IELTS Writing

Workshop
Ajeng Sharfina Adiwidya, S. Hum.
 About the Test

Duration: 1 hour
Two tasks:
Describing charts, bars, tables (20 minutes)
Essay (40 minutes)
Writing Task 1
Sample Question
The charts below show the reasons why
people travel to work by bicycle or by car.

Summarise the information by selecting and

reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

 Key Features

 Introduction
 Overview statement
 The first chart shows the reasons why some people in the UK prefer to cycle to work.
Conversely, the second chart gives reasons for those who choose to go to work by car.
 Overall trend
 The highest percentage of those who favour cycling say that this is because riding a bicycle to
work is healthier than driving.
 Specific details
 30% of them gave this as a reason. 
 Paraphrasing Tips

 Think of the synonyms of certain words

 Finding the right research method can be difficult → Finding the suitable research method can be a
challenge.
 Change the structure of the sentence
 Finding the right research method can be difficult → It can be difficult to find the right research method.
 Use different grammar
 The most effective way to build your English skills… → The most effective way of building your
English skills…
 To improve your English, you should learn new vocabulary on a daily basis → To improve your English,
new vocabulary should be learned on a daily basis.
 Try not to use 5 same words in a row.
Writing Task 2
 Test Types

 Agree/Disagree
 Advantages/Disadvantages
 Discuss two views + your opinion
 Discuss two views only
 Causes/Problems and solution
 Two-part question
 Opinion
 Sample Question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Government investment in the arts, such as music and theatre, is a waste
of money. Governments must invest this money in public services instead.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Write at least 250 words.

 Structure

 Introduction
 Paraphrase question
 Thesis statement
 Body
 Topic sentence
 Supporting details
 Conclusion
 Thesis Statement

 shows your position in the issue

 should not simply be a statement of facts; simple facts cannot be developed into a
full paragraph.
 contains words that need to explained, described, and supported in the sentences
that follow in the paragraph (Controlling idea)
 Body Paragraphs

 Focus on one point per paragraph

 1 main point + relevant supporting sentences
 Avoid repetitions of words and ideas
 eg. Climate change is dangerous because many endangered species in the North Pole may lose their
habitat, which will harm them as well.
 Avoid slang
 eg. Such movement is gonna cause some public backlash.
 Use a neutral tone
 eg. Women act on their emotions rather than logic / Many women are known to prioritize emotions
rather than logic as a motivation for their actions.
 Concluding Techniques

 Summarizes your previous points

 Offers a solution to the problem stated in the essay
 Predicts a situation that will result or occur from the statements made in the essay
 Makes a recommendation concerning material presented in the essay
 States a conclusion to information given in the essay
Marking Criteria
 Marking Criteria

 Task achievement
 Coherence and cohesion
 Lexical resources
 Grammatical range and vocabulary
 Band Interpretations

 9 Expert User  4 Limited user

 8 Very good user  3 Very limited user
 7 Good user  2 Intermitten user
 6 Competent user  1 Non user
 5 Modest user  0 Did not attempt to take the test
 Some tips…

 Plan your answers

 Stick to the topic
 Manage your time
 Avoid informal language
 Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation
 Practice makes perfect!
Thank you and
good luck!