How to prepare for IELTS – Writing
Contents
Page
Details of the writing test 2
Task 1 4
Bar and line graphs, pie charts & tables 4
Process or flow charts 7
Objects/how something works 9
How to prepare for Task 1 10
Task 2 13
Questions 14
How to prepare for Task 2 17
General tips for writing 19
Make sure you have a copy of the How to prepare for IELTS – FAQs booklet in
addition to this booklet.
1
,How to prepare for IELTS – Writing
Details of the Writing Test
Procedure of the test
The writing test is the third test you do on the test day. You have 60
minutes for this test. There are two tasks or parts to do. You will be
given a card with the two tasks – one task on each side of the card. You
can make notes or write your plans on the card but it will not be seen
by the examiner.
You will also be given an answer booklet. You have to write your
essays in the answer booklet. Notes are not acceptable and essays
under the word limit will be penalized.
The Tasks
Task 1
This task tests your ability to perform one or more of the following
functions in English:
describe and interpret graphic data
describe the stages of a process or procedure
describe an object or event or sequence of events
explain how something works
The question
You are given graphic or pictorial information and you have to write
a description of this information.
Bar charts, line graphs, pie charts and tables are most frequently
given for this task. However, you could also be given an object or
series of pictures or diagrams or a flow chart to describe.
If graphs are used there may be just one – usually a line graph or a bar
chart. However, there could also be more than one of the same type of
graph or a combination of graphs and charts. For example, you could
get a bar chart and a pie chart together (see Cambridge IELTS 1, p.31) or
a line graph and a table.
2
, How to prepare for IELTS – Writing
Length & Timing
You have to write at least 150 words.
You are advised to spend 20 minutes on this task.
Marking
Your performance in Task 1 will be assessed on the criteria below:
Task Achievement
Being able to follow the instructions properly.
Being able to write a clear, accurate and relevant description of the
information.
Being able to focus on the important trends presented as graphic
information.
Coherence and Cohesion
Being able to organize your writing using a suitable structure.
Using connective words to link sentences and paragraphs logically.
Lexical Resources
Being able to use a wide range of vocabulary naturally.
Being able to spell accurately and using the appropriate word formation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Using the appropriate grammatical structures accurately
Using a variety of sentence structures.
3
Contents
Page
Details of the writing test 2
Task 1 4
Bar and line graphs, pie charts & tables 4
Process or flow charts 7
Objects/how something works 9
How to prepare for Task 1 10
Task 2 13
Questions 14
How to prepare for Task 2 17
General tips for writing 19
Make sure you have a copy of the How to prepare for IELTS – FAQs booklet in
addition to this booklet.
1
,How to prepare for IELTS – Writing
Details of the Writing Test
Procedure of the test
The writing test is the third test you do on the test day. You have 60
minutes for this test. There are two tasks or parts to do. You will be
given a card with the two tasks – one task on each side of the card. You
can make notes or write your plans on the card but it will not be seen
by the examiner.
You will also be given an answer booklet. You have to write your
essays in the answer booklet. Notes are not acceptable and essays
under the word limit will be penalized.
The Tasks
Task 1
This task tests your ability to perform one or more of the following
functions in English:
describe and interpret graphic data
describe the stages of a process or procedure
describe an object or event or sequence of events
explain how something works
The question
You are given graphic or pictorial information and you have to write
a description of this information.
Bar charts, line graphs, pie charts and tables are most frequently
given for this task. However, you could also be given an object or
series of pictures or diagrams or a flow chart to describe.
If graphs are used there may be just one – usually a line graph or a bar
chart. However, there could also be more than one of the same type of
graph or a combination of graphs and charts. For example, you could
get a bar chart and a pie chart together (see Cambridge IELTS 1, p.31) or
a line graph and a table.
2
, How to prepare for IELTS – Writing
Length & Timing
You have to write at least 150 words.
You are advised to spend 20 minutes on this task.
Marking
Your performance in Task 1 will be assessed on the criteria below:
Task Achievement
Being able to follow the instructions properly.
Being able to write a clear, accurate and relevant description of the
information.
Being able to focus on the important trends presented as graphic
information.
Coherence and Cohesion
Being able to organize your writing using a suitable structure.
Using connective words to link sentences and paragraphs logically.
Lexical Resources
Being able to use a wide range of vocabulary naturally.
Being able to spell accurately and using the appropriate word formation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Using the appropriate grammatical structures accurately
Using a variety of sentence structures.
3
