If you are preparing to study abroad, clearing the IELTS must be one of your top priorities. The IELTS Writing Test is the section that most students find difficult. However, if you know what to expect in this section, understand the IELTS Writing Test format, and familiarise yourself with the marking criteria, you will be able to ace this section. Read on to learn more about the IELTS Writing tasks, topics and tips.
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IELTS Writing Test Format
The IELTS Writing Test consists of two writing tasks that take up to 60 minutes. You must write your full responses on the Writing Answer Sheet for the IELTS Writing Test. Responses for the IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 need to be written in an academic or neutral style. Answers that are notes are not accepted. Take a look at the table below to get an idea of the IELTS Writing Test Format.
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IELTS Writing Test Tasks |
IELTS Writing Test Format |
IELTS Writing Test Time |
|
IELTS Writing Task 1 |
150 words long answer |
20 minutes |
|
IELTS Writing Task 2 |
250 words long answer |
40 minutes |
IELTS Writing Task 1
In the IELTS Writing Task 1, test takers are required to describe a piece of information (graph, table, chart, or diagram) and summarise it in their own words.
IELTS Writing Task 2
The test taker is given an issue, an argument, or a point of view in the IELTS Writing Task 2. The subjects are of general interest and appropriate for test takers who are beginning their undergraduate or graduate study or looking to register for a professional career. In this task, you must back up your arguments with facts drawn from your own knowledge or experience.
IELTS Writing Test Marking Criteria
In the IELTS Writing Task 1, the test taker is assessed on their ability to:
- Organise, present and possibly compare data
- Recount the stages of a process or procedure
- Describe an object or event or sequence of events
- Explain how something works
Whereas, in the IELTS Writing Task 2, the test taker is evaluated on their ability to:
- Propose a solution to a problem
- Suggest and justify an opinion
- Compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
- Assess and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument
The IELTS Writing Test evaluates how well you can organise your thoughts, use suitable vocabulary and syntax, and create responses that are appropriate in terms of the topic and content organisation. Scores are given in a whole-band or half-band format. Each task is evaluated separately by certified examiners. The table below gives a detailed overview of the IELTS Writing Test Assessment Criteria.
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S.No |
IELTS Writing Test Criteria |
IELTS Writing Test Criteria Explained |
|
1. |
Accuracy |
This criterion evaluates if the solution provided by the test-taker satisfies the task's requirements in terms of being acceptable, accurate, and relevant. |
|
2. |
Coherence and Cohesion |
This criterion examines the overall organisation and clarity of the message, including how the language, concepts, and information are linked. |
|
3. |
Lexical Resource |
This criterion focuses on the language the test taker has used and the precision and suitability of the used language in terms of the specific task. |
|
4. |
Grammatical Range and Accuracy |
This criterion evaluates the scope and precision of the test-takers' grammatical resources used in their writing at the sentence level. |
IELTS Writing Topics
The subject of the IELTS Writing topics often stays the same even though the essay questions differ. To write your essay in the allotted time, you should practise coming up with ideas for all popular IELTS writing topics. Here are some IELTS Writing Task 2 topics with their subtopics that you can prepare for.
Health
- Health and Education
- Obesity
- Prevention vs Cure
Art
- Benefits of Art for individuals and society
- Censorship of art and artists
- Creativity
Language
- Language and Culture
- Methods of Language Learning
- The disappearance of Languages
Media and Advertising
- News and Reporting
- Advertising Methods
- Censorship, Control and Freedom of Speech
Technology
- Children and Technology
- Controlling the Internet
- Safety of personal information
Society
- Crime on the streets
- Overpopulation
- Modern lifestyle
Work
- Women in work
- Employment
- Types of job
Food
- Fast food
- Healthy diets
- Children and diet
IELTS Writing Tips
Here are some tips for IELTS that you can follow to prepare better for your exam:
- Remember that the examiners are grading you based on your expression, so make sure to cater to all parts of the question in your answer.
- Always stick to the word limit, as writing lesser than 150 words in IELTS Writing Task 1 or lesser than 250 in IELTS Writing Task 2 can lead to you losing marks.
- Write answers fully without any bullets, and make sure to arrange your ideas in different paragraphs.
- Ensure that you always use proper grammar and show clarity and coherence in organising your thoughts on paper.
- In the IELTS Writing Task 1, always use your own words and never copy the text from the question when writing the introduction.
- For the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, plan the structure beforehand. Make sure to include a proper introduction, some arguments supporting your views, and instances from real life.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a common doubt whether the IELTS writing test essay questions will be repeated. Though the topics can be similar, the questions never repeat.
