Why These Templates Work
• Structure and Coherence: They help ensure that your answer has a clear
introduction, development, and conclusion.
• Clarity: They make it easier for the examiner to follow your ideas.
• Flexibility: While templates provide a structure, you can always adapt
them based on the specific question.
By practicing with these templates, you can build a habit of organizing your
thoughts clearly and coherently, which is key for achieving high band scores
in both writing and speaking.
For Writing
1. The Graph/Chart Description Template:
Paraphrase the Question:
o Introduce what the graph/chart shows.
o Example: "The bar chart illustrates the percentage of students who
chose various study options over the last decade."
Paragraph 2: Overview
• Summarize the Main Trends:
o Highlight the most significant trends, differences, or overall
patterns.
o Example: "Overall, there was a noticeable increase in the number of
students enrolling in online courses, while traditional classroom
attendance declined."
Paragraph 3: Details
• Describe Specific Data:
o Provide detailed comparisons and data points.
o Organize your information logically (e.g., by highest to lowest, or
chronologically).
o Example: "In 2010, only 10% of students opted for online courses,
but by 2020, this figure had risen to 40%, whereas classroom-based
attendance dropped from 70% to 40%."
2. The Classic Five-Paragraph Essay Template:
• Introduction:
o Paraphrase the question.
o State your position or provide an overview of your main ideas.
• Body Paragraph 1:
o Topic Sentence: Introduce your first key point.
o Explanation: Expand on the point.
o Example/Evidence: Provide an example or statistic.
o Link: Connect to the overall argument.
• Body Paragraph 2:
o Topic Sentence: Present your second key point.
o Explanation & Example: Develop it similarly.
o Link: Tie back to your thesis.
• Body Paragraph 3 (Optional):
o Use this for a third point or to acknowledge and refute a
counterargument.
• Conclusion:
o Summarize the key points without repeating them verbatim.
o Reaffirm your position.
3. The PEEL Structure:
For each paragraph, you can use the Point – Explanation – Example – Link
approach. This ensures your writing is clear and logically developed.
For Speaking
1. Speaking Part 2 (Cue Card Response) Template:
• Introduction:
o Briefly introduce the topic in one or two sentences.
• Main Content:
o Point 1: State a key detail or fact about the topic, elaborate on it with
an example.
o Point 2: Introduce another angle or experience related to the topic,
again elaborating with details.
• Conclusion:
o Summarize your overall thoughts or conclude with a reflective
comment.
Tip: Use your 1-minute prep time to jot down bullet points for each section. This
will help ensure a structured response during your 2-minute talk.
2. Speaking Part 3 (Discussion Questions) Template:
• Direct Answer:
o Start by directly answering the question.
• Explanation:
o Explain why you hold that view or how you arrived at your answer.
• Example/Comparison:
o Provide an example or compare with a related idea.
• Concluding Statement:
o Sum up your response briefly.
Example:
• "I believe that technology has significantly improved communication
because it has made it easier to connect with people worldwide. For
instance, social media platforms allow us to maintain relationships
regardless of distance. Overall, these changes have transformed how we
interact daily."
