Ielts Preparation Writing

[Jeff]

Learnthe 6 main types of charts that can be given in writing task 1 (maps, diagrams, bar charts, tables, line graphs and pie charts). You should practice writing reports for all types of task 1 by using sample IELTS charts. It is also possible to get a combination of two types, for example a bar chart with a pie chart.

Linking is also very important. You will need to show the examiner a range of linking devices that connect information together and compare information in a coherent way. Again, linking is very easy to learn so make sure you pay attention to this. Different charts use different linkers so make sure you review each type of task to see the best linking devices to use.

Before your test, make sure you practice writing on the official IELTS answer sheet for writing task 1. Watch this video lesson to learn why you should practice with the answer sheet and how to fill it in properly. Here is a link to download the answer sheet.

Hi Liz,

The information provided in your blog was very useful for my success at the exam. Your valuable time committed to provide us information is highly appreciated. I salute for your service. Thanks lot.

from Sri Lanka

I cannot thank you enough for the tip to write an overview after the introduction paragraph. I have just received my test results for IELTS Academic and they are 8.5 overall and 7.5 for Writing. I had limited time to prepare for the test and read the tip while in a cab on the way to the test venue. During the Writing part I did the Task 2 first and it took me all of the 41 minutes (and 440 words), with only 19 minutes remaining for the Task 1. Luckily, it was a simple chart and I wrote the introduction and overview first, then wrote two body paragraphs with barely a minute to check for typos and the time was up. I ended up writing 220 words and would have written more if not for the time limit. However, since I made sure I wrote the overview first, I was able to relax and found it so much easier to concentrate on the details of the chart. Thank you for the brilliant idea! None of the other teachers online came up with it.

I am glad to have come across this material for the preparation of IELTS exam, Just wanted to know about the general mistakes I (a candidate) might have been doing while going for the Writing portion of the Test.

Just to give you a brief, I have appeared for IELTS about 3 times now and have never touched band 7.0 in each attempt (To be precise, I got 6.5 in all attempts in writing particularly), However rest of the sections speak a different story (Getting at least 8.0 in each section respectively).

Can you please advise as to what I might be doing wrong in Writing section in particular.

I try to increase my Vocabulary learning new words each day and implement those words in my sentence formations as well.

Be careful learning new words and using them in your essay. If you use them incorrectly or inappropriately, your score will go down. It takes time to learn words properly so that you can use them without errors. Avoiding errors MUST be your main goal in IELTS Writing. Also review ALL my free lessons and tips: -writing-task-2/. Then consider my Advanced Lessons which will give you the right techniques for a high score:

Hi Liz,

Your site is very helpful! Thank you!

I see you have recommended the Cambridge IELTs book. They have now released no. 10. Would this be a good resource for the Academic test? I am a native English speaker but not achieving the writing score I need.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards, Jade

Morning Liz,

Really appreciate all your efforts!

Is there any Videos for Writing- Letter (General Testing).

I see lot of sample letter questions. But there are no sample letters to actually read through the whole letter and grasp the idea or I may be overlooking ?

Please advise- Harry

Thanks for all your great efforts!

I am wondering if it is fine to have only two sentences in my body paragraphs. Though it can be seen in examples you have provided, some other teachers say it should be at least three sentences. Which one is correct?

Hi..

Thank you for the information. I would like to ask you a question in writing test. Is it ok if we write the reason why is the percentage different from one year to another year?

Thank you

The patterns have not changed. They gave multiple tasks and single tasks in the past, and they do the same now. You can find model answers for all kinds on this page: -writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

Hy Liz, I just want to tell you that you are doing an amazing job, by helping alot of people understand the mechanics of IELTS, and that too for free.You are an amazing human being, may the blessings of Allah be upon you.

I followed you and IELTS Cambridge books religiously from the day i started preparation, yesterday i got my result and i got an overall 8.0 with 9.0 in reading, 8.5 in listening, 7.0 in speaking and 7.o in writing in contrast to my previous result of 7.o overall.

Yes, it is possible. There is no fixed rule. The majority of the time, the overview will contain only description. But there are cases (such as totals in a table) when the overview might contain numbers.

If your writing task 1 report contains too many small details, you will get a lower mark. 25% of your marks for task 1 is your ability to select information and highlight key features. Of course, if the chart gives few details, then you might present all but if there is plenty of information to present then you must be selective. So, writing over 200 words is not showing the skill of selecting.

Hi Liz, I am planning to retake IELTS exam because I was unable to get a score of 8 and above for my writing. I need someone to critique my essays. Can you help me on this? Please contact me at: ebvillaf...@gmail.com

Hi Liz,

Thank you very much for helping us. I have a query about word counting. Number of articles are considered in 150 words?

I look forward to hearing from you Liz.

Best Regards,

Manobendro Sarker

Thanks for responding,in terms of the academic,how different is it from the GT? I know listening and speaking its the same exam. The difference is on reading and writing where in writing there is the issue of graphs being part of the curriculum.

I have a date for academic but wanted to find out if the band will be reduced because i am taking Academic instead of GT, and is it difficult as people say because i could have taken CAE,TOEFL,PTE Academic but feel with the knowledge i accumulated on this site better to do IETLS

Hello Liz

I have question .. The following is writing task 1 statement The bar chart below shows the percentage of people in UK living alone by sex and age in 2004/05 .. Is it possible to paraphrase it to the following The bar chart illustrate the amount of people in UK who are living alone in terms of percentage dividing according to their age and gender during the period 2004/05.. Is that a good paraphrase? If it is not, who can I make it better?

Hi Liz,

In writing task 1 (Academic) there are two pages provided. My question is if I want to write more should I continue on subsequent pages given for task 2 or should I ask for separate sheets meant for task 1.

Awesome website for Ielts prep

Thanks Liz for your dedication and simplicity in L R W S

Just 2days before I checked ur writing topics and videos

Which boosted my score to 7band in writing thanks a ton

I have observed many candidates asking about getting exhausted by the time they have to do writing and I have also felt the same by the time we come to writing. Its just that we cannot brainstorm effectively and also we are trying hard to write something but we may turn away from the topic and realize it later

I will make sure that the essays I am going to practice further should include brainstorming and than following the plan to write essay. I believe in this way we will not go back and forth and can keep our focus towards given topic only.

There is an overview paragraph not a conclusion. The overview can be after the introduction or at the end of the report. Please watch my free video lessons to learn about the overview and the possible locations.

Liz

Hi, my name is Elizabeth (Liz). I am your teacher and the author of this website. I am an experienced, qualified English teacher specialising in IELTS test preparation since 2008. Please enjoy the 300 plus pages of free lessons, tips, model answers, topics etc.

Another source of academic reading material are the texts used in the Academic IELTS Reading Test. These texts are written in an academic style, so reading these will show you how to write in an academic style yourself.

If you want a high band score for Lexical Resource, you need to use vocabulary that conveys your ideas in a clear, precise way. This means using topic-specific vocabulary. So you should try to learn vocabulary that is related to topics that often come up in the IELTS writing test, such as the environment, education and jobs.

It is very important to practise writing IELTS essays, but be careful when looking for essay questions to answer. Some essay questions which you can find online are very badly written: they can be badly worded, and on topics that are almost impossible to write about.

You should try to get feedback on your essays, ideally by a teacher who has a good understanding of the IELTS writing assessment criteria. Getting feedback is the most effective way to improve your band score, because you will find out what you are doing wrong, and how you improve.

If you enrol in an IELTS class, ask the teacher for feedback on your essays. Alternatively, find a teacher online who offers IELTS tutoring or an IELTS writing correction service. These services can be quite expensive, but they are cheaper than having to re-sit the IELTS exam.

In these Facebook groups, read the essays that other students post, and look at the feedback they get from teachers. Many students will have the same problems as you, and they will make the same mistakes as you, so the feedback given to one student may also be useful for you.

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