IELTS

Writing Test
Step
by
Step
3. THE WRITING TEST (from 2:50 pm – 3:50 pm)

The WRITING TEST lasts for 60 minutes in total in which you have to
respond to two different tasks.
IELTS Academic Training Writing
Task 1 – Report Writing / Time: 20 minutes / at least 150 words
Task 2 – Essay Writing / Time: 40 minutes / at least 250 words

IELTS General Training Writing

Task 1 – Letter Writing / Time: 20 minutes / at least 150 words
Task 2 – Essay Writing / Time: 40 minutes / at least 250 words
3. THE WRITING TEST (from 2:50 pm – 3:50 pm)

The WRITING TEST lasts for 60 minutes in total in which you have to
respond to two different tasks.

IELTS General Training Writing

Task 1 – Letter Writing / Time: 20 minutes / at least 150 words

Task 2 – Essay Writing / Time: 40 minutes / at least 250 words
Important !

IELTS Writing Task 1 ------ 3/9 Bands

IELTS Writing Task 2 ------ 6/9 Bands

Remember, Task 2 carries more weight,

so do Task 2 first.
 IELTS Letter Writing Task / Task 1
• minimum 150 words required
• (around 160 – 170 words recommended)

• 20 minutes
--- Breakup ---
(02 – 03 min --- Planning)
(15 min --- Writing)
(02 – 03 min --- Proofreading)
IELTS LETTERS
What kind of situations
could be there?
 IELTS LETTERS

Your letter may be:

informal: to a friend / a relative

semi-formal: to an office colleague or an

acquaintance:
a neighbour / a landlord / a tenant

formal: to a business or a newspaper or the

administration:
a manager / an editor / a councillor
 IELTS LETTERS

Remember !

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ………………………… ,
 Format
Salutation Dear _____________________ ,

Opening Note Purpose of Writing: I am writing this letter to _________

Bullet No. 1

Bullet No. 2

Bullet No. 3

Closing Note I look forward to _________

Complimentary Close Yours sincerely,

Your name Kashif

Appropriate Salutations:

Dear Sir,
Dear Madam, for
Dear Sir / Madam, Office Bearers
Dear Sir or Madam,

Complimentary Close: Yours faithfully,

Appropriate Salutations:

Dear Mr. (Name),

Dear Mrs. (Name), for
Dear Miss (Name), Acquaintances
Dear Ms. (Name),

Complimentary Close: Yours sincerely,

Appropriate Salutations:

Dear Name / Calling Word ------ for

friends / relatives
Complimentary Close:
Love, / Regards, / Kind regards, /
Best wishes, / Best of luck etc.
Dos and Don’ts
of
IELTS Letter Writing
While writing a letter, remember
• to use the right salutation
• to start with an opening note
• to avoid informal greetings in general; however, you may use them
in an informal letter
• to make a separate paragraph for each bullet
(recommended)
 IELTS Essays
What kind of topics could be there?
Our common
global concerns
in life:
 IELTS Essay Writing Task / Task 2
• minimum 250 words required
(around 275 words recommended)

• 40 minutes
--- Breakup ---
(05 min --- Planning)
(30 min --- Writing)
(05 min --- Proofreading)
 Planning suggestions
My position / view
• Brainstorm all of your
ideas
• Cut out any that are not Side 1: ________________________ Supporting Evidence /
relevant or helpful relevant examples:
• Return to the question –
do your ideas cover each
Side 2: ________________________ Supporting Evidence /
element equally? relevant examples:
• Decide which order to
put your ideas in which
ideas go together Conclusion: My own opinion / view  

logically (create your

paragraphs)
 To get a Band 7 score,
you should aim for:
Band 7 Task Response /
Achievement
Coherence &
Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical
Range & Accuracy
     Use less common  
     
Present a clear lexical items  
 
Task 1 overview of main Logically organize
Use a sufficient Use a variety of
trends or stages or information
range to allow complex
situation   
some flexibility structures
Use a range of  
cohesive devices and precision Make sure your
     sentences are
  Make sure there frequently error-
Present a clear
  are only free
central idea in
  Present a clear occasional errors  

Task 2 each paragraph

position   in word formation
throughout the task or spelling 
To develop a Band 7.0 or above proficiency
level, it’s advisable not to follow fixed patterns
or templates especially when you are stuck at
Band 6 or 6.5.
Since IELTS Essay is a Discursive essay, a writer
should move from one point to another
without any strict structure.
Nevertheless, it is very important to take a
clear position in the introduction paragraph
and maintain coherence and cohesion
throughout.
It is extremely important to discuss and
develop all parts of the question sufficiently.
So, do not follow the fixed patterns and try to unlearn what you
have learned so far.
Do not do what you have been doing so far:
• Do not paraphrase the question line, word for word, in the
introduction paragraph.
• Do not use ‘advanced level’ memorized sentences to start
paragraphs or sentences.
• Do not use ‘BIG’ or ‘STRANGE’ vocabulary.
• Do not try to always use a different word or synonym to
avoid repetition.
• Do not overuse LINKERS such as ‘however, nevertheless etc.’
To get a Band 7 or above in Writing,
• Read the question carefully and analyse what the topic is and what you
actually need to do.
• You must plan before you write.
• Your response must cover both the Question Line & the Question Task(s).
• While responding to an argument, you must cover both sides of the
argument.
• You don’t really have to follow a template. Write it the way you like.
• Your response must discuss all areas of the essay question sufficiently.
• Take a clear position of your opinion in the introduction paragraph and
develop it logically. Logical paragraphing is important.
• Your response should be easy to follow and understand.
To get a Band 7 or above in Writing,
• It is all right to use a mix of simple, common and advanced vocabulary.
• Do not make an extra effort to use some ‘BIG’ words.
• It is all right to repeat some words at times, but not all the time.
• Similarly, it is good to use synonyms and paraphrases but not always. Try
to use a variety of language and structures whenever possible.
• Do not write too much. A few words more than the required length are
good.
• You must proofread after writing.
• Tense control, Subject-Verb Agreement and Punctuation are all important.
• And that’s it!
What do EXAMINERS look at?

1. Task Achievement
2. Cohesion and Coherence
3. Lexical Resource
4. Grammar & Accuracy
Ends here………
Any Questions?