IELTS Writing Test

English is rapidly emerging as a universal language and evidently the language of the internet as well. Pertaining to this, educational institutions, business units and other sectors incorporate English as a primary language of communication. However, we cannot do away with the fact that for a non-native speaker of English, getting admissions in top universities or getting a green signal for migration is absolutely a daunting and challenging task. In order to see yourself shining in prestigious universities and settled in developed countries, the vital prerequisite is to clear the most prolific International English Testing System (IELTS). If you have been gearing for this exam, we will take you through the key tips and preparation essentials on how to prepare for the IELTS writing session. 

About IELTS Writing Section

If you want to ace your IELTS writing test, you must first know and understand what you will be assessed on. Here’s an example of IELTS writing task 2. The following is a quick explanation of the IELTS writing test that all applicants should read:

IELTS Exam Pattern & Test Format 2021

Academic Writing

The IELTS Writing test is for a duration of 60 minutes. There will be two tasks. Candidates must complete Task 1 by writing at least 150 words and Task 2 by writing at least 250 words. Both answers should be formal in nature.

• Task 1: You will be asked to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram) in your own words. You may be requested to describe and explain data, steps of a process, how something works, or an object or event. You will require around 20 minutes to write 150 words.
• Task 2: You will be given a point of view, argument, or problem to consider. You must compose 250 words in around 40 minutes.

General Training Writing

The General Training Writing test lasts 60 minutes as well. It contains two writing tasks of 150 and 250 words, just like in IELTS Academic.

• Task 1: Applicants are required to respond to a situation or scenario, by writing a letter, for example, requesting information or explaining a situation.
• Task 2: Candidates are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

IELTS Exam type –	Academic	General
Task 1 – 150 Words – 20 minutes	Describe a Graph or Diagram	Write a Letter
Task 2 – 250 Words – 40 minutes	Write an Essay	Write an Essay

Also read: How to Prepare for IELTS Online?

IELTS Academic Writing vs IELTS General Writing

Speaking, Listening, and Writing Task 2 are the same for both Academic and General IELTS. IELTS Academic and General differ from one another in what ways? The answer can be found in writing task 1 and the kind of text you may discover in the reading portion. 

IELTS Academic Writing	IELTS General Writing
The question in task 1 is presented with visual information like graphs or diagrams	Task 1 is based on letter writing
Candidates will have 20 minutes for IELTS Academic writing task 1	Candidates will have 20 minutes for IELTS General writing task 1
Question in IELTS academic writing task 2 is presented in view or argument or problem	Task 2 is to write an essay based on an issue of general interest
Candidates can be asked to agree or disagree, discuss two opposing views, provide an opinion, etc.	The response includes either stating an argument, outlining general information or justifying an opinion or even evaluating an idea

Comparison:  IELTS Academic to IELTS General ( Writing Task 1)

IELTS Academic

Describe and analyse data in one of the following:

• Bar chart
• Line graph
• Pie chart
• Table
• Diagram

IELTS General

Write a letter in one of the following styles:

• Formal (to someone you do not know)
• Semi-formal (to someone you know formally)
• Informal (to friends or family)

Comparison: IELTS Academic and IELTS general (Reading task)

IELTS Academic 

• 3 long passages increase in difficulty
• Academic style texts (journal articles, textbook extracts)
• Texts related to academic topics such as science, history, sociology

IELTS General 

• 4 short passages increase in length and difficulty
• More general /everyday style texts
• Workplace environment (job descriptions, employment contracts etc.); general texts (newspapers, magazines, travel brochures etc.)

IELTS Writing Question Types

Here are different types of IELTS Questions-

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 question is focused on infographics. Candidates must analyse the diagram or picture provided and compose a brief essay of 150 words. The example that follows can help with the subject. Candidates’ analytical and reasoning abilities would be evaluated based on this test.

Academic writing task 1: a report on a chart (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram/process).

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 is an essay-based task. Candidates are required to compose a 250 word essay on a predetermined subject. Candidates must express their opinions or express whether they agree or disagree.

IELTS General Writing Task 1

IELTS General Writing Task 1 includes questions about writing letters. The letters specified in the questions must be formal, informal, or semi-formal, depending on the candidate. They must compose their response in light of the scenario provided.

IELTS General Writing Task 2

Essays are used in IELTS General Writing Task 2. A 250 word essay is required of candidates. The questions Centre on universal themes from daily life. Candidates must express their opinion and present evidence to support it, as well as give background information or assess an idea.

IELTS Writing Task Samples

Sample 1	Click here
Sample 2	Click here
Sample 3	Click here
Sample 4	Click here

IELTS Writing Marking Criteria

IELTS writing tasks are graded independently based on four distinct criteria, and each task is evaluated to determine whether the candidates’ responses meet those requirements. Candidates must meet the scoring requirements for tasks 1 and 2 of the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Writing. The following table outlines the criteria on which both tasks are evaluated:

Task achievement/response (25%)	Accuracy of language Relevance of the response Meeting minimum word count requirements of 150/250
Coherence and cohesion (25%)	Making the message clear To speak a language well Having a planned reaction Connecting concepts and details to the subject
Lexical resource (25%)	Good vocabulary Accurate term use Check  errors in spelling or word formation
Grammatical range and accuracy (25%)	Use of accurate grammar Error free sentences Properly structured response

IELTS Writing Score

IELTS writing scores are determined by band scores. The band scores range from 0 to 9. IELTS writing performance of candidates is carefully assessed, and scores are given depending on:

• Task Success
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical Resources
• Range and accuracy of grammar

IELTS Academic Writing and IELTS General Writing are the two separate tests that make up the writing portion of the test. Although the substance of the two sections is different, the question types are the same. 33 percent of the total score for the IELTS writing evaluation is based on the IELTS writing task 1 scoring criteria. IELTS writing score bands of 6 or 7 or 6.5 or 7.5 can be applied, respectively. IELTS writing assignment 2 is divided into two components once more: academic and broad. IELTS writing task 2 grading criterion, however, is given 66 percent more weight than IELTS writing task 1 marking criteria.

IELTS Writing Task Scoring Details

Following are the details of IELTS writing score:

Band 9

• Task Response: addressed each question’s part in full. a methodical strategy for responding, relevance to the
• Coherence and Cohesion: Application of cohesion in an unnoticeable manner. Appropriate paragraphing.
• Lexical Resources: Use of a wide range of vocabulary. Ensuring minor errors and control of lexical features.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Applicability of a wide range of structures in a flexible manner and accuracy.

Band 8

• Task Response: Adequately manages every area of the task, offering a thoughtful response to the subject with relevant, enlarged, and backed-up ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Application of cohesion in an unnoticeable manner. Appropriate paragraphing.
• Lexical Resources: Uses a variety of words to describe precise notions in a fluid and fluid manner. employs uncommon vocabulary terms deftly, yet there may be some errors in word choice, and collocation occasionally results in spelling or word construction problems.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: use a variety of structures Only a few sentences have inconsistencies or errors, while the majority of sentences are error-free.

Band 7

• Task Response: A coherent perspective is offered throughout the answer introducing, elaborating on, and supporting significant concepts; yet, there may be a tendency to generalise, and/or supporting ideas may lack concentration.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Offers a clear focus point within each paragraph organises information and ideas rationally; there is obvious growth throughout. employs a range of coherence devices correctly, but there may be some under-/overuse.
• Lexical Resources: Effective vocabulary is used to guarantee correctness and adaptability. presence of uncommon lexical components with knowledge of collocation.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Using intricate frameworks, having phrases devoid of errors, and having accurate but imperfect grammar and punctuation.

Band 6

• Task Response: Focuses on the task’s requirements (Academic) gives an overview with carefully chosen facts (General Training) provides a purpose that is generally apparent, albeit tone variations may be present. Key features and bullet points are presented and appropriately highlighted, however details may be unnecessary, unsuitable, or incorrect.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Properly arranges thoughts and information, and there is a noticeable general progression.  Successfully use cohesive devices, yet there may be mechanical or imperfect coherence within and/or between sentences. References might not always be used correctly or clearly.
• Lexical Resources: Adequate language utilisation, accurate but not always precise use of common words, and sporadic errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: There are minor communication gaps, use of both simple and complicated language structures, and grammar and punctuation problems.

Band 5

• Task Response: Partial assignment completion and the use of an improper format provide a viewpoint, but the direction of progress is not always clear and no conclusions can be drawn; contains some important ideas, but they are limited and underdeveloped; there may also be some unimportant details.
• Coherence and Cohesion: distributes content that is somewhat organised, but there may be a gap in overall development, leading to the improper, excessive, or insufficient usage of cohesive devices. Due to a lack of references and substitutions, it could be repetitive. may not use paragraphs, or their use may be insufficient.
• Lexical Resources: may result in clear errors in spelling and/or word structure that could cause problems for readers with little vocabulary, but it is at least adequate for the intended use.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Only use a small number of structures; try elaborate assertions; they are less accurate than simple phrases; contain several grammatical errors and poor punctuation; these errors may cause the reader great difficulty.

Band 4

• Task Response: reacts only briefly or tangentially to the assignment; the structure may be inappropriate; the viewpoint is unclear; some key ideas are included, but they are difficult to identify and may be repetitive, irrelevant, or poorly supported.
• Coherence and Cohesion: presents facts and concepts, but they are not rationally ordered, and the answer is not clearly progressed and uses a few fundamental coherence techniques, however they could be erroneous or repetitive.
• Lexical Resources: uses only simple words that might be overused or unsuited for the purpose and has poor control over word construction and/or spelling, which could tyre the reader.

Band 3

• Task Response: fails to address the task, which may have been utterly misinterpreted and presents a few, somewhat unimportant or repetitious thoughts.
• Coherence and Cohesion: does not present concepts in a logical order, may only use a few number of coherent devices, and those that are used might not always show how ideas are related logically.
• Lexical Resources: uses a relatively small number of words and expressions, and has very poor word formation and/or spelling control. Errors could seriously skew the message.
• Grammatical range and accuracy: Attempts to use sentence structures, however grammatical and punctuation problems tend to dominate and distort the message.

Band 2

• Task Response: The answer barely relates to the assignment.
• Coherence and Cohesion: has minimal control on organisational aspects.
• Lexical Resources: Has a very small vocabulary and basically no control over word structure or spelling.
• Grammatical range and accuracy: Can only utilise memorised phrases to employ sentence structures.

Band 1

• Task Response: Answer has nothing at all to do with the assignment
• Coherence and Cohesion: does not convey any message
• Lexical Resources: only has a few single words to use
• Grammatical range and accuracy: cannot use any sentence structures

Band 0

• does not participate and makes no attempt to complete the task

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IELTS Writing Books

Books	Author/Site
IELTS (General) 5 in 1 Actual Tests eBook combo	IELTSMaterial.com
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS	Cambridge
Cambridge IELTS 10 – 11 – 12 – 13	Cambridge
English Collocations in Use	Felicity O’Dell, Michael McCarthy
English Vocabulary in Use	Michael McCarthy, Felicity O’Dell
New Insight into IELTS	Cambridge
Barron’s IELTS Practice Exams	Dr Lin Lougheed
Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1 & 2	Cambridge

Improve your English Vocabulary to Score a Band 8 in IELTS!

IELTS Writing Practice PDFs

Below you can find the practice PDFs of Task 1 and Task 2 for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General writing test!

FAQs

It is quite a common fact that reading voraciously certainly helps an individual in acquiring a prolific writing style. Read, research and practice are the key facets and factors that will help you ace your IELTS writing session. If you are still apprehensive about how to prepare for IELTS then don’t worry! Sign up for the exclusive IELTS preparation online classes and tutorials offered at Leverage Edu where our experts will help you ace the exam along with equipping you with effective strategies, tips, and best in class resources!