Today I have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to make: “Ace the IELTS” eBook is finally released!
Interested? Click here and read more about it. Not interested? Don”t worry, free stuff will keep coming. The whole idea is that the book will help you study and sales will help me make this site a better place.
Let’s continue with the Writing tips, because I have more of them for you.
By the way, for those of you who can’t wait to read “Ace The IELTS” book - it is coming, I will release it really soon. In the meantime - you’ll have to settle for these tips :).
In Writing Task 2 you receive a topic and you have to write an essay of 250 words.
This task has more weight than Writing 1. It also takes longer - 40 minutes, when Writing 1 takes only 20 minutes.
The topic of essay can be one of 3 possible types: description of opinion, argument or social problem.
Any essay you write on any topic must have structure - you receive (or loose :() points for it. Structure means at least 4 paragraphs (5 is better). First paragraph is introductory, the next two or three is the actual essay - its body, and the last one for conclusion.
The first thing to do is to understand what kind of topic is before you.
Next:
No matter what type of essay you are writing, you must provide some facts, evidence and information. When you explain the problem - evaluate it; say when/where/who for it is especially difficult. If you present an idea of solution - discuss it; say what its good and bad sides are. Add examples from your own experience to support what you’re saying.
In any essay logical sequence of information is very important. Jumping from one idea to another it is very bad for you score, all ideas must be connected logically. Another important thing is “smart” words - try to use them as much as you can, it is also affects your score. Punctuation is important too. Take a look at some Examples Of Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2 here. This file is from IELTS official site - it can be trusted.
That’s all for today - keep up the good work!
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HI…
I just wondering what abt the academic writing? You did mentioned in your reply to one of the comment that the structure is nearly the same.
I just wanna know whether it has to be at least 5 paragraphs as well in task 2 academic writing? and for both task 1 & 2 it is required to write at least 150 & 250 respectively, so is that means they will not deduct the score if it is more than that? or till how much they will consider it if it is more than 150 & 250?
thank you.
Comment by royaletulip — April 7, 2006 @ 12:47 am
Academic Writing Task 2 (AT) should have the same structure as the GT (General Training). Those 5 paragraphs should do the job. The difference is in the style ? in AT essay you should write more in general and give fewer examples from personal experience. It should look objective.
My sources tell me that if you write more than 250 words, you don?t receive any additional points, so don?t bother. On the contrary, it is better to write essay that have correct structure, vocabulary and grammar and a little shorter than 250 words than to write essay without structure or vocabulary and much longer than 250 words.
Regarding Academic Writing Task 1 ? same guidelines, don?t write more than 150 words simply because you won?t get any additional points for it. Instead of wasting extra time, use it to build better looking report or description, think of the right words to use, check your grammar ? do things you actually can get points for.
Comment by admin — April 8, 2006 @ 4:11 am