IELTS writing tips

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The IELTS Writing paper is the most difficult of the four papers for the majority of candidates taking the Academic version of the test. Here are some essential tips to remember when you take the test.

TASK 1

Decide what type of graph or table you have in task 1 – is it comparing information or describing trends? This will help you decide what language to use.
Remember to write an introductory statement in task 1 – this should introduce what is shown in the diagram.
Always write an overall comment in Task 1 – this can go at the beginning or the end of the task and should summarise the overall trend/feature of the diagram.

TASK 2

Plan your answers – taking 5 minutes to make a brief paragraph plan will help you to organise your ideas and ensure that your answers are well-structured.
Make sure you answer the question in Task 2 – many candidates go off topic in their essay and this can result in a lower score for Task Achievement.
Don’t forget to write an introduction and a conclusion for Task 2 – this is essential for you to achieve a high score in the Writing paper.
Don’t over-complicate your essay – trying to include too many abstract ideas in Task 2 can result in a long and confusing essay.
Don’t forget to separate the ideas into logical paragraphs – both tasks should be around 4-5 paragraphs

TASKS 1 & 2

Remember to use a range of linking phrases for both tasks – this will improve your score of coherence and cohesion
Check your work for errors – try and leave 5 minutes at the end to review your writing and ensure a high level of accuracy

Remember, SLC’s Reach IELTS Writing course provides all the information, techniques and strategies you need on how to answer the two tasks. You can also sign up for the Premium version, so you can work with a specialist tutor to get vital feedback on your writing.

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