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Are you studying for IELTS
(International English Language Testing System), one
of the more internationally recognised English tests?
IELTS is jointly managed by The University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), The British Council
and IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia. IELTS
tests reading, writing, listening and speaking. It is
recognised worldwide. There are two modules of the IELTS
Test - Academic module and the General Training module.
Our online English lessons will help you pass IELTS!
We offer a large selection of interactive ESL lessons
for students preparing for IELTS.
Try
our English lessons and lesson samples!
IELTS Academic Writing - Task
2
IELTS Cambridge examinations have 2 modules:
General training and Academic. In Writing Task 2 of
the academic module, IELTS candidates are asked to write
an academic essay. You are tested on your ability to:
- put forward a point
of view on a given topic and justify opinions
- argue in support
of or against a given statement
- compare and contrast evidence or opinions
- discuss a problem and present
a solution
- speculate on implications of
a given issue
Task 2 is the more heavily
weighted of the writing tasks. In the IELTS test, you
should spend more time on this writing task. You have
to write at least 250 words. You are advised to spend
40 minutes on this task.
IELTS candidates are given a discussion topic and presented
with an opinion, an argument or a problem. You need
to discuss the question with two or three main points
and supporting detail for each point.
Your performance in Task 2 will be assessed on the
criteria below:
- Arguments, Ideas and Evidence - being able to present
a clear, logical, well-supported argument without
including irrelevancies.
- Communicative Quality - being able to write fluently
enough to make your message clear to the reader, being
able to write cohesive sentences and paragraphs
- Vocabulary and Sentence Structure - using a range
of appropriate vocabulary, using a variety of sentence
structures
- Spelling and punctuation.
Academic essay types and structure
You need an introductory statement, body and conclusion
in an academic essay. The structure for your essay will
depend on the type of question you are answering. For
example, in an argument essay your introduction will
have a general statement introducing the topic, background
information, the main points you will make and an outline
of your opinion. Your first body paragraph contains
a 'for' argument and a reason or justification for this.
This paragraph will need a topic sentence and 3 supporting
sentences. Your second body paragraph will follow a
similar pattern, while your third body paragraph will
need a 'con' or against argument and a refutation which
points out the problems with the con-argument and strengthens
your own argument. Your conclusion is a restatement
of your opinion and a summary of your main points.
In a problem solutions essay, your introduction will
outline the problem and the main point you will make.
Paragraph 1 will contain problem 1 – cause or effect.
This paragraph will need a topic sentence and 3 supporting
sentences. Your second body paragraph will follow a
similar pattern, while your third body paragraph will
need solutions to problems discussed in paragraphs 1
and 2 . For each solution you should evaluate both the
pros and cons. Your conclusion will be a summary of
your main points and your view on the best solution.
In a compare/contrast essay, your introduction again
contains background information, the main points you
will make and your opinion. Your first body paragraph,
which contains a point of comparison 1, will need a
topic sentence and 3 supporting sentences. Your second
and third body paragraph will follow a similar pattern.
The conclusion is a restatement of thesis and summary
of your main points.
Try
our IELTS exam preparation course.
How to pass an IELTS writing
test - tips
- Study the question carefully.
- Underline key points in the question.
- Make sure you read all parts of the question, so
you include everything required.
- Think about the topic. Think about your point of
view and any personal experience you can add.
- Write a plan. Decide which points are your main
points or topic sentences.
- Decide what supporting details you have for each
main point. You should have at least two main points.
- Make sure you organise your points logically.
- Link your ideas within and between sentences and
paragraphs.
- Use a range of structures and vocabulary.
- Do not copy from the question as this will not be
marked.
- Leave at least 5 minutes to check through what you
have written.
- Write at least 250 words.
To improve your writing, you need to focus on three
things: practice, reading and planning. Reading not
only helps your vocabulary increase, but helps with
your writing.
Become familiar with as many sample questions as you
can and practice underlining the key points and identifying
topics. Make brief outlines for each topic. At Selfaccess
we think it is better to increase the time spent on
planning, and reduce the time spent on writing and checking.
If your writing is well planned, you should be able
to write quickly without having to stop to think, and
there should be fewer problems to correct. Planning
is essential.
Look at as many sample essays as you can and examine
the language used. We have many model
IELTS essays that can help your IELTS preparation.
Note the language for making paragraphs and sentences
cohesive, for linking your ideas within and between
sentences and paragraphs. You need to be able to use
logical links to show addition; as well as, in addition,
added to this, or contrast; However, on the other hand,
for expressing your opinion; ‘I believe that …’
‘I would argue that …’, and concessions;
'Despite the fact that …’, for refuting an
argument; ‘There is little evidence to support
the …’, for giving opposing arguments and
for providing support to your main points; ‘In
my experience …’, A good example of this is
…’. and for conclusions; ‘In conclusion
..’ or ‘ ’In summary…’.
Think about the topics that could be used for this
task: technology, the environment, crime, tourism, transport,
education, population, media, health, society. Our online
lessons will help you to become familiar with the vocabulary
in the topics that could be used for this task. They
are on a variety of subjects and are chosen for their
suitability for candidates entering university, as are
all our Reuters
news article topics.
Selfaccess.com is useful for exam candidates as it
provides lots of model essays and readings on the types
of topics you may have to write about in when you sit
your exam.
Remember the key to improving
is lots of practice!
Need to pass the IELTS writing test? Remember, in the
exam you only have an hour to plan, write and check
your work; therefore timing is very important!
After doing the reading and grammar exercises on some
of our lessons, why not read the writing topics, then
time yourself writing an answer before using
our model essays and reports. Then time yourself doing
the writing task again. You
will see the difference!
Remember, reading not only helps your vocabulary
increase, but will also help with your writing. Practise
as much as you can! Selfaccess.com makes IELTS preparation
easy and convenient. You can do it in your own time
- all you need is a computer, the Internet and headphones
or speakers so you can hear the online listening exercises.
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