. For example, have you out. Practise identifying the most important
addressed all the points in the task? Are your pieces of information.
ideas supported by examples and reasons? Did
you stay on topic? Did you write at least 250 • For Task 1, expressing ideas clearly in a few
words? words is a key skill. Use the exercises in this
section to practise comparing trends and
Coherence and Cohesion
ideas within the same sentence and between
Here the examiner assesses your ability to write short sentences by using linking words and
a coherent and cohesive answer. For example, is phrases, e.g. whereas, although, on the other
your answer organised in a clear and logical way? hand, etc.
Is there a smooth flow of ideas? Have you used
paragraphs effectively? Are your paragraphs, • When you practise writing the tasks, use a
sentences and clauses joined together with stopwatch app on your phone or computer to
appropriate linking words and phrases? time yourself.
Lexical Resource • When thinking about possible Task 2 topics,
Here the examiner assesses your ability to it’s a good idea to choose a topic, brainstorm
use a wide range of vocabulary accurately some ideas, and then make a note of them.
and appropriately. For example, do you know Do this with as many topics as possible.
enough words to answer the question fully? • For Task 2, practise writing plans for different
Have you used formal words? Have you spelled types of questions before you answer them.
words correctly and used the correct form of Make sure you plan to include an introduction,
words? two or three paragraphs on different aspects
Grammatical Range and Accuracy of the topic and a conclusion.
Here the examiner assesses your ability to use a • Read in English as often as you can. Use the
range of grammatical structures accurately. Internet to keep up with the latest news and

current affairs in English. While you’re reading, After the test
think about your opinions on the issues. This
can help you find something to say about a • It’s a good idea to reflect on how you
variety of different topics. performed in the test, but don’t waste time
and energy worrying about any mistakes that
• As you read about current issues, make a list
you may have made..
of words and phrases that relate to that topic.
Make a note of how words are spelled and
used, for example, idiomatic expressions they
are used in, prepositions and other words
they collocate with, etc.
During the test

• In the test, the tasks appear on the question
paper and you write your answers on a
separate answer sheet. There is a specific
space on the answer sheet for you to write
each of the two tasks. You can write on
the question paper if you like, but only the
answer sheet counts. The question papers are
collected in and destroyed.
• Write clearly so that the markers can read
your writing easily. You can write in cursive
style (example) or you can print (example).
You can make corrections and changes if you
like, but make sure it is clear what you want
the examiner to read as part of your answer.
• Remember to divide your work into
paragraphs and to make this clear to the
examiner by leaving spaces between
paragraphs or by indenting the first word of
each paragraph.
• Make sure you write more than the minimum
number of words for each task - 150 words for
Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2. There is no
maximum number of words, but you should
focus on writing a clear and correct answer
rather than a long one.
• Don’t waste time counting words during the
test. Always check the number of words you
write when you do practice tasks - this helps
you to develop a feel for how much you need
to write during the actual exam.
• Remember that the two tasks are not timed
separately, but that the question paper
advises you to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and
40 minutes on Task 2. It’s best to follow this
advice. There is always a clock in the exam
room that everyone can see.
• Remember not to spend too long on Task 1.

Describing a chart, table or graph - In Class Activity
Line Graphs
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below gives information about the technology that households in one US city
used for watching television between 2004 and 2014.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Describing a chart, table or graph - In Class Activity
Bar Graphs

The chart below gives information about how commuters travelled to work in one city in
New Zealand.
Write at least 150 words.

Comparing and contrasting graphs and tables - In Class Activity
Tables

The table below gives information about passenger arrivals and departures at the six main
airports serving London for the year 2012.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make

Comparing and contrasting graphs and tables - In Class Activity
Pie Charts and Multiple Charts

The visuals give information about the number of hours students spent preparing for an
admission test for an Asian university and their subsequent performance in that test.

Writing - Task 1 - In Class Activity

The charts below show the number of French adults whose parents spoke a French regional
language to them when they were children and the number who speak a French regional
language to their own children.

Home Activity - Writing - Task 1
Line Graphs

The graph below gives information about how teenagers (aged 12-19) in one state in the
United States communicated with each other.

Bar Charts

The chart below gives information about the purpose of visits to five cities in the UK in 2013.

Tables

The table below gives information about the languages that high school students speak at
home in one school district in the USA.


The visuals give information about the number of spacecraft launched by various national
governments between 1957 and 2007 and the purpose of each mission.
Write a report for a university lecturer summarising the most important information in the
visuals.

Tables

The table below gives information about the five small companies in Britain that came top
in a survey of staff conducted by a national newspaper to find out which companies are the
best to work for.

Pie Charts

The pie charts below show exports from various EU countries to India and China in 2000 and
2011.

Describing diagrams - In Class Activity
Diagrams

The diagram shows the way in which wind-powered energy is created and transported to
the consumer.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the process.

Describing diagrams - In Class Activity
Diagrams

Look at the diagram which shows the steps involved in producing coffee. Then complete the
sentences describing the process. Use the correct verb forms.
1 The first step ........................................................................................................

2 Then, the seedlings ..............................................................................................
3 Next, what are called the cherries ......................................................................
4 The following step ...............................................................................................
5 Once the green coffee ..................................................in bags, it can................
................................................................................................in container ships.
6 Green coffee is next .............................................................................................
7 After the coffee beans .........................................................................................
8 Coffee must ....................................................................by professional tasters.
9 After that, the ground coffee ......................................................in cans or bags
and then it ..............................................................................................in stores.
10 The final steps ..............................................................................and to enjoy it.

Describing maps - In Class Activity
Maps and Plans

The two plans below show the City Library in 2004 and 2014.

Describing maps - In Class Activity
Diagrams

Look carefully at the maps of the shopping centre below. Complete the following stages.
1 First, write a sentence that gives the information in the instructions in your own words.
2 Next, write one sentence that summarises the changes shown on the two maps.
3 Then make notes on the specific changes that have taken place between 1985 and 2005.
Use your notes to write sentences about these changes with the words below. Make sure
you use the correct verb forms.
at one end ... and at the other opposite between next to in front of
inside in the middle of

General Training - Task 1 - In Class Activity
INFORMAL LETTER

An Australian friend is coming to visit you, and it will be his/her birthday during the visit.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• say how you feel about the visit

• suggest what you could do on his/her birthday
• try to find out what you friend thinks of your idea.

You do NOT need to write your address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear.............,

General training - Task 1 - In Class Activity
FORMAL LETTER

You recently visited a tourist attraction and you were very pleased by the help given to you
by the staff.
Write a letter to the head of staff at the tourist attraction. In your letter
• give details of the circumstances of your visit
• describe the help given to you by the staff
• say what you want the head of staff to do.

Dear Sir or Madam ............,

INFORMAL LETTER

Read the GT Writing task below and decide what type of letter you will need to write
(formal or informal) and what feelings you need to convey.
You play sport (e.g. football) for a local team. You recently heard that a player in your team
is in hospital.
Write a letter to your team mate. In your letter
• say how you feel about the news

• ask about the treatment in the hospital
• suggest some ways of cheering him/her up

Dear ............,

FORMAL LETTER

You recently stayed in a hotel in another city. When you got home you discovered that you
had left something of value in the room.
Write a letter to the hotel. In your letter
• describe the item that you left behind and say where you left it
• ask the hotel to arrange to send it to you
• suggest a way to pay for the postage


Home Activity - Describing diagrams
Diagrams

The diagram below explains how to change a tyre.

Home Activity - Describing diagrams
Maps and Plans

The two maps show Tilden Airport and the surrounding area in 1985 and 2015.
Write a report for a university lecturer summarising the information shown in the maps.

Home Activity - General training - Task 1
FORMAL LETTER

You live in a house opposite some very inconsiderate neighbours. They are making life
difficult for you and other people living in the street. You have spoken to them about their
behaviour but nothing has changed. You want the council (local authority) to take some
action.
Write a letter to the local council. In your letter
• explain the problem.

• describe what these neighbours are doing.
• say what you (and other neighbours) want the council to do.


FORMAL LETTER

You recently attended a short course at a college and left an electronic device behind in the
classroom.
Write an email to the course administrator. In your letter
• give details of the course you attended and explain what happened.
• describe the device and say where you left it.
• tell the course administrator what you would like him/her to do.


FORMAL LETTER

Two days ago you had a meal at a well-known restaurant. Unfortunately, you were very ill
after the meal.
Write a letter to the restaurant. In your letter
• describe what you ate

• say how you feel about the situation
• ask them what they can do about it


INFORMAL LETTER

A friend recently invited you to a special party. You intended to go but at the last minute you
were unable to attend.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• apologise for not going to the party

• explain what prevented you from going
• suggest a way of making up for this

Dear ............,

Getting ready to write - Task 2 - In Class Activity
VIEWS & OPINIONS

Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of
the following topic.
In some societies, stress is now regarded as a major problem, and it is thought that people
suffer from more stress than they did in the past.
However, others feel that the amount of stress people have today is exaggerated. They say
that previous generations were under more pressure, but the idea of suffering from stress
did not exist.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments
with examples and relevant evidence.

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

The ease of international travel and the spread of various kinds of mass media all over the
world have made it more possible than ever for people to know how other people live in
other countries.
Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

AGREE OR DISAGREE

In some countries today, there is an attitude that ‘anyone can do it’ in the arts - music,
literature, acting, art, etc. As a result, people with no talent become rich and famous and
genuine talent is not valued or appreciated.
Do you agree or disagree?

ARGUMENTS

In some countries, it can be very difficult for people over the age of 50 to get good jobs,
despite their experience.
What do you think are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to
solve it?

ARGUMENTS

In many countries these days, the number of people continuing their education after school
has increased, and the range of courses available at universities and colleges has also
increased.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

ATTITUDES & OPINIONS

Some people regard work as the most important thing in life and have little interest in
anything else. Other people are more enthusiastic about their hobbies and leisure interests
than their jobs.
Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.

BAR GRAPH

The graph below gives information from a report about the purpose and frequency of
Internet use by medical students in 2009 in one country.

AGREE OR DISAGREE

Write about the following topic:
On balance, advertising is more harmful than beneficial.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.

FORMAL LETTER

You live in a house opposite some very inconsiderate neighbours. They are making life
difficult for you and other people living in the street.
You have spoken to them about their behaviour but nothing has changed. You want the
council (local authority) to take some action.
Write a letter to the local council. In your letter

• explain the problem.
• describe what these neighbours are doing.
• say what you (and other neighbours) want the council to do.


AGREE OR DISAGREE
You should spend 40 minutes on this task.

You have been asked to write about the following topic.
As greater numbers of people move to cities and as cities expand in size, city life loses its
appeal.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
experience.

VIEWS & OPINIONS

In some societies, obesity is regarded as a major problem. Some people believe that junk
food advertising is largely to blame for this problem and should be banned.
However, others feel that junk food advertising does not contribute to the problem of
obesity and should not be banned.
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with
examples and relevant evidence.

AGREE OR DISAGREE

You have been asked to write about the following topic.
In many parts of the world girls and boys are educated together in co-educational or mixed
schools.
Some people think that girls and boys benefit from being educated separately in single-sex
schools.
To what extent do you agree with this view?
experience.

VIEWS & OPINIONS

Some people think that the fictional violence portrayed on television is harmless
entertainment.
Others disagree and think that it encourages violent behaviour.
experience.

VIEWS & OPINIONS

Write about the following topic.
In recent years, through the internet, air travel, trade and popular culture, globalisation has
rapidly increased.
Many people believe that the increased interaction between nations through globalisation is
a good thing.
Discuss this view and give your own opinion.
experience.

DISCUSS

Concern for the environment is growing rapidly and more and more people are choosing to
be ‘eco-tourists’ — travelling in responsible, environmentally-friendly ways.
As a result, the eco-tourism industry is expanding.
To what extent do you think this is a positive trend?
experience.

VIEWS & OPINIONS

Concern for the environment is growing and more and more people are choosing to recycle.
But some people suggest that recycling is not enough. They believe we need to consume
less.
experience.


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Essential to the

The Writing Module

Academic and General Training tests

2 Essential to the IELTS

Band 9: Expert user

Band 7: Good user

Band 6: Competent user

Band 5: Modest user

Band 4: Limited user

Band 0: Did not attempt the test

No assessable information provided.

Essential to the IELTS 3

Essential to the IELTS 5

or statistical information may be presented in

6 Essential to the IELTS

Essential to the IELTS 7

During the test

8 Essential to the IELTS

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Essential to the IELTS 9

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

10 Essential to the IELTS

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

Essential to the IELTS 11

Pie Charts and Multiple Charts

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

12 Essential to the IELTS

Pie Charts and Multiple Charts

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

Essential to the IELTS 13

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

14 Essential to the IELTS

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

Essential to the IELTS 15

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

16 Essential to the IELTS

Pie Charts and Multiple Charts

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

Essential to the IELTS 17

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

18 Essential to the IELTS

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.

Essential to the IELTS 19

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the process.

Write at least 150 words.

20 Essential to the IELTS

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

1 The first step ........................................................................................................

Essential to the IELTS 21

Maps and Plans

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write at least 150 words.